Sankarea...
Over the weekend, I picked up Sankarea...
Later, a second post showed up on the FUNimation news page...
I've watched all of Sankarea and my initial impression stands -- the series is pretty good. The pace of Sankarea is a bit slow in the middle, but, once Rea's relationship with her father transforms from marginally incestuous (or at least very inappropriate) to utterly psychotic, things get a bit more interesting. There is some blood and a modest amount of gore to be found in Sankarea, but, if you're looking for a zombie apocalypse along the lines of Highschool of the Dead, you'll be very disappointed. Rea nibbles on Furuya, but, there's no actual zombie munching. Two words: zombie romance.
Overall, Sankarea is a dramatic character study of Rea's transformation from a sheltered recluse into a zombie with a taste for freedom and a desire to live life to the fullest. The series does exhibit a fair amount of fan service in both versions with slightly more in the unedited version. A detailed analysis of the differences between each version can be found on the Sankarea Edits: TV14 Vs. TV-MA post. The pace of the series is a bit slower than I would like and some aspects of the story remain unresolved by the end of the series, but, even with these shortcomings, the themes in the series (even in the edited version) are such that the younger anime fans should probably stay away. I would give Sankarea a 3 out of 5.
Then, I noticed a post on the FUNimation news page regarding an issue with the series...Zombie-obsessed Furuya is making a potion to reanimate his dead cat when he meets Rea. She's about as miserable as a girl can get, thanks to her creepy, domineering father. When the pain becomes too much, she tries to commit suicide with a sip of Furuya's weird elixir. The potion doesn't kill her but it does turn her into a zombie after she falls from a cliff.
Now that Rea's undead and ready to finally live, she hides out with Furuya, who's always dreamed of having a zombie girlfriend. Their one-of-a-kind relationship comes with some challenges, like the fact that Rea is decomposing. Even worse, her freak-show dad is dangerously determined to get her back under his control. As Furuya fights to keep his ghoulfriend safe, Rea finds the secret to resurrecting her happiness: Live like you re dying even if you re already dead.
In regard to the release of the Sankarea DVD & Blu-ray content, FUNimation had originally released this set with the materials provided to us.I planned on watching the series regardless of the censored content, but, I thought that having *free* replacement discs would be a nice bonus. So, I sent out an email with a copy of my receipt...
We will be receiving additional home video masters. Customers who wish to receive the unedited version may do so by emailing [us] along with a copy of your original receipt, and a physical mailing address (no PO Boxes please).
Once the replacement discs are authored we will begin to process your request. Thank You.
Later, a second post showed up on the FUNimation news page...
After reviewing materials, FUNimation has decided to issue a recall on the recent Sankarea release (this applies to both the Limited Edition and Alt versions), rather than the previously offered disc replacement, as the rating on the release will now change from TV14 to TVMA.Finally, an email showed up in my inbox...
If you have purchased this release, and would like a refund, please return product to your retailer.
Be advised that although we are issuing a recall some retailers will still have this product available for sale in the marketplace. Please wait for the unedited release if the current version is not the one you wish to purchase.
We apologize for the inconvenience, and should you have any questions, please feel free to contact [us].
We plan to re-release this title with the new materials at a later date once the discs have been authored.
Dear Customer,I was going to watch Sankarea regardless of the censored content, but, it saddens me that there will be no *free* replacement discs. It looks like if I want the unedited version, I'll have to buy the series again...
After reviewing materials, FUNimation has decided to issue a recall on the recent Sankarea release (this applies to both the Limited Edition and Alt versions), rather than the previously offered disc replacement, as the rating on the release will now change from TV14 to TVMA. Due to the rating change, we cannot send replacement discs.
If you have purchased this release, and would like a refund, please return product to your retailer. Do not return to FUNimation.
We apologize for the inconvenience. We plan to re-release this title with the new materials at a later date once the discs have been authored.
Thank you for your understanding,
FUNimation Product Concerns
I've watched all of Sankarea and my initial impression stands -- the series is pretty good. The pace of Sankarea is a bit slow in the middle, but, once Rea's relationship with her father transforms from marginally incestuous (or at least very inappropriate) to utterly psychotic, things get a bit more interesting. There is some blood and a modest amount of gore to be found in Sankarea, but, if you're looking for a zombie apocalypse along the lines of Highschool of the Dead, you'll be very disappointed. Rea nibbles on Furuya, but, there's no actual zombie munching. Two words: zombie romance.
Overall, Sankarea is a dramatic character study of Rea's transformation from a sheltered recluse into a zombie with a taste for freedom and a desire to live life to the fullest. The series does exhibit a fair amount of fan service in both versions with slightly more in the unedited version. A detailed analysis of the differences between each version can be found on the Sankarea Edits: TV14 Vs. TV-MA post. The pace of the series is a bit slower than I would like and some aspects of the story remain unresolved by the end of the series, but, even with these shortcomings, the themes in the series (even in the edited version) are such that the younger anime fans should probably stay away. I would give Sankarea a 3 out of 5.
