Funimation
Director: Tae-gyun Kim
Writers: Kôji Matsumoto (manga), Tetsuya Oishi (screenplay)
Stars: Dai Watanabe, Asami Mizukawa and Terri Doty
(From imdb.com)

What they say: Akira and his ragtag group of teenage friends enter a world of danger and action when they land on the shores of Higanjima, an uncharted island that’s overrun by vampires.
After learning that his missing brother might be somewhere on the island, Akira leads his friends on a chilling adventure that takes them from Higanjima’s highest volcanic peaks into the subterranean chambers of the island’s ancient ruins. They’ll face entire villages of sword-wielding vampires while racing to stay a step ahead of winged she-beasts and giant gargoyles. Worst of all, the gang will encounter the deadly master of the island’s monsters: the pale, blood-sucking freak show known as Miyabi. If the devilishly cruel Miyabi gets his way, none of the young heroes will live to see Akira’s brother – or the mainland – ever again.

What I say: Higanjima is one of those films that is so close to greatness it hurts. This film truly had it all; action, gore, vampires! This film also had some of the best sword fights and fight scenes I have ever seen in ANY movie. When it this movie is moving it’s a things of beauty, when things calm down, not so much. I wish just as much had been put into character development as was into the combat. Plus the villain, Miyabi aka Lestats long lost brother, is ill defined. But like I said let a fight break out and it’s on!

I also wish more time was spent on the resistance fighters on the island, they all seemed to be interested characters but alas they were secondary to the main cast. This felt like a lost opportunity.

And finally, the film felt a smidge too long, an over 2 hours, I could have stood to have been about 15 minutes shorter. But overall I did like it.

The picture quality is excellent with great detail and rich blacks. The sound design is a delight as well especially in the fight scenes.

Extras include a DVD of the film and a making of.

Film: 7/10
Blu-Ray: 8/10