Hero Mask is the latest Blu-ray release to come from Sentai Filmworks that was a “Netflix Original” anime. I hate to say these have been more miss than hit, but for the most part I feel that way. This one is a Sci-Fi Actioner, with a crime plot running through it, and well it has a decent energy in the end it feels like 24 episodes of been there, done that.
The show opens pretty frantically with the death of an investigator Monica Campbell, her friend and co-worker asks for an investigation into her death which is picked up by rogue detective James Blood. We know Blood is a rogue having been introduced to him through a frenetic obviously illegal car chase that shows the way he operates. He picks up the investigation, but also finds a tidbit, that involves masks that give the user the ability to shapeshift. This part while not original works quite reasonably well, and helps drive a lot of the plot.
The thing about this show is, it does have a pretty breakneck pace most of the time. The animation is good, but it has a decidedly western feel to it, that makes me feel like I should simply be watching a normal cartoon show than the Japanese anime that I love. That being said the sleek sci-fi-ness did occasionally draw me in, and I did enjoy it for the most part.
Sentai Filmworks presents Hero Mask in a 1080p transfer that, of course, looks fantastic. This is a new series though, and will definitely improve upon the stream. Audio is a DTS-HD Master audio track in English and Japanese and sounds clear and crisp. Extras include promos, costume designs, character pieces, and more.