Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation (2015/Sentai Blu-ray Set)

Picture: B+ Sound: B+ Extras: C Episodes: A-

Sakurako is a beautiful young woman, unfortunately she is more interested in bones than pretty dresses or people who are alive. She is accompanied by Shotaro, where ever they go they seem to discover a corpse or bones from a murder. Between the two they help solve the mysteries and stories behind the bones and what killed them in Beautiful Bones: Sakurako's Investigation (2015).

Sakurako is also an osteologist (a person who studies bones), she prefers bones, mysteries, murders and things that have been long dead over the living. More often she is solving murder cases before the police (and pissing them off) but they cannot say that her deductions are wrong. She is accompanied by Shotaro who is totally infatuated with her. Shotaro serves as her assistant (and her conscience) to help her communicate with the living. Unfortunately for Shotaru, Sakurako see and refers to Shotaro only as a 'boy', Shotaro hopes by working with her that she will one day acknowledge him as a man and call him by his name instead of 'boy'.

The Japanese certainly love their murder mystery stories, though it would be nice to see more animes in this genre. This anime series reminds me of Sherlock Holmes and Watson, another dynamic duo except with a beautiful young woman and her clumsy but good nature assistant. Well done!

The 1080p 1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image across the two discs are looking really good and if they are not among the many best Sentai has issued, they impress throughout just the same. The DTS-HD MA (Master Audio) 2.0 Stereo lossless mixes on all shows have Pro Logic-like surrounds and are very well recorded, so the combination presentation is fine. Extras include clean opening and closing animation and trailers.

Episodes include...

Bone-Loving Princess - Sakurako and Shotaro comes across two bodies by the sea, but was it a double suicide ...or murder?

Where's Your House - Shotaro finds a bloody lost 4 year old girl ...and they find her mother murdered.

The Bones that Sleep in Summer - Sakurako finds the a corpse in the forest, turns out to be Shotaro's friend Yuriko's grandmother body.

The Cursed Man (Part 1) - Sakurako and Shotaro investigate a man who's family all died young, is a curse? Or is there something more sinister?

The Cursed Man (Part 2) - Sakurako proves the killer is toxins from old paintings, but then discover the man is also suicidal.

Asahi Bridge Irregulars - During a festival Yuriko finds a letter and ring on a bridge and believes it is a suicide note.

The Entrusted Bones (Part 1) - Sakurako goes to Shotaro's school festival, but then they discover human bones in the office of Sakurako's former teacher.

The Entrusted Bones (Part 2) - Sakurako uncovers the bones and an affair between her teacher, his sister, her friend ...and the baby they had.

Grandma's Pudding - Sakurako, Shotaro and Yuriko share their stories of their grandmothers.

A Butterfly Disappeared in November (Part 1) - Sakurako and Shotaro is asked to investigate a case of a missing girl between 3 former BFFs.

A Butterfly Disappeared in November (Part 2) - Sakurako discovers the bones of one of the girls, but was it a failed suicide pack ...or murder?

What Lies Beneath Sakurako - Shotaro recalls the first time he met Sakurako and decides to stay by her side despite the danger cases might bring them.

- Ricky Chiang