The Big O gets a complete series collection on Blu-Ray and DVD thanks to Section 23, Featuring seasons one and two of the acclaimed mecha anime drama series, The Big O Complete Collection is the set fans in the West have been requesting for years. While the series initially failed to gain popularity in its home country of Japan, it eventually found its way to a special place within the hearts of Western anime fans across America, making it an international powerhouse of the early 2000s anime season in the West.

The Big O is an 1999 mecha anime series, it is produced by Sunrise, and licensed by Sentai Filmworks, it is currently available on DVD and Blu-Ray in English.

Main characters Roger & android Dorothy.

During its run on the early years of Cartoon Network’s anime push, The Big O was one of the first anime series running on the program to gain a huge following in America (others being Dragon Ball Z, Sailor Moon, etc). Since its initial TV run the series was kind of left in the dark with not too much being seen for home media. After the closure of Bandai Entertainment, Sentai rescued both seasons, not only bringing them to a complete collection set, but a Blu-Ray release as well.

The Big O as it appears in the anime.

THE GOOD: The Big O holds a special place within the hearts of American anime fans across the country, but The Big O strangely has a huge following in not only America, all across the globe (outside of Japan). After its initial Toonami run the series became such a huge hit that Adult Swim/Cartoon Network ended up financing the second season (a third was planned but never materialized). The dynamic of negotiator Roger & android Dorothy is one of the series many appeals, they match up so well yet have a certain opposition about them that makes them an entertaining duo. While there are mechas (known in the series as Megadeuses), they never take up too much screen time from the show, and often feel like a bonus, this is very much a character-driven series.

A character-driven series with a kaju/mecha bonus.

THE BAD: The series ends in a sort of Gainax style troll job.

A fantastic series with a not so fantastic ending.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: The Big O is a fan favorite classic series with a long overdue, yet much deserved Blu-Ray/Complete Series release. Whether its the characters, mechs, or story, you’ll find one reason or another to get a kick out of this short term adventure. Otaku Dome gives The Big O Complete Collection Blu-Ray a 84 out of 100.