Triage X (Complete Collection) (Blu-ray Review)

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Triage X is the anime series based on the Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Satō Shōji. An action-drama with elements of ecchi, loads of fan service, and blending of high school and idol elements, the series tracks a vigilante organization known as “Black Label.”

Working out of Mochizuki General Hospital, the organization’s aim is to excise the criminal element from society by deleting (read: kill) them. The buxom nurses of Mochizuki are all highly skilled assassins, and the male protagonist, Mikami Arashi is as well.

Mikami Arashi is a high school student with a secret in his past. One of the gorgeous nurses of Mochizuki once saved him and his loyalty now lies with her and the chairman of the hospital – and head of Black Label.

While the series has a dark undertone and excellent action from the beginning, reminiscent of Black Lagoon or Noir, but with less exposition and dramatic buildup. What Triage X does is take the genre of assassins and girls with guns and add lots of ecchi and fan service. These elements may look great, especially given the very competent, eye catching animation and character designs, but they sometimes feel very out of place with the overall tone of the series.

The story becomes a little convoluted as it moves along when a rival faction of killers enters the stage. We are now left to root for the “hero” assassins removing the “cancer” from society but not the other killers who seem to be doing the same thing, just through slightly different means.

Overall, however, this series is a very enjoyable diversion and wraps up with an extra dose of fan service in the final episode and the included OVA.

The Video

The digital animation for Triage X comes to Blu-ray in a 1.78:1 AVC 1080p encodement from Sentai Filmworks. It is generally free from noise and banding and has good detail, although there is a slight softness to the overall image. It does not reach the reference level of the best Blu-ray releases of a Studio Ghibli film, per se, but is certainly in line with the level of quality for this sort of anime series of this vintage.

The Audio

Triage X get the original Japanese-language stereo mix in DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 on this Blu-ray release. For only stereo, the sound is quite aggressive and dynamic. One does not miss the lack of additional channels given the chunky midrange and low-end, wide panning, and clarity of this presentation.

The Supplements

The OVA and interview with the two leads are the main bonus features to check out on this release. The OVA gives an overdose of fan service for those looking for more of that.

• Recollection XOXO OVA (1080p; 00:24:19)
• Clean Opening Animation (1080p; 00:01:31)
• Clean Closing Animation (1080p; 00:01:31)
• Interview with Kenji Akabane (Arashi) & Yui Kondo (Mikoto) (1080i; 00:11:00)
• Japanese Promos (1080p; 00:03:31)

The Final Assessment

Triage X is classic action blended with sexy fan service, gorgeous characters, and a compelling, if a little convoluted, story. The Blu-ray serves the series with a strong presentation.

Triage X (Complete Collection) is out on Blu-ray June 6, 2023, from Sentai Filmworks.

• Rating Certificate: TV-MA (VSLD)
• Animation Studio: Xebec
• Distributor: Sentai Filmworks
• Directors: Takami Akio | Kato Takao
• Written By: Takayama Katsuhiko
• Run Time: 275 Mins.
• Street Date: 6 June 2023
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Video Format: AVC 1080p
• Primary Audio: Japanese DTS-HD MA 2.0 Stereo
• Subtitles: English