5 out of 5

Comes with the first-time English translated Short Stories – two of them in one mini-bound volume that fits into the boxset. While I don’t think much of these, it does seem the fans have appreciated them, and contents aside – it’s a true bonus: original material by the original creator.

The box art here is good – a very moody group shot on the back, and a somber, subtly hopeful one on the front, definitely representative of the story’s emotional ebbs.

Overall, I do wish the entire series formed one long image on the sides, but perhaps they were figuring out the best way to bundle these as they went along; I could dock points for starting a new image series with this box, but the season 3 boxes do connect, so it’s not like it’s completely thoughtless.

Priced, as usual, to match the tankobon contents individually, so you’re really getting some legit extras with the shorts.