 A dual @-@ layer DVD release , with special features including trailers , making @-@ of documentaries , and a recorded encoffining ceremony , was released in Japan on 18 March 2009 . A North American DVD edition of Departures , including an interview with the director , was released by Koch Vision on 12 January 2010 ; the film was not dubbed , but rather presented with Japanese audio and English subtitles . A Blu @-@ ray edition followed in May . This home release received mixed reviews . Franck <unk> of DVD Verdict was highly complimentary toward the film and the digital transfer , considering its visuals clean and sharp and the audio ( particularly the music ) " a pleasure to listen to " . Thomas <unk> , writing for DVD Talk , rated the release as " Highly Recommended " , focusing on the " unexpected powerhouse " of the film 's quality . Another writer for the website , Jeremy Mathews , advised readers to " Skip It " , finding the DVD an apt presentation of the source material — which he considered to " reduce itself to clumsy , mug @-@ filled attempts at broad comedy and awkward , repetitive tear @-@ jerker scenes " . Both DVD Talk reviews agreed that the audio and visual quality were less than perfect , and that the DVD 's extra contents were poor ; Mathews described the interview as the director answering " dull questions in a dull manner " . 
