This two disc release from the wacky anime series My Bride is a Mermaid includes all 26 episodes of the show's first season, following the story of a guy named Nagasumi, who is rescued from drowning by a beautiful mermaid - who can only save is life if he agrees to marry her. Extras with the set include trailers and textless opening and closing credits.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
The story of My Bride is a Mermaid revolves around a young teenage boy named Nagasumi Michishio. One day during his summer vacation at Seto Bay, Nagasumi is saved from drowning by a mermaid, Sun Seto. Under mermaid law, however, either the mermaid whose identity was revealed, or the human who saw the mermaid, must be executed. In an attempt to save both Nagasumi and Sun's lives, Sun's family, which is the head of a mermaid mafia group, reluctantly decides that the two are to be married. Sun's father Gōzaburō is enraged about his daughter's sudden marriage. Between Gōzaburō's constant attempts on his life and the madcap antics of a slew of antagonists, Nagasumi has a hard time transitioning into his new married lifestyle. *Wiki*
This one pretty much had me rolling from the start. Have to say that I loved everything about this series. It's hard to really put it into words. Pretty much everything that happens is so off the wall that you can't help laughing at it.
The characters in here are all really likeable. Sun is cute and naive. Nagasumi is your typical baka male. Nagasumi's parents have no problem throwing him under the bus...or off the cliff. Absolutely loved the parents of Sun and Lunar...especially the dads. And all of the yakuza members just add to the hiliarity.
This set is only episodes 1-13, but Season 1 Part 2 contains 14-26. I recommend this series for anyone looking for a great time. I'll have to pick up part 2 and go over that one later.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Wonderful anime series here. Just did a marathon run-through of it and will probably go back through it again once I've finished the other series I have waiting. Seiji is a delinquent. Pure and simple. All he does is get into fights. Because of this, everyone is afraid of him and avoids him at all costs. This makes getting a girlfriend next to impossible... One day Seiji wakes up to find a girl talking to him. What used to be his demon right-hand fist that vanquished all of the hoodlums in town has now turned into a girl named Midori who has secretly been in love with him for more than three years. As you can imagine, things get a little hectic as Seiji's normal every day life has been turned upside-down by a cute girl being his right hand. Love this story. It was very original, had a good mix of drama, romance, comedy, and action. If you aren't a fan of "slice of life" (everyday life) anime, then you might not be a huge fan, but I think everyone should give this series a shot. I actually really enjoyed the English Dubs as well. Japanese vocals were nice, too, but I didn't turn them on at all for the main episodes. And for a huge shocker...there are actually a ton of Extras! There was a separate disc of just trailers! About 15 in all, I believe along with trailers on each of the 3 discs. Disc 1 and 3 contain English blooper out-takes. And all three discs have an audio file that is extremely similar to watching a video novel that covers events not seen in the actual series. Watched everything except for the textless openings!
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Just picked up this series yesterday and watched through it all.
In a nutshell, Sakura (main character) will, in the future, unlock immortality... The catch? It only appears to be for women and because he's turned into a pedophile, they don't physically age beyond 12. No problem, right...? Well, God has deemed this unacceptable and sends angels back in time to kill him The first angel, Dokuro-chan, decides she would rather change him than kill him. Luckily she can restore life to people because she ends up smashing him to bits every episode.
Dokuro-Chan is an awesome series filled with comedy, well-proportioned angels, geisers of blood, and everything under the sun. Sadly, at only 12 episodes (3 hours# long, the series passes by way too quick. A downright steal at only $20, though.
From wiki: Dokuro-chan tells the story of a 13-year-old junior high schooler, Sakura Kusakabe, who, twenty years in the future, while attempting to create a "Pedophile's World" forces all women to stop aging after the age of twelve, offends God by the side effect of having created immortality. Dokuro Mitsukai, a member of an order of assassin angels that are called Rurutie, has been sent from the future to kill him. Believing that Sakura can be redeemed, Dokuro decides instead to keep Sakura so occupied that he can never develop the immortality technology. Due to her impulsive nature and super-human strength however, she frequently kills him with her gigantic spiked kanabō #club), Excalibolg, on a moment's impulse, but returns him to life moments later with angelic power. Sabato, another assassin of the Rurutie order who uses her feminine wiles to do her job, is dispatched to complete Dokuro's original mission: Sakura's assassination.
This creepy crawly release from the anime series Rosario + Vampire includes the entirety of the show's second season, following the story of a high schooler named Tsukune who gets rejected from every college he applies to except a school for monsters, where he's the only human in the student body.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
After having this one sitting around in the original packaging for about two months, I finally got around to watching the 2nd season of Rosario + Vampire today. Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed. If you enjoyed the first season, you'll enjoy this one as well. They're pretty much identical with just a touch more drama at the end.
Where to start? The opening theme is decent. If you watch any AMVs on Youtube, you're sure to have seen plenty of them featuring all of the girls from the series dancing. I actually really enjoyed the ending theme.
Don't expect anything from the extras. You've got one trailer at the beginning of each disc and 8 trailers on the 2nd disc as well as a clean opening and ending song.
From the ending of the first season, I was expecting a little bit more action to accompany the 2nd. There is a little bit of action but it's pretty much in the last episode alone. All the other fights end in 1-2 hits. Still the same annoying narrative when the rosary is removed from Moka. Tsukune might add one more girl to his "harem" if a 3rd season ever develops but I doubt one will with how this ended.
This series definitely delivers in the fanservice department. My twin sat down and watched a few episodes with me and immediately noticed the panty shots every 5-10 seconds. It doesn't stop there, though. There are quite a few topless scenes in here as well. Nothing beats the "Boob missile" scene where Kurumu and Mizori's moms fight against each other.
Loved the humor, too. Even if there were too many panty shots, there was always enough to keep me laughing to ease the pain...
All in all, it's a decent series, but I don't see myself watching it again. Great for the lol factor and fanservice if over the top at times.
What's great about it: Boob missiles...
What's not so great: Lack of a story and rushed ending.
This cheeky release from the anime spin-off Full Metal Panic?: Fumoffu includes all 12 episodes of the show, taking the set-up from the series Full Metal Panic, eliminating the sci-fi/action elements, and focusing solely on the sexy and romantic side of the story.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Now, FMP: Fumoffu isn't epic for its incredible plot, beautiful romance, or deep characters. In World of Warcraft terms, it falls into the Legendary category for its sheer randomness and utter hilarity. You're a little bit better off having seen the first season of FMP, but it's not necessary unless you want some character background. Sasuke is the perfect solder with no social sense that makes for the most hilarious moments when paired with the hot-headed Chidori. This series really has no plot. Every episode is pretty much in its own season. A few episodes are tied together by Tessa living with Sasuke, but that's about it. I couldn't pass through a single episode without nearly falling off the couch laughing. Sasuke teaches us all some of lifes greatest lessons such as: 1: If you find a suspicious letter in your locker, it's alright to use C4 explosives to dispose of it. 2. Kidnapping is okay if they did it first. 3. It's alright to carry around a shotgun if you just use rubber bullets. 4. If your rugby team sucks, train them to become killing machines. (This episode was the funniest thing I've ever seen). And so much more...if only it went on forever. Unless you just hate comedy, you MUST watch this series at some point if you love anime.
What's great about it: Words cannot describe how great this is.
Package Description: "Meet Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old college karate champ and ex-biker. He's crude, foul-mouthed, and has a hair-trigger temper. His goal: to be the Greatest High School Teacher in the World! In GTO Volume 5: Betrayal, Onizuka finally has his class under control and now the real fun begins. Secret admirers, teachers gone AWOL and cursed letters replace bullies and blackmail. It's all just another day in the life of the one and only GTO. (Did we mention the exploding school?)"
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
"In GTO Volue 5: Betrayal, Onizuka finally has his class under control and now the real fun begins Secret admirers, teachers gone AWOL, and cursed letters replace bullies and blackmail. It's all just another day in the life of the one and only GTO. #Did we mention the exploding school!?#"
This volume brings the first season of GTO to a close. It's a pretty short volume, sadly. Still plenty of comedy to go around, but there isn't much of Onizuka getting to whoop #beat# his students in line. He's losing his edge as he starts going after Fuyutsuki #another teacher#. Doesn't look like he gonna get lucky any time soon.
Aside from the episodes 20-23, the extras on here include an interview with GTO creator Tohru Fujisawa, other anime previews, and outtakes from the series. Quite a bit for an individual volume.
What's great about it: Lots of DVD bonus features.
This disc contains five episodes of the anime series GTO. The episodes are titled "Outside Looking In", "To Be Idolized By a Nation", "The Formula for Treachery", "Only the Best Will Do", and "Between a Rock and a Hard Place". Each episode is presented in the original aspect ratio of 1.33:1. English and Japanese soundtracks are rendered in Dolby Digital Stereo. English subtitles are accessible. Supplemental materials include a text-free rendition of the opening and closing credit animation sequences, and sketches of the characters. This is a great release for fans of the series.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
"Meet Eikichi Onizuka, a 22-year-old college karate champ and ex-biker. He's crude, foul-mouthed, and has a hair-trigger temper. His goal: to be the Greatest High School Teacher in the World!"
"In GTO Volume 3: Outcasts, Onizuka mentors a young, (and very well endowed) female student that has been ostracized by her classmates. The bad news is not everyone thinks this teacher/student relationship is healthy. The good news is The Great Teacher Onizuka doesn't care what other people think."
Volume 3 builds upon the character relationships inside Onizuka's classroom. One of his students is becoming a rising idol while a fellow teacher wants to see him fired. Not to mention the great teacher himself is smitten with one of his coworkers as well! At least while he's not chasing the skirts of schoolgirls.
GTO is a fantastic series if you don't mind the old-school graphics. Broadcasts in the original 4:3 ratio instead of 16:9. There are 10 volumes with a total 43 episodes in the entire series. Can pick up the individual volumes or you might be able to find season 1 and 2 boxsets.
Package Description: Densuke just enrolled at the exclusive Zashnono academy. He's eager to participate in extracurricular activities, but he never expected to join the mysterious Eiken Club. Strangely enough, every other member is a busty co-ed, and many of the club activities involve bikinis. But Densuke isn't interested in anyone but the shy and beautiful Chiharu. Will he overcome the wall of women that stand between him and true love? Or is he doomed to a lifetime of riding waterslides with a jumble of half-naked women greased with yogurt?
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Summary pretty much says it all. Bought this movie many years back. Almost thought I had tossed it, but looks like it's still in my collection. The description for this is a little off. All this anime really is about is women/girls with boobs that waaaaaaaaay too big. Love some good fanservice, but there are points where it's just too much. This entire movie is one of those points. A loli (really underage girl for the non-otaku) should not have melons the size of her head.
Really...save yourself the money unless you just love breasts that much. A ton of other anime out there that are worth that hard-earned cash.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Escaflowne the Movie is essentially the series reduced into a single movie. Kind of hard to knock 26 episodes into less than 2 hours, though. Still, this does a fantastic job of doing just that. Wouldn't recommend watching the movie if you haven't seen the anime series, but it wouldn't do too much harm. The series gives you a lot more info on what is going on with the world(s#.
Synopsis is already in the description, so I won't go into that. The artwork in this movie is incredible. Straight from the get-go when Van dives out of the sky, lands on a sky-ship, and completely annihilates the crew on board; this movie had me drooling from the start.
Even better is the music. Any time you have a soundtrack composed by Yoko Kanno, you know that you're in for a wonderful symphony of music. One of my all-time favorite tracks, "Dance of Curse II", is utterly haunting and inspring at the same time with its orchestral performance similar to "Liberi Fatali" #the opening theme from Final Fantasy VIII).
Almost forgot what initially drew me to this series! The mechs! The Escaflowne and other mechs are just incredible. Especially when Van begins to turn a little to the dark side and Escaflowne becomes shrouded in black...overload!
The only complaints I could really raise are the lack of any relationship/romance between Van and Hitomi which was forming in the anime series. Also...the noses...they're just too long and crooked. Always bothered me :/
All-in-all, this is a superb movie filled with action, some superpowers, and mechs! If you can find it, try to get the original Ultimate Edition that was originally released. Has tons of extras as well as the entire soundtrack on individual discs.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Purchased this movie the day it came out last year because I already had the original and I wanted to see what would happen in this one. Just got the DVD version (no Blu-ray player at the time), but the other reviews on the Blu-ray one are pretty similar to mine.
Aftermath starts where Downfall left off at. The survivors have been picked up and quarantined. As each of them are being interrogated, you get to see the original story from their point of view. This gives you a great portal into their mindset or way of thinking. Sadly, it does get a bit stale.
The graphics change from each persons story which I found odd at first, but I ended up really enjoying it. The differing art styles do a very good job at showcasing just how different all of the survivors are. Solid voice acting in this one as well. Always nice when you don't have to turn on the Japanese dubs and read.
Just like with Downfall, have a bit of cursing in here as well as a bit of nudity, too. Lots of horror, blood, and killing. Not for the kiddos. Pick this one up if you want to find out more of an in depth story compared to the first, but you're not missing much if you don't.
What's great about it: Good voice acting and graphics.
What's not so great: Not much originality compared to Downfall.
Eliminate your unwieldy collection of remotes and start using one device. A Geek Squad Agent will program your new learning remote control (such as a Logitech Harmony remote) for easy operation of your TV and home theater components. Perform commands like Watch a DVD or Listen to Music with the push of a single button.* This service takes about an hour to complete. After completing your order, you will receive a confirmation e-mail that contains a redemption code. You can then schedule your appointment by calling 1-800-GEEK SQUAD (1-800-433-5778) and following the prompts for Home Theater and Installation.** Please print your Geek Squad confirmation e-mail and be ready when the Agent arrives at your chosen location.
Overall5 out of 5
its work for reciver by wifi bettween 2flooer
Bysaadcitystarfromnashville
its work for reciver by wifi bettween 2 flooer my reciver in 2 flooer and my tv is doween stires,so its work doween stirs in tv samsung by wifi
I try not to be a grammar-junkie, but I think "saadcitystar" is trying to say that he/she's happy with their remote programming. It sounds like he/she purchased a Harmony remote with RF (radio frequency) instead of IR (infrared) that is capable of sending signals over about a 50' range and can even go through walls, cabinets, etc...
If purchasing a remote programming by itself, the service is $99.99, but if you're having other services done as well (audio setup, wall-mounting, calibration, or networking), the service actually drops down to $59.99.
Album came out back on Tuesday and it arrived on Wednesday. Love the quick shipping here.
Hide and Seek isn't quite the same as previous albums from The Birthday Massacre. Couple of the songs have a little bit darker feeling to them, but the overall sounds took me back to music from the 80's and early 90's. Really loving it.
Wouldn't really say that there's any songs that just jump out at you, but it actually works out good for this CD. Really enjoying every single song so I can just keep the entire thing going on repeat. Would be nice to have a killer hit like "Blue" or "Red Stars" thrown in, but the whole thing more than makes up for it.
There's also a Vinyl version available as well, but you'll have to order that through other means if you want it. Definitely recommend this one to any fans.
Have to update this as I've had this CD going for the past month in my car. Truely great CD. Very little pops out because all of the songs are so good. Should have given this one 5 stars.
This release from the chilling anime series Gunslinger Girl includes all 13 episodes of the show's first season, following the girls of the Social Welfare Agency, who appear from the outside to be orphaned schoolgirls, but are actually trained to be cold blooded killers. Extras with the release include voice director commentary, textless songs, and more.
Overall4 out of 5
Killer girls from...
ByDvalfromClarksville, TN
Genre: Action
"Officially, the social Welfare Agency is a government sponsored corporation that's in the business of saving lives. At least, that's the ruse. In reality, it's an agency on the fringe of technology. They give terminal patients another shot at life using cybernetic implants. This conditioning process then shapes the patient into an effiecient machine for handling all of the goverment's dirty work. They've been given a second change at life, but at what cost?"
Basic plot: Little girls that were about to die have been given a second shot at life, but in return they're basically assassins for the government. The first season here doesn't really do much more than give us a character intro for 6 different girls. The story takes place in Italy which is a huge change of pace for most anime. Plot only got an average score because of the lack of one thus far.
Cinematography: The graphics are very visually appealing. Seeing everything out in the Mediteranean is a good change from the streets of Japan. The character designs themselves aren't very well done, though. They're really kind of normal. However, there's a ton of detail put into the outfits, guns, and scenery. Found it kind of odd, but the Blu-ray version is definitely nice and crisp. No jagged edges around the faces like on DVD versions.
Acting: Loved the English voice-acting and didn't touch the original Japanese. Kind of want to just to hear they're versions of each girl.
Extras: Non-existent. Not a single trailer, commentary, or even a textless opening or ending. Bare bones.
As the first reviewer posted, the story is a little disturbing. If you can get around little girls being used as military dolls, then the action is quite nice and I really enjoyed it. Just not the best series out there. Should definitely pick it up if you like anime, though.
Completely forgot about the extras on disc 2. There are actually quite a few. The voice-actor commentaries about their own characters are really enjoyable. Would bump the Extras up to 4 stars, but it wouldn't change the overall rating.
This mind-bending release from the psych-horror anime series Deadman Wonderland includes all 12 episodes of the show, following the story of a high school boy who is unjustly jailed for the murder of his class in a prison system that fits him with a collar constantly injecting him with poison. The poison can be neutralized if he can take regular doses of the antidote often enough, though these can only be obtained through prison work.
Overall4 out of 5
Supernatural prison
ByDvalfromClarksville, TN
Genre: Supernatural, Action, Drama Length: 12 episodes + OVA
"Ganta is the only survivor after a mysterious man in red slaughters a classroom full of teenagers. He's framed for the carnage, sentenced to die, and locked away in the most twisted prison ever built: Deadman Wonderland. And then it gets worse.
At Deadman Wonderland, convicts are forced into brutal deathmatches for the amusement of the masses, the cheers of the crowd drowning out the screams of the dismembered. Even when Ganta befriends Shiro, an unusual female inmate, his dark fate crushes all hope – until he discovers the strange ability to wield his spilled blood as a weapon. Ganta learns his new skill might be related to the murderous man in red and uncovers disturbing secrets that could expose those who stole his freedom. He's determined to see justice served – but first he'll have to fight for his life in a prison that holds a million ways to die."
Deadman Wonderland is a decent series that gained attention in America after Cartoon Network aired it on the Toonami animation block when it was reincarnated back in 2012. I caught the first 2 episodes, but never got around to watching the rest. The series is filled to the brim with blood, gore, and action. The English dialogue is pretty racy as well. It does an excellent job with the shock factor. You just know someone is about to die, but it can be a little hard to predict how it's going to happen. Sadly, the series is quite rushed and a ton of knowledge is never made known. There also isn't really a true ending. Red Man remains a mystery, sort of. What relation does Shiro and Ganta have? Don't want to spoil any of the ending, but it pops up just as many questions and doesn't really answer anything. It leave tons of room for a 2nd season, but I haven't seen anything in the works, yet.
I enjoyed the series overall even with the rushed ending and lingering questions. My brother was also a fan and admitted that he was a little confused with the entire thing. This is a great value on a pretty good series. Pick it up!
Keep your air clean and healthy with this Therapure 90TP50RM01 mini air purifier that is designed for areas up to 5 sq. ft. Stainless-steel collection blades allow easy cleaning and ultraviolet light destroys airborne viruses.
Overall5 out of 5
Not what I was looking for, much better
BykakkyfromHouston
Came in looking for a new portable radio. Salesman guided me to a blue-tooth speaker to connect to my phone instead. Can also use this with my MP3. Works much better than the radio would have and great sound. Helpful salesman did a bit of technology training to help me get it set up.
This set serves up every episode of the anime series Coppelion.
Overall3 out of 5
Great anime!
ByACEACEfromCORONA
Picture and cgi excellent. Story excellent. But I gave it 3 stars because the sound is pcm only. That means stereo not 5.1 dolby digital much less DTS. Why they don't spend the money on the sound affect on Bluray is completely troubling.
It'd be great to have more titles with full 5.1 or 7.1 dolby digital sound, but it's pretty rare outside of the big movies. Really long answer so I'll just paste the response from the animenewsnetwork for you.
Audio is important, and many fans are becoming more and more concerned with making sure that they're getting the best quality audio possible when they fork over the money for a shiny disc of their favorite show. But with so many different formats, which one is best? Which ones should you be asking for? Sometimes the difference is negligible or non-existant, other times it makes a huge difference.
Let's start with the easy one: why some shows have 5.1 mixes for the dub, but not for the original Japanese. I've answered previously on this column that most TV anime doesn't bother with anything more than a stereo (2.0) mix because the Japanese broadcast standard doesn't really support 5.1 audio, and given how big home theater systems aren't as common in Japan for a number of reasons, they generally don't bother remixing for 5.1 when it comes time to release the discs on home video. However, when making the dub, an American publisher might think 5.1 is worth the extra work. If they're already set up to do 5.1, the audio has to be remixed anyway, so it is an opportunity to have a nice added feature for dub fans.
5.1 mixes require special equipment, take a lot more time, and are harder to check for errors (and requires a lot more office space to do so), so it's often not practical to do 5.1 mixes for everything. They can also cost more money. The decision to make a 5.1 mix is made on a show-by-show basis, based on whether the Japanese is 5.1 (usually just movies and some high-end OAVs) and how much the show is predicted to sell.
As for what format in which they're stored on a disc, these days you generally see 4 different kinds of audio tracks: • Linear PCM (Completely uncompressed, basically just a WAV file. Takes up a lot of space, especially in 5.1.) • Dolby Digital (AC3) (Lower quality, like an MP3, but takes up a lot less space. Supported by DVD and Blu-ray.) • Dolby TrueHD (Blu-ray only. The full quality of the WAV file, but compressed to a more manageable size. Still much bigger than AC3, however.) • DTS Master Audio (Blu-ray only. For the end user, pretty much identical to Dolby TrueHD.)
When you make a DVD or Blu-ray, you are tasked with squeezing a lot of data onto a finite amount of space, so compression can be very important. Wasting too much bandwidth on audio means you might have to sacrifice video quality. The above compression formats are essential ways to get the most quality out of an audio track without having an unwieldy amount of data to contend with.
Audio quality obsessives swear that Dolby Digital AC3 audio has a lot of distortion and they can DEFINITELY tell a difference. I am skeptical. I've definitely heard bad AC3 encodes that definitely affected audio quality, particularly in very early DVDs, but there has never been a double-blind study that shows even audio experts can tell a difference at higher bitrates (and quite a few proving that nobody can tell at all). At any event, the presence of "lossless" audio (in either LPCM, DTS-MA or Dolby TrueHD) has become an important marketing bullet point for Blu-ray discs, so whether people can REALLY tell the difference or it's all a placebo effect, who am I to argue.