Anime Review: Gantz
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Gantz
Publisher: A.D. Vision
Type of Anime: TV
Genre: SciFi, Action
Watched Subbed/Dubbed: Subbed
Overall Rating: 
Story:
My Rating:
Gantz is not your typical anime. Its main character, Kurono Kei, is virtually decapitated in the first episode, and in the unedited version (soon to be released by ADV starting in Feb 2005), we watch as his decapitated head flies onto a subway platform as the train plows into his body. We learn quickly, however, that appearances are deceiving and Kurono didn't actually die...
Gantz is one violent, gory anime (complete with lots of nudity, attempted rape, exploding bodies, and torture) - and if you thought the cut version was bad, just wait until you see what you've been missing! No, this anime isn't for kids.
That being said, I had the chance to preview uncut episodes 1-2 (which takes you about halfway through the cut version of episode 2), which will be released in February, so here's my take.
Gantz is a twisted game involving a handful of people who were just about to die when the black orb (named Gantz) pulled them into this alternative reality. Their first mission is to hunt down and kill green onion aliens living in the real world. Gantz equips them with x-ray guns and black suits, sets 60 minutes on the clock, and sends them on their way.
In the real world, the players are invisible to humans and are trapped within the boundary of the playing field. If they stray too far off course, it's game over for them. Their mission is to complete whatever task Gantz gives them or die trying (and believe me, this anime does not spare lives!)
Our main character, Kurono Kei, is your average, high school boy - horny and doesn't give two shits about most people - until that fateful day when a whino stumbled off a subway station platform and landed unconscious on the tracks below. Of all the people waiting for the train to arrive, the only one who took action was Kurono's childhood friend, Masaru Kato. And, much to his dismay, as his old friend struggled to lift the drunken man's body to safety, he recognized Kei in the crowd and called upon him to help.
Reluctantly, Kei climbed onto the tracks and helped Kato save the man. However, the two boys were not so fortunate. Just as the subway train was about to run them down, the boys were teleported by Gantz into a furniture-less room where other unlucky men stood puzzled by their own captivity. Were they dead? Where were they? And thus the anime begins.
Unfortunately, ADV has decided to release this series on 13 discs with 2 episodes per disc, so buying the complete collection may get a bit expensive. I haven't seen a final copy of the dvd to comment about extras, but the anime itself is certainly one of the best to come out in awhile!
Animation:
My Rating:
One of Gonzo's high budget animations, you can expect top quality excellence from this anime with some interesting perspectives. This anime is gorgeous!
Music:
My Rating:
Opening theme is a hip hop/punk and very catchy tune called Super Shooter by Rip Slyme which really captures the heart of the anime. The background music is masterfully crafted to work extremely well with the stunning visuals.
Character Design:
My Rating:
Many of the first batch of characters in Gantz are shady and not so likable. Our hero, Kei, is a cynical guy with no love for humanity. He's only out for himself and not one to step up and take action unless absolutely necessary. In the opening episode, we get a sense of Kei's thoughts compared to the thoughts of the every day people around us, which leads to an interesting running commentary of how Kei sees the rest of the world, particularly as his old friend calls upon him for help.
We also get into more philosophical issues of morality - Is a whino any less of a person that we can stand back emotionless and watch him die helplessly? Is it ok to kill an alien just because it isn't human? Many of our starting characters seem amoral, while a few grapple with the moral issues at hand. Kato, for instance, can't seem to stand violence and will lend a hand, while Kei would rather remain a bystander than participate.
It will be interesting to see how the characters grow over time with the game, particularly as Gantz sets them up on other missions that challenge their notions of right and wrong.
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