Reviewed on March 18th, 2007

Visually

A high Budget animation from the esteemed Gonzo studios, Gantz has been outstanding in terms of special effects and the attention to detail that it has shown. Well adapted from the popular manga series by Hiroya Oku, the characters have been recreated in such a way that it was as if we had regressed to moving pictures again.

Seeing the fine lines that the mangaka had managed to portray and establish throughout his manga, and then being recreated onto the animated canvas we see as television is simply beautiful.

Audio

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. Although it stays in tune with most of the fighting and the upbeat scenes of the actual show, it doesn’t allow itself to develop fully into the psychological aspect of the anime.

Often I was rewinding the opening numerous times to see some of the fight scenes and the “cool” images portrayed but when the actual episode started, that glum feeling of monotony and fear had settled back in, often leaving the viewer pushing the opening theme of the anime to the back of his mind.
And as all the adept anime watchers know, the opening and the ending theme of any show play an integral part of the anime, first of all to entice the viewer into watching the show and then to leave the viewer with a swift, subtle but appropriate “good-bye” with the ending.

Gantz, in my opinion, failed to leave me with subtle understanding with the ending “Last Kiss” by Bonnie Pink. It was a great song by itself, but it failed the encompass the atmosphere of the show and if it can’t do that, then it failed to contrast to the show which many musical scores in other animations have shown to do.

Storyline

(The press literature)

The last thing Kei remembers is the train running over his body. Now he is in a room filled with strangers, all resurrected by the featureless black sphere known only as the Gantz. But their reprieve from death may only be temporary, for unless they undertake the brutal missions that the Gantz assigns, all of them will die again.

This is the synopsis that has given us an overview of what the show is like. Many ardent manga viewers will no doubt be guffawing at this synopsis as it fails to encapsulate the true meaning of their beloved “Gantz”.

However, in regards to the overall storyline displayed in the anime (which also fails to overview on crucial plot points of the manga) it must be said that Gonzo studios have outdone their self again and have recreated an anime from a manga with minimum flaws which most anime watchers like to see.
One personal favourite technique that the creators of Gantz did was to make the protagonist a “bastard” near the start.
Right at the beginning, the creators let you know Kei is a character you aren't supposed to like. How? In one of the initial scenes, a naked girl appears in front of him, an obvious suicide. One of the other men in the room drags her into the back to rape her. Kei stands there, not quite sure whether to save her ... or just watch and be turned on. When his childhood friend Masaru goes over and selflessly saves the girl, and the girl thanks him, Kei gets pissed off because she's not paying any attention to him. "What a prissy girl." Kei then decides she is there so he can get into her pants. He is no better than the attempted rapist. But that isn't the worst of it.

The voice acting is also top-notch, both in English and in Japanese, especially considering the material they had to work with. Voice actors really will do anything you pay them for ... but it takes a good cast to put feeling into something as unfeeling as this.

DVD

Overall

Recommended for audiences who are comfortable for watching shows rated R for extreme violence, sexual content, and very mature themes. Not for the squeamish - you almost have to be a sick, twisted individual to want to watch this, thanks to the main theme of the show. But then again, the sick twisted individuals are also part of our society so all in all a worth while show if you feel that your stomach can handle it.

yes im also wondering why i havent had Hoo fire me for not writing anything lately...and i am grateful that he has been patient...=P...and yeah...ive actually got heaps of work right now...but ill see if i can upload about 2-3 more reviews before the week ends =P..

by Tiger