"Gantz" (2004) TV series 2004-????

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Director:

Ichirô Itano

Writer:

Masashi Sogo (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

12 April 2004 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Crime | Fantasy | Horror | Mystery | Romance | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Plot:

A group of people are resurrected from their deaths by a mysterious black ball called GANTZ to combat alien criminals hiding on Earth.

Plot Keywords:

Alien | Subway | Death | Criminal | Student

Cast

Alyssa Anderson

...

Girl On Date, Additional Voices (unknown episodes)

Country:

Japan

Language:

English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (some episodes) | Ireland:15 | UK:18 (some episodes) | Ireland:18 (some episodes) | USA:TV-14 (edited version) | Germany:16 | South Korea:18 | South Africa:16LV | New Zealand:R18 | Japan:R-15 | Australia:R | New Zealand:R16 (some episodes) | Canada:R | USA:TV-MA | UK:15

Company:

Gantz Partners

Overstated for the Sake of Subtlety

"Gantz" (2004) is somewhat of a curiosity within its genre. While it boasts an high-octane action reputation built on almost absurd levels of violence, this is not the end-all be-all of "Gantz". The plot is the vehicle of this absurd tumult, revolving around the dead being coerced into forcibly evicting or executing transient aliens, and is itself somewhat absurd even if it is intriguing. The story itself is driven by the character development, however.

The characters are remarkably well written, having many facets to their psyches complete with strengths and flaws. Early on, the anime begins by exploring the Bystander Phenomenon (many people watching another in distress, though nobody helping) and Groupthink/Mob Mentality through an interesting usage of the Protector Archetype. Best of all, the characters, particularly Kurono Kei, are dynamic.

Though it is easy to get lost in the exaggerated violence, apathy, and cruelty which weave in and out of the storyline, this ultimately serves as a vehicle for age-old philosophical quandaries, though you have to look through the Tarantinoesque bloodshed to see them. Chief among the questions raised, are: "Is life truly sacred?" "Is it kill or be killed?" and, "What, if anything, can one person do to change the world?" While the viewer may make his or her own conclusions to these questions, the director still hasn't given his answer yet, forcing the public to wait for "Gantz" Season 2.

This anime contains adult themes including violence, nudity, and profanity. Not recommended for children.