Gantz

Synopsis:

Kei Kurono is sort of the anti-social type, he's not very fond of the world around him. He practically hates everyone and his main conern is nothing more than being able to buy some porn and go home and read it in peace (read... yeah, right... oookhaaay...). While waiting for the subway to arrive on his way home Kei watches as a drunken bum passes out on the railway tracks. Seeing this strange scenario take place he also notices someone he knows from school, Masaru Kato, attempting to help the unconcious hulking mass of human flesh up off the tracks before the next tram comes along. Hoping that Masaru doesn't notice him, Kei ignores the situation but to his annoyance, Masaru recognizes Kei and asks for help. Kei looks around as the public eye is upon him as all other patrons of the wait station are staring at him. Kei regrettably agrees to help but not without complaining to himself in a silent voice that no one else can hear. As the next tram approaches the two kids are able to save the stinking bum but unable to save themselves from a quick and painless demise at the face of speeding subway. But, Kei finds himself waking up in a very small apartment next to Masaru and other unknown people that contains a giant black orb that calls itself Gantz. Gantz explains that it is now in control of everyone's afterlife and if they earn enough points by hunting aliens unseen in the real world, they just might get a chance at a second life.


Reviewer: Endosanity
Number of episodes watched: 26


Review:

Combining animation with CGI backgrounds and an interesting sci-fi premise Gantz seems like it has alot going for it... however, that's where everything stops. The excellent story that Gantz could have been is never really brought to fruition and the protagonists in this sci-fi world are either constantly indecisive or plain despicable leaving you feeling indifferent to everyone. The pacing is also painfully slow in that while there is some action most of the so-called heros spend their time questioning thier humanity and moral ethics by yelling at the top of their lungs instead of pulling the trigger on their gun. I believe a few episodes contain nothing more than each team member asking questions amongst themselves in the middle of a fight and absolutely no progress is made other than you yelling "Pull the trigger and shoot the damn thing!!" at the screen. Gantz really could have been so much more but due to extremely slow pacing and detached characters you end up leaving the show with just as many questions as you began with. While it's not the worst show you'll see it probably won't rock your world either as it's a series that reads good in description but fails horribly in execution but at least the animation that accompanies this show is quite good.

Gantz (opening)

Recommendation: |Low|

*Note - Y'know... the English dubbed track was actually half decent.