Review of Gantz: Vol. 2

Introduction

The second volume of Gantz is upon is, with plenty of sex, violence and profanity guaranteed to raise the ire of many a Daily Mail reader. But for the casual anime fan, there`s also some sci-fi and mystery, all wrapped up in a ball shaped enigma that will get the mental juices flowing.

A mysterious black sphere appears suddenly in an innocuous room in Tokyo. Suddenly the lives of random people are inexorably changed, beginning at the moments of their deaths. Reincarnated in that room they learn that the sphere, known as Gantz, now controls their lives. They are assigned missions by the sphere, to hunt down and eliminate an alien menace unseen to the rest of society. They also learn that they too are unseen as they do Gantz` bidding. Equipped with strength enhancing suits and fantastic weaponry, they compete to amass points. But what is Gantz, where did it come from, are they dead, dreaming or playing some bizarre game?

Gantz was released in the US by ADV, and trialling a new format, they were released on budget discs with two episodes to a disc. In the UK, MVM picked up the rights, and have stuck to a shelf-space friendly four episodes per disc.

Volume 2 of Gantz: Aftershocks contains four more episodes in the series, and given the stunning developments so far, you wouldn`t be surprised that we begin with a pause for reflection, as the protagonists try to come to terms with what has happened to them.

Ep 5. That Means At The Time…
The four survivors leave the Gantz sphere after hearing an explanation from the conspiracy theorist. He tells them that they are the equivalent of fax copies, created at the moment of their death. He also warns them to keep quiet about the events, as those who feel like sharing the experience don`t usually live long enough to do so. Kei Kurono and Kato accompany the girl home, and learn that her name is Kei too, Kei Kishimoto. They go their separate ways and try to get back to their lives, but find it hard. Kato`s brother recognises his umbrella when it is recovered from the subway where Kato was killed. The news still buzzes with the mystery of the two vanished students. Kurono`s back at school, and being tormented by a bully, but his experience of the previous night has changed his outlook. Kishimoto has the worst shock though, as just as the conspiracy theorist had explained; she learns that she is a fax copy of the original Kei Kishimoto, only that this original didn`t succeed in killing herself.

Ep 6. All Right!
Kishimoto has problems, she can`t return home and she`s wandering the streets, hungry and thirsty. Having borrowed Kurono`s clothes the night before, she has his student ID, and soon she`s at his doorstep with an odd offer. Kurono is jubilant at having a new `pet`, and his mind is quickly working overtime with the possibilities, until Kishimoto reminds him that most owners don`t have sex with their pets. Meanwhile, Kato learns that his aunt is still physically abusing his brother.

Ep 7. We`re After You
When Kurono sees the same old woman who had asked directions in the subway station the day he was killed, this time working behind the counter at his local convenience store, he gets a feeling that Gantz will be calling on them soon. It`s enough of a premonition that he tells Kishimoto about the suit, and it doesn`t hurt that he gets to see her in tight form fitting costume. Kishimoto asks a favour, she wants to see her original self one last time. Meanwhile Kato has to deal with problems at school with an over amorous upperclassman. Then Gantz calls.

Ep 8. Uh-Oh!
While the four survivors of the Onion alien incident find themselves back in the room with Gantz, the next set of players are busy meeting their doom, and soon a biker gang, an old lady and her grandson, and an ex male model and his stalker are asking the same questions that Kurono, Kishimoto and Kato had asked a few days earlier. Gantz issues the next directive, `kill the Suzuki aliens`. Then Kurono realises that he has left his suit behind.

Video

Gantz is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic ratio on a dual layer disc. The image transfer is up to MVM`s usual impressive standards, clear and sharp throughout, with only the usual colour banding associated with anime, as well as the occasional signs of the NTSC to PAL transfer. It`s all pretty unnoticeable.

Since the episodes on this disc were more character oriented, there was little of the impressive 3D animation of the opening episodes. The 2D animation is still lacking in definition, but without the 3D to contrast with, it is easier to accept on its own merits. The character designs are still simplistic, but the animation seems a tad more fluid this time around.

Audio

You are presented with a choice of DD 5.1 English or DD 2.0 Stereo Japanese. I chose to listen to the original language track as always, and I found it to be quite acceptable. The dialogue is clear and there is audible separation on the stereo, with subtle ambience and spot effects. I spot-checked the English track, and found it to be of similar quality, with the surround effects given greater reign. The English dub is acceptable, but in an attempt to push the age rating even higher, there is a level of profanity absent from the original language track.

This is another series that relies on a good soundtrack, and I found the rap theme tune grew on me with repeated exposure. The show`s soundtrack continues at a similar frantic pace, but the reflective piece that plays over the end credits is the highlight of the show`s soundtrack. You get translated English subtitles, as well as a signs only track. I must admit I`m impressed with the subtitling both on the episodes and the extras, as there is a distinct effort to put across the cultural idiosyncrasies as well as the general story.

Features

The second volume of Gantz actually ups the score when it comes to extra features, something that is rare on an anime disc. You get the ubiquitous trailers, this time for Ikki Tosen aka Battle Vixens as well as Burst Angel. You get the clean closing sequence again, but this time there are three iterations of the clean opening sequence, reflecting the storylines that have passed and are yet to come in Gantz.

Most significant are the cast talk shows. The first lasts 18 minutes and you get to see the VA`s that provide the voices of Kei Kurono, Kei Kishimoto, and Masaru Kato, Daisuke Namikawa, Hitomi Nabatame and Masashi Osato respectively. They answer questions regarding the show, and I was interested to learn the degree of censorship that Gantz suffered before it could be broadcast on television. The second cast talk show also lasts 18 minutes, and sees the return of Hitomi Nabatame and Masashi Osato, but this time they are joined by Rakkyo Ide who provides the voice of the Suzuki alien. There are a couple of spoilers for the forthcoming discs, but not too many. But on the whole these talk shows are light-hearted and entertaining fare.

Conclusion

The first volume of Gantz was released with a burst of hyperbole that accompanied its mix of sex and violence, and if you were watching the English dub, profanity. It was mildly blown out of proportion, and it certainly wasn`t anything new in the genre, and it also made evaluating the show a slight disappointment, as beneath the hype and the eye-candy, there didn`t seem to be much meat to the story. While I watched it and enjoyed it, I wasn`t left particularly tantalised. Fortunately the second volume exceeded my expectations by far.

The initial episodes threw us into the deep end, with an abrupt introduction to the world of Gantz, the series premise, and the idea that the recently deceased were being recruited to battle an alien menace. It was fast paced, action packed, and full of enigma. The episodes on this disc are all about colouring in the background, filling out the main characters and getting to know their worlds and their motivations. That isn`t to say that there isn`t any action, there certainly is but it takes place in the real world, as Kurono has to deal with bullies at school, as does Kato. But the first three episodes are really the calm before the next Gantz storm, as we get to know the three main characters, just why did Kishimoto kill herself, why Kato acts the way he does, and there`s more of the inner monologue as Kurono tries to get close to his new house guest. Early on in the episodes we begin to meet new characters, get insights into their lives. Initially it seems an odd contrast to the lives of the main characters, especially the loving grandmother and her grandson contrasting Kato`s abusive aunt and they way she treats Kato`s younger brother. It eventually becomes apparent that we are following the next candidates for Gantz` little game. The episodes have a non-linear narrative that adds an unsettling feel that works well in the context of the story.

This disc fills in the gaps of the first by developing the characters and providing targets for audience sympathies. Unlike the first disc, I found myself watching eagerly, and anticipating each successive episode. The fact that the disc ends on a cliffhanger actually gave me cause to gnash my teeth and look up the release date of the next volume. Volume 2 of Gantz is a definite improvement, and the series looks to be heading in the right direction. More firmly recommended this time.