Anime Review: Gantz (Season 2)

What can be said about Gantz season two that hasn't been said about season one?

Sex.

Gantz really ups the ante in this season by starting out with a bang, or two. *hits snare*

Seriously though, one of Gantz strengths, and probably the majority of its appeal, is that despite its flaws it is still pretty creative. Maybe not in overall plot, but the type of enemies they fight, the weapons they have, their suit's abilities, and the way people die. The range of aliens they encounter are pretty out there and bizarre, and I suppose that's fitting. They have an... interesting assortment of future technology that makes for, let's just say, different fights. The ways in which people die are pretty crazy and... unexpected to say the least.

Even though people are constantly getting screwed left and right, and the world is devious and merciless, something about Gantz keeps drawing you in. There's some kind of perverse entertainment in Gantz sadistic nature. No matter how much he toys with people or what cruel conditions he inflicts on them, it's hard to hate the big black sphere. What with his humorous descriptions and nicknames for people, and how he always starts off every deadly mission with a cheerful tune and this message:

"Your lives are now over, you bastards.
What you do with your new lives is for me to decide.
So there you have it."

Along with increasing the sexuality and possibly the gore, the second season of Gantz actually does a good job of resolving dubious elements of the previous season. Absurd mysteries like guns with two triggers and delayed shots are given some kind of explanation. Characters even out more and the storyline comes to a head and wraps everything up neatly. There's even a good twist towards the end. These things might not be canon, but as a way of capping a series they were just what the show needed. I also realized that I really like the "next episode" theme and wished it was used in the actual episodes.

Of course this season is not without its weaknesses. The dub is still terrible, the dialogue is still belabored and the legendary glacial pacing of the first season is back with even more fervor than ever. The characters are as stale as they were before. The animation still oscillates between good and cheap with plenty of CG inbetween.

Unfortunately this season is still riddled with needless flashbacks and ridiculous bodily blood fountains. And soooooo much "speeching". You get only one alien encounter, and the moment ANYTHING happens, it can always be followed up by: "let's talk about it."

"Oh no! Kei is in danger. What should we do?"
...Let's talk about it.

"OMG! Is that an alien?"
...Let's talk about it.

"Hey... guys... I'm dying."
Let's talk about it.

This garrulous orgy is complimented by the shows love of still shots and still standing. You are treated to such action packed scenes as:

* Kei standing still and screaming while slowly shooting a statue, who is also standing still and screaming

* A statue slowly walking towards someone

* A statue waiting his turn to slowly walk towards someone

This actually ceases to be a problem as the final arc plays out. This was probably the best part of the season/series. Kei even redeems himself a little by the end of it...

And then everything gets thrown out the window. The last few episodes of Gantz are some of the greatest offenders of the flaws I mention above. They even throw in a debate about moral relativism and modern warfare while they're fighting of course. By this point the show gets ridiculous and it's obvious where it's going. The nosedive into inane territory is tremendous and the end couldn't come soon enough.

I'm not sure how to feel about Gantz because there are things about it I like, but so many things I don't...
I don't necessarily regret watching Gantz, but I can think of many far better and less painful shows to recommend. See this only if you have a real fetish for sadism and ecchi/gore, otherwise you are probably better off just reading the manga.