Kult of Kaiser Series Discussion(with spoilers): Gasaraki

[Vicserr]

This show bombed horribly in R1, althought the opinions on the ANN poll seem to be positive for this series but ADV didn't renew the license, comdemming this show to the OOP limbo, ppl call it slow and too metaphysical.

The talent pool on this show include: Ryosuke Takahashi(Votoms, Dougram, Blue Gender), Shinji Arakami(Mospeada, Genocyber, Megazone 23, BGC ova), Yukata Izubuchi(Dunbine, Eureka Seven, RahXephon, Patlabor, Gundam ZZ, Tosho Daimos) and Goro Taniguchi(GunXSword, G Gundam, Gundam Wing, Gundam X, Planetes).

After a few years sitting in my backlog and inspired by the re-release of Armored Trooper Votoms by CPM(If you're not buying it, shame on you, go get it!!!!) I decided to finally tackle Gasaraki (http://animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=264). AoD reviews here (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews/seriespage.php?series=10204)

I've found it to be a pretty intense Techno-Thriller with mystical overtones, "Realistic" mecha combat <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>and some views of the current(circa 1998 althought I think they still apply in our current global situation, but please keep the discussion about their impact on the series) japanese and global geo political/econonics situations (how the Japanese handle international policy &amp; conflics, Illegal Inmigration, Japanese Nationalism) and the media, information war as seen in the first arc, the war on Belgistan, and the pull of corporations in government policies(The Gowa in Japan and Symbol in the US). Didn't the writer got in trouble over the nationalistic bent of the prequel novel(published in the pages of Newtype Japan)</span>. Well I've enjoyed it, but see where ppl that wish that the series had more action

So, what you ppl think, discuss /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

[RabidCoqui]

I watched this right after watching Eva for the first time and in some respects I enjoyed it more. Even though I wasn't too thrilled with the ending I still liked it better than Eva's... why is it so hard to find anime with decent endings...

Anyways, I enjoyed the "mechas" and the combat quite a bit... not to mention the kickass "mystical" armor when it gets activated. I actually thought the pace of the story, and the story itself, were quite good. The ending just sort of came out of nowhere and let me down...

[Johnny]

I bought the complete collection for a rediculously cheap price off eBay a couple of years ago and really enjoyed it. I can't remember all that much about plot details etc but I did like the Eva-esque ending. The plot moved very slowly for most of the series but I found it interesting throughout.

[Fort Max]

I brought it for a ridiculously cheap price as well and just last month, I haven't gotten around to re-watching it yet.
I saw it when it aired on the sci-fi channel in the UK a few years ago. I thought the pacing was good and the story never really got as boring as some people say it does.

The mecha are simply awesome, there's so much detail and thought that's gone into them. I only wish there'd been a couple more designs.

[ape2020]

Well I got this show when it was still singles but still got at a very good price. Even got the PC metal box for it and looks very nice.

As for the show itself I enjoyed it as it didn't dumb down the plot like so many other shows do. Of course I found the pace fine since the plot moved forward all the time. Too many shows have slow paces because they want to make the characters look deep ie Wolf Blood and Gungrave.

Add to the fact that while it was anti-US it didn't shy away at being critcal of Japan and in the end it saw redeemtion in both countries.

Its a good show and under-rated by many looking for the slam bam thank you madam story. Also think it was a mistake to release it in eight volumes for such a little know and ploting show. While the econo pack was good it seemed doomed in its intial single release format.

-chimp1010

[jejune]

It's been a long time since I watched it, so most of the details have been lost in my mind (a perfect excuse to rewatch it sometime!). I remember being riveted by the plot throughout the entire show, even though I usually don't get into the whole gritty political drama type (though Front Mission 3 did the same thing). I have very vivid memories of the mech action, especially <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>the AT's attacking that tank squadron. </span> One of the most startlingly well done action scenes I've ever seen.

[guido7]

One thing you can say for sure is that this is a show that is deadly serious, almost to a fault. I love it, but there is no comic relief whatsoever.

I really liked the blend of realistic mecha, action, romance and some weird metaphysical shit that was going on. My only issue with it is that it gets kind of silly right towards the end. While most of the show feels tightly plotted and intricately detained, the ending seemed to come out of nowhere. It didn't make me dislike the show but it did leave a slightly bad taste in my mouth.

[banksie]

[ QUOTE ]
guido7 said:
While most of the show feels tightly plotted and intricately detained, the ending seemed to come out of nowhere. It didn't make me dislike the show but it did leave a slightly bad taste in my mouth.

[/ QUOTE ]

Err, I really can't agree. The whole thrust of the series is about how an entity defines itself. Be it at the National, Organisational or Personal level the question was always about you deciding what you belonged to and why. The ending is simply that theme continued on <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>with the Kai making their own choice - one that the Gasara were very keen to not have tham make. Take a look at the rules the Kai lived under - all very carefully designed to suppress individuality.</span>

So it doesn't really come out of left field, it is the primary driving narrative of the series in my opinion.

[Thanatos]

I liked it a lot. I was very surprised by both the realistic ending followed by the mystical ending. I was impressed it did a great job of juggling two elements that may seem incompatible.

[vtr9kvictor]

I agree with the sentiments most of the rest of you have offered. I think it was a highly underrated show. But there IS some comic relief in it, I think only in one episode though as some of the female team members are trying to get a ride out of the middle of the desert they "strike poses" and shake their money-makers and so on.

I also think the ending was not what I expected AT ALL. This is not to say I did not like it. It was certainly a surprise.

And I thought the action sequences were AWESOME and the mecha designs REALLY cool. My faovrite action sequence was early on though (episode 3 I think), when they hang the VT out the back of the transport jet and use it to snipe at the attacking jet fighters. Totally blew me away!

And "Message Number 9" is still one of my favorite anime theme songs.

I also express EXTREME jeaoulsy for those who managed to acquire the metal art box for the show. I wanted one SOOOOOOOOOOOO badly.

[ape2020]

[ QUOTE ]
vtr9kvictor said:
I also express EXTREME jeaoulsy for those who managed to acquire the metal art box for the show. I wanted one SOOOOOOOOOOOO badly.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes it a great looking box, much better then the Eva or BBG Crisis PC boxes IMHO. Funny I got mine in a huge trade with some one. I traded like 7 DVDs and got back five and the box. Now I need to get a good looking wall display for it and some of my other favorite art boxes.

-chimp1010

[Suzaku Seikun]

It's been a couple of years since I watched Gasaraki, and I really don't remember too much about it. All I remember is that I finished the show and basically put it away in my "don't think I'll be rewatching in a while" pile. I think I remember liking some of the minor supporting characters better than the main two. And I wished there was more background on the events referenced in the ending sequence. I didn't hate the show, but it was a little bit boring/slow in some parts, making it a difficult show for me to sit through for a second time. Overall, it didn't leave me a strong impression - positive or negative.

[Caesar]

I watched this one years ago (while it was being released). It was always one that jumped to the top of the "must watch" pile when it was released. I thought it was nice complete release: Mecha-action, political intregue, human drama, and thought provoking themes.

Having watched it so long ago, I'd be hard pressed to give explicit details. Some of the interesting aspects for me included the Gowa family structure. How family members were expected to behave and how some deviated from their expected roles. I was also intrigued by their house. /images/graemlins/happy.gif The level of detail was quite astonishing. Actually, all the settings were so clearly defined. The level of animation was irrelevant, but the elements use to create and depict "scene" were very evocative.

I liked the mecha designs. The link between Gasaraki and Votoms is pretty clear. I thought it was neat to compare the two.

I guess the criticisms about Votoms and Gasaraki could be lumped together. The main characters you are supposed to sympathize with are terribly aloof. It is difficult to sympathize with a character who's inner struggle is kept from the viewer.

I also though it needed more boobies

[fujishig]

I first collected it when it was released as singles, and I was bored to tears... only making it through the first three DVDs, despite preordering all of them. Years later, I got around to marathoning them, and found I enjoyed it a LOT more... it's just not a series that you can take long breaks between DVDs. When I first watched it as it was released, I just couldn't remember enough of the plot to make much sense of what was going on...

And I'm sure it lost a lot of people once the whole <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>importance of wheat</span> thing became the focus. Never expected that.

[Quiddity]

Bought the first few discs, found it rather dull so I gave up, then found the entire series on RightStuf for some ridiculous price ($30 I think), so got it all and was pleasently surprised to see it ending up as quite a good show. My only big complaint is <span style='color:#dddddd;background:#dddddd'>That period in the middle of the show where Miharu became practically comatose, not saying a word for episodes on end</span> Loved the OP and ED themes and found it interesting that the OP animation changed in each ep.

[coelacanth]

Gasaraki's mix of Kabuki theater, mysticism, politics and robots was very cool and often facinating. When our hero (I can't remember his name) went into a trance and activated the Kai (?) for the first time, and the subsequent mayhem, is one of my favorite moments in anime. The military action was likely the best I have ever seen in anime, which is not surprising considering the people involved. This show was also one of the few that I watched in English all the way through, the dub was quite good, although the VA for the dictator seemed to veer pretty close to a Boris Badanov impersonation; I expected him to shout "Bring me moose and squirrel!" at any moment.

AJC

[Njr Scrawl]

Bought it on 1st release after reading an article in Animerica. Damn ADV made me wait 3 months between the final 2 volumes.

Nice covers &amp; (especially for the time) good extras. The ending song "lullaby" is one of my favourites.

The series is more Votoms-like than Patlabor IMO. Sci-fi still, but more realistic. I felt really sorry for the pilots who are guinea pigs as much as bipedal tank controllers - in an X Files way. The series is a kind of antidote to too much Gundam Newtype exposure (though Zeta's Murasume institute might be close in principles)

The mystic historical part was most fascinating, but seemed only a half-story not tied to the present well enough. Climax was good, with high tension. The final 2 episodes went Eva-weird &amp; ended in a "what now?" way, couple of shocks IIRC.

Only characters I really cared about were the Misato &amp; Maya equivalents - forget their names.

Didn't Monica Rial have blond hair then?

[Legion]

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
Didn't Monica Rial have blond hair then?

[/ QUOTE ]
I've never seen Rial with blond hair. IIRC, there's an ADR related extra on a Gasaraki disc that shows Rial doing her thing, and she has brown hair just like always.

[Chloe]

My thoughts on this show:

Too dry/serious: Maybe, this is because it is an older show. Most shows nowadays have SOME comedy relief; this show had none. Made it a chore to watch at times.

Not enough Action: I don't like mecha shows much, but when they did use them in this show, they did a great job. No where near enough fights though.

The mystical parts were very interesting, but I was not prepared to appreciate them when I saw this. Even saying that, the historical background episodes were really, really cool.

The ending...is just way too rushed. I'm used to series with more open ended type endings now, but this one just felt way too forced.

The political parts, especially in light of current events, were well done. I got a sort of deja vu feeling going on at times. An even handed handling of the various viewpoints as well. They could easily have just sunk to bashing of one side or another, but they avoided that. Again, just very well done.

[vtr9kvictor]

[ QUOTE ]
Wrath of the Njr said:
Bought it on 1st release after reading an article in Animerica. Damn ADV made me wait 3 months between the final 2 volumes.

Nice covers &amp; (especially for the time) good extras. The ending song "lullaby" is one of my favourites.

The series is more Votoms-like than Patlabor IMO. Sci-fi still, but more realistic. I felt really sorry for the pilots who are guinea pigs as much as bipedal tank controllers - in an X Files way. The series is a kind of antidote to too much Gundam Newtype exposure (though Zeta's Murasume institute might be close in principles)

The mystic historical part was most fascinating, but seemed only a half-story not tied to the present well enough. Climax was good, with high tension. The final 2 episodes went Eva-weird &amp; ended in a "what now?" way, couple of shocks IIRC.

Only characters I really cared about were the Misato &amp; Maya equivalents - forget their names.

Didn't Monica Rial have blond hair then?

[/ QUOTE ]

Monica has never had blonde hair as long as I have known her. Either black, or black with red highlights/streaks, or red or brown.