AoD Review: Gantz Vol. #5 [Archive]

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shokoti

07-18-2006, 07:57 AM

Review (http://www.animeondvd.com/reviews2/disc_reviews/5566.php)

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In Summary:
Though it’s easy to be humorous about Gantz’s ways, from story through to characters just because of the way the show plays out, I can’t stress enough how entertaining and compelling this series is. It’s still one of the first discs to go into my player when a new volume arrives, and I’m enjoying it a lot. This volume turns the heat up in many ways while continuing with the same formula the series has had since it began, and even the characters show slightly more intelligence on occasion. At least most of them bother to actually fire their guns and defend themselves before they die now. If you’re out for an hour and a half’s entertainment, you could do a lot worse than getting yourself Gantz.

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maehara

07-18-2006, 08:34 AM

Most frustrating volume of Gantz so far, I reckon - you could almost have put it on 4x speed & still followed it with no problems, it moved that slowly (and Kurono with a chipmunk-pitched voice would be fun). If it hadn't been for ep 20 throwing the whole thing in the blender, I'd be just about ready to give up on it...

And to revisit an old theme of stupidity: If Kishimoto had enough time to jump in front of Kato and say a heartfelt goodbye, why didn't she just push him out of the way? Much easier, much less messier, and it would have saved me the image of Kato getting all emotional with her legless torso...

I'm also still trying to figure out what Sakuraoka sees in the boy wonder, but that's one of Gantz's smaller mysteries...

Damo

07-18-2006, 09:10 AM

[ QUOTE ]
maehara said:
If it hadn't been for ep 20 throwing the whole thing in the blender, ...

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.. Literally /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

I actually really liked this volume probably because I've been waiting since the start of the series for most of the cast to get killed in horrible ways. Was actually good to see them try some sort of team play as well rather than all just standing around.

shokoti

07-18-2006, 09:27 AM

[ QUOTE ]
maehara said:
Most frustrating volume of Gantz so far, I reckon - you could almost have put it on 4x speed & still followed it with no problems, it moved that slowly (and Kurono with a chipmunk-pitched voice would be fun). If it hadn't been for ep 20 throwing the whole thing in the blender, I'd be just about ready to give up on it...

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I take that as Gantz's style though (I think I called it that in the review) at this point. It's so slow it's beyond words... you could turn it on, make dinner, and then still no one would've been squished. It's too addictive for me to give up on at this point. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

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And to revisit an old theme of stupidity: If Kishimoto had enough time to jump in front of Kato and say a heartfelt goodbye, why didn't she just push him out of the way? Much easier, much less messier, and it would have saved me the image of Kato getting all emotional with her legless torso...

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At first I thought she might do that just to throw us a shocker (how funny is it that the sensible thing would be more of a shock? /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif). Of course, it was so obvious. I started laughing, both for her being ultimately one of the most stupid characters in a shwo full of them, and also for how bloody long it took for the whole thing. I wish I could throw water in the air and have it defy gravity for a couple of minutes. Would make these hot days easier.

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I'm also still trying to figure out what Sakuraoka sees in the boy wonder, but that's one of Gantz's smaller mysteries...

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Yeah, I meant to question that myself but lost the thought in all the... other discussion. Maybe he just has a big one? (Judging by everyone's amazement at him in the second ep, maybe that is a point...)

I still find it hilarious that I like Gantz so much. I know I shouldn't, because it's so stupid and gratuitous. And yet I haven't had a disc yet I haven't thoroughly enjoyed... even if for all the wrong reasons. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

shokoti

07-18-2006, 09:29 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Damo said:
[ QUOTE ]
maehara said:
If it hadn't been for ep 20 throwing the whole thing in the blender, ...

[/ QUOTE ]
.. Literally /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

I actually really liked this volume probably because I've been waiting since the start of the series for most of the cast to get killed in horrible ways. Was actually good to see them try some sort of team play as well rather than all just standing around.

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Personally I loved how, even when playing as a team, they STILL managed to stand around doing nothing. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif I often wonder if each episode of Gantz is supposed to take place in a real time frame of a minute or so. /images/graemlins/wink.gif

Actually, I'm sure I remember one episode where Gantz's clock countdown elapsed considerably less than 20 minutes over the course of an ep.

abigsmurf

07-18-2006, 12:25 PM

I actually did some timing for the clock and for the robot arc at least the timer moves slower than real time.

The cast not shooting is just one of the series quirks. I loved it when everyone was shouting that they should all shoot yet no one actually started shooting. I'm not sure if the writers were going for some subtle ironic humour but it did make me smile a bit.

But then Gantz is a series designed to tease you then completely crush you. Who wouldn't have liked to see Sadako's relationship with the model guy develop? For a few seconds it looks like it'll happen then you realise that they're both dead...

Consignia

07-18-2006, 01:08 PM

The description looks like in should be for the second game. I mean, it's the third game, Kureno is on a psycho-rampage, not a bad chance of survival.

Also, put me in for someone who was strangely enamoured with Gantz. It was slow, the animation was awful, but there's something about it that intrigues. I found this game in particular quite frustrating considering (arc spoilers) Everybody but Kureno dies. I do wish for more Gantz even after the ending though.

shokoti

07-18-2006, 02:04 PM

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Consignia said:
I found this game in particular quite frustrating considering (arc spoilers) Everybody but Kureno dies. I do wish for more Gantz even after the ending though.

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I didn't just read that. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

maehara

07-18-2006, 02:15 PM

[ QUOTE ]
shokoti said:
I didn't just read that. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

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Fear the irresistable lure of the spoiler tag. You just can't help but highlight 'em.

shokoti

07-18-2006, 02:24 PM

[ QUOTE ]
maehara said:
[ QUOTE ]
shokoti said:
I didn't just read that. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

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Fear the irresistable lure of the spoiler tag. You just can't help but highlight 'em.

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For some reason (even with the "arc spoilers" warning) I didn't think it'd reveal the end of it in quite that way. /images/graemlins/sad.gif

Consignia

07-19-2006, 01:50 AM

[ QUOTE ]
shokoti said:
[ QUOTE ]
Consignia said:
I found this game in particular quite frustrating considering (arc spoilers) Everybody but Kureno dies. I do wish for more Gantz even after the ending though.

[/ QUOTE ]
I didn't just read that. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

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Sorry, I understand which episodes you are talking about here. I just wanted to air my irritations with the current storyline for people who maybe saw the version in other forms, or maybe a passing R1 watcher.

Tora-chan

07-19-2006, 04:23 AM

[ QUOTE ]
maehara said:
[ QUOTE ]
shokoti said:
I didn't just read that. /images/graemlins/cry00000.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Fear the irresistable lure of the spoiler tag. You just can't help but highlight 'em.

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I've yet to buy volume 5, so I'm staying clear of spoiler tags! (thanks for putting them up guys!)

Tempted to wait until volume 7's out and then just buy the lot and have a mini-marathon of it. I doubt that the 3 episode DVDs to come will be enough to quench my bloodlust! /images/graemlins/devil.gif

Damo

07-19-2006, 04:36 AM

[ QUOTE ]
abigsmurf said:
But then Gantz is a series designed to tease you then completely crush you. Who wouldn't have liked to see Sadako's relationship with the model guy develop? For a few seconds it looks like it'll happen then you realise that they're both dead...

[/ QUOTE ]
 That was rather sweet and completely horrid at the same time - I liked that bit.

Damo

07-19-2006, 04:44 AM

[ QUOTE ]
shokoti said:
[ QUOTE ]
Damo said:
[ QUOTE ]
maehara said:
If it hadn't been for ep 20 throwing the whole thing in the blender, ...

[/ QUOTE ]
I actually really liked this volume probably because I've been waiting since the start of the series for most of the cast to get killed in horrible ways. Was actually good to see them try some sort of team play as well rather than all just standing around.

[/ QUOTE ]
Personally I loved how, even when playing as a team, they STILL managed to stand around doing nothing. /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

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They were doing nothing - as a team, /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

Why do I have the urge to go into a mini "team" rant a-la the boss-dude from the first episode of the I.T. Crowd? /images/graemlins/sdsmiley.gif

ic14

07-19-2006, 05:59 AM

Hang on, your a mod? /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

I enjoyed this volume, tho there was one bit that shocked me in the English dub. It was Episode 18 "Welcome Back" - Boy Kei saves Sadako from getting stomped by telling her to "Get out of here you c**t!"

I have never heard that foul word in anime before, and i was so shocked i ended up rewinding a couple of times just to check i didnt mishear!

maehara

07-19-2006, 06:23 AM

[ QUOTE ]
IanC said:
I enjoyed this volume, tho there was one bit taht shocked me in the English dub. It was Episode 18 "Welcome Back" - Boy Kei saves Sadako from getting stomped by telling her to "Get out of here you c**t!"

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I'd wonder if we were back to the days of adding language to get the rating increased, but I'd say Gantz merits its 18-certificate without any help there. /images/graemlins/happy.gif

As a complete aside, anbody else wonder why nobody's thought of using the beam-them-away gun yet? Should take care of the acid-junkie with the minimum of fuss or dismemberment. Or did nobody bring it this round?

I confess - half the fun with this show is in the nitpicking... /images/graemlins/happy.gif

Damo

07-19-2006, 06:29 AM

[ QUOTE ]
IanC said:
Hang on, your a mod? :p

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... In training /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

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I enjoyed this volume, tho there was one bit taht shocked me in the English dub. It was Episode 18 "Welcome Back" - Boy Kei saves Sadako from getting stomped by telling her to "Get out of here you c**t!"

I have never heard that foul word in anime before,

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Can't say as I noticed TBH but that is shocking and wont that make it an automatic cert 18 regardless of the rest of the content.

ic14

07-19-2006, 10:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Damo said:
[ QUOTE ]
IanC said:
Hang on, your a mod? :p

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... In training /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

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Congrats! /images/graemlins/catgirl0.gif

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wont that make it an automatic cert 18 regardless of the rest of the content.

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Yeah i believe that word is an auto 18 from the BBFC.