Review of GANTZ ~the first stage~: Amazing survival and the depths of mystery

GANTZ ~the first stage~ Review and details

Overview

"GANTZ ~the first stage~" is a TV anime series based on the popular manga of the same name by Hiroya Oku. It was broadcast on Fuji TV from April 13 to June 21, 2004. It consists of 11 episodes, and the unbroadcast episodes are included in the packaged DVD version. A sequel, "GANTZ ~the 2nd stage~", was broadcast on AT-X.

■ Story

The protagonist, Kei Kurono, is a 16-year-old high school student who is listless and only interested in girls. One day, on the subway platform, he encounters his elementary school classmate, Masaru Kato, trying to save a man who fell onto the tracks. Urged by Kato, Kei and Kei try to help him, but they are both hit by the train and torn apart, and it seems they die instantly... but they are instantly transported to a room in an apartment building. There, a black sphere and people who, like Kei, were supposed to be dead, are gathered. The black sphere, called "Gantz", gives the group of people gathered in the room weapons and a mission to fight an unknown alien. Those who cannot understand the current situation and try to go home without believing the situation are killed by a bomb implanted in their brains. The remaining members are killed one by one by the alien's attacks. Kei Kurono asks for help from the people around him, but the people fighting the aliens in the city are invisible to anyone except the people involved. He cannot ask for help from anyone, and he cannot run away. Eventually, Kei Kurono realizes that this is not a game or a TV shoot, but a real battle. So what exactly is this mysterious sphere "Gantz"?

■Explanation

"GANTZ", which began serialization in Weekly Young Jump (published by Shueisha) in June 2000, is finally being made into an anime! Itano Ichiro, known for his incredible action in the masterpiece "Super Dimension Fortress Macross", is the director, and "GANTZ" is depicted in high-quality images using 3D and digital technology!

■Cast

• Kei Kurono/Daisuke Namikawa
• Masaru Kato/Masashi Osari
• Megumi Kishimoto/Hitomi Nabatame
• Joichiro Nishi/Masashi Yabe
• Saint Sakuragaoka/Mie Sonozaki
• Hajime Muroto/Mitsuaki Madono
• Yoshikazu Furuta/Takuro Kitagawa

■ Main staff

• Original story by Hiroya Oku
• Planning: Susumu Nakajima, Mikihiko Fukazawa, Shoji Murahama
• Director: Ichiro Itano
• Series composition, script by Masashi Togawa
• Character design: Naoyuki Onda
• Mechanical design: Toshihiro Nakajima
• Director of photography: Kojiro Hayashi
• Art Director: Shigemi Ikeda
• Color design: Takae Iijima
• 3DCG Director: Yasuhiro Kato
• Edited by Kiyoshi Hirose
• Sound Director: Hiroyuki Hayase
• Music by Natsuki Togawa and Yasuharu Takanashi
• Producers: Nishimura Taishi, Namiki Shunji, Uchida Yasushi
• Animation production: GONZO
• Animation producers: Shinsaku Hatta, Hidemasa Arai, Ryunosuke Ambo
• Setting production: Shingo Uchida
• Produced by: GANTZ Partners

■ Main Characters

• Kei Kurono is a man who takes the world for granted, is only interested in girls, and sees death as nothing more than a spectacle. He has a weak sense of reality, and in a sense is just a typical "today's" high school student.
• Katou Masaru is a classmate of Genno's from elementary school. He admires Genno and wants to become stronger, but he is kind at heart. He feels responsible for getting Genno involved and is determined to protect him. He has an unhappy family life and wants to become independent as soon as possible, along with his younger brother, who is also oppressed.
• A girl who attempted suicide because she felt the pain of having to study at the mercy of her father's orders. Her cute face and a body that Gantz calls "busty" were her downfalls, and she was attacked by gangsters, molested by dogs, and suffered many other terrible experiences.
• Joichiro Nishi A boy who has been fighting under Gantz for a year. He uses others to survive, and only reveals the bare minimum of Gantz's secrets to Kurono and the others.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: A new morning has come (2004/04/12)
• Episode 2: Not Human (2004/04/19)
• Episode 3: Then the earthquake begins (2004/04/26)
• Episode 4: That means, that time (2004/05/03)
• Episode 5: Yesssss (2004/05/10)
• Episode 6: I'm Aiming (2004/05/17)
• Episode 7: Oh no! (2004/05/24)
• Episode 8: Kill Her Immediately (2004/05/31)
• Episode 9: I can't shoot him (2004/06/07)
• Episode 10: Kato-kun is waiting (2004/06/14)
• Episode 11: Please Die (2004/06/21)

■ Related works

• GANTZ the first stage unaired episode
• GANTZ the 2nd stage

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1
  Super Shooter
  Lyrics: RIP SLYME
  Composer: RIP SLYME
  Song: RIP SLYME
• ED1
  Last Kiss
  Lyrics: BONNIE PINK
  Composer: BONNIE PINK
  Sung by BONNIE PINK

■Detailed review

"GANTZ ~the first stage~" is known as an animated work that faithfully reproduces the original work by Hiroya Oku. It retains the tension and thrills of the original work, while further enhancing them with visual expression. In particular, the action scenes produced under the direction of Ichiro Itano are characterized by high-quality images that make full use of 3D and digital technology. The battle scenes with aliens are depicted with a force that exceeds the image of the original work, and have the power to draw the viewer in.

The story revolves around the friendship between Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato. Kurono's lethargy and Kato's kindness are contrasted to depict the growth and change of the two characters. In particular, Kato's consideration for his younger brother and Kurono's changing sense of reality deeply move viewers. Kishimoto Megumi's character is also memorable, and her struggles and growth add depth to the story.

The acting of the cast is also superb, especially Daisuke Namikawa's voice as Kei Kurono, who realistically expresses the character's lethargy and growth. Masashi Osato's Masaru Kato also captivates the audience with his acting that combines kindness and strength. Megumi Kishimoto as Hitomi Nabatame also carefully portrays her anguish and growth.

Music is also an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme "Super Shooter" (RIP SLYME) and the ending theme "Last Kiss" (BONNIE PINK) express the theme and atmosphere of the work well. In particular, RIP SLYME's energetic melody heightens the tension of the work.

■ Recommendation points

"GANTZ ~the first stage~" is recommended not only for fans of the original work, but also for those who like action and suspense. In particular, the action scenes that make full use of 3D and digital technology are a must-see. In addition, the story depicting the growth and friendship of the characters is also fascinating, and leaves a deep impression on the viewer. Furthermore, the acting of the cast and the music are also important elements that liven up the atmosphere of the work.

You can enjoy the series even more by watching the unaired episodes and the sequel "GANTZ ~the 2nd stage~". The unaired episodes in particular contain important episodes that are essential to understanding the story. "GANTZ ~the 2nd stage~" also contains an even deeper story and character growth, making it a must-see for fans.

Overall, "GANTZ ~the first stage~" is a work that retains the tension and thrills of the original while further enhancing them with visual expression. I would highly recommend this work to anyone who likes action and suspense, or stories that depict character growth and friendship.