A thorough analysis of the shocking developments and profound themes of GANTZ [unaired version]!

GANTZ [Unaired on terrestrial TV] - GANTZ [Unaired on terrestrial TV]

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

August 26, 2004 - November 18, 2004
AT-X August 26, 2004 - November 2004 (1st - 13th time)
*The notation is taken from the official GONZO website for "GANTZ ~the 2nd stage~"

■Broadcasting station

AT-X

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 13

■Original Story

Hiroya Oku

■ Director

Ichiro Itano

■ Production

・Animation Production: GONZO

■Works

©2004 Hiroya Oku/Shueisha GANTZ Partners

■ Story

Kei Kurono is a 16-year-old high school student who is a bit cynical and apathetic, and only thinks about girls.
One day, on a subway platform, he witnesses his elementary school classmate, Kato Masaru, trying to rescue a man who had fallen onto the tracks.
Urged by Kato, they try to help each other, but they are both hit and torn apart, dying instantly...
That's what it seemed, but in an instant he had moved to a room in an apartment building.
There was a black sphere and a group of people who, like Genno and the others, were "supposed to be dead."
A black sphere called "Gantz" gives Kurono and the others gathered in the room weapons and a mission to fight unidentified aliens.
Those who were unable to understand the current situation and tried to return home without believing what was going on were killed by a bomb implanted in their brains.
The remaining members are killed one by one by the alien attacks.
Kurono asks for help from the people around him, but no one can see them fighting the aliens in the city except for the people involved.
I can't ask anyone for help, and I can't run away either.
Eventually, Kurono realizes that this is not a game or a TV shoot, but a real fight.
So what exactly is this mysterious sphere "Gantz"?
*Quoted from the GONZO official website

■Explanation

"GANTZ", which began serialization in Weekly Young Jump (published by Shueisha) in June 2000, is finally being made into an anime!
Directed by Ichiro Itano, known for his incredible action in the masterpiece "Super Dimension Fortress Macross," this high-quality 3D and digitally-driven film depicts "GANTZ"!
*Quoted from the GONZO official website

■Cast

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

■ Main staff

・Original work by Hiroya Oku・Planning by Susumu Nakajima, Mikihiko Fukazawa, Shoji Murahama・Director by Ichiro Itano・Series composition, script by Seiji Togawa・Character design by Takayuki Onda・Mechanical design by Toshihiro Nakajima・Director of photography by Kojiro Hayashi・Art director by Shigemi Ikeda・Color design by Takae Iijima・3DCG director by Yasuhiro Kato・Editor by Kiyoshi Hirose・Sound director by Hiroyuki Hayase・Music by Natsuki Togawa, Koji Takanashi・Producers by Taishi Nishimura, Toshiharu Namiki, Yasushi Uchida・Animation production by GONZO
・Animation producers: Shinsaku Hatta, Hidemasa Arai, Ryunosuke Ambo ・Setting production: Shingo Uchida ・Production: 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 is in some ways a typical "today's" high school student.
・Kato Masaru A classmate of Genno's in 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.
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 14: Goodbye (2004/08/26)
Episode 15: I want to come soon! (2004/09/02)
Episode 16: I'll do it! (2004/09/09)
Episode 17: Is it okay to shoot these guys? (2004/09/16)
Episode 18: Welcome Home (2004/09/23)
Episode 19: What's that? (2004/09/30)
Episode 20: Shoot Me! (2004/10/07)
Episode 21: Big Brother? (2004/10/14)
・Episode 22: Don't say it again! (2004/10/21)
Episode 23: The Genno Alien! (2004/10/28)
Episode 24: There is no labyrinth you can't escape from (2004/11/04)
Episode 25: Let's come back alive (2004/11/11)
Episode 26: Live (2004/11/18)

■ Related works

・GANTZ the first stage
・GANTZ Terrestrial unbroadcast edition

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Super Shooter
・Lyrics by RIP SLYME
・Composition: RIP SLYME
・Song: RIP SLYME

・ED1
・Last Kiss
Lyrics: BONNIE PINK
・Composer: BONNIE PINK
・Song: BONNIE PINK

■ Review

"GANTZ [Unaired on TV]" is the second part of an anime series based on the original manga by Hiroya Oku, and was broadcast on AT-X in 2004. It faithfully reproduces the dark and tense worldview of the original, while drawing viewers in with its unique visual expression and action scenes. In this review, I would like to delve deeper into "GANTZ [Unaired on TV]" from various perspectives, including the story, characters, visual expression, and music.

story

"GANTZ [Unaired on terrestrial TV]" begins with Kei Kurono and Masaru Kato being summoned by a mysterious black sphere called "Gantz" after their deaths in a subway accident. Gantz gives them a mission to fight aliens, and sets out harsh rules: if they succeed, they're awarded points, but if they fail, they'll explode and die. This setting brings the tension and thrill of the original story straight to the anime, and viewers can follow the story while fighting alongside the main characters and empathizing with their growth.

Of particular note is the relationship between Kurono and Kato. Kurono is a high school student who is lethargic and has a weak sense of reality, but he gradually changes under Kato's influence. Kato struggles to protect Kurono, and his own growth is also depicted. The friendship and growth of these two characters is at the heart of the story, and leaves a deep impression on viewers. Additionally, the backgrounds and struggles of supporting characters such as Kishimoto Megumi and Nishi Joichiro are also depicted, adding depth to the story.

character

Namikawa Daisuke, who plays Kurono Kei, realistically expresses the voice of a listless high school student and also naturally portrays his growth process. Osato Masashi, who plays Kato Masaru, captures the hearts of viewers with his excellent performance as a character who combines kindness and strength. Namatame Hitomi, who plays Kishimoto Megumi, skillfully expresses both a cute appearance and inner anguish, and Yabe Masashi, who plays Nishi Joichiro, realistically portrays a cold-hearted character. The acting of these cast members brings out the charm of the characters.

Visual expression

The visual expression of "GANTZ [Unaired on terrestrial TV]" is of high quality, making full use of 3D and digital technology. In particular, the battle scenes with the aliens are full of impact and draw the viewer in. Director Itano Ichiro has drawn in the tense battle scenes, making use of the action scene directing techniques he has cultivated in "The Super Dimension Fortress Macross." In addition, with the cooperation of character designer Onda Naoyuki and mechanical designer Nakajima Toshihiro, the film has faithfully reproduced the worldview of the original work while achieving visual expression unique to anime.

music

The opening theme, "Super Shooter," features an energetic melody by RIP SLYME that enhances the tension of the story. The ending theme, "Last Kiss," features BONNIE PINK's gentle singing voice that soothes the hearts of viewers. The background music, composed by Natsuki Togawa and Koji Takanashi, also plays a role in enhancing the tension and excitement as the story unfolds. These pieces of music stir the emotions of the viewer and increase their immersion in the story.

■Recommendation

"GANTZ [Unaired on terrestrial TV]" faithfully reproduces the dark and tense worldview of the original work, while drawing viewers in with the visual expression and action scenes that only anime can offer. In particular, the friendship and growth of Kurono and Kato, the realistic acting of the characters, the powerful battle scenes, and the energetic music will capture the hearts of viewers. This work is recommended not only for fans of the original work, but also for those who like action and suspense.

Related Titles

After enjoying "GANTZ [Unaired on TV]," be sure to check out the original manga "GANTZ" and the anime series "GANTZ the first stage." The original manga contains detailed storylines and character backgrounds that are not shown in the anime, allowing you to enjoy the story even more deeply. "GANTZ the first stage" depicts the first half of "GANTZ [Unaired on TV]," and is a must-see for understanding the entire story.

How to watch

"GANTZ [Unaired on terrestrial TV]" was broadcast on AT-X, but is now available for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray. It may also be available on some video streaming services, so if you're interested, check them out.

summary

"GANTZ [Unaired on terrestrial TV]" is a masterpiece that recreates the tension and thrill of the original work in an animated form. Various elements such as the friendship and growth of Kurono and Kato, the realistic character acting, the powerful battle scenes, and the energetic music will capture the hearts of viewers. This is a work that is recommended not only for fans of the original work, but also for those who like action and suspense, so please give it a watch.