No Guns Life: The appeal of a cyberpunk world view and deep story

NO GUNS LIFE: A hard-boiled story set in a cyberpunk world

"NO GUNS LIFE" is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name by Karasuma Task, which aired on TBS and AT-X from October 11 to December 27, 2019. It consists of 12 episodes, each 30 minutes long, and features a deep storyline that draws viewers in and a cast of fascinating characters. This work is a hard-boiled science fiction work that depicts the existence of people called "Augmenteds" in post-war society and the issues that surround them.

story

The protagonist, Inui Jūzō, makes a living as a "solver" who solves problems that arise between Augments and non-Augmenteds. He himself is an Augmented with a giant gun for a head, and due to his unique appearance, he has come to be known as "No Guns Life." One day, Jūzō is asked by a large, full-body Augmented man to protect a young boy. The boy, Arahagi Tetsuro, has been kidnapped by the Verueren Corporation, and Jūzō comes into conflict with Verueren in order to protect him. As he pursues the mystery surrounding Tetsuro and Verueren's conspiracy, Jūzō comes face to face with his own past and uncovers the truth.

Commentary

"NO GUNS LIFE" is set in a post-war world where "body augmentation technology" has become widespread. This technology has given birth to "Augmenteds" who have part or all of their bodies mechanized, causing various problems between them and non-Augmenteds. Juzo acts as a "processor" who solves these problems, and as an Augmented himself, he has a deep understanding of their suffering and conflict. The story is fascinating as the conflict with Verueren deepens after Tetsuro is taken in, and the secrets of Juzo's past and the augmentation technology are revealed.

This work skillfully combines elements of science fiction and hard-boiled fiction, encouraging viewers to think deeply. In particular, the depiction of society through the existence of the Augmented and the portrayal of the inner thoughts of each character leave a strong impression on viewers. In addition, the visuals have been highly praised thanks to the skill of director Naoyuki Ito and animation production company Madhouse.

cast

The cast of No Guns Life is enriched by voice actors who bring out the individuality of each character. The protagonist, Inui Juzo, is played by Suwabe Junichi, who realistically portrays his hard-boiled character. Yamashita Daiki, who plays Araki Tetsuro, shows a performance that combines boyish innocence and strength, while Numakura Manami, who plays Mary Steinberg, warmly portrays both his professional side as an engineer and his friendship with Juzo. Other voice actors who shine include Hikasa Yoko as Olivier van de Belle and Uchida Yuya as Kronen von Wolf, whose performances bring out the charm of each character.

Main Staff

Many talented staff members are involved in the production of NO GUNS LIFE. The original story was written by Karasuma Tasuku, the director was Ito Naoyuki, the series composition was Sugawara Yukie, the character design was Shino Masanori, and the mechanical design was done by Izumo Juki, bringing together professionals from various fields. Additionally, Kawai Kenji, who was in charge of the music, and Gobumi Yuki, the sound director, also played important roles in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. Madhouse, in charge of animation, has maximized the visual appeal with their high level of technical skill.

Main Characters

The main characters of "No Guns Life" each have their own unique background and conflicts, and play an important role in deepening the story. Inui Jūzō is a special augmented being with a giant revolver for a head, and is a character with a strong will to carry out requests while facing his own past. Arata Tetsuro is a boy who is the key to escaping from Veruehren Corporation, and his existence is at the center of the story. Mary Steinberg supports Juzō as an augmentation technician, and her technical skills and humanity add depth to the story. Other characters, such as Olivier van de Belle, Kronen von Wolf, and Victor Steinberg, each play a role in enriching the story.

subtitle

Each episode of NO GUNS LIFE has a subtitle that matches the development of the story. Starting with episode 1, "Rampaging Expander," to episode 12, "Ghost," each episode has a different theme and development. Also, including sequel episodes, episodes 13, "Turning Point," to 22, "Shackles," are planned. These subtitles not only make it easier for viewers to follow the flow of the story, but also serve as an important element that symbolizes the content of each episode.

Theme songs and music

The theme songs and insert songs of "No Guns Life" are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme "MOTOR CITY" is sung by Kenichi Asai, and its powerful rock sound enhances the hard-boiled atmosphere of the work. The sequel's opening theme "Chaos Drifters" is a collaboration between Hiroyuki Sawano and Jean-Ken Johnny, and is impressive for its grand scale and emotional singing. The ending theme "Game Over" is sung by DATS, and its dark atmosphere and electronic sound deepen the worldview of the work. In addition, "new world" is a song by THIS IS JAPAN, and it contains a message of hope and the future. These songs help the viewer to immerse themselves in the story.

Ratings and Recommendations

"NO GUNS LIFE" has been highly praised for its fusion of a cyberpunk worldview and hard-boiled storytelling. In particular, the social issues depicted through the existence of the Augmented Beings and the portrayal of the inner thoughts of each character move viewers deeply and provoke thought. Additionally, Madhouse's high level of technical skill shines through in the visual aspect, making the work visually appealing.

The reasons why I recommend this work are as follows:

• Deep story and characters : NO GUNS LIFE leaves a strong impression on viewers with its deep depiction of social issues through the existence of the Augmented and the inner thoughts of each character. In particular, the past of the main character, Juzo Inui, and the conflicts of the characters surrounding him provoke deep emotions and thoughts in viewers.
• Visual beauty : Madhouse's animation production depicts the cyberpunk world in a realistic way, and its visual appeal is a major feature. In particular, the design of the augmented beings and the depiction of the battle scenes have the power to draw the viewer in.
• The power of music : The theme songs and insert songs by Kenichi Asai, Hiroyuki Sawano, DATS, and THIS IS JAPAN are key elements in creating the atmosphere of the work. The powerful rock and electronic sounds help immerse the audience in the story.
• Voice Actors : The voice actors, including Junichi Suwabe, Daiki Yamashita, Manami Numakura, Yoko Hikasa, and Yuya Uchida, excel in their performances, bringing out the individuality of each character. In particular, Junichi Suwabe's performance, which realistically portrays the hard-boiled character of Juzo Inui, leaves a strong impression on viewers.

NO GUNS LIFE is a work that deeply moves viewers and encourages thought as it combines the worldview of cyberpunk with hard-boiled storytelling. In particular, the social issues depicted through the existence of the Augmented Beings and the portrayal of the inner thoughts of each character leave a strong impression on viewers. Madhouse's high level of technical skill also shines in terms of visuals, making it a visually appealing feature. The music and the voice actors' performances are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work, helping viewers to immerse themselves in the story. The reasons for recommending this work can be summed up in four points: deep story and characters, beautiful visuals, powerful music, and the voice actors' performances. NO GUNS LIFE is a work that can be strongly recommended not only to fans of cyberpunk and hard-boiled, but also to viewers who are looking for deep story and characters.