scrobble.life
← Back

Title · no scrobbles indexed yet

Gangsta

The first scrobble for this title is still propagating, but a community review is already indexed below.

Reviews

Longform community posts about this title

Review: Gangsta | Violence and chaos in a city without hope [ENG-ESP]@jessuses1381627d
Permalink·Open on PeakD ↗·Linked from existing Hive post

Comments

No comments yet — be the first.

6 more reviews

  1. Ergastulum Neutral Party || A Review on Gangsta@ridgette751d

    MV5BMzQ1NWZlNDgtN2RmNi00OGViLTk5NTMtYzAxZTE0YTZhOGNiXkEyXkFqcGdeQXVyNDgyODgxNjE@.V1.jpg

    Source

    Konnichiwa Hivers! It's me, your ridgette again!! So for today, I'm going to share a review of a very mature anime that I finished watching last Sunday. I was really immersed in binge watching it way back on Saturday evening, and I somehow finished its last episode on Sunday evening. Honestly, I was just expecting some good combat scenes from it, but I guess it did give me a lot more than I'd expected. Its story is a lot deeper than I expected, so now join me as I share a little about the story of the men who's neither good nor bad, the neutral party of Ergastulum: the Handymen.


    About the Anime

    IMG_20240618_155521.jpg

    Source

    Gangsta is a seinen anime that premiered in the summer of 2015. It aired from July 2, 2015, to September 24, 2015. It's under Manglobe, and its genres are action and drama. The main theme of this anime revolves mainly around adult casts and organized crimes. It's important to note that this anime is mature because it's for viewers who are 17 and older because of its mature scenes, violence, and profanity. It's an adaptation of a manga series written and illustrated by Kohske

    IMG_20240618_155540.jpg

    Source

    So the story unfolds as the two main leads are introduced. Nicholas Brown and Worrick Arcangelo, commonly known in the city of Ergastulum as the Handymen, are usually hired for jobs others can't handle or didn't want to handle. The neutral party of Ergastulum, the Handymen, handles a variety of jobs, from simple shop facade repairs to the messy assassination of a local pimp. They can do all of these—but, of 'course, with a fair price. Having been hired by the cops to do the dirty work of taking out Barry, one of the gang leaders in Ergastulum, Nicolas somehow sympathizes with one of Barry's abused prostitutes, Alex Benedetto. 

    IMG_20240618_155455.jpg

    Source

    After the killing of the leader, Alex has nowhere to go, and that's where the handymen decided to take her into their humble abode. Now working as the 'call attendant' of the Handymen, Alex discovers how these men truly work, and their jobs are more dangerous than she expected. An overwhelming change is coming, and it's definitely going to tip off the balance that was once established. The new threat is coming, and even the neutral party, Handymen, won't be spared. 


    The Characters

    Let's take a sneak peek at the diverse and interesting people who live in the miserable city of Ergastulum:

    Worick Arcangelo

    IMG_20240618_155442.jpg

    Source

    One of the Handymen, who sometimes works as a gigolo, his past was probably one of the darkest. He's the illegitimate child of a wealthy family, and his being a bastard often became the reason why his father abused him. Although he has a sad and dark childhood, Worick is an extremely easygoing and cheerful person, but don't mistake him for a good one because he won't have second thoughts about striking down those who messed up with him and the people important to him. Together with his Twilight partner, Nicolas Brown, they take on jobs that no one can handle or wants to handle. 

    Nicolas Brown

    IMG_20240618_155412.jpg

    Source

    A deaf Twilight and a former mercenary working for the Arcangelo family, Nicolas Brown was one of the Handymen. Although he possessed enhanced abilities due to the fact that he's a Twilight, like a Twilight, he also had mental and physical deficiencies. His being deaf is a kind of compensation for his unnatural strength and speed. Mostly quiet and aloof, he often uses sign language to express what he wants to say. He can somehow speak limitedly, but he only chooses to do so when he's irritated. Even with his sociopathic tendencies, Nicolas is extremely sympathetic and even kind to those whom he views important for him. Binded with Worick through their both dark pasts, he is currently working with him and Alex in Handymen.    Alex Benedetto

    IMG_20240618_155337.jpg

    Source

    Alex, a former prostitute who currently works as the call attendant for Handymen, is known to be a kind and caring woman. Although she's free from her old job, it's apparent that the trauma still clings to her. Due to the TB medication; a drug used to make the prostitute submissive, her mental capacity was somehow marred. Her stay with the Handymen somehow improved her wellbeing, but with the memories that's slowly coming back to her, Alex was haunted by the ugly truth. The ugly truth is that—she forgot the person dearest to her.    Chad Adkins

    IMG_20240618_160254.jpg

    Source

    Chad, a grumpy high-ranking police officer who works for the police department of Ergastulum, is one of the few people who really cares for those two Handymen. Behind his hard attitude, Chad genuinely cares about Worick and Nicolas, especially when they get themselves into trouble. Having known those two since they were still kids, he somehow sees them as if they were his own sons. He's also one of the few normals who genuinely oppose with the Twilight's lesser rights and the apparent inhuman treatment and abuse given by the other cruel normals. 

    Daniel Monroe

    IMG_20240618_160311.jpg

    Source

    One of the pillars for the protection of Twilights in Ergastulum, he's the current leader of the Monroe family. Seen as an absolutely calm, unshakable old man, the Handymen somehow owe him a favor because the Monroe family took care of them in the past. Daniel also had a good reputation as a marksman in his younger days, thus earning him the title "Gunslinger Danny." Although he is seen as a considerate leader of the Monroe family, there's definitely more to his character. It can be good for some, but bad for others. 


    IMG_20240618_150552.jpg

    After watching it, I was left with an empty feeling. This anime is really far from the anime I have watched so far in my otaku years. Its characters are really unconventional, and somehow they felt so real to me. They're so flawed that it feels like they're ripped off of the real flawed people I once knew. The way that each one of them has another side—or a skeleton in the closet that's waiting to be discovered—is really fascinating to watch. 

    IMG_20240618_150743.jpg

    Also, I like the flashbacks that somehow fill me up on the background of the important characters in it. Before, I often viewed flashbacks as nuisances because flashbacks mostly come in the most exciting parts of anime, thus breaking the anticipation that was built up in me as a viewer. But in this anime, it's kinda different because the flashbacks are mostly on point and really informative, especially when you're a detective type of viewer. Since I'm guiltily one of these detective viewers, I really pause some of the flashbacks just to analyze some details that I may have missed. Its plot was riddled with a lot of mysteries, and the flashbacks somehow shed light on those mysteries.

    Source

    Further, as I've mentioned, my first reason for watching this anime was for its cool fight scenes. This anime didn't really disappoint me with this one because the fight scenes were literally on fire! I really like how fluid their movements were. As for the ending, that's where the sad and empty part comes in. I don't want to spoil that much, but for me, it's really hanging, and what saddens me more is that it won't be getting another season anymore due to financial challenges encountered by its production studio. 

    IMG_20240618_150809.jpg

    Moreover, it is said that its lack of source material for a sequel adaptation and the health of the author of this series contributed to the cancellation of season two. According to an article, the creator/author, way back in 2021, had lost an eye and was experiencing paralysis in her fingers due to health complications from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. This shocks and saddens me because what she experienced resonated with me. I also have Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease where the body's own immune system attacks the body, although unlike her, it isn't my eye that deteriorated; it's almost my kidney. Thankfully, my kidney didn't fail; somehow it fought, so yeah—here I am still breathing and still vigilant against my rebellious immune system. The last time it attacked me, it almost killed me. 

    IMG_20240618_160357.jpg

    Stress is one of the main reasons why lupus got triggered, so it's really understandable why she needs a hiatus. Even if it takes years or decades, I'm hoping that she can finish the manga. Nevertheless, the anime was really worth watching, especially if you're into a much darker and more mature plot. Before I end this review, I gladly share with you its trailer, so—

    Source


    That's all for now, Hivers. I hope you enjoy reading my anime review. See you next time on my next blog! 

    IMG_20240612_161904.jpg

    Arigatou and tanoshinde ne minna-san~


    The pictures that didn't have source were from screenshots of the anime's episode, while the last picture was edited in Canva.

    Permalink·Open on PeakD ↗·Linked from existing Hive post
  2. DIBUJO + Mi Opinion sobre: Gangsta@hykert780d

    Que opino de --> Gangsta by koshke Deje un dibujito en su Honor Recuperate pronto!

    Gangsta 5.png

    Gangsta P1.png

    Gangsta P2.png

    Gangsta P3.png

    Gangsta P4.png


    Check out all my Sketches / Illustrations / Animations / Opinions in SocialMedia: @Hykert [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hykerts/) [YoutubeChannel](https://www.youtube.com//hykert/)
    Permalink·Open on PeakD ↗·Linked from existing Hive post
  3. Gangsta || A Unique Anime Concept about Crime@iam-siki912d

    image.png

    Hulu Source

    Hello hivers !!. Hello anime realm. I can say that this is my first post of the year 2024. I should have made this post on the second day of the year. But the start to this year was hectic. Our school have resumed, and I'm in my final year. All I was dealing with was writing an IT report, IT presentation and how to meet submission deadlines. But those days are gone, and I'm a little free at the moment. So I was able to write this post.

    Let me use this opportunity to greet you guys that.


    Happy New Year 👋


    So without wasting much time. Let's get to what I'm here for today. It's a review on a particular anime called Gangsta.


    Gangsta


    image.png

    The Chunni Source


    Have you ever seen an anime which was practically about crime that immerse you into the world of crime that it feels like you're in an Underworld. The anime "Gangsta" is a typical example of that anime that introduces the concept of crime, navigating through a particular setting - The city of Ergastulum.

    You know, we know that in our traditional anime setting, we have the concepts of isekai, like "Reincarnated as a Slime" where there are supernatural concepts, goblins and all or the mecho animes with technologies like the "Code Geass". The settings in this Gangsta is actually different from the regular anime setting, introducing the real world crimes into the concept.


    image.png

    Source


    The Ganga animation was original illustrated by the manga series written by Koshke published in 2011.The Gangsta anime is the story about a particular city "Ergastulum" where there are illicit transactions, power struggles among gangs and a level of never ending violence. In the city, there are literally four main families in the city, each controlling their own gangs known as Twillights. Twillights are the people who have different physical abilities like Speed, Agility and strength. They are basically called monsters.


    image.png

    Source


    Among all the people in the city are the protagonist called "Nick and Worwick". They are the people who are literally on their own, getting tasks and acquiring assignments that are hard for others to do. Mostly in the process, people get killed. Along the way, they meet a pretty lady who was formally a prosttitute to help them in their dealings. She was enployed as a secretary. Which was very hard for her. And so the story continues that way.

    I don't really want to give spoilers so I kept it as simple as possible.


    image.png

    Source


    Gangsta is one of those anime that I really liked. Well, this anime is really interesting and fascinating.

    As for the animation. The animation is very, very simple. Although I can't give the anime a top score, maybe because the resolution I used when watching the movies is low. But I can say that the anime creation is okay. It's good.

    As for the music. I don't really dwell much on the musical part of anime. I guess I'll start taking this anime opening music really seriously because except Attack On Titan and Jujutsu Kaisen, I don't really dwell much on anime music. Sorry for that. I'll do my best so that I'll be giving reviews on music.

    image.png

    Source


    As for the storyline. This anime has a very, very interesting story line. As simple as the story is, it's very interesting. It gives a good taste of how real world crime is, giving us a taste of all sorts of crimes in the underworld of anime (Let me put it that way 😅). There is no supernatural stuff in this concept. They're all real world. Their guns and ammunition are real world. Anybody that dies is dead, and I really love the concept very much. It suits my taste.

    The only problem that was with this anime was the ending. Maybe they had a problem, which I don't know. But they don't really have a very good ending. The ending I saw wasn't what I was expecting, and that was kind of disappointing.

    Overall, I'll say that the storyline was very interesting. The animation is very simple. The graphics is okay, but if you watch it in larger resolution, you'll enjoy it better.


    If you haven't given it a try. I will urge you to give it a try. It is a very interesting anime and I recommend it for this new year



    And that comes to the end of my post, if you really enjoyed my post, feel free to leave a comment. I also want to grow and to learn more, so if you have anything that can improve my writing and my post. Also leave a comment. I'll be sure to improve on my content writing.

    Once again.


    Happy New Year 👋


    Thank you for reading my post.❤️ See you next time 👋.


    Made by me using Canva


    Permalink·Open on PeakD ↗·Linked from existing Hive post
  4. (ESP-ENG) Gangsta - A story of street killers!@javyeslava.photo958d

    **

    Hola amigos, buenas vibras para todos.

    **

    Hello friends, good vibes to all.

    a

    Source!

    En esa busqueda constante de animes que ver para pasar el tiempo y disfrutar me topé con uno que no es tan actual pero que me llamó la atención de buenas a primeras. Cuando hablamos de la mafia por lo general la asociamos a Italia pero en Japón existe o existía una cultura muy importante con estas organizaciones y es que igualmente habían familias que controlaban cada aspecto de una ciudad a su placer, entiéndase los Yakuza por ejemplo. Pues este anime toca un poco eso, el como unas cuantas familias ejercen el poder sobre un lugar con la excusa de mantener el orden y el control del mismo y así que nada pase que sea ajenos a ellos.

    In that constant search for anime to watch to pass the time and enjoy I came across one that is not so current but that caught my attention right away. When we talk about the mafia we usually associate it with Italy but in Japan there is or there was a very important culture with these organizations and there were also families that controlled every aspect of a city at their pleasure, understand the Yakuza for example. Well, this anime touches a bit on that, how a few families exercise power over a place with the excuse of maintaining order and control of it and so nothing happens that is alien to them.

    De buenas a primeras estamos con un anime que en principio lo tiene todo, tiene violencia, tiene policías corruptos, la mafia, una historia interesante detrás de las habilidades de estos asesinos, prostitutas y un trasfondo en los personajes que hace que la trama no sea tan vacía y por tanto le de más profundidad a todo. En lo personal me gustó bastante, tiene una muy buena animación, cosa que para mi es vital y como ya dije es bastante violenta de a ratos lo que la hace muy gráfica y entretenida de ver. Pero bueno, sin más hablemos un poco más acerca de esta interesante historia.

    Right off the bat we are with an anime that in principle has it all, it has violence, corrupt cops, the mafia, an interesting story behind the skills of these killers, prostitutes and a background in the characters that makes the plot is not so empty and therefore gives more depth to everything. Personally I liked it a lot, it has a very good animation, which for me is vital and as I said it is quite violent at times which makes it very graphic and entertaining to watch. But well, without further ado, let's talk a little more about this interesting story.

    Source!

    Gangsta narra la vida de dos hombres, Worick Arcangelo y Nicolas Brown quienes son un par de asesinos a sueldo que trabajan tanto para la policía como para la mafia. Ellos hacen el trabajo que casi nadie puede gracias a sus habilidades, al hecho de que no se posicionan a favor de nadie y porque básicamente necesitan el dinero para sobrevivir. En ese camino se topan con una mujer de la calle, de la mala vida, llamada Alex Benedetto quien es rescatada por estos dos hombres y es que si, a pesar del estilo de vida que llevan tienen cierto espíritu de justicia y una ligera empatía por ciertas cosas, aunque esto muy pocas veces salga a la luz. Así que nada, el día a día es prácticamente aceptar trabajos que son muy sucios para ser realizados por cualquiera.

    Gangsta chronicles the lives of two men, Worick Arcangelo and Nicolas Brown who are a pair of hit men working for both the police and the mob. They do the job that almost no one else can thanks to their skills, the fact that they don't take a stand for anyone and because they basically need the money to survive. On that road they come across a woman from the street, from the bad life, named Alex Benedetto who is rescued by these two men and yes, despite the lifestyle they lead they have a certain spirit of justice and a slight empathy for certain things, although this very rarely comes to light. So nothing, day to day life is practically taking on jobs that are too dirty to be done by anyone.

    Cual es el detalle detrás de esta trama? - lo curioso de todo es que en la ciudad en donde viven llamada Ergastulum existen unas personas un tanto peculiares llamadas "Twilight" que no son otra cosa que personas alteradas gracias al poder de una droga. Esto lo que hace es que las habilidades físicas aumenten al punto de que se convierten en unas maquinas imparables, de ahí a que siempre sus servicios sean requeridos por muchas familias. Pero no todo es oro ya que existe otra corriente que está en contra de esta gente y su intención es eliminarlos a todos a pesar de las reglas no escritas que hay en aquella ciudad. Es acá cuando comienza la trama y la lucha de poder entre las diferentes familias y los propios Twilights.

    What is the detail behind this plot? - The curious thing is that in the city where they live called Ergastulum there are some peculiar people called "Twilight" who are nothing more than people altered by the power of a drug. What this does is that their physical abilities increase to the point that they become unstoppable machines, hence their services are always required by many families. But all is not gold because there is another current that is against these people and their intention is to eliminate them all despite the unwritten rules that exist in that city. It is here when the plot begins and the power struggle between the different families and the Twilights themselves.

    Source!

    Como dije anteriormente la animación es de lo mejor del anime, sumamente fluida, realista y con una atención a los detalles importantes. Siempre he pensado que más allá de la historia si esta no está acompañada por una animación que valga la pena el anime se va al piso, pierde todo su peso. No es producida por MAPPA, de hecho el estudio es Manglobe uno que se declaró en bancarrota hace unos cuantos años atrás. Se una mucho las altas velocidades, el slow motion también y como no todo lo que tiene que ver con la violencia desmedida, cantidades industriales de sangre, desmembramientos de cuerpos, decapitaciones, peleas cuerpo a cuerpo con todo tipo de armas que sean capaces de infligir daño al cuerpo.

    As I said before, the animation is one of the best in the anime, extremely fluid, realistic and with a great attention to detail. I have always thought that beyond the story, if it is not accompanied by a worthwhile animation, the anime falls to the floor, it loses all its weight. It is not produced by MAPPA, in fact the studio is Manglobe one that went bankrupt a few years ago. There is a lot of high speed, slow motion and of course everything that has to do with excessive violence, industrial amounts of blood, dismemberment of bodies, beheadings, melee fights with all kinds of weapons that are capable of inflicting damage to the body.

    La trama de igual manera para mi es interesante ya que la manera en como la van relatando hace que poco a poco uno se vaya interesando y vayamos entendiendo el contexto de los personajes protagonistas. La historia de esta potente droga, quienes la inventaron, el por que la inventaron y quienes la controlan es el tema central acá porque a raíz de todo eso podremos entender lo que pasa en el presente. Es una lucha que se está cocinando poco en las sombras de la ciudad y que a medida que van avanzando los capítulos amenaza con explotar. Todo es por un tema de control, control de armas, de dinero, de poder y sobre todo del destino de los Twilights.

    The plot is equally interesting to me because the way it is told makes you gradually get interested and understand the context of the main characters. The history of this potent drug, who invented it, why they invented it and who controls it is the central theme here because as a result of all that we can understand what is happening in the present. It is a struggle that is simmering in the shadows of the city and that as the chapters progress threatens to explode. Everything is about control, control of weapons, money, power and above all the fate of the Twilights.

    a

    Source!

    Los personajes son bastante curiosos al mismo tiempo que profundos. Todos tienen un pasado que los persigue, que para ellos representan un peso importante que muchas veces no los dejan avanzar, están buscando justificación en sus actos del presente por esos traumas que traen del pasado. De verdad como les dije es una serie que aparenta una cosa pero resulta siendo algo totalmente diferente. Son personajes inundados por el miedo, inseguridades y conflictos no resueltos y que por ello actúan y hacen lo que vemos en la historia. Tanto Worick, Nick y Alex sufrirán de lo que acá les cuento, ver como lo sobrellevan es lo interesante de la cosa. Muy bien construidos estos personajes.

    The characters are quite curious and at the same time profound. They all have a past that haunts them, that for them represent an important weight that often do not let them move forward, they are looking for justification in their present acts for those traumas they bring from the past. Really, as I said, it is a series that appears to be one thing but turns out to be something totally different. They are characters flooded by fear, insecurities and unresolved conflicts and that is why they act and do what we see in the story. Both Worick, Nick and Alex will suffer from what I tell you here, to see how they cope with it is the interesting part of the story. Very well constructed characters.

    Source!

    Un 8/10 para mi. Creo que es un anime muy completo en donde podemos disfrutar de todo un poco. Lo negativo es que la segunda temporada está lejos de ser anunciada y es que a su creadora se le diagnosticó con una enfermedad complicada por lo que hacer el trazado de todo el anime le está llevando más tiempo del necesario. De verdad espero que pronto tengamos noticias porque vale mucho la pena de ver. Tiene 12 capítulos. Les dejo el tráiler por acá abajo.

    An 8/10 for me. I think it is a very complete anime where we can enjoy a little bit of everything. The negative thing is that the second season is far from being announced and its creator was diagnosed with a complicated disease so that making the plot of the whole anime is taking more time than necessary. I really hope we will have news soon because it is worth watching. It has 12 episodes. I leave the trailer below.

    ***

    Bueno mi gente por hoy es todo, espero que les haya gustado. ¡Un abrazo a todos, nos leemos en la próxima!

    ***

    Well my people that's all for today, I hope you liked it. ¡Hugs to all, see you next time!

    Permalink·Open on PeakD ↗·Linked from existing Hive post
  5. Recomendação Anime #32 - Gangsta@dkrmarcos2797d

    Sinopse: Na vil e sombria cidade de Ergastulum, habitada por homens poderosos e ladrõezinhos, prostitutas à solta e policiais corruptos, existem alguns trabalhos sujos demais até mesmo para seus habitantes. Conheça os "Fazem-Tudo", Nic e Worick, aqueles que cuidam dos trabalhos que ninguém mais tem coragem de resolver. Até certo dia, em que um tira que conhecem solicita sua ajuda para acabar com uma nova gangue que está se metendo no território de uma família da máfia. Parece ser um serviço como os de costume, destruição e matança, mas os Fazem-Tudo estão prestes a descobrir que este trabalho é muito mais do que poderiam imaginar.

    Gangsta é um anime de Ação e Drama no qual seguimos a vida dos "Fazem-Tudo", Worick um vigarista de tapa olho e Nic um dos "Dog Tags", pessoas que recebem classificações de força baseados no seu fisico e ingestão de uma poderoso droga que os permitem superar os limites humanos. A história segue os dois em suas incontaveis lutas pela cidade de Ergastulum, seja enfrentado organizações criminosas, ou lutando com outros Dog Tags, ao mesmo tempo em que tentam levar uma vida normal, o que é expecialmente dificil para Nic pelo fato de ser um deficiente auditivo.

    O que mais impreciona no anime é sua história que é muito criativa, pois ele apresenta uma grande junção da ficção com a realidade de muitas favelas que existem em todo o mundo, juntamente com a história que forjou a amizade desses dois quando eram crianças o que permitiu que virasem o que são hoje, além do seu estilo de traços ser um pouco mais antigo, o que proporciona um maior impacto para a obra.

    A animação de Gangsta é muito expetacular, bem focada em detalhes que dão um grande valor a obra em si, as cenas de lutas são totalmente fluidas e belas, levando em consideração a grande quantidade de movimentos acrobaticos que são feito durante elas.

    Sua trilha sonora é bem personalizada e unica, o que mostra que são diferentes das habituais, além de ser usada somente para ambientes em que são realmente necessarias, o que mostra um bom posicionamento da mesma, tanto durante os dialos quanto nas lutas o que se torna um ponto forte do anime.

    Informações do Anime:

    Gênero: Ação , Drama , Seinen Autor: Kohske Direção: Shukou Murase Estudio: Manglobe Temporadas: 1 Episódios: 12 Ovas: 0 Filmes: 0 Ano: 2015 Classificação: 18 Anos

    Permalink·Open on PeakD ↗·Linked from existing Hive post
  6. Anime Review: Gangsta@thatanimesnob2958d

    FAKE MATURITY

    Gangsta is a show which keeps trying to fool you it is mature, with a setting that is suffocating, deprived, and gritty, filled with criminals and prostitutes. It quickly fails to maintain said maturity by adding rule of cool, resulting to making you not care about what is going on in that society as much as seeing some guys doing improbable acrobatics.

    DULL ACTION

    And it’s not even successful at being about rule of cool, since the production values are not good enough to suspend your disbelief. If you have people that can kill dozens of gunners with a sword, you are supposed to make it seem like they are fast enough to dodge a volley of bullets. But that is not what it makes you think is going on, and it’s not like we can imagine time moving in slow motion to excuse it. The gunners are shooting once every ten seconds, and never as a group, so it’s like you see them waiting in line to be killed without doing anything to defend themselves.

    The addition of the dog collars was also a stupid idea that didn’t fit the setting. I understand the need to have some sort of an excuse for why some guys with swords can kill dozens of gunners, but by making them a result of human experiment, they become detached from the otherwise realistic setting. The creator wanted to make the whole thing a spectacle of improbable martial arts instead of keeping it down to earth, and thus more relatable to the viewer. It would have worked if it was simply about highly trained soldiers, but that way they would be snipers, hiding all the time behind walls or in the shadows, instead of storming the opponent with crazy acrobatics.

    And even that fails as a spectacle, despite being the highlight of the show. The battles amongst Twilights are very disappointing to the most part, since they all play out in the exact same way. I felt like I was watching a Bleach rip off. Some poser kills dozens of pitiful thugs, meets another poser, they start measuring their cocks by talking about how amazing their skills are, and how high the number on their collar is, how they are going to mess their opponent, then they fight for awhile, while on-lookers keep commenting about irrelevant crap nobody cares about. The only major difference is how they don’t reveal hidden sword transformations, somebody always jumping in to stop them, and leaving the battle inconclusive. Rinse and repeat in the next episode.

    NO PROGRESS

    There is not even a sense of progress in all this mess. Nothing really moves forward, we get battles taking place in alleys, mafia leaders talking about minor irrelevant stuff, more characters getting introduced, dozens of people getting constantly killed, and nothing changing. You don’t feel like this is a power struggle amongst mafia bosses because nobody seems to gain or lose ground after every event. And no, having Alex showing signs of post traumatic stress disorder once, before forgetting about it, is not progress.

    Although we might get more character development and plot progression in a possible sequel, the show completely fails to make the viewer care about what will happen next. Even if they make another season, it will be too late to make a difference.

    SIMPLE CHARACTERS

    All characters in general have very little about them to make you care. They are easily separated into three simple categories.

    1. Defenseless women and children who are constantly victimized to make the world they live in, a cruel place
    2. Criminals who act like cartoon villains, laughing maniacally, mistreating women and children for fun so we can hate them right away
    3. And poser vigilantes who use cool martial arts and kill the criminals while smirking sardonically, so we can cheer for them.

    There is nothing wrong with the categorization by itself, but it simply doesn’t fit the setting. It makes you expect characterization of the level of Scarface or Casino, and instead you get Vizards fighting Arrancars. Fist of the North Star is one of my favorite anime and has the exact same categorization. And yet it was working there because guns were kept to a minimum, the setting was fairly bland and more like a sandbox, and the strong dudes were changing the world with their actions. There was a strong sense of presence and achievement, something that you don’t get out of Gangsta, which is just constantly introducing more and more characters, without doing something with them.

    IN CONCLUSION

    This anime is an average, forgettable time waster. The animation is weak, the characters are bland, the story goes nowhere, the setting goes to waste, the action scenes are repetitive and inconclusive. Go watch the flashback arc of Gungrave, and skip this one entirely.

    Permalink·Open on PeakD ↗·Linked from existing Hive post