Ranked #3260

Gad Guard

I've seen a good number of people online call Gad Guard a mediocre title for one reason or another, which led me to rent the series via Netflix to see if there was any validity with those claims. While the series is far from being a masterpiece, I did see some meaningful elements to the series which at least made it watchable. The series ran on an ongoing theme of overcoming personal doubts and taking responsibility for ones own actions. This theme was conveyed through the Techodes that the central characters formed from GADs as the series comes to reveal the personal problems plaguing the characters and how these problems led their Techodes to manifest. The series does enough to flesh out these major characters to give one enough sense of their backgrounds, what they desire from their Techode and how they gradually come to develop as they meet one another and frequently clash over their differing beliefs with what responsibilities they should fulfill with their Techodes. Depending on the character, the series portrays a variety of differing moods from the seemingly mundane coming from Hajiki's deliveries to action-packed from Takumi's heroic vigilantism to dramatic with what we learn of the pasts of the characters.

However, the show's shoddy plot development is what bogs the series down quite a bit. There are a number of glaring plot holes connected to elements of the series such as the origins of the GADs and some background concerning supporting characters encountered in the series is hardly explored, particularly Katana's connection with Sayuri and Catherine's connection to the GADs. In addition, the show often gets in the annoying habit of having some of its events occur too conveniently just to advance its plot, whether it be one character being saved in the nick of time or dealing with a seemingly impossible situation.

In terms of presentation, don't expect much out of the visuals. While the series does feature good-looking and diverse scenery shots from the dark and vast landscapes of Night Town to scenes in the countryside, character and mecha designs look rough in their details and the latter designs also looking fairly simple with said details. Also, animation shortcuts are apparent rather frequently during action scenes. In terms of the soundtrack, Gad Guard is notable for its upbeat jazz beats used for the show's OP sequence and some of the insert musical tracks of the series, which fit rather well with the varying moods that the series portrays with its characters.

While far from a perfect title, don't let the reviews from other sites deter you from giving Gad Guard a try. While the show's plot is subpar in quality, its characterization coming from the developments of the central characters and their desires with the Techodes do enough to make up for the show's shortcomings with plot delivery. read more

Gad Guard had the potential to be a decent anime. The plot was interesting and the mood of the show was unique to say the least. I mean any show dealing with young kids obtaining Gun… I mean mechas has to be good right? Sadly the execution of the story elements left something to be desired. I’m getting ahead of myself so let’s start with the story.

Gad Guard tells the story of Hajiki Sanada, a 16 year old street smart teenager working as a delivery boy in a city called Night Town. Due to the depletion of Earth resources cities have been separated into units and every night at midnight the electricity gets shut off. This leads to a surge in organized crime and black market deals. During one of his deliveries Hajiki gets involved with a cubed shaped object called a Gad and it seems that everyone wants it in the underworld. It’s during a skirmish for the Gad that it shows its true colors as it transforms into a Techode.

Like I said before the story had a lot of potential. The contrast between futuristic mechas and the 1920’s mob crime made for an interesting plot in the beginning. Yet instead of focusing on this contrast other story elements are brought in that disrupt the balance. There were also many execution problems as well.

While Gad Guard focuses on Techodes the show never truly gives the background story on the Gads and how they came to be until the end of the anime. Some of the characters also have a deep connection to the Gads and Techodes yet their stories are never brought up even though they hint at it throughout most of the anime. Most of the middle part of this anime was filled with episodic adventures that felt more like fillers than anything else. Lastly the ending goes so far on a tangent that it doesn’t feel like you’re watching the same anime.

Now the animation isn’t going to win any awards but it wasn’t all bad. The saving grace in the animation department is the Techodes themselves. Each felt unique and well crafted to suit the owners as well as give off a futuristic hope in such a bleak environment. And when I mean bleak I really mean it. Night Town during the daytime looked like all the color was washed out except for gray and brown. During the night scenes everything was either too dark or blinded by the moonlight. It doesn’t help that until the near end of the show Night Town is the only location you’re going to be seeing so having to see nothing but brown and gray hurts the eyes. Needless to say you aren’t going to find great quality here and while I’m not saying it’s the worst it’s just that it feels that there is no originality in the series.

The music is practically nonexistent. In keeping with the 1920’s theme most of the music including the opening rely heavily on jazz. And while it’s interesting in theory, just like the story plot, the execution was not up to par. It felt like the music was there because it had to be there. The background music in Gad Guard has no feeling and it doesn’t help set the mood for any scene in the show. The music just sits there never really standing out or helping improve the quality of the show.

Overall Gad Guard is just another mecha show that you won’t remember after you watch it which is a shame. The idea of this anime had so much potential. Sadly the inconsistent story and bleak atmosphere makes it a passable show. So if you never watch it you’re not missing much. read more