Joker Game

Jokah Gaemu is some sort of historic thriller drama that’s all about deception, just like how it deceived everyone into thinking this anime would actually be interesting. A series about a secret agency of spies set around World War II made this a lot more ambitious than the easy-going series that led its season, but alas, concept isn’t everything.

The biggest problem for me was that Joker Game isn’t engaging at all. There’s no reason to get invested into anything. Who are these people? What are they doing? What’s the point? ...Why should I care? The episodes are structured very poorly, where we only have a ... vague idea of what’s going on in the beginning, and for nearly twenty minutes you watch someone you don’t know anything about do stuff for… some reason, and then the last few minutes before the credits are spent going over everything: what was actually happening, what the spy’s strategy was, and what context it has for the present and the future. It feels like taking a physics test in English class. How was I supposed to know this shit?

The other biggest problem is that the show is episodic. There are two two-part episodes, but each new story is just a new spy in a new situation with no reasons that no one cares about. Which is a shame, because the first two episodes seemed to have some idea of what to do with the series; it was about some dude from the army coming in to watch the Dickhead Agency or whatever and work with them. Something like that. And even though this guy is a fucking idiot, his contrasting beliefs with the spies and their leader had something going on here, I figured this would be about all these guys together. Nope. After this small arc, the army character is nowhere to be found while the spies split up around the world to live boring lives and somehow contribute to… something.

Ironically, the last episode had a theme and conclusion similar to the first arc, so it makes me wonder what the hell this was actually supposed to be about.

In the end, I know nothing about any of the characters or the story, if there even was one to begin with. Maybe that was the point all along, to give me identical-looking puzzle pieces and telling me to figure it out for myself. Except the end result doesn’t look very good and the pieces aren’t interesting anyway. If you don’t care much for characters and just want to get some espionage, go for it, I guess. Me, personally, I like giving a shit. I like getting a linear story and getting the details easily. Joker Game isn’t like that.

So, uh, the characters. They all look the same. That’s racist.
Actually, most of them are distinguishable, but look very much like real people. OH NO! CURSE YOU, PRODUCTION I.G.! Anyway, the problem for me wasn’t telling them apart, it was just telling who any of them even were. As in, their names. It’s a little awkward to think of the central character in an episode as “that one spy guy.” Other than that, they have no personalities. Yeah, I get that that’s the point. That doesn’t mean I enjoyed it, or that I think it was even necessary. I would’ve preferred this being a little bit more about the spies and not just about what they do.

Truth be told, I might not have lifted a finger on this if I didn’t see Production I.G.’s name embracing it. While there was only so much they could do, the characters look very polished, and the setting seems good enough for depicting the 30’s and 40’s. But the lack of visual cues in what’s going on is a little annoying, as I go back to how things would happen and THEN get explained. For instance, the first episode contains a short montage of the crew playing poker with the army guy, only for them to reveal they were tricking him. How do they explain the trick? By using shots that weren't included in the montage at all. It only sounds smart because they hid all the answers.

Like the animation, there’s only so much that could’ve been done with the sound. It’s not particularly bad, just uninteresting. It’s very subdued with a lot of sombre piano tunes and maybe a jazz track here and there. The OP is another story, being a rather lively alt-rock song defined more by its brass instrumentation than its use of wah-wahs. I like wah-wahs, but it’s hindered a bit by its length, I’d say. The full song is much better, would recommend. And from what I know, it seems to be the band’s debut work, so, good on them. The ED is a lot more of a standard rock song. No wah-wahs, unfortunately. It’s a decent song, though I don’t think it fits the show very well.

That’s all. I’m gonna go take a nap, because this just kinda puts me to sleep.

Story - 3/10
Art - 7/10
Sound - 5/10
Characters - 2/10
Enjoyment - 3/10
Spying - maybetheseratingsarealietoo/10
Overall - 3/10
Favorite character - Yuuki because he gets more than 10 minutes of screentime
Recommendation level - Low

(This review has been adapted from my blog/reddit thread. Spoilers ahead!)

When I was a kid, I would often try to eavesdrop on my parents’ “secretive” conversations.

I would be in the basement, playing a video game or watching television. When I heard the pitter-patter above me, however, I would move to the foot of the steps. The door was closed, indicating further that my parents were discussing topics not meant for my ears.

But I was curious. I would sneak up and crack open the door ever so slightly. I would then close my eyes and concentrate, focusing only on their words. Doing it so many times, ... I eventually got quite good at it. My mother and father talked about problems: other family members, financial issues, and even me (and my siblings) on occasion.

When I had my fill, I would creep back down, acting as though I were none the wiser. It was thrilling to me, being able to catch information without getting caught. Very much like a spy.

And with spying in mind, Joker Game proves that spies are more than just a bunch of eavesdroppers.

STORY

Joker Game, despite the title, involves no jokesters. Instead, the anime focuses on a secret group within the Imperial Army known as the D-Agency. And, as the anime oft details, D-Agency contains the best spies the world has ever known. The elite of the elite. In other words, they make everyone else look like jokers.

The show itself has a clear format: the first episode introduces the people and the setting, and, for every episode afterward, a new tale involving a new spy is told.

To the anime’s credit, it does manage to create different scenarios one after another even if they boil down to “a spy does spy things.” Fighting with the French Resistance, a riddle on a train, and even a competing spy network (called Wind Agency) are just a few of the main events that comprise the season.

The show even sometimes portrays the episodes from a third-person perspective. A naïve soldier, a British spy who found the love of his life, and an old German nemesis allow the audience to view the spies in a different light. A light the audience would have “normally” viewed such spies because (perhaps obviously) spies rarely reveal themselves.

This standalone format also brings with it one of the show’s bigger weaknesses: no overarching plot.

Because all the tales are so segmented, it makes it difficult to care much about what is actually happening and what is eventually the outcome. The anime tries to make the pushback from the Imperial Army (and other relevant entities) a thread. But a lot of the different reasons – from using “cowardly” tactics to supposed besmirching of the army despite the results D-Agency regularly retrieve – strain this thread too much.

Although, to be fair, there are certain commonalities between the episodes. Yuuki’s involvement and the World War II backdrop are the more obvious answers, but a more important one exists.

Part of Joker Game’s goal is to demonstrate what it is that a spy goes through. Torture, hand-to-hand combat, and death are some of the more extreme examples, but the show also focuses on the subtler aspects. Bluffing an opponent, investigating an area, deception, maintaining cover, and planting false information. In a sense, these details lead to the anime’s title, for, like any intense game of poker (jokers or not), similar skills are required.

Unfortunately, the anime does not do too much else. It is simply a semi-thrilling, multi-spy show concerned more with espionage than it is with grander ideals. (Except for their “don’t die; don’t kill” mantra.) Not that it has to be more than what it is (as can be said for every anime ever), but, because it barely even attempts to aim for something higher, it does not do itself any favors.

ANIMATION

The art and the animation of Joker Game is arguably its best aspect.

Due to the episodic format, the anime visits many different spots. A British compound, a luxurious mansion, a nighttime shot of a bustling city, a German hospital, a local theater. Such variety helps to showcase how widespread the war reached and just how far the spy network invaded, supporting the main motifs of the show.

While the amount of detail in the backgrounds is not anything praiseworthy, the show does make an obvious effort to heighten interest. Some nice cinematography – such as from a tabletop angle or using a darkened, first-person perspective – are nice to see. Changes in lighting, extra civilians walking or sitting about, and the period pieces, like old-timey cars and weapons, add to the show’s overall appeal.

(And not the norm, some shots hold symbolic meaning. The cherry blossoms and soldiers in episode two and the hands of a clock aligning with the railroad tracks in episode six hold meaning to their respective stories.)

The character designs do so even more. They are slick, proper in their suited attire and handsome in their sharp faces. Them all looking “the same” continues with the spy motif further: not being able to discern one agent from another (i.e., they are all “just” a bunch of classy, young men) makes sense given their profession.

Actual animation ends up somewhere around average. Scuffles can and do break out, but most the “action” on-screen is comprised of conversations. Eyes and limbs do not remain static, though, so subtler movements can be seen throughout the show’s run.

CHARACTERS

Joker Game’s cast is interesting to talk about because, once one starts to, they have already finished.

Except for Yuuki (more on him later), almost nothing is given about these men. While it is true that some have minor characteristics – one can do some sleight of hand, one can read writing backwards in a mirror – calling them characters in the traditional sense would be unfair.

In almost any other show, having blank characters would be immediate grounds for criticism. But when one considers what the anime is – an anime centered on spies – it more than makes sense.

Yes, they are bland, but they are operatives hiding in the lands of their enemy. They have to be unassuming. They’re not like James Bond who has the fancy gizmos and sleeps with the most beautiful women. Instead, they are typical, everyday guys, commoners among commoners.

For this reason, they get a pass.

As for Yuuki, the anime does (slowly) build up his reputation beyond just a disgruntled man who walks with a cane (for show). He takes the time to gather his agents’ intel. He is absolutely not afraid to confront his rivals. He thinks bowing in a suit is silly.

The show also takes some time to delve into his background. Granted, it is not a whole lot, but it proved once more that Yuuki is a hardened fighter, a man willing to even sacrifice his left arm to escape a harrowing situation.

Even so, Yuuki likewise has little known about him. In fact, some of the details may even be flat-out lies. Regardless, the information surrounding his character, much like the men he commands, does not go beyond a precursory amount.

SOUND

Joker Game’s opening track takes on a jazz-like feel, creating class and smoothness that fits both the show and the characters within. Lots of trumpets and a funky background beat comprise much of the song, and, while it does not deviate too much from its rhythm, and the vocals are not exactly stellar, it is still a passable piece nonetheless.

In contrast to the OP, the ending track ditches the trumpets in favor of drums and a faster-paced composition. This time, the song becomes more optimistic in tone, or, at the very least, more uppity in its presentation. While the vocals and the harmonizing are not anything special, the ED is, like the OP, an acceptable inclusion.

Arguably, the rest of the original soundtrack is the best part of the music. It may not have anything memorable or even catchy, but it does have strength in molding out an atmosphere. Clanging, ominous sounds. Lots of piano for both sentimental and mysterious purposes. Plucked cello strings to help smooth out some of arrangements. The OST is mostly a methodical set of songs with the occasional tenser piece, fitting well with the show and its overall aims.

Lastly, voice acting sees no notable performances.

ENJOYMENT

I cannot say I walked away from this one holding it in high regard.

Episode four was easily the low point thanks to the sudden evilness of the villain near the episode’s conclusion. The entire season was also plagued by the same synopsis that played right before the OP. A small annoyance, sure, but that felt like more time the anime could have used for other material instead.

Yet my biggest gripe comes from the cast, for they just are not compelling characters. No matter how intended their lack of characterization, they simply do not make for very interesting people. Their profession, what they do on a regular basis, certainly is. But they themselves are far from any top-character list of mine.

I will say, however, that I liked parts of the show. Episode five was perhaps my favorite due to the Robin Crusoe metaphor (although I still need to read the book myself), and the spy himself actually encountered grave danger. I also liked the maybe-possible romance angle that appeared in episode twelve (due to all the talk about Manchuria and the relevant people ending up there).

My favorite moment, though, does not involve spying or something similar.

In episode seven, the spy whistles loudly, commanding dolphins to come from out of the ocean. I thought to myself, “I wish I could do that.” And thinking on it more, if this small scene happened to be my favorite from the whole season, that speaks a lot about how much entertainment I truly got out of the anime.

Joker Game is not a joke, but it does not win any games either. Its art can be nice, and its music can be fitting. Its cast is even technically what they “should” be. But the lackluster narrative and the unengaging content keep the show from shining brightly. In other words, it only made it halfway up those stairs.

SUMMARY

Story: Bad, while each episode features a new way to view spies and spying, no overarching plot and no larger ideas prevent the narrative from being something more

Animation: Good, nice art, nice character designs, and about average actual animation

Characters: Fine, nothing may be given about the cast, but such misdirection fits the spy motif

Sound: Fine, okay OP, okay ED, okay OST, and okay VA performances

Enjoyment: Bad, whistling to call some dolphins was the highlight

Final Score: 4/10

The first episode had me hooked immediately. A place that trains spies in varying fields of expertise is something that was very easy for me to become invested in.

However, after 5 episodes, I realized that the main plot and story of the show just... didn't exist? Or at least they stopped caring about it?

It went from something with a compelling over-arching story to a show that was like a compilation of side stories of each character with a disappointing absence of actual story progression or plot exploration. Maybe they circle back to it later on, but after 5 episodes all the interest I developed had ... disappeared. It was still a decent show until then though, so 5/10.

Story: 10/10
I liked the story. A spy agency working behind the scenes before World War II. It was interesting because although Japan is technically the enemy during World War II, I like anime that focus on the perspective of the villain since usually, the villain's point of view is as interesting as the hero's.
Art: 8/10
The art was really good. It fit the anime and it stayed consistent throughout the series. The only problem I had with the art was that I don't know if it's just me, but it looked like some of the spies had similar face designs. I could be wrong, though.
Sound: 10/10
The ... music is perfect. It's perfect for this anime. Both the opening and ending songs are great and the music played during scenes do a good job of setting the atmosphere.
Character: 2/10
Here's where the anime disappointed me. Most of the characters have no personality. I can't even say they're 1-dimensional because I don't even know what their personality traits are. Also, I get that they're spies and had a lot of training, but they were never put in a situation where they had to think on their own and not just rely on Yuuki's training. Even when it looked like they were in a dire situation, at the end of the episode, we find out that it was all just a part of the mission. I wish something that wasn't part of the mission happened so that they could use their own logical thinking and wits to escape. We never even found out what happened to that liaison who was reporting to Yuuki and the military. Finally, we only get backstory for like 3 of the characters.
Enjoyment: 4/10
It was hard to enjoy the series as a whole because it was episodic.
Final score: 4/10
I was very disappointed in this anime. I stuck with it because although it was episodic, I was hoping for a huge plot twist such as all of the missions that the spies completed would come around full circle and be related in some way so something significant would happen. But it turns out that they don't. One thing that was stupid was that it turns out there's another agency that hated the D Agency, but they only appear in 1 episode and never show up again. If that's the case, what's the point of even giving them an episode if they don't even pose a threat?? It's lazy writing and shows that they were running out of ideas. I would've liked if the agencies were pitted against each other such as if the spies from each agency encountered each other or something to that effect. Finally, this is just my opinion: I know that not all of the characters are Japanese, but it didn't make sense when the non-Japanese characters spoke to each other in Japanese! For example, the British people speak to each other in Japanese and so do the Germans! Overall, don't watch this anime. You'll just be disappointed in the end.