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JokerVentura said: We are living in the day where cannabis is legal in many US states. half of Europe, and half of South America. Don't get me wrong, kids please don't do drugs. But the reactionary writers of this story want to sell the message a bag of weed is worse than organized gang crime, planting false evidence, a ton of minor crimes, and corrupt police. How much did Yakuza pay them to get this crap ideology televised? I was in pain when King said "we are a cool gang, we don't do drugs". Sure thing, i bet his violence leaning (see opening scene) 100s of thugs make most of their income from asking for small donations after helping old ladies across the street.inim said: I mean the business was making legal but highly dangerous drugs. I'm pretty sure they were suppose to be selling spice (synthetic marijuana, but with very nasty side effects) which Japan had a massive issue with a few years ago.Yakuza are much better than neo-hippies. Faking evidence to ruin a business is a heroic act. I'm not quite sure I'll like this jingoist vigilante justice nonsense show. Frankly, this was a terrible message, and so far a 1/10. I love Japans 1950 morals and reactionary value system more often than not. But my line is crossed when right-wing ideology along the "logic" of the Hell's Angels is glorified, and the rule of the law presented as a neglect able nuisance and joke. I call bullshit, This was was horrible writing and an even more horrible message. |
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inim said: JokerVentura said: We are living in the day where cannabis is legal in many US states. half of Europe, and half of South America. Don't get me wrong, kids please don't do drugs. But the reactionary writers of this story want to sell the message a bag of weed is worse than organized gang crime, planting false evidence, a ton of minor crimes, and corrupt police. How much did Yakuza pay them to get this crap ideology televised? I was in pain when King said "we are a cool gang, we don't do drugs". Sure thing, i bet his violence leaning (see opening scene) 100s of thugs make most of their income from asking for small donations after helping old ladies across the street.I mean the business was making legal but highly dangerous drugs. I'm pretty sure they were suppose to be selling spice (synthetic marijuana, but with very nasty side effects) which Japan had a massive issue with a few years ago. I love Japans 1950 morals and reactionary value system more often than not. But my line is crossed when right-wing ideology along the "logic" of the Hell's Angels is glorified, and the rule of the law presented as a neglect able nuisance and joke. I call bullshit, This was was horrible writing and an even more horrible message. I think this is a cultural difference. Organised crime in Japan was seen as a necessary evil in Japan after the war up until recently, since the Yakuza helped rebuild Japan and were very active in their communities. So yeah in Japan drugs are seen as way worse than organised crime. Though attitudes regarding Yakuza are changing. Police are becoming more aggressive and shutting them down. Their numbers are dropping due to this and there was even a story where a local yakuza used to give kids Halloween sweets for years and was stopped recently. Also while they planted marijuana since it is easily recognised and analysed, the episode wasn't really marijuana bad, they don't need to do that in Japan, its just an accepted fact there. The episode was about a synthetic drug they are selling in their store, which as the police guy said takes time to analyse. Which in real life was a waste of time, as by the time it is analysed and then logged as illegal, the sellers change the formula to something different and the whole cycle continues. Since they always change the formula it means the side effects are completely unknown. I know they had many cases in Japan where the drugs caused hallucinations, which led to car crashes. Planting evidence is wrong, but on the other side, the drugs he was selling were highly dangerous. I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying this is how things are in Japan and they don't really usually care if things are different in the rest of the world. |
JokerVenturaOct 6, 2020 3:11 PM
| “I just spent the last two years thinking that you guys knew more than me about life and I just found out that you guys are just as dumb as me.” “Duh-doy.” “Yeah, duh-doy.” |
Tref55 said: Thank you for reminding me of that masterpiece, lol. Perfect comparison. honestly got "Reefers Madness" vibes from this. Like according to this show, organized crime groups, arson, and hacking are all better than selling weed VanishingKira said: famous japanese people completely blacklisted for years over weed in Japan. Most notable Hideki Taniuchi the music composer of Death Note, Kaiji and Akagi among other things who was caught with weed about 10 years ago and hasn't worked since in Japan. Also Taku Takahashi, his arrest over weed killed Hyouge Mono. A tragedy, this series was genius grade. Certainly a very different mentality in Japan than in most of the West on this topic, and as it seems pretty widely accepted. VanishingKira said: I have a feel the anime is going to be watered down version of the live action, which is sadly not a good thing since the live action series wasn't that impressive to begin with. In comparison the live action's first episode [...] Showed prostitution, police corruption and discrimination among other darker aspects of Japanese society like the Yakuza That sounds as if the live action (and maybe manga) is a lot better than this anime version. My problem is not to show crime vs. crime infights. I love both Sanctuary and Jingi Naki Tatakai, and many more from the Yakuza Eiga genre. Or if you want an example from the West, The Wire. In all those shows, bad guys do bad stuff and win. That's not my problem with IWGP, and neither is their treatment of soft drugs. It's how the anime is apologist, lopsided and unironic about it. Where the other shows show and don't comment or take sides, this show glorifies and justifies. Your description of the live action version to me sounds as if that version doesn't do that, and is closer to classic Yakuza Eiga. JokerVentura said: So yeah in Japan drugs are seen as way worse than organized crime. Though attitudes regarding Yakuza are changing. [...] The episode was about a synthetic drug they are selling in their store [...] I know they had many cases in Japan where the drugs caused hallucinations, which led to car crashes. [...] I'm not saying it's right, I'm just saying this is how things are in Japan and they don't really usually care if things are different in the rest of the world. I understand your position and agree with much of your analysis, the risks and problems of designer drugs in particular. Weed is taboo in Japan, so they picked that cultural idiosyncracy as excuse plot, and not another like e.g. child pornography or another of the usual "pure evil crime" suspects. Fine, bad choice and mentality but it works inside Japan. My problem is more with what they use this excuse plot for: glorifying organized crime, promoting vigilante justice, and Hell's Angel's code of honor. If the mom of a 12-year old tomboy girl being hit by a drugged driver justifies arson of a store, I see serious trouble for Sake sellers ahead ... That's the other really badly written part. The cheese of using a 12 year old and this emotionally manipulative nonsensical argument. I almost puked when both mother and daughter bowed to thank the criminals. Painful to watch for me. |
inimOct 6, 2020 3:41 PM
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| Why the romance tag? |
| @Inim Yeah the only thing I will say is the MC did admonish her for trying to burn the place down, explaining she would have burnt down the other business in the same building, who were innocents. I do think the show is pretty average overall from the first episode. I like certain ways the Japanese make shows that talk about the greyside of crime and sadly this one ain't that good, so far anyway, it might get better, it might get worse. If your are every interest in watching a much better take on it and are fine with a live action adaptation of a manga, rather than an anime, I would recommend Ushijima the Loan Shark. |
| “I just spent the last two years thinking that you guys knew more than me about life and I just found out that you guys are just as dumb as me.” “Duh-doy.” “Yeah, duh-doy.” |
JokerVentura said: I think Sanctuary is a well done anime adaption of "greyside" Yakuza Eiga. I'll try to find the Loan Shark, too :) To me, if this episode were a standalone OVA, it would be a sound 1/10. I'll keep watching and like you hope it improves, as the genre and premise by themselves are not bad. If they just didn't try to make it PG-13 and with noble criminals who help 12 year old girls cheese. Sigh.I like certain ways the Japanese make shows that talk about the greyside of crime and sadly this one ain't that good, so far anyway, it might get better, it might get worse. If your are every interest in watching a much better take on it and are fine with a live action adaptation of a manga, rather than an anime, I would recommend Ushijima the Loan Shark. |
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| There is a vague sense of deja vu, like with battle shounen genre where once you saw one it seems like you've seen them all. Only here, it's once again some kind of detective with obscure cases featuring a diverse cast of characters voiced by a lot of awesome seiyuus. The last part could potentially be the one to get me interested but not enough to actually get me hooked. I found the first episode quite boring, I have no idea what's so special about all these people acting all cool and solving mysteries I don't give a damn about. Well, I'll watch a bit more to decide for sure if I should drop it. But so far, not impressed. |
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Tref55 said: Like according to this show, organized crime groups, arson, and hacking are all better than selling weed, and that's fucking hilarious to me. Overall I'd say the story here hasn't aged well but it's pretty funny to watch a show get this serious and dramatic over weed. This exactly, this is just insane and makes this anime into just a trashy dumb propaganda anime - for now. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds but nevertheless it is fun to watch something that is so dumb beyond comprehension. 7/10 for the first episode from me |
| Trying to watch all available anime series so you won't have to anymore, the list of anime I can recommend is still in progress, tho |
| I remember watching the live action drama when I was a teenager..and I remember liking it. The first episode of this was okay - I did like the OP, I'm hoping second episode will be better. |
| My boy Makoto rocking the Jordan 1s. This show cold, interested to see where this goes. |
| That was pretty good, I've been wanting to watch this since the last season since it was delayed. It has potential to become even better and I like the concept of a vigilante ish gang against drugs. It does kind of remind me of Balance: Unilimited but, I think I'll like this more. I liked Mion, but we probably won't see her again. Doga Kobo has been pumping out some good shows recently, and I think this will be a good show too. |
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| Not bad first episode at all. I liked how producers went straight to the point introducing characters and a story instead of depicting the whole thing in pieces that let you in confusion until you get new information (looking at you, durarara). I wasn't planning to watch this but it looks promising enough. |
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| I heard good stuff about the source novel, though so far the first episode seemed like an exposition dump with a fairly episodic nature. I can definitely see it going in both directions in terms of quality though, so I'll stick around to see how it goes. DearMap said: Not bad first episode at all. I liked how producers went straight to the point introducing characters and a story instead of depicting the whole thing in pieces that let you in confusion until you get new information (looking at you, durarara). I wasn't planning to watch this but it looks promising enough. Fair enough, from a perspective of someone who immensely enjoyed Durarara, a major part of the appeal was actually the confusion they put you through, and then the way the plot points all fit together was just so satisfying. The second season gets a bit too convoluted and bloated for its own good, but I feel the execution was perfect in the first season. |
| I've come to anticipate IWGP anime since Durarara! (also story about Ikeubukuro teen gangs) mentioned IWGP back in 2000s, which brought me to read first 4 volumes of the original novel, but yet to watch the drama adaption. With such expectations, I find this adaption underwhelming and disappointing, and containing unrealistic plot holes: -Generically handsome blond anime boys -King always wear a suit in order to show his King aura -King conveniently appears in random places without his sidekicks -Teen gangsters so rich they could afford a stage with projection for live fights -colour gang of lowkey blue (even Drrr had yellow scarves) -G-boys conveniently helping Makoto with 70% of the substantial tasks although "we aren't comrades" -G-boys taking custody of a 12 year-old girl purportedly trying to burn down a whole building (without any details) -Makoto taking the same 12 year-old into drug headquarters just because she wanted to, which ended up in a chase (Note: the 12 year-old is anime-original character) -Enemies, chasing right behind their targets, couldn't tell if their targets went up or down the stairs -Police conveniently taking 2 kids to fancy dinners (despite their supposedly hectic work on teenage crime) -Police conveniently providing confidential investigation information to a teen Everyone comes so conveniently to help, that the core of IWGP, i.e. 2000s vibes of independence between characters, cool gang fights and risk of death, are massively underplayed. Music is decent, though generic below expected. Similar crime/gang animes, e.g. Drrr, Hakata Tonkutsu Ramens and Fugou Keiji: Balance Unlimited, all had more memorable soundtracks with strong beats and stylistic visuals going with their OPs and EDs. This is the most half-baked story of Ikebukuro underground teen gangsters I've seen. Although this episode 1 features an anime-original story, the details show the original story would likely still be watered down in subsequent episodes. TL/DR: If you are like me, expecting chill teens going their own way, gang fights on the verge, thrill of the underground world or anything close to the original IWGP, Leave. |
HopbeeKOct 7, 2020 3:02 AM
| 一期一会 |
| Honestly, i liked the first episode alot,despite it being quite cringey to see them keep calling marijuanna "dangerous",but then again - this is based on a novel from 20 years ago and japan is very oldschool,so i wasn't that offended by it - i can turn a blind eye. EDIT : THIS IS BASED ON A NOVEL FROM OVER 20 YEARS AGO. i don't think people realize this when critiquing the weed narrative. |
MisoneismOct 6, 2020 10:03 PM
| The opening theme is so catchy. Not bad for a first episode, let's see how it'll all go from here. The LA series is apparently very popular in Japan, though I never got the chance to watch it myself |
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TenshiTobacco said: It's all fine with dropping this show if you fine it meh but Durarara was actually inspired by thisPoor man's Durarara. Below-average visuals, meh direction, dull characters and seiyuu = boredom. Drop. |
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| wondering if it's gonna be a raise-your-own-waifu story ? |
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| The episode was decent for the most part but I still need to see a couple more episodes before I can really settle on a solid opinion. |
| People on MAL refuse to actually enjoy watching anime. Your taste in anime isn't a personality trait. MAL is literally just anime Twitter as its own website lol. |
| I'm not gonna lie, I had really high expectations for this show because of how people were hyping it up on social media and Youtube but the first episode was just okay? It reminds me of Durarara!!, Kabukichou Sherlock and Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens with DRRR being far superior than any of the mentioned but it does take place in Ikebukuro like DRRR does. That reveal that they were making homegrown WEED was the dumbest and most boring "plot twist" ever lol I was like, "That's it?" The character designs are also very bland and no one really stands out, not even the king. Tbh, the two MCs are boring, eventhough Mion was slightly annoying, she stands out more than the two main characters. |
| 臭い- |
| Man this didn’t impress me like I hopes it would. However since Drrr is one of my favorite shows I was heaving too high expectations probably. Overall too much propaganda in this episode. Nevertheless it‘s too early to decide wether I really like it or not. Depends on how the story continues from here on. I see this more like an introduction episode. I hope it get‘s a bit darker from here on. Not a fan of the visuals tbh but i can live with that ad long as the story turns out to be really good. Everything about the drug thing was already said. But even thos Japan is stricter about weed and this is a story from 20 years ago I think they should maybe have adapted it and change it to a fictional artificial drug or something. |
| I expected it to be darker and not as rushed. They got that drug house closed rather quickly. Op is good but the episode did nothing for me. |
| Listen to my podcast https://anchor.fm/waifusandweeaboos Follow my twitch. https://www.twitch.tv/sorasensei1 Summer 2024 Waifus on Profile "You can have multiple Waifus" -me |
| Already finished watching the first episode of IWGP. Its kinda cool, actually. The art and the animation kinda average, but so far the story promised some good plot and decent story telling. Whats happened? There was a gang pursuit a trouble maker. Its not a usual gang. Its a bad boy gangs that supposed to be a batshit in the commoner society, but actually became the Ikebukuro's peace maker and got popular by the local town folks with all of their heroic action. Example on these first one, they made a cleared move on their kind intentions. They got the revenged they need to that little girl, and got rid of that annoying drug dealers with such a nice way behind the screen. I was kinda feel funny with these Makoto guy, with all of his interaction and the action of him kinda realistic enough to me. So, with all of that, i am so curious about the last sentences at the synopsis. What happened exactly there? Maybe the next one will come up with that thing. Because somehow, it might turned out to be a dirty fights against some big association or gangs. Lets see .... |
 Hide and seek is the best offline games on this fatamorgana-called-world-thing. Please comment nicely. I am newbie here. I'm level  on mal-badges. View my badges  |
| It was alright. I do love both the OP and ED.Will give it a couple more episodes. |
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| Nice OP. Also a pretty interesting concept, a town where everyone's your homie. Good first episode. |
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| Makoto's "Smoking kills" shirt goes really well with my "You wouldn't download a car" shirt. I thought they were gonna find a large scale narcotics lab but they just found one solitary guy's little weed garden... "The G-Boys are a group of bad kids who all hang out in Ikebukuro." Are they really though. They're vigilantes and informants who are actively working for, as well as endorsed by, the police. I was pretty excited for this but episode one was not a great start. I started losing interest very quickly as each scene became exposition upon exposition. I was expecting them to bump heads with law enforcement and ACTUALLY be a gang of hooligans. Not... what ever this was. I hope the story drops its attempts at critiquing (while hilariously oversimplifying) drug problems and moves on to other crime related themes... Hopefully the author has more real knowledge about other issues (or is at least better at writing them). |
whitherOct 7, 2020 10:38 AM
| Smoking kills... |
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| Honestly I still cant believe that IWG got an anime adaptation! It's a really famous book series in Japan haha... With that being said though, I never saw that kid in the books. Is this an anime original episode or something? |
ByniavoOct 7, 2020 12:58 PM
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| Sheees, is this stupid or is this stupid , why the hell would that Takashi who heads them G Boys ask Makoto to his dirty work, when he has a whole army to do it for him? |
| Gotta love Japan for treating drug dealing/consumption as the literal worst crime you could commit. I mean I get if they were raiding a meth lad, but dude was basically growing weed and that shit is legal in Canada... Obviously you can't grow your own to that extent, but it's just such a meme. Anyway decent first episode I guess. G boys is a pretty stupid name. Is it really that hard to come up with something half decent like the Dollars from Durarara? |
| A pretty cool episode but it didn't really provide anything in terms of plot or building up the characters. That said, I think the intro of the gang behind the Smoke Tower will really kick off the story. One thing I did think was a bit odd; G-Boyz seems to be a gang that doesn't do anything illegal or... any activity at all really. Probably get to know more about all that next ep though! |
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| As someone who is a massive fan of Durarara, this show immediately piqued my interest. I absolutely love shows based in big metropolitan areas. Street fights, back alley deals, running through the twists and turns of the big city; it's all so interesting, it's almost as if the city itself is a character. So seeing that this show has that kind of setting, I was excited to see how it would play out. So the G-Boys are a gang, but they're against drugs and work with police. They're like a "thief with a heart of gold" type of archetype. Not always morally correct, but ultimately good. Makoto seems to be a lone wolf with his own way of doing things. A cliched set up, but I like it. As for the story itself, it was resolved way way too quick. The implications that were set up at the beginning of the episode implied this was going to be a big deal. Mion's mother sounded like she was in grave danger at the hospital and the drug sounded really hardcore. But it was all resolved so quickly it felt like a let down. I guess they were trying to help establish the tone of the show in the first episode. I think that ultimately hurt it as it all felt way too easy. I'll still be looking forward to more, but this lacks the style and nuance that Durarara excelled at. But hopefully it grows into its own as the story goes on. |
| Man, that was so average bruh, I nearly fell asleep during the falling action, and that's saying that I had high anticipation for this anime. Welp, following the three-episode here... |
| Couldn't help but laugh at them reacting in horror to someone growing weed. Like it was meth or cocaine or something. Japan LUL. |
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