*Viewership is recommended to be watched in dub*
It's evident why parts of society regards some of its areas to be ghetto, sketchy, or a place no one should be involved in. It's a rougher life out there with little luxury and more grit and dirt to rub on you, in life, body, and health.
City people forget these types of lives which they titled nonredeemable. That they are scum. These lives are left alone to survive with questionable or less than moral methods.
There's a reason why audiences love a criminal cast, they become awed at witnessing the rough in both mind and action. Our main male lead tastes this and gets his entire life changed from being part of the city, to being part of the Lagoon Company. A 'for-hire' group able to get things done in guns, glory and life threatening work.
Our main group is bad ass and lovable each in their own way. Finding out how they entered this life or their outlooks to be such characters, this information is presented to the viewer in such an enthralling way that doesn't fall back to the "Flashback narration." You can see their determination in their eyes, their actions and the demeanor. You will pick up changes and understand what their minds are thinking, and you will love them even more.
It feels damn great to get away from what I understand as the norm of anime, Black Lagoon will excite you when things gets going yet keep you interested when they are on the down-low. There's none of that cliche trope filled garbage to hurt it either.
Not only do I love this show's characters, the theme and setting is so well done. This disarray mess of places could still be called home, even if one may worry of getting shot around the corner. The importance of money, lifestyle and reputation is properly asserted as well as what it means to its society.
Others may call them cockroaches, never dying no matter what the attempts or circumstances (Although there are times where some gunshots seemed like they should've hit), but others may see them as just as human as the rest of us. The imbalance of virtues and afflictions we always face in decision and life.
Something else that I really wanted to highlight was the show's ED. It's so contrasting and confusing to a viewer. Why on earth after all that action, all those words and all the mayhem, does it end with something so serene and calm? In the end, we're all looking for that place where we can release even our most trusted tools in life, so we may finally walk in peace.
Don't worry about transitioning to the second season, it really could just be one season. It properly continues without leaving one in lost question or thought.
Please watch it dubbed, the voices and dialogue are perfect. Even hearing someone be called 'Chinglish' or even simply 'retarded' adds to watching and immersing one to this diamond in the rough.
Side note; check out stuff from Shadowrun like their games, always showcasing a story, a rough world, and a group of disagreeables. Black Lagoon heavily reminds me of that series.
