Animation has been noticeably changing over the years. As technology grows and improves, so does animation styles as most anime these days are slick and clean whereas you look back in the 90s where many anime were cell shaded with heavy outlines and rough textures. It is kind of amazing how animation has evolved and how easier it is to animate now compared to animating anime years ago. But today I am reviewing an anime that pays homage to the 90s style of animation using modern technology to animate to bring this art style to the modern era.
So sit back and relax as I present to you the anime review for Megalobox. "Lets get ready to Rumbllllllllllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"
Story 8.5/10
The story takes place in a dystopian city where the world is mesmerised by the sport of Boxing where boxing is amplified by the use of augmented gear to make the sport more physical and dangerous. The story follows Junk Dog or Joe (depending on how you want to call him), a nameless, underground boxer that throws boxing matches for money. However, after meeting with the boxing champion Yuuri and being challenged to a match where they duke it out in a boxing ring, JD vows to challenge him again in his ring at the major boxing event Megalonia where whoever wins that becomes world champion.
The story is very much a proper underdog story where JD has to start from the very bottom and work his way all the way to the top. But there is more than just boxing his way to the top as he and his teammates, Sachio and Nanbu, have to also deal with gangs and corporations as they have ways to derail JD from becoming the number one boxer. What's interesting here is that the story is not just another rookie learning skills as he goes along (although it is still there), this is about a boxer who has already got skill but is held back by outside interference. It is a different kind of underdog story that makes it refreshing to see. It perfectly matches this gritty anime where the world is cruel and unforgiving and you have to fight not only to win, but to survive.
The anime also gives us the question of whether augmentation actually makes things better or worse. In this case of boxing, does it improve the boxer or make him worse? JD answers this question as he goes through most of the anime without using a gear to augment his boxing skills. Questioning whether the gears make the boxer or the boxer makes the gears look like they improved the boxer itself. It kind of makes you question whether the gears actually add anything to the anime and if there removal would affect the anime in anyway? Well it does in some instances in the story as it plays a key role but in other situations, it doesn't. The emphasis is on the boxing itself rather than the augmentations that amplify it. This makes the gears nothing more than a novelty at times, emphasising that JD is the real deal when he walks into the ring without a gear on.
Characters 9.5/10
So lets talk about Junk Dog/Joe. Junk Dog is a no nonsense, gritty boxer who has no name. This is why he addresses himself as Junk Dog, he is no one. This is why he doesn't have a backstory, he is no-one important. Very much makes sense since this being an underdog story, he starts from the very bottom without knowing anything about him. That means that anything we learn of him in the present gives us and idea of his character throughout all of his life. It leaves us open to guessing who he is. All he wants to do is to get into the ring and have a good boxing match but that mindset also what gets him into trouble at times with his team, the people around him and also himself. This is because he is short tempered and stubborn because once he makes up his mind, good luck trying to stop him which, in turn, gets him into trouble.
His teammates, Sachio and Nanbu don't share this no-one personality as they have there own reasons for wanting to join JD and help get him to Megalonia. Now matching the setting, they aren't exactly happy backstories and have some dark reasonings behind them which led them to where they are now. Nanbu is in debt to a gang which influences his actions quite a bit. He is a guy you would think is sleazy and selfish (and you would be right) but the fact is that he actually cares for those who are close to them and want what is best for them. Sachio uses JD as a crutch to get back at someone for the fate of his family and as such, is more defined than the rest of the characters. Loud, rude but knows what is best. He is kind of like the glue that holds the team together and with JD and Nanbu disagreeing with each other half the time, they really do need Sachio.
Each character has their own role in the story and have their own reasons as to why they do the things they do. This lead to to a conclusion that there isn't really any clear cut villains as each character has their own justifiable reasons for their actions. The closest to a villain we get is Fujimaki, the gang leader that Nanbu is in debt to. But also helps him get what he wants for the right price and agreements. But still, he is shady so he is the main body block for our main characters. Even Yuri, the main rival, isn't really a villain as he has respect for JD as he is the "genuine article" and respects his style of boxing. He fully believes JD will give him the best challenge and fighting and beating will make him believe that he is a "genuine champion."
Animation 10/10
What I think is the main selling point of this show is its animation. As I hinted back at the start, the animation harpers back to the 90s animation style with heavy black outlines as the anime goes for a more cell shaded, hand drawn art style. And you know what, it works. Instead of a clean, polished art style, we get a more gritty art style that matches the tone of the show. But with modern technology, it actually animates better than it would in the 90s which was to be expected. So it is more than an homage to older anime art styles like Trigun and Cowboy Bebop. It brings that art style to the modern day and gives it a modern face lift while still keeping that animation style.
What I also like is the lack of 3D animation in this show. Now there are a couple of scenes where 3D animation is used but it isn't in any fight scenes. Instead, the anime uses great use of cinematography and slow motion effects to capture the fights scenes brilliantly. And I'm telling you, these fight scenes are brilliant. Despite it being obvious who is going to win, the execution of these fight scenes are done brilliantly and is where the animation really shines.
Sound 9/10
If you like Samurai Champloo's OST, then you are going to love this. The soundtrack just has so much character to it and works well with this show being a gritty, dystopian anime. Rap tracks just work well with these kinds of shows because they give this kind of atmosphere where it isn't all sunshine and rainbows and it is more like "Put up or shut up!" But if you don't like Samurai Champloo's OST then you ain't getting much enjoyment here since it is almost entirely rap. As someone who likes Samurai Champloo's OST, I got a kick out of this soundtrack as it was so fun to listen to.
The opening is another good tone setter as it features a stray dog (referring to JD) going around and doing what it wants and picking fights with other dogs. It gives us an idea of what JD is like in this show and his attitude. The song, "Bite" by Leo Imai complements this opening well with a sense of anger and rage in its vocals to add to the fact that this is one vicious stray dog.
The ending is nothing to write home about as it is nothing more than a glorified credit sequence with neon lights as a frame to scroll down with the credits.
Conclusion
Megalobox is a highly enjoyable boxing anime that has so much style and character to it. With its well told underdog story, brilliant use of animation and enjoyable OST sees me finishing Megalobox very satisfied. It is more than a homage to 90s animation style. It takes that animation style and modernises it to give a new spin on it. My complaints with this show are only minor ones and I enjoyed the positives much more than a I hated the negatives. It's gritty, It's exhilarating, it's what I look for in an anime. "Entertainment." It is simply a fantastic and I highly recommend to everyone to check out this one.
My personal Enjoyment: 9.5
Overall score: 9.3/10 Recommendation: Go f*****g watch it
