Story:
The concept of Gantz is incredibly interesting and terrifying at the same time. The idea that people didn't really "die" until they've defeated the Gantz was kind of reassuring, but once I saw the trials that the characters face in the series, I wasn't sure I wanted the extra chance was worth it... I tend to dwell on these things, so life after death-philosophies are best kept away from me...
The story was pretty good, it was pretty intriguing, and like I said, an original way of viewing an "afterlife". In the end, it was what kept me watching the series because every episode just seemed more terrifying than the last. That being said, the series probably could have been shortened because throughout half of the series this conversation was going on:
"This has to be done."
"But I can't..."
"Well you have to do it!"
"But I can't!"
"But no one else can!"
"But I'm scared!"
"But you have to!"
"But I can't!"
"Stop wasting time!"
"I don't want to do this!"
"You have to!"
"But I can't!"
..................................
"We don't have much time, come on!"
"Then you do it!"
"But you have to do it!"
"But I can't!"
You get the picture....I could have gone to eat lunch and one character would still be trying to persuade the other to do something. This was EXTREMELY frustrating and annoying, and a major source of lost points for me.
Art:
I don't like the art style of the series. Period. I just don't like that realistic-y anime style. And yes, they made an effort to combine CG animation into the show. They really shouldn't have. I hate when animes do that. Pick one and stick to it, unless you make it seamless. And the makers of Gantz really didn't.
Sound:
The beginning and ending themes are good; I like them! The OP is certainly catchy, and the ED is really pretty. I wasn't really paying attention to BGM music during the series...I think I was too busy pulling my hair out due to their drawn out decisions to actually DO something.... ("Should I take a step that way? No, that's stupid...But she'll think I'm cool if I walk like that! But naw, that's dumb.") GRRR!!!!!
Characters:
In the beginning, I wanted to strangle Kei. Both of them. Boy-Kei was especially unbearable to watch ("Why does he like her? All he does is selflessly help other people while I masturbate in my room alone all night.") I don't know if it was because I was watching the English dub for the whole series and I find the English actors rarely do a series justice, but a lot of the characters were just painfully painful to watch... Kei actually became really admirable in the end, however, and I found myself rooting for him then. :) But that still doesn't make up for the crappy, freeloading character he was the rest of the series.
Enjoyment:
While it sounds like I've ripped this series to shreds, it actually was still enjoyable. I mean, I finished it. If it wasn't at least decent I wouldn't have stomached the rest of it. It's very gory, I won't lie. This got verrrrry unappetizing. Like untasteful-gory. It was also incredibly sad and I was on edge for a lot of the series, because you kind of knew people were going to die, you just really hoped that maybe this time, they wouldn't. This is what kept me watching; the hope that this group would finally be saved somehow.
Overall, it's a pretty good anime. I would suggest watching it, because it the kind of thing that makes you appreciate your life and what you have. If you're not pulling out your hair while they try to decide whether to blink or not.
