There’s a long review coming…………..
About the STORY
Fantasy, mystery, and magical stories are all nice and interesting but nothing more can be interesting and inspiring than a story about life and the harsh reality that comes with it. Stories about the harsh reality of the world and how hard to literally live day by day can be really gloomy and painful for many. And if you are someone who likes watching animes or reading mangas because you want to be entertained and forget reality even for a minute then you would probably pass this one. However, the amazing thing with this kind of stories is that they are very inspirational and would always make someone think or reflect about life. That would be because more than the part where the harsh reality is showcased, there is also the part where one can survive despite all odds. It is also a story about how magnificently a loser can grow within a fight. How one can still stand up even after losing so many times. How one don’t let his failures depress him for so long but rather learn from them. How one can still believe even after being betrayed countless times. THAT! IS NO DOUBT VERY ENCOURAGING AND INSPIRING. Plus, the drama that comes with it can be so authentic which would always shake some sense to any kind of viewer. Damn right! This is a story about gambling and what’s at stakes? YOU’RE LIFE! The games are made extremely simple but because it is life that is at stake it becomes extremely exciting and heart-pounding. My only concern is that the storyline can really be a bit complicated and run in a slow pace. And boy there are lots and lots of talks; monologues and narrations.
About the CHARACTERS
For most of the characters, more particularly Kaiji, their psychological stability is challenged in the most horrible and craziest ways. We get to see if they will be able to maintain their sanity with all the tortures they have to face. It is one of the most anticipating parts of the series. But of course, the most exciting and anticipating is Kaiji’s part. Whether he will succumb to insanity or not is something to look forward to. With a survival plot that this series has, it usually shows the horrible side of human beings. Since ancient times, human beings had done so many things in order to survive. It is a side that makes us similar to animals. But more importantly, it also shows the admirable side of human beings that makes us the highest creatures ever made. Creatures that have intellect, logic, will, conscience, and more importantly the ability to choose how we are going to live. Despite everything else, I honestly think that what the perpetrators of the games are saying about the debtors can be unfortunately true. It really hits the mark. BUT! That doesn’t justify what they are doing. Let’s not forget that there are countless of small creatures in the world that are still able to survive the world despite their sizes which I believe one of the moral lessons you will learn from this series. Plus, despite saying those very honest lectures about the debtors, they would cheat during a fight. AH! There’s nothing I hate the most than hypocrites. The antagonists are beyond irritating. They are so damn evil. Nowadays, some antagonists are still made pitiable as well to make their actions justifiable somehow which I kind of hate but here, they are plain evil. The chairman is the creepiest and most irritating of all but surprisingly enough, he can be really funny to me.
About KAIJI
Another exciting and interesting about this kind of stories is that it is also about a person who will amazingly prove to those people who play with people’s lives just for pleasure that it is a horrible decision to make fun with a trash who has nothing to lose. I just love stories about underdogs like Kaiji. Most of the characters are extremely irritating so whenever Kaiji prove them wrong, it also feels extremely good and exciting. Particularly the fight between Kaiji and Tonegawa. Kaiji’s character development really makes him an ultimate survivor thus the title of this wonderful series. Kaiji is no doubt really admirable but later in the series; he becomes so full of himself perhaps because of his continuous winnings. It just so irritating that he still dared to gamble again despite what he’s been through. I don’t know. Maybe he’s a masochist or something.
About the ANIMATIONS and SOUNDS
The animation can be quite different but it is still made amazingly. The characters’ design is the most different but don’t be deceive by how they looked. It is true that the illustrations looked like it was made straight from the manga but like they said that don’t judge a book by its cover. Well, like I did because the looks of the characters made me somehow doubt the quality of the series. Thank God I watched the live-action film because I would’ve miss an amazing series. The sounds made every important scene such an intense and exciting moment. Plus, I believe the seiyu made the characters a lot more authentic, specifically Kaiji’s. Wonderful job Seiyus!
It is no question that it’s been a while since I’ve watched something like this one that would make you really think about life. However, I honestly think that it is still enough to be compared to the amazing series such Death Note and Monster which are beyond amazing.
Life is indeed a gamble. This series is about temptations, failures, chances, risks, insanities, and gambles; things that human beings knows very well. But more importantly it is about LIFE. You will learn or even think a lot about life with all its amazing teachings, wisdoms and lessons. And surprisingly enough, most of them came from the extremely irritating antagonists.
