Search - Gantz, Vol. 2 on DVD

Gantz Vol.2 Review

Corey DePaul | Powhatan VA | 03/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"**Plot Summary: **

The brutal game continues, but only half of the original players remain alive. As the Gantz clock counts down and the body count continues to rise, the only way to survive is to join the cycle of death; to kill or be killed. Trapped between monstrous foes and their inhuman master, the survivors' only hope is to unlock the secrets buried inside their alien weaponry and combat suits... but will they live long enough to use them?

**Review (Spoiler free): **

Ah, yes. Here are the two episodes I needed! After having finished the first volume I was slightly bemused as to where exactly this show was trying to go. But now, after the credits started to roll for the fourth episode, I can say that I know what the hell is going on. Well, not entirely of course. But I do have a much better idea. With what was revealed in these two episodes, you get a better idea as to how exactly the Gantz works. And with the first mission out of the way we get a fairly good idea of what to expect from future ones.

**-Animation (4 out of 5) **

Is it just me or does the animation seem better than it did in the first two episodes? Maybe I've just grown use to it already, but one thing's for sure, my gripe about the mix of CG and 2D animation in this show is nonexistent now. I actually like the way it's all put together as I do with most Gonzo productions. The way they use CG to move your viewpoint around in ways not usually seen in anime is quite amusing. Although the character movements are still laughable at times.

**-Story (5 out of 5) **

I just love where this show is going! Already I can get an idea of some of the gruesome things Gantz will have set out for its puppets and I just can't wait. We get to see more revealed about Gantz from the mysterious Joichiro Nishi, who apparently has some sick fetish with watching people die. And then there's the point system which wasn't elaborated on much at all, but I believe it's pretty obvious what it's there for. All in all, we've got a pretty stellar volume on our hands as far as seeing where this story is heading. And this is one of the few volumes of a show that I've actually been willing to watch through a second time so close to the first viewing.

**-Overview**

Gantz is an exciting and bold anime series that's become a must-watch as soon as it hits my mailbox! I'm definitely anticipating the next volume and hope that if you haven't started this series yet, that you seriously consider it.

**Final Score: 4 ½ out of 5**


[...]"

In Defense of `Gantz'

C. Chow | Leesburg VA | 05/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ask any anime fan today what the best current anime is, and you'll hear, "Full Metal Alchemist, and Ghost In the Shell: Stand Alone Complex." I've never heard such a unanimous answer in all of anime history. Everyone agrees these are the two best current anime. This tells me that not enough people have been watching `Gantz' otherwise it'd be on their list.

The plot: I'm not sure a description of the plot will really persuade you to buy `Gantz' but here it is. A perverted teenage boy is killed and finds himself along with other recently deceased being forced by a machine Gantz to assassinate aliens living in Tokyo's slums.

It's not so much the plot of `Gantz' but its characters that make it work. Our hero is a high school nerd; he's worried more about bullies and having enough money for porn than he is about aliens. His goal is sex, not protection of the human race. As you might guess this leads to laugh out loud scenes.

Yes `Gantz' has TONS of sex, violence, and profanity, but it really does have context. We care very deeply for our hero, even if his biggest adventure of the day is buying porn.

I can't really compare `Gantz' to any other anime except in terms of production quality. THE BEST I'VE EVER SEEN! And yes I've seen them all, yes even better than `Last Exile' or `Ghost In the Shell' or `Night Shift Nurses'.

The only reason I can think of as to why so few of my fellow anime fans on Amazon are giving `Gantz' a low rating is that they've never seen or just don't care for R rated or boarder line X-rated anime like `Gantz'.

NEWCOMERS NOTE: Volume 1 is not the best volume to start `Gantz' because as with all stories there's an introduction. Start with volume 3, you can catch up and trust me! After the first five minutes of volume 3, you'll be ordering every volume of `Gantz' there is.


"

Definitely try to look beyond the violence and you'll find a

Dennis A. Amith (kndy) | California | 08/13/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The adventure continues as the members Kei, Kato and female Kei are left to fight the inhuman monster.

As mentioned in our last review, "GANTZ" is an anime based on the manga by Oku Hiroya and directed by Itano Ichiro ("Mega Zone 23", "Macross Plus").

What we are watching on these volumes, are the uncut, uncensored versions of the anime.

In volume 1, the director talked about how he wanted to push the limits but knew that they would have to censor "GANTZ" for television. The way things were meant to be, is what we are watching on the DVD version and in volume 2, the action, blood and gore continue.

In episode 3, "Kei You're Awesome", the three try to find a way to escape or fight the monster. With most of the people who joined them in their mission slaughtered, it's all about finding ways to kill or else be killed.

As usual, Kato is emotional and doesn't know what to do because he's caught in between trying to help the monster but knowing that if he doesn't kill it, he will be killed. And he doesn't want to kill anything.

As for Kurono Kei, being the only member wearing the suit, we get to see the suit in action.

In episode 4, "OK, Here Are Your Scores", GANTZ gives each person who survived the mission their scores and a critical opinion.

The members get to learn more about the creepy Nishi and a little bit more about GANTZ. Also, Butter the dog seems to be around but as I think of it, what is the dog's true purpose in the Gantz? Hmm...

Also, we get to learn if Kei, Kato and female Kei are indeed alive or dead.
The animation is awesome and being a high level production by GONZO, I expected nothing less.

Video is featured in 16:9 aspect ratio and is anamorphic.
The audio is featured in 5.1 for the English dub track and 2.0 for the Japanese track.

The DVD special features for volume 2 include the clean opening featuring the theme "Sharp Shooter" by RIP SLYME and the clean ending featuring "Last Kiss" by Bonnie Pink.

Also, an interview with Namikawa Daisuke who is the voice of the Japanese audio of Kurono Kei.

In the interview, Daisuke shares his feelings about working with many different voice actors, his feeling about his character and GANTZ.

I really enjoy "GANTZ" but I wish there more episodes than just two.
Also, this is being nitpicky but in volume 1, we have the director telling us in the special feature to view the censored version versus the DVD uncensored version.

I think it would have been great to have the censored episodes included on the DVD because we can see what was actually removed from the episodes when it aired on television.

So, in reference to what the director said on volume 1, I'm curious if the Japanese DVD release includes both the censored and uncensored episodes.

Repeating what I mentioned in our last review, "GANTZ" is an exciting, visual pleasing anime. At the same time, it's dark and it is very violent.

But the violence is actually done in a way that it's not sick but important in a way for the director to convey the storyline.

I highly recommend watching "GANTZ" because it's one of the few unique anime out right now and it's all good. Check it out!"