Gantz Volume 3: Aftershocks - Anime District
- Anime District
- Richard Brownell
- 08/03/05
- click here
"...this DVD will not disappoint."
Kurono, Kato, and Kishimoto have now finished their first game. The points have been alloted and they are free to go, some strings attached. They seem to indeed be alive. But any night they may get whisked off to Gantz to go kill more aliens. And they've been warned by the only other survivor that their 'original' may be at their home waiting for them, in which case they would never be able to return to their old life.
The three heroes are now involved in a strange enigma. To understand it, it is best to put it in simple terms. If you were saved moments before death, just killed two Greenonion aliens, and were then informed you could go back to your everyday life as if nothing happened and not be allowed to mention any of it, how would you feel? This is the predicament our heroes find themselves in.
The two episodes on this DVD are about how they cope with this reality. In the beginning, each character splits off their separate ways knowing they would be brought back together by Gantz some day. The parting is melancholy, but they all seem to be pleased to return to normality. But things aren't quite that easy.
Each character has a problem in going back. For Kato, we learn his life was already troubled, living with an abusive relative. Kei Kurono's life is just fine living in his apartment by himself. But things are not well at school when he gets involved with gangsters and thugs. Kei Kishimoto's fate is much more devious and she finds herself looking to Kurono for salvation.
All in all, these two episodes are about bringing the characters together. In the first four episodes, our three heroes were forced together, their only bond being survival. This is made evident as the three of them part ways so easily. With survival out of the way, they only serve to remind each other of the gruesome events they just participated in. But now they find themselves coming into contact with each other as they cope with reality and try to learn what truly happened the night that they died.
What many readers may be wondering is why I haven't mentioned how great the action is in this episode. The reason is that there really isn't any. The end of the DVD feels like we may be getting another round of Gantz soon, but this DVD is Gantz-less. It's all about the characters and their development.
The digital animation style courtesy of Gonzo continues in these two episodes, but it is relatively minimal, because it is mainly used for action. Still, the colors are vibrant and the animation looks great. What music there is also quality and fits the mood very well.
This DVD is sure to please anybody who has enjoyed the last two volumes. The lack of action doesn't hold things back with how well written the story is, particularly after the relatively slow episode 3 which is only action. The emotions in these two episodes run pretty deep. There are occasional lighthearted moments, but most of what you feel is angst, depression, and anger. Some parts of the DVD will truly make you mad. But that's what Gantz is all about; it's about messing with your head and in that regard, this DVD will not disappoint.
Posted on Wednesday, August 03, 2005 (Archive on Saturday, September 03, 2005)