I have already noticed for a long time that I really love various projects related to Japanese gangsters, the so-called yakuza. Intrigued by their culture, gang etiquette, and the various customs of these very criminals, including the cruelty that is usually inherent in the vast majority of films about them. This interest came to me after the recognition of the acting and directing talent of the unsurpassed Takeshi Kitano, who often starred in such works. From the anime world of the above projects, I somehow did not come across, except for one “Gangrave”, which was something like only half, and otherwise, this is a story about a silent monster killer like “Hellsing”. I really hoped that the project with the high-profile name “Banditos” would give me the desired emotions. And running a little ahead, this, alas, never happened.
This is the story of two street criminals who, although dealing with multiple mafia syndicates in the city, still hold on for themselves. Nicholas and Warwick are engaged in both hired murders and just sleep with women for money, these gentlemen do not shy away from anything at all. At one point, they rescue a prostitute Alex from the clutches of her pimp by coincidence, and offer her a more human-worthy job, but still try to deal with the numerous criminal world of their city, which is mired in it, and it seems that every day it sinks deeper and deeper.
“Banditos” has a very correct and true plot, at least mentioned for the first two or even three episodes, as we are shown a really dirty and disgusting city, where there is no escape, and local prostitutes are given to the first alcoholics on the street. There is no salvation, there is nothing human, and all that heroes can expect is pain and countless suffering. I probably wouldn’t mind that this total gloom continued, but the creators on the contrary, literally with each new series manage to find more and more rainbow in this criminal world. We've got a bunch of prostitutes walking off the streets, getting a second chance, becoming top-notch singers. And little kids can manage crime syndicates, while managing to not destroy them in any way, and gradually it seems that the worries of the heroes seem to be less. Yes, they occasionally dump a little gloomy, but it seems that this is done no more than for a tick, so to speak, in attempts to maintain the atmosphere, but some decisions crumble in places.
Of course, the plot component of Banditos is also not happy, which is both very down to earth, and at the same time somewhat confusing. It is grounded by a general concept of a story about two guys who just work for money and put things in order where it benefits them. And confusing here looks a huge number of characters with whom the viewer is introduced to the gallop, many of them you simply do not even have time to remember, and after they appear in the next series, you already have difficulty remembering who they are, and what role I play in the plot in general. Local fights of criminal groups are also more like some local fuss. And all this is tied to hired killers, who are almost the very basis of all these criminal gangs. Although it is worth noting that the action here is generally not bad, and there is enough cruelty in it, but nothing more. You just want something more, more gloomy, harsh, oppressive, hopeless, which the project simply does not give, or somehow turns too sharply from the original concept.
6 out of 10
It has been a long time since the release of the series, the sequel never came out. It’s very frustrating because the anime series is amazing. I don’t know if it looks so good against the background of cheap and, let’s be honest, children’s TV series in our time, or I’m hungry for realistic TV series.
You see, I believe in what's going on, I believe in a built world. At first it seemed pompous and slightly caricatured. Cool guys on the street, cocky punk. But the further into the forest, the brighter the stars. The authors of series after series gradually reveal the world: who are the labeled, existing orders and rules in the city, unfortunately, the backstory of the main characters. We learn bits of information from conversations and flashbacks, which are built into the narrative quite organically and in the right spur the plot.
Although there are significant flaws in the world, for example, the secondary labeled, which are called monsters, and they must have some strength compared to others, yet most of them are weak and no different from ordinary people. Or was it all intended? Unfortunately, we will not know because there is no continuation.
Why did I like the series so much? Interesting characters. There's chemistry between them. I’m not talking about the top three, but all of them. Throughout the series, the authors stretch the threads and make connections between them. It is clear that they were going to release another 12 episodes, where the most interesting will begin. And I could really empathize with the characters, and not because the creators tell me: well, we decided here supposedly a close friend, well, you’re a little sad there, we tried, drew.
In the end, I'll say it's a decent show. I'd like to know how it ended. It is a pity that we are not given this.
Despite the fact that I knew about the unique art form calling myself anime for a long time, I seriously became interested in it a couple of three years ago, looking for more and more sophisticated and exciting synopses. I never considered anime cartoons, even Sailormoon I have this attitude. About the creators of the now-deceased studio Manglobe, I will say that they completed their journey with dignity. It would have been even better with a logical ending, but left room for the development of the series. This is what happened with Deadman Wonderland. And yet it is a pity that people like them, with their worldview and mild psychopathy, leave the art world. Champloo, Proxy are great, worthy of a few repits. I haven’t seen anyone else, but I’ll be disappointed. RIP 2002-2015.
I'm sure there were animes, similar in gang style, drive, with dirty business. I don’t know anyone except Black Lagoon. But I believe that Gangsta will be one of a kind – a detailed disclosure of the characters and thoughts of the sweet couple, i.e., two sister rockers with brains and hair on their chests, the unification of mafia clans, a cold calculating atmosphere and a great sound from Tsutchie, who had a hand to Champloo paired with Nujabes and others. Not Serious, Handy Man and Twilights are all in the same breath. Well, the tracks Renegade and With You simply do not leave chances - upload to the player, you will not regret.
So, welcome to Ergastulum - a city where human life is worthless, where you can do everything and not be burned, where weapons of various calibers are sold legally, where prostitution of minors flourishes. Whatever you want. A "normal" cynical snob with a cool torso and a rich childhood named Warrick (try to hold on without calling him Yorick) and a "twilight" ninja with a strong skull and face, which you will not envy (which makes it difficult to understand what is going on in his head) the bodyguard Nicholas hang out in their city, go to the muddles, sometimes babble and have the police, because they cooperate with the officer on murder cases. These two are well exposed, they have fire, ulterior motives, the gaze of the beast, although they are good. A former prostitute, Alex, runs over to them after a doomsday for the gang she had to work for. With her good vocal abilities, you just need to unwind - and she will forget about the satisfaction of the carnal desires of all sorts of men, like a terrible dream, even sing about it will not. Mr. Monroe left mixed feelings, the rest are not remembered. Oh, yes, a girl with an axe and a chupa chups at the head is something like someone born in hell, who brought sinners a second death and an escaped prankster.
This is not the best work of the studio, despite the kosher productions of fights. But Gangsta left a mark on my memory. I would like Madhouse, Bones or Sunrise to continue the topic.
9.1 out of 10
Gangsta is both seinen and shonen. A duet of very, very revered genres. It is not clear why the anime was delayed for a whole month! It seems like everything is just fine, but it seems ... and not so great.
The idea is far from new. The appearance of natural or artificial man with superpowers, and then the action of social stratification between the two species of homo sapiens. Moreover, a mutant is always in lower positions - he has nothing but the fate of a mercenary (and this is the best outcome possible).
A city whose territory is divided among armed groups. Where dozens of people die every day. Carrying a gun is like putting on pants when you leave the house. Here lives Warrick with his mutant assistant Nick, who fully accepted the rules of the city and enjoy life.
In the center of the plot is a conflict between representatives of anti-mutants and mutants. However, it develops very slowly, and the first episodes only show occasional skirmishes. Next, the authors apparently wanted to better reveal the key characters. It's so bad. We don’t really recognize any of them.
The worst thing in this case is the finale. You can’t really call this an “open ending.” No, it is not perceived in any way, except as the end of the series. So we have to turn on the next one to find out what happened next. And she just doesn't exist!
The unambiguous plus is a well-placed action. It's really cool here. But I would like more serious duels and tactical fights. There are two or three of them for the whole series. Sad.
Gangsta = good idea + mediocre implementation. You can see it, but be prepared for disappointment.
The action takes place in the "prison", this is how the name of our city is translated from Latin. In it, as in any self-respecting prison, live drug lords, gangsters, mafia, prostitutes and other evil spirits. We also have Twilight, the local super soldiers. Anime about their lives.
Rarely do you find anime of this kind. There is an atmosphere, good main characters, good music, good action. There is a lot of good in this work, but there is nothing good. But the disadvantages are not so small.
The beginning is interesting, and the first series are interesting, but by the middle of the series begins to roll. The story is moving slower and weaker. Drama's not catchy. And the advantages that will hold the viewer, in fact, no. The atmosphere and unusual theme, that's all the pluses.
I would like to talk about super soldiers. Realism suffers. Constant introduction of super characters. Which is cooler than anything that was before, finishes our suffering plot, making it even more delusional.
I don't want to revisit it. I can't recommend watching. Just for a change. After all, the topic is really unusual, and everything starts well.
6 out of 10
A couple of weeks ago, our house suffered a misfortune - Kinopoisk almost went into eternity. The sofa troops recaptured their native hut, but for how long - it is not yet clear. In Japan, a “closed” sign was placed on the doors of Manglobe Studios. The swan song was the series Gangsta.
The studio either was blissfully unaware, or simply did not consider it necessary to shoot haremniks and Senen-adventures, but it ran out of money; and this happens when you do not shoot hits, guided only by your own concepts of beauty. And everyone will not care that you pushed the boundaries of the small world of anime with your Champla and Michico. In the end, they praised their gaizins mainly, and it is necessary to shoot for their Japanese.
In my expectations for the summer season, I bet on them. If not these, then who? And no one in the end. Gangsta did not enter the pantheon of the new classics, and the fault of course is a weak source - the studio again missed the material.
And a great start - the city of Ergastulum, New Babylon with bandits of all stripes. It was the city that was wisely chosen by the actor, and then the chic work with sound came into play. The soundtrack of the slum, sighs Alex, who is raped in the alley, deaf-mute Nicholas cleans his blade, Warrick takes another order for wet. Nothing superfluous - just the breath of the ghetto, in which everyone survives as best he can.
Shoko Murase is an experienced director, but he needs space for ideas. When a crowd falls on the stage, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep this song from being false. In the struggle of three criminal families, the famous Yorksin Auction from HXH is overlooked and comparisons, alas, are not in favor of Gangsta. The film crew does everything they can, but they themselves chose this material, where most of the characters just do not care.
It is difficult to make claims to the studio, knowing the result. I really want to praise the project for being unlike the rest of the anime circus, and there is something for it. But you can understand the audience, who are unlikely to be satisfied with this stylish piece of the plot, which now will have to pick up someone else at your own risk. But the people who gave us Samumenko and Khattin, where are they now? Madhouse, onegai, be hospitable.
I have been waiting for this series since the announcement. After all, normal anime fighters have not been released for a couple of years. I waited, hoped and was very disappointed, because the final product turned out to be quite “unclear”. And both the plot, and the work and atmosphere.
So, we have a city with an unpronounceable name located “somewhere” and populated by bandits. It looks so indistinct that it is impossible to determine its approximate location, let alone to “penetrate” the local atmosphere. This city is divided among five gangs, indistinguishable from each other. There are also some “twilight” who seem to be mercenaries, but in appearance and behavior not far from the local Gopniks, and despite their alleged “coolness”, are at the very bottom of the local “food chain”. And also in it live two disabled friends - one-eyed Warrick and deaf Nick, who are engaged in errands "for small things." One day, Warrick rescues a prostitute (whose name I've forgotten, despite being one of the main characters) and, shortly thereafter, they are drawn into a showdown with what appears to be a new gang.
That's actually the whole story. And it would be nice if it was interesting to watch, but not. The action is very small and it is wildly boring. The level of local fights can be assessed by one of the first: A big black man armed with a trumpet, half of the series is rushed by a stupid bull behind one of the main characters. Half of the series... Remember the same “Laguna”, where in the first episode there was a hurricane shootout with mercenaries in a bar; “Noir” with a showdown at a construction site, “Najika”, shooting off a crowd of combat maids or “Canaan” with a well-organized and orchestrated showdown during a fireworks holiday... The action in the anime-action should be interesting and exciting, but in Gangst it does not catch, because it is not enough and it is tedious and drawn out.
And if not for the sake of the plot or action, then why watch?
For the inconspicuous main characters or absolutely indistinguishable from each other mobsters? It's not working, I'm sorry. For the sake of mandatory "snot" instead of the background? So the genre seems to be an action movie, not a melodrama. So what for? I have no answer.
Moreover, it is not clear why some “particularly impressionable” put this series on a par with the “Black Lagoon”, where the characters are many times more charismatic, the action is diverse and there is a lot of it, and the background is so much that it can be published a separate book of comments.
In general, it was a complete disappointment. The series is simply boring, the characters are faded, and information about the world is not given at all. Why to shoot this is not clear and even more incomprehensible hype around this series and high marks.
1 out of 10