Sunday, August 24, 2014

Gantz Manga 1-383

I just finished reading Gantz and all I can say is.... WOW. My brain is mush. What the fuck did I just read? Gantz started as a game of mystery and logic bombs, it then turns into a spiral of save the double "damsel in distress" and be the universe's savior at the same time. Hell yes!
Each Character is crazier than the other.
Wait, hold on. The story starts like any other with the two main characters going about their everyday lives (always a sure sign something extraordinary will happen)when stricken with as bout of justice, the boys save a fallen bum from the subway tracks. Guess what? They save the bum, with no time to save themselves. Right off the bat the story shows some graphic decapitations, We are just as clueless as the two we are focusing on. Both of them suddenly find themselves in a tiny room accompanied by 6 other people and a Giant Black sphere. Come to find out they are alright and still feel pain. It must be some sort of mistake. The sphere suddenly opens and inside lies handguns rifles and dark black suits.

No bikes were harmed in this Manga
These suits amplify the wearer's reflexes and strength. Unfortunately, this is a game of life and death. If a "contestant" dies while fighting these creatures, he'll die permanently. Furthermore, all the contestants are unable to finish off the monsters within the 1 hour time limit, or if they try to run away, they will die from explosives implanted in their skulls. Before they can fully come to grips with their situation, the ball begins to display messages for them, telling them that they have to go destroy an alien on earth. Sweet.

She's an Idol?, You're kidding.
The story goes from alien to alien until we find ourselves fighting an unruly set of Vampires. Thats right, the biggest cliche that could every wreak havoc within your own specially crafted series. Vampires. And they are badass. There in lies the disconnect. When OKA introduced the vampires, all his previous logic went out the window. No longer is there nudity on a regular bases, the distance between reality becomes about 50 or so chapters in between. OKA introduces Oni's and Yokai from Japanese mythology that reminds me of Devilman when he transcends into Hell. Each battle from there becomes more hopeless and nearly impossible to even fathom.
Despite all the ultra murder that has happened, Kei and Tae still find the time for 8th grade affection.
This is one half of the plucky main characters. The other is another copy of that male (Kei Kurono) with the idol above. If you do well by Gantz you earn points. If you get enough points you can, 1.Grant your freedom from Gantz with memory erased 2.Gain a super weapon, next battle 3.Revive a person from memory. The Idol girl wanted her own main character to love. Now there are two, crazy yes?
Monsters and Giants and Machine Rider-lovers, oh my.

By that time the world has fought enough aliens the final objective has arrived. With the random tiny aliens out of the way, the giant aliens are free to wreak havoc. Earth has become a target of the new species, Gantz is the only force that has the power to destroy the giants. Its goes from a game of horror to save the world plot. Its as good as it sounds.
Thats right, the thirteen year long manga takes the easy way out.
After all the struggles and tragic misunderstanding we can finally hold each other on the beach saying, "we made it" While everyone around celebrates like its the end of Independence day.Not what they set out to do, but at that point and 383 chapters.....It doesn't matter. Its finally over.

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