Gantz Volume 2

Back in volume one, most of the group of recently resurrected decided that exterminating the little green onion alien would be a good idea. Why wouldn't they? The possibility of a second chance at their lives, after they dispatch him, is a great motivation. But now, when a larger green onion alien shows up, their hopes are dashed (more like sliced-up, gutted, and bloodied) to pieces and all but the on looking Kei, Kei, and Masaru are mercilessly slaughtered. The big green onion alien is now setting his sights on the trio and their only options are to run or die.

One of ADV's newest titles, Gantz, returns with an explosive gore and violence filled installment.

Episode Woes? A little peeved about volume one having only two episodes? If you hadn't already heard, that's how ADV is releasing season one. The first six volumes (12 episodes) that make up season one, released monthly, fit in the artbox that was released back in 03/08/2005. The second season (13 episodes) will have four volumes that will fit in another artbox to be released later. (Most likely August) The current info about the episode counts for the season two release is that the first volume will contain four episodes and will retail at $29.99. The other three volumes will contain 3 episodes each but a price hasn't been disclosed. Now if your math skills are in working order, you'll notice that the current episode counts don't equal 26, it may be possible that volume 6 of season one will contain 3 episodes instead of two. If you're still upset about how Gantz is being packaged, check out the 10 Money Saving Tops Article, tip number two is your best bet.

With only two episodes and no revelation into Gantz's (the black orb) designs for the group, volume one provided little motivation to continue watching the series save the series' reputation, some gore, and stunning animation. But volume two, subtitled Kill or Be Killed, will definitely leave viewers begging for more. Displaying, for the first time, some of the awesome abilities of the series' distinctive power suits (not talkin' about mechs) during episode three and revealing some of what's going on during the fourth, volume 2 is what viewers have been waiting for.

Another interesting aspect of the series is it's unique social commentary. While many people will be pulled into the series' action, violence, gore, and adult themes, viewers searching for a deeper story just need to dig past the coarse and sometimes ribald exterior. Teens, children, elderly, thugs, and even white collar workers haven't escaped the critical eyes of the series' creators who meticulously point out common character flaws seen in today's society.

Gantz is a series that brings with it, from Japan, a reputation of being too graphic, even by Japan's standards. With DVD cases featuring descriptions of "The series that shocked Japan" and the artbox's cardboard spacer emblazoned with "UNCUT. UNEDITED. THE VERSION TOO GRAPHIC FOR JAPAN" this reputation isn't being concealed, instead it's being used as ADV's main marketing tool for the series. While I used to think violence in movies and television was cool and interesting, over the past few years my view has changed and my take on violence and gore has matured. I noticed significant evidence of my change when watching the Hollywood film Saving Private Ryan. When I rented it back when it was first released I thought watching the people getting blown to pieces was cool and fun but when I watched it just this past year I was actually experiencing what Spielberg intended audiences to witness, the horrors of war, horrors that real people faced. My new perception doesn't skip Gantz, I find that I have become attached to the three main characters and while I have no problem watching the badguys get what's coming to them, I think I would be disenchanted if the three were to die.

One of the major deciding factors on purchasing and viewing Gantz happens to be it's price per episode ratio, but once viewers see the second volume their minds will be made.

Aproximately 50 Minutes.
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