Get Backers
If Dragonball Z didn't suck, it'd be a lot like this.
Review by: Craig "Kung-Fu Fightin'" Norris
Length: 49 episodes
Genre: Action, fighting
Watched: 1-49, subbed
Yes, I make no secret of the fact that I don't like Dragonball Z. And no amount of rabid DBZ fanatics wielding blunt objects will ever change that! That being said, when I started this series knowing that it was primarily a fighting anime, I got bad premonitions of stare-fests and three episode-long power-ups. However, it didn't take me long to see that this series is a radical departure from what had previously left a bad taste in my mouth. If nothing else, it certainly gave me a renewed interest in a genre that has been repeatedly kicked in the dragonballs.
Plot synopsis: Amano Ginji and Midou Ban form the retrieval organization Get Backers. Using their unique abilities, they promise to retrieve any object for a price, sporting a 100 percent success rate. Despite their present legitimate business, they can't seem to sever their ties to the mysterious Infinite Fortress, a hotbed of crime and corruption that looms ominously over the city. In order to confront the uncertainties within, Ginji and Ban must renew some old acquaintances as well as forge some new ones, and charge headlong into the unknown. Will they be able to escape their past and change the destinies of the Infinite Fortress's inhabitants?
Artwork: Consistently good, which is surprising for such a long series. The fight scenes (which are very numerous) are smoothly animated and show no slips in overall art quality. The character designs are far from innovative (with the possible exception of Ban's hair, that never ceases to remind me of a spiny sea urchin) but they're all well done. And, since the show is a trifle more grounded in reality than the average fighting anime, that works out to the series' benefit. The backgrounds are a bit blurry and undetailed at times, but only when the animators were sure that no one would be paying attention. Overall the artwork is at least on par with most current series, and surpasses most of the older ones by leaps and bounds.
Music: The soundtrack is kind of limited, but just about all the songs are worth listening to, both in the episodes and on their own. Although I was a bit miffed that the ending themes kept changing. I would just get comfortable with one, and then another one would replace it. There are a total of four ending themes and two opening themes, most of which are very good. The soundtrack actually runs a very wide gamut, ranging from snappy j-pop to sweeping orchestrals. Like an hors d'ouevre (did I spell that right?) platter, it offers a little bit of everything, and there's sure to be something there you find appetizing.
Characters: Get comfy before you start reading this section; there are a whole lot of characters. First we have the retrievers, Ginji and Ban. Ginji is a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, and is tremendously loyal to his friends, especially Ban. He has the unique ability of controlling electricity, and while he was a citizen of the Infinite Fortress he was known as the Thunder Emperor. However, he tries to distance himself from that past, preferring to hide his power with buffoonery and a smiling face, ala Vash the Stampede. Ban is much more hard-nosed than Ginji, and is much more in touch with his fighting spirit. He has the ability of the "evil eye," which disorients his opponents and causes them to see a vivid dream for exactly one minute, which is usually all the time that Ban needs. Hevn is a go-between for the Get Backers, and is responsible for lining up prospective clients. The jobs she brings in are often a little more dangerous, and Ban and Ginji charge accordingly. Paul runs the cafe that Ban and Ginji run their business out of, and is responsible for monitoring their ever-inflating tab. He's a laid-back sort and gives Ban and Ginji some leeway with their payment, but even saints have their limits. Natsumi works as a waitress in Paul's cafe. She always has a sunny disposition, and looks up to Ban and Ginji. While he resided in the Infinite Fortress, Ginji led a group called the Volts. Among its members were various fighters with special abilities. Shido Fuyuki, also known as the Beastmaster, has the ability to communicate with and enlist the help of animals. He can also imitate other animals, gaining their abilities for himself. He develops a romantic attachment to Madoka, a blind concert violinist, and winds up living with her. Kazuki Fuchoin fights with fine thread that can cut or ensnare any opponent. He is very effeminate, but never gives any indication as to which way he "swings." Always at his side is Jubei Kakei, who is a master of a technique using needles. Usually the technique is used to heal, but it can also be made to do great harm. Makubex was the youngest member of the Volts, and has no special combat abilities. However, his hacking skills border on sublime, and he has made it his mission to decipher the inner technological workings of the Infinite Fortress. Emishi Haruki is the cutup of the group, always trying to inject some kind of levity into a situation. He fights with a custom whip woven from special hair. Himiko Kudo used to be partners with Ban, but became estranged from him after Ban, for reasons not fully understood by her, killed her brother. She fights with perfumes that can do anything from enslave people to making people burst into flames. For that reason, she is also known as Lady Poison. The most cryptic character is the sometimes ally, sometimes enemy of the Get Backers, Akabane Kurodo, a.k.a. Dr. Jackal, ever stylish in his black suit and trench coat. He holds allegiance to no one, and offers his unbiased services to anyone who can afford him, for whatever reason. He particularly relishes assignments that test his abilities, which includes fighting with surgical knives he hides in his body. I kid you not. Besides this expansive cast, the series boasts a myriad of secondary characters, most of which have some sort of unique ability, like the power of illusion and control over wind and fire. Although, sometimes it feels like there are too many characters, and the relationship between everybody can get a little convoluted at times. Plus, it always seems like everyone is fighting his or her own battle, and their presence has little to do with the advancement of the plot. So, while all the characters are interesting in their own ways, there�s far too many of them, which only serves to clutter things up. And that's never a good thing. I mean, could you imagine "Snow White and the 46 Dwarves?"
Plot: There are three main story arcs in the series interspersed in a sea of filler. The arcs only take up 25 to 30 episodes all told, and the rest is just there in the hopes that it will be found amusing. I was amused at times, but through it all I couldn't help but know that I was watching something that had nothing to do with anything. Particularly annoying were the episodes that dealt with the pasts of the "prop" characters. For instance, what more do we need to know about Paul than that he runs the cafe and bitches at Ban and Ginji for not paying their tab? The major downfalls of the show are its overuse of filler and its needless character development. And yes, character development can be needless.
CHICKS!: Because the genders of the characters are slanted greatly in favor of males, fangirls will no doubt have a ball with this series, drooling a river at all the male leads, none of whom I in my objectivity can describe as unhandsome. However, even in that sea of bishounen-induced estrogen, the meaty stench of testosterone cannot be wiped away! First and foremost, there's Hevn, a blonde bombshell whose body more than lives up to her name. With a strong personality, more curves than a backcountry road and cleavage that a midget could easily get lost in, she has been the subject of more than one of my daydreams. She's a jaw-dropping, eye-popping temptress that easily falls within the standards of even the most jaded fanservice aficionado. For those who like their ladies a bit less buxom (and you know who you are, you weird, weird people) there's Nastumi, the kind and friendly waitress who dotes on Ban and Ginji. She has a great mix of spirit and snuggliness that reaffirms my weakness for schoolgirls. Then there's Himiko, for those who like a woman who could easily kick their asses. She's very resolute and never backs down from a challenge. The only drawback I can find with her is that she has a tendency to hold grudges relentlessly. So, all the more reason to get on her good side. Madoka has a quiet cuteness going for her, and her renown abilities with the violin are known the world over, so there's some serious money-making potential there. Plus, she's blind, so all you overweight, pimple-faced geek-wads (read: me) finally have a chance with a hot anime chick! Life is grand! Now if only I could get rid of Shido...
Overall: For those who are tired of fighting anime with absolutely no substance, *cough*DBZ*cough* Get Backers is a delightful alternative. It's a guarantee that, among the motley bunch of characters and the diverse plots and settings, you'll find at least a handful of things enjoyable. Yes, the series does get kind of trite at times, but even though these amazingly powerful characters aren't somehow affecting matters on a more global scale, the localized plot development is interesting enough. So whip up a bowl of popcorn, lay out on the couch, and prepare yourself for a unique viewing experience. Namely, a fighting anime that doesn't require 20+ episodes to resolve a single battle!
IN A NUTSHELL
+ Good artwork
+ Solid soundtrack
+ Not your typical fighting anime
+ Dr. Jackal style!
- Too much filler
- Too many characters
Rating: 8/10
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