Furu Anime Panikku

There are only a few shows that I have picked up this Fall, and Kaiji is one of the new anime series that is currently one of the top of my must watch list. Genshiken 2’s first episode has been quite a let down, considering the lack of references and humor. Hopefully, it’ll turn for the better. You’re Under Arrest: Full Throttle has been great so far. As for Gundam 00, I thought that it was going to be some gayass anime, but I have been proved otherwise. I have wronged G00! Anyway, these are currently the top 4 anime series on my must watch list.

Let me cut the crap short and go to the main topic.

In my opinion, Kaiji is somewhat like the 2D animated version of the Liar Game Live Action. The second episode has some similar parts to Lair Game. In the second episode, Kaiji gets conned by some confident guy into teaming up so that they can both maintain their 3 star status. He gave the guy 100% of his trust, only to end up with only one star remaining.

I bet that guy’s laughing at Kaiji’s Gullibility

This is pretty much like the scene where Nao gets conned by Mr. Mushroom-Head and gives him 100% of her trust, thinking that they can get out of the game unscathed. In the end, she only sinks into deeper trouble.

Kaiji = Male Nao = Crybaby

This is currently the only similarity that Kaiji has to Liar Game, but hey, it’s only episode 2. I would not want Kaiji to be entirely similar to the Live Action version of Liar Game, as the ending of Liar Game was disappointing. Instead, I hope for Kaiji to rise above Lair Game by at least a few notches.

Kaiji’s doing what the Leopard-skin guy in Liar Game did

I think that this anime has basically one main theme. To discourage people from gambling. Of course, I don’t think anyone who has a habit of gambling would quit gambling just by watching this anime.

Horrors of gambling : You’ll fall into depression once you lose

One thing I like about this anime is the way it is realistically portrayed. The situation which Kaiji is in could happen to anyone who falls prey to being a guarantor. The ship gambling part is too much of an exaggeration though. I think the police would raid the ship even before then 4 hours of the game ended.

Another sample of realism is in the scene of the first episode, where the Yakuza boss tricks Kaiji into signing up for the casino ship. I’m sure that technique used(making a false call to trick a wavering customer into making a rash immediate decision) is often used in real life, and many fall prey to it due to the inability to maintain composure.

Zawa Zawa? Purin Purin?

The art style for Kaiji is pretty unique. No beautiful characters, but rather more realistic art of normal unattractive people. After all, this is supposed to be some down-to-earth anime, not some mahou shoujou saves the world type of anime. No one who is in the yakuza or has a life screwed up all thanks to gambling would look attractive in real life.

Let’s see what the trio can come up with to save their asses

The bottom line of this post is : Gambling should stay on TV and not enter real life, for it can screw up your life pretty badly. Gambling is much more entertaining on TV anyway.

I’m looking forward to more episodes of Kaiji to see more real life references as well as some solid story. Don’t let me down, Madhouse.