Gasaraki - To Be a Kai (Vol. 8)
by Ryôsuke Takahashi
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Andy McAvin, Chris Patton, Heather Bryson, Kelly Manison, Nobuyuki HiyamaDirector: Ryôsuke Takahashi
Editor: David Grundy
Producer: John Ledford
Producer: Matt Greenfield
Writer: Chiaki Konaka
Writer: Toru Nozaki
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo; Japanese (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo
Format: Animated, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 75 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-01-29
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Adv Films
Movie Reviews of Gasaraki - To Be a Kai (Vol. 8)
Movie Review: Brilliant? Definitely. Overlooked? Absolutely
Summary: 5 Stars
So many people have written off Gasaraki as a clone of Eva, but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Gasaraki takes the mecha formula in a new direction with realistic portrayal - the Tactical Armors are believable, unlike the Evas - and mixes it with a gripping story of global turmoil, personal journeys, and supernatural weirdness. It also contains probably the best animation I've ever seen, made more incredible by the fact that very little of it is fantasy-based. The world of Gasaraki is presented in a manner that makes you consider that it could really happen, unlike the majority of fantastic anime. Sadly, the very realism of Gasaraki probably cost it many fans, which is too bad - they missed out on a great achievement. I will not include any final plot developments here, but I will say that unlike Eva, the ending is definitely satisfying and straightforward, while still allowing room for interpretation. Expect the unexpected, which should be easy if you've watched the series from the beginning. The final confrontations are anything but cliched - I was not close to disappointed, which is more than I could say for Eva. The only regrettable thing was that the series has now reached closure.
Putting together the superb animation and plot, the extras on the DVD, the better-than-average dub, and most of all, the relentless atmosphere gives you the best anime series since Cowboy Bebop, in my opinion. The only downfall of Gasaraki is the somewhat stunted character development, but that's easily forgivable given the complex storyline. It's surprising that Gasaraki didn't reach the exposure level of more popular series, but that's certainly not because it's anything less than brilliant. Fans of mature, convoluted storylines a la Serial Experiments Lain will find a new home with Gasaraki.
Summary of Gasaraki - To Be a Kai (Vol. 8)
Gasaraki Vol. 8: To Be a Kai DVD: One of the best series to come out of Japan in recent years, GARASAKI is the story of Yushirou, the 4th son of the Gowa family, who provides Japan with special tactical armor. Yushirou possesses supernatural powers that he has only recently become aware of, and begins to suspect that there is much more to his family than he originally thought. Then, in battle one day, he encounters Miharu, a girl who possesses the same powers he does. Believing he has found some pieces from a very large puzzle, Yushirou sets out to uncover the mystery in which he himself is an integral part.
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