The story of Kaiji is a mentally and emotionally charged one, revolving around the titular character’s quest to escape from a crushing debt inflicted upon him by the yakuza, the Japanese gang. Kaiji, an anti-hero with a dead-end job, is forced to participate in emotionally and physically testing ‘gambles’ against his fellow kind of losers, in a last-ditch chance to win big…or die trying. These games include an evil form of rock-paper-scissors, a tightrope walk 22 stories up, and even more sinsister events, where the punishment is often too painful to comphrehend. Much commentary on the society of today, combined with complex psychological battles, makes Kaiji a deserving watch for anyone who likes mental challenges with a shot of adrenaline.
1/26/08: Episode 16
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At first, I was really underwhelmed by E-Card. Compared to the certain death of Brave Men Road, losing an ear or an eye is pretty weak. Still, after some thought, I think E-Card might be interesting after all.
First off, why does Tonegawa offer the choice of organs? 99% of people will pick the ear - if not because of some percieved value, because of the psychological threat that actually seeing something move closer to your eye (after all, you can’t just shut it) will convey.
Secondly, it might be possible to really do some damage here, if it is possible to overbet, and say, gamble 3 centimeters when you are already 29 mm deep. Would this make it go nearly 6 cm in? Or is it just not possible to bet this much, only time will tell.
And finally, it’s a much different gamble from the two previous, which relied a lot on simply surviving. Here, Kaiji has a lot of the power, in that he is fighting to win, instead of fighting to not lose. It will provide some interesting human analysis, to see how greedy Kaiji really is in his quest for 20 million; it’s a different ballgame for sure, because you are not just fighting your opponent, but also your own greed for more money. It’s certainly why Kaiji is falling into an obvious trap, set by Tonegawa or himself, after winning two games.
This game is easy? Not quite. Just wait until you hit the Slave side, Kaiji…
1/19/08: Episode 15
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Well, I was a bit off-put by the HAAADO GAYness of Sahara and Kaiji screaming at each other in last episode, but Kaiji’s definitely back in top form in this episode.
I can’t help but think that this Brave Men Arc needs some serious comparison to AIR, what with my remark about Ishida’s death being worthy of Aozora, and now all the “Goal~”ing this episode. Followed by dying, of course.
Sahara’s death really threw me off, though, it was so sudden that I didn’t see it coming, even with Kaiji’s tension. I didn’t think he could die right on the spot, after all. Definitely shocking, and representative of the nature of this show.
Although, I did wish that either Sahara or Ishida would have had a happy ending, because I knew Kaiji wasn’t going to get any cash here. The way which they stripped him of it seemed fitting, and not-too-horribly deux-ex. It’s the kind of logic which makes you hate Tonegawa: it’s evil, yet it makes sense.
Likewise with all the real-world truths that he and his supervisor spout. They’re very chilling in a sense, because although they go against all the good things and warmth every show has taught you, you can’t help but ponder their truth. In a sense Kafuka’s Super Positive Attitude in me has prevented me from being left in despair, so although I end up viewing this more objectively than anything else, it’s still interesting as all hell.
E Card is the next game, and it looks deceptively simple so far, which is strange. I don’t know if they’re going to stretch this out for ten episodes or not, since I don’t see any more games in the ED. And is Kaiji going to play Tonegawa?
Not to mention, what is that thing sticking out of his head in the preview? Only time will tell…
Click here for more information on Track Two.
-CCY
This post is tagged Kaiji, Track Two
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