The heck with strategy, it’s time for some fisticuffs!

Gentei Janken finally comes to an end, but not without a few twists.

(For some reason this screenshot just makes me laugh uncontrollably.)

OK, I would’ve just decked Funai right in the mouth at this point. Actually, Kaiji gets the same idea later in the episode, but my BS threshold ends at 69 card pickup. On the other hand, as devious and unscrupulous as it was, the tactic makes sense. While the only legitimate opponents are scooping up cards, you can prey on the rest of the saps. Really, I hate Funai… like more than I hate cold showers.

Because it wouldn’t be a Kaiji episode without manly tears!!

You’ve gotta give props to a show that can feature this much crying and still be awesome and GAR.

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Ever the intrepid gambler, however, Kaiji sucks it up and moves forward. You have to admire the guy’s tenacity. He’s been circumvented, ripped off, or betrayed at virtually every turn and still hasn’t given up. I guess desperation and certain death will do that for you.

In fact, they should put it in cans…New Zawa! Energy Drink! Because nothing gets your adrenaline going like probable death and enslavement! Yeah, I think that’d sell pretty well actually.

And now Funai once again attempts to tempt some poor soul into playing right into his greedy manipulative clutches. All I could think was, “Kaiji, punch that dick in the mouth. No, seriously… hit him… hit him now… press A, press A! Jump Gypsy, c’mon JUMP!“

Thank you! Moses, was I the only one wanting this to occur approximately five episodes ago? But Kaiji, don’t just swing blindly like some orangutan on crack, step into the punch son! Sheesh…

Yeah, for a chimpira street punk, Kaiji sure does suck at fighting. I guess that’s why he stuck to slashing tires.

And Funai being the cowardly hyena that he is takes a cheap shot yet again. How very expected.

At last, revenge. Funai gets tripped up by his own chicanery! Oh, how sweet it is. The n00b has become teh l33t. Honestly though, Kaiji’s dissection of Funai’s trickery was pretty perceptive. Granted he had already been conned by him previously so he was definitely more prepared to watch for such a play, but still. Now Funai is in the same boat as virtually everyone else.

The question is…is it a nice boat?

*shot*

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…yeah.

Anyway, so what else could follow but another daring Kaiji stratagem? Zawa, zawa!

All Kaiji has to do is remove the other potential opponents so Funai is forced to “go all in” against him. This was one of the few moments in the show when I actually had a fair idea of what his plan was, however, that’s primarily due to the fact that any other options would be futile. Since he couldn’t count on his opponents being willing to play him he had to give them a huge advantage.

The remaining punters are out, forcing Funai to play Kaiji to get rid of his last remaining card. Quite daring actually.

Funai’s decisive error was forgetting about the cards that were flushed down the toilet. Not only is he left totally at Kaiji’s mercy, but he pwns himself in the process.

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Wa-wa-wa-wasuremono~

This is my serious face.

Much like Akagi, Kaiji faces certain death straight on and is determined to take his opponent with him, if nothing else. Fukumoto seems to love this theme of unbreakable confidence that comes when confronting death, the idea that that desperate determination in itself becomes the means for survival.

Finally, for once things go “Just as planned!” for Kaiji!

Or maybe not…

Yes, it’s the infamous naked mirror room. Don’t worry, I’ll spare you any further screenshots.

Good job Guff, you correctly predicted Andou’s untrustworthiness. Finally his true colors are revealed! And apparently his true colors are pink…

Kaiji’s optimistically trusting nature and the inevitable betrayal make for excellent character development. The whole betrayal thematic element is important in the overall storyline, making it a key point. Unfortunately, it also means that unless something crazy happens, Kaiji is screwed and that’s the end.

I won’t spoil anything, but I will say that the upcoming section is, in my opinion, one of the weaker parts of the story. More on this in future posts.

Yes, Andou is a treacherous fat disaster who should be banned from life.

I personally thought it was quite intrepid, if not a bit foolish, for Kaiji to be willing to be dragged to hell for the sake of moving his comrades onward. I just love the sacrificial heroic aspect of his character; it speaks volumes for someone who is supposedly a degenerate punk.