Kaiji 12 to 14 - See You On the Other Side
Posted by 0rion on January 12th, 2008 - 3:00 am
Oh my God, is that a woman in a Kaiji episode?! What has the world come to?? Up is down, left is right, J.C. Staff is KyoAni!!
Hmm, well at least I think that’s supposed to be a woman, anyway…I dunno, Guff? What’s your expert opinion?
While the skirt and sweater vest may seem indicative of the female gender on first glance, look carefully at the nose.
Stand by…now magnifying…
On closer inspection, you’ll note that it is, in fact, sharp enough to pierce the very heavens themselves.
Wait wait, let me get my monocle…
Well by jove, so it is!
.
Furthermore, the chin is quite masculine, and the shoulders unnaturally broad. It’s obviously a trap!
Not a very good trap of course, clearly. Yes, no need to call the good admiral for this one; everything is under control.
All right, all right, false alarm. Back to work everyone.
The manly tears fade and Kaiji is reborn, more GAR than ever before.
OK, but in all seriousness…Fukumoto is a frickin’ genius! He could probably make a crocheting contest seem gripping and intense if he wanted to.
I was all set to make fun of this arc, I swear. I had all my jokes ready to mock how it takes like 5 weeks to walk across a couple beams, to ridicule the spinelessness of the participants, to make fun of all the manly tears and the “Zetsubou shita!” But now that I’ve watched through 14, all my wit and biting sarcasm seems to have been trampled underfoot by a rampaging horde of ZAWA ZAWA.
If you recall from my explanation about that term in our first Kaiji review way back in episode 1, “zawa zawa” is a made up sound effect derived from the word “zawameku” (ざわめく), which means “to be unsettled” or “agitated”. And while the sound effects themselves may have proven more comical than anything else, this series is still quite determined to show that it’s serious business.
Indeed, I don’t think I’ve come away from an episode feeling this unsettled since Nanoha StrikerS that episode with the mushi babies in Mushishi. At the end of episode 14 I think my hands were actually shaking a bit. You really have to give props to the creators of this series - it’s not an easy thing to be able pull viewers into the emotion of the experience so viscerally, especially in a medium like anime.
Fukumoto really has a keen grasp of human psychology and the human condition, and while the medium he uses to convey his ideas may be a bit unusual, they’re certainly not lacking in profundity. His favorite technique seems to be placing people in extreme situations in order to bring out their inner nature, to reveal the true heart of humanity by stripping away everything else.
And to be honest, as goofy as it is, I loved this analogy - the idea of 6.6 billion paths being walked. It was so poetic and brilliant; it actually reminded me quite a bit of Leibniz’ discussion of monadology. I realize that’s completely obscure but after seeing the image of the people standing at various points swirling above the earth that’s all I could think about. Humans may be isolated, their thoughts and hearts known only by them, but by reaching out they can create hope. “People themselves are hope!” And out of the despair Kaiji finds hope in the sacrifice of others.
“I won’t push!”
Personally, I was quite relieved that Kaiji’s resolve to push weakened. I’d hate to see my favorite gambling derelict turned into a heartless murderer. I thought this was an excellent revelation point for Kaiji’s character, though. While he might be a social pariah and an aimless grifter, he’s not the type of scumbag to murder his hapless fellows.
OK, so after all is said and done the winners and survivors are gathered together for a sort of congratulatory conference…wow. That would be an awkward speech to deliver. “Hey, good job everyone… congrats to all of you who lived… hope the whole murdering your comrades for money bit doesn’t doesn’t come back to haunt you at night…”
“What the hell is with this Monopoly money?”
Jeez, talk about being ripped off! You walk a tightrope of certain doom and you get a bloody coupon in return? This scene conjured up horrible memories for me of Chuck E. Cheese games. You know, the ones that pilfered all your quarters and gave you tickets bearing that rat’s horrible grimace on them? The ones that you could only trade for worthless crap? Yeah, I don’t blame Sahara for being so indignant.
“Grab hold of your future!”
As much as I loathe Tonegawa and the other scumbag Mafioso types for preying on the weak, the guy has a valid point. There’s really no option other than illicit gambling if you need get fat stacks of cash monies in a short time, especially given the highly competitive nature of Japan’s corporate structure.
Of course Kaiji, being incontrovertibly GAR, is the first one to step forward. As grim as the situation is, he’s one of the few that actually understands what needs to be done. And after seeing his intrepidness, the others are quick to follow. I have to admit though, I didn’t think Sahara would have such reservations. I guess cheap theft and chicanery are more his bag. But then, imminent death is a pretty strong deterrent. I’m generally ready to forego such strenuous physical activity even without the added incentive.
I love Kaiji’s perspective on the event, as well, describing it as the “one exception”. For them it was their one chance to accomplish something in life, to move ahead, without pushing someone else aside to get there.
“Come on everyone; it’s time for a teambuilding trust exercise!”
Kaiji’s GARness serves as an inspiration to everyone else. I would never have expected him to be the type to deliver a rousing pep talk, but then again it’s not every day one crosses over a precipice of doom on a slender steel beam (unless you’re a contractor or something, that is).
Also, I have to admit, his idea with the marker and the shoes was pretty ingenious. But who on earth brings a sharpie with them to these kinds things? 
Did anyone else have DBZ flashbacks while this scene was going on? Honestly I half-expected to see Tonegawa bust out his scouter and observe that Kaiji’s GAR level was, in fact, over 9000. I mean, all this scene needed was some intense light streaming effects, golden hair transformation, maybe the ground breaking up and rising into the air.
Is it terrible that I would’ve found that completely awesome?
So, the participants take the future in their hands and begin to cross. Meanwhile, various onlookers have a nice meal with a little light entertainment. Seriously, what about life and death situations is so appetizing? Do you develop a penchant for death and pain with dinner after you reach a certain income bracket? I mean…just, honestly…
Says the guy who watched the episode while eating Cheetos. OK, OK, I don’t know whether that’s really true, but nevertheless it’s an interesting point. After all, it’s not for nothing that Youtube videos with titles like “horrible trampoline accident” are able to rack up millions of hits.
“Do you develop a penchant for death and pain with dinner after you reach a certain income bracket?”
I imagine it has something to do with seeing the percentage of your income that goes to taxes, and then watching those road crews with six guys standing around leaning on shovels. >_>
I must admit I loved the analogy of fear being akin to a monster, how accurate Fukumoto’s depiction of humanity is. When people are confronted with a life or death scenario their choices can be rather dire, even horrific. Though it’s not as riveting as the tactical cunning back on the boat, the intensity of the bridge is definitely very palpable.
You also have to love the depiction of how fear overtakes the mind, such as Kaiji’s freak out scene. It’s just so bloody intense. Really, I think people often overlook the amazing cinematography in this series because of the character designs.
Speaking of which, there was some excellent camera work used in this episode in order to exaggerate the feeling of falling and unsteadiness. The close-up, shaky shots depicting flailing limbs and terrified faces made it all the more dizzying, to the point that it even got my adrenalin pumping a bit just watching.
Things start to go a bit downhill from this point on. Well, not so much downhill as just…down.
Man, what an incredible climax to the episode. I was wondering what would happen to Ishida; of course I expected him to cower in the grip of his fear and call out for help from Kaiji. However, for being such a piteous character he had an amazing finale. He managed to die with honor and managed to entrust Kaiji with his dying wish. In his last moments he shows his true strength, as well as giving Kaiji the courage to push forward. Ishida shows the courage to redeem his whole life of debt and meaninglessness. In the most crucial moment, Ishida seizes victory.
Talk about an epic win.
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Kaiji is indeed epic and win. I find it hard to add to your entry, as I’m keeping my powder dry on this one right now.
BUT … how about … AKAGI?
A world full of pointy noses. I can’t imagine it.
And Kaiji’s getting rather emo. I won’t be surprised if some people start slitting wrists after watching it lol.
Kaiji is a level above Death Note when it comes to psychological Dramas. And Kaiji as a character is possibly one of the GARest ever, alongside Simon.
Also, there was a female before; Kaiji and Sahara’s coworker at the convenience store. Still scared me.
‘BUT … how about … AKAGI?’
Kaiji is Akagi with a moral framework; Kaiji is human while Akagi is inhuman. I intend to post on this in the future.
ISHIDAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
…I’d like to say something intelligent as well, but that will have to do.
Haha… Only more GAR to come. Also, any women in Kaiji are transsexuals. Trust XD. Some of the interpretations were absolutely bizarre in these episodes, I can’t remember any exact ones though.. I would need to re-watch to pick them out. I couldn’t help but think how incredibly strange they were though, its like picking a quote from Shakespeare and contrasting it with some “new skool ghetto rap”. Absolutely amazing.
I realise how unstructured this comment was.. I’m sure you don’t care.
Damn it, Ishida. Damn it, Kaiji. Damn it, Tonegawa. Damn this show and it all to hell!
I’m not supposed to be so drawn in to a show where it’s pretty obvious who’s going to live and die. It’s not supposed to be intriguing when the characters defy the laws of physics. I’m not supposed to be touched by an obvious I’m-going-to-die scene. It’s not supposed to be thought-provoking when Kaiji and Sahara are busy being gay for each other.
This is a manly show. Why is it so existentially and emotionally provoking?
(I have no capability left for any more fanboying over this show. I’m now down to being tsundere for it. I hope you don’t mind the cursing.)
Well . . . Ya, it was GGAAAARRRRReat!!! Kaiji continues to surprise me with his ability to press on :). What a god series for a less than stellar season of anime
I prefer to think of it as being “cerebral”. Definitely the manly tears were flying in this episode, but ultimately it wasn’t about being emo, it was about what makes people tick, why people make the choices they do, and why people succeed or fail in the things they do.
To call it emo is to underestimate the depth of the storytelling, really.
I know, I know, but it was a lot funnier this way.
It’s ok. I think that communicates your feelings quite well enough. Your connection has reached me Karura, here on this lonely beam of a path I walk in life!
I’ll definitely be very interested to see what you have to say on that subject. Comparing and contrasting the two series is always interesting because the protagonists are similar, but in completely opposite ways and for opposite reasons, if that makes any sense.
Definitely, but I think that’s one of Fukumoto’s strengths, taking something simple or mundane and portraying it with these graphic, dramatic terms. It really adds to the fun and intensity of the show.
Haha, I agree… but then, I’ve always felt the story itself isn’t so important as the underlying thematic elements it portrays. That’s why I say Fukumoto could make anything interesting. He has a way of looking under the hood of what makes the characters tick, and exploring that in interesting and unique ways.
Tony the Tiger would not be best pleased if he heard you say that, but… dang I laughed in spite of myself. Well played, man.
Holy cow. I just watched episode fourteen. I haven’t cried watching anime since … actually, I cry at anime all the time, I’m so lame … but I haven’t spontaneously emitted hot, lachrymose, snotty, unappealing tears like that since End of Evangelion.
Thinking about it, EoE and this episode have a lot in common, with the imagery of isolated humans trying and failing to reach out to one another. Damn, I wish my friends (who adore Eva and Death Note and have much more insight into each than I) would watch this series.
If Tonegawa’s speech about those who delude themselves that their lives aren’t real doesn’t hit home for you, you are certainly much too well adjusted to be watching anime on a Sunday morning.
THERE IS NO WOMEN ON THE KAIJI (internet)
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