Owing to an increasing debt, Kaiji Itou ends up resuming his old lifestyle. One day, while walking on the street, he stumbles upon Yuuji Endou, who is hunting Kaiji due to the money he owes to the Teiai Group. Unaware of this, Kaiji eagerly follows Endou, hoping for a chance to participate in another gamble, but soon finds out the loan shark's real intentions when he is kidnapped.
Given that Kaiji is unable to pay off his huge debt, the Teiai Group instead sends him to work in an underground labor camp. He is told that he will have to live in this hell for 15 years, alongside other debtors, until he can earn his freedom. His only hope to put an early end to this nightmare is by saving enough money to be able to go back to the surface for a single day. Once he is there, he plans to obtain the remaining money needed to settle his account by making a high-stakes wager. However, as many temptations threaten his scarce income, Kaiji may have to resort to gambling sooner than he had expected.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
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Comentários
CEMPUNK
Ok this is my first time to write a review so please go easy. Let me start by saying I'm a huge fan of psychological thriller series and I must say Kaiji is one of the best there is in that aspect. Season 1 was just amazing, keeps you thinking and surprises you with the twisted outcomes. In Season 2 Kaiji has done it again, each episode keeps getting better and better makes you at the edge of your seat hunger to know whats will happen next. If your a fan of Psychological thrillers such as Death note or Liar game, Kaiji is a must watchfor you.
Story: The story continues after the incidents from season 1, Kaiji has been taken to work in an underground facility to work in hard labor so he can pay off his debt, however he then finds out that there is a dark side inside the underground which is ofcourse "GAMBLE!!" he now will risk it all again so he can leave the underground and pay off his giant debt.
Art: I can tell the art is better than Season 1, the characters are now more detailed and shows how they changed since the previous season.
Sound: The soundtracks in Kaiji season 2 are amazing, it keeps you hyper in every moment, as for the opening and ending I personally loved them as I am a fan of Techno metal and pop rock. And yes we get more ZAWA ZAWA !!
Character: As I said the characters have changed since the last season, there are new rivals and new friends. Men risking their lives to get out of this miserable life and there are men who plan to ruin their dreams of escaping.
Enjoyment: I assure you this the enjoyment of this show is VERY ADDICTING
it will keep you thinking what will happen next and keep searching for clues in the site/forums. As I said before if you enjoyed Death note or Liar game or any Psychological thriller show. Kaiji will MAGNET your emotions!!
I really hope I did great as a first time doing a review, Please enjoy the show!
Thank you for reading and enjoy the show ^.^
ZephSilver
Are you suffering from an absence of GAR and strategy in your life? Already burn through your reserve JoJo's and No Game No Life strategic asspulls for a rainy day? Well, I got just the fix! ZAWA ZAWA ZAWA ZAWA ZAWA Story: 9/10 You'd think the novelty of high gambling will be dull after 26 episodes right? But Kaiji's sequel not only delivers yet again but surpasses expectations! But it's not all a win. The story pits Kaiji into an underground camp as a slave laborer in order to pay off his debts. As in typical Kaiji fashion, it's not all as it seems. As Kaiji butts headswith his 1st antagonists and the 1st story arc deals with the struggle of who'll come out on top. The script delivers yet again with the stakes matching the given level of risk. The psychological element is still there but it's safe to say that season 2 leans more towards who can cheat the best than actual strategy.
The second arc continues the trend of who's the better cheater, showing a natural flow from one arc to another. However, there's a reason the story doesn't get a 10/10 and that will become apparent as soon as you reach the 2nd half. The challenge is a 1/1000,000,000 high gamble game of pachinko. And unlike season 1, where arcs were resolved within 6-7 episodes, the final arc will have you yelling "FUCKIN WIN ALREADY!" at your monitor, as it's apparent that it's being stretched to reach it's desired 26 episode mark. The ending also remains open-ended.
Art: 8/10
Never since the Death Note potato chip eating scene has scenes about mundane tasks get the blood pumping!
It's Madhouse, it should go without saying that they always deliver. The ugly yet appealing character designs are as bold and GAR as ever! There's also a clear improvement of the facial features. Giving the over the top look of joy or anguish when necessary. The visual metaphors also added a much-needed flare for a show with no real physical action. You know, the whole "if Kaiji is winning, he's grasping the universe" or "if he's losing he's sinking into a swamp" that kinda thing. Although it can become unnecessary at times, done only to extend the episode run time. Nerveless, if you like the blood rush of this series then it'll do the job!
Sound: 8.5/10
ZAWA ZAWA ZAWAAA
The sound also keeps stride. The attention to detail is apparent, from the hissing sound of an air current to the crackling of dice in a bowl. The soundtrack is also well synchronized in scenes when needed. Especially noteworthy during the symbolic visual cues throughout the show. and who can forget the 'ZAWA ZAWA ZAWA' lol
Characters: 8/10
Kaiji radiates so much GAR that Kenshiro will nod in approval. He's also slightly developed as well, as his methods for winning become more cutthroat than from season 1. That doesn't mean he changed, in fact, he still trusts others too easily right up to the very end. A point even brought up by a character later on. But unlike other MCs, Kaiji's flaws are apparent and in the same process makes him feel more human. He struggles, he cares, he deceives and ultimately he learns.
all the antagonists are over the top, and I'm talking about your Saturday morning cartoons kinda evil. But given the fact that the entire show runs on testosterone and MANLY MANPOWER it's to be expected. In fact, I would say this elevates the show more than hindering it. Making the already suspenseful roller coaster ride that more enjoyable.
Hell, even the narrator exudes MANLY MANPOWER.
Enjoyment: 10/10
Very little shows manage to hook me from beginning to end. Kaiji 2 became just as addicting as gambling itself as I found myself marathoning it without stop. This was an exhilarating thrill ride that brought my GAR meter back to stable conditions.
Overall 9/10
If you're a fan of manly men doing insanely manly shit and psychological mind games then this is the anime for you. But be warned, once you start there's no stopping it!
THEAnimeHERO
Kaiji season 2 offers a solid conclusion to the anime series however the series itself is a decrease in quality from season 1 Kaiji Ultimate Survivor. Taking place a few months after the first arc, Kaiji is taken underground to pay his debt by manual labor which will take him around 15 years to complete his sentence. After a few months later, Kaiji is then allowed to be outside for a few days in which he hears about a casino with the infamous pachinko game "The Bog" which if Kaiji wins can pay off his entire debt. The differences in this season being the 3rd series ofthe Kaiji manga include the lack of psychological thrills & games revolving around quick cunning & dangerous high stakes. This part only features a total of 2 games while the first part consisted of 4, plus the gambles in series 2 revolve around luck rather than strategy.
Benefits of Kaiji 2 include Kaiji himself as we see more of his intellect & role as a leader who never abandons hope. Aside from the main lead, the only other highlight would be the ending of the series as it brings a satisfying conclusion leading to its series 4 of the manga. Despite the lack of horrifying tension & the tragic moments in the first season, Kaiji does remain to have its feels & teary-eye moments. While it's not as complex in morality issues as the first series it is still well written & well directed.
Cons of Kaiji 2 mainly belong to its final arc as it is too long as it is a total of 18 episodes; more than half of the season. Essentially The Bog pachinko consists of Kaiji winning his freedom but it is a necessary arc & is handled mostly well. The beginning of The Bog starts off nicely & progresses smoothly with little to no problem, however the cons begin to show at episode 16 when Kaiji plays the bog for 9 episodes straight. While some scenes within those episodes are crucial to the story, I found myself skimming through the episode as it felt very dragged & repetitive. It would have benefited at least being half of the amount.
Overall Kaiji 2 is weaker in story in its first season & may have been a better series if it's Bog game was shorter. It definitely offers some good moments & great character writing but in terms of content it does lack a lot of areas done in the 1st season mainly its creative games & journey into the evils of men. Kaiji 2 instead focuses on classic Japanese gambling & a struggling journey towards freedom.
Optigisa
Kaiji’s second season is not as good as Kaiji’s first season. While it has a stronger start than the former, and while it is littered with better animation and more charismatic characters, there is something about it that just doesn’t hold up to the first. The concept of the arcade machine is intriguing and the tactics used in that arc are nothing short of brilliant, but it is the fact that the arc dragged on for so long and the episodic structure became about finding a way to beat the machine and the old man, that it became redundant to sit through. The first seasonof Kaiji, while having a weak start, managed to flip everything on it’s head and change it’s formula multiple times so that it could become a refreshing ride. This stuck with one thing and repeated it over and over again until became predictable as to what would happen, and that is: Kaiji coming up with a genius plan, the men at the arcade owning Kaiji and beating his plans, Kaiji retreating to come up with a better plan, and the old man laughing at Kaiji. Rinse and repeat.
Moreover, the ending is not good or unique like the first ending in the first season of Kaiji. Without going into needless spoilers, the first season’s ending was both immensely cathartic and very unique and one of a kind, hard to find elsewhere. This season’s ending was lackluster and felt really bland and generic. Not really a bad ending, but it left a bitter taste in my mouth as opposed to the first season’s unique end. It does have a moral message and delivers it’s theme quite well, but it just feels mundane and more like a dues ex machina than a natural ending.
The final villain in the first season was better than the one here, which added more spice to the payoff of the first season. The audiovisuals are great, though I miss the beautiful melodies of the first season which were more visceral to Kaiji’s whole experience. Tracks such as Chorus, which elevated the mood from fun poker to instant sense of danger are missing here. The animation has not changed, and Madhouse is as consistent here as the first season, so that is something good.
Kaiji’s second season does not quite reach the peak of the first season, but it still does solid in most of what it achieves. Good music, nice visuals, and tactics that were brilliant and well thought out, though took really long to give the viewer a payoff. This season is not as good as the first, but it is still worth checking out.
DeXeTer
Gyakkyou Burai Kaiji: Hakairoku Hen is the second season of kaiji ultimate survivor which continues from where the first season left of. Story 8/10 The second season starts of with Kaiji wondering around japan looking for ways to earn money. Wile he sees an familiar face Endoh from the first season which somewhat helped him with his debt problems in season 1 eg The gambling ship this time though Kaiji is kidnapped by Endoh and forced into slave labor to pay off his debt with very harsh living conditions. Now what l like to say about the firsthalf of season 2 it has a lot of suspense to it rivals the first season's and the antagonist in both half's are great the problem is with the a second half the bourge arc. Which is basically impossible pachinko each episode does drag on with this arc. And makes the show irritating to sit through you will be there yelling at your screen is kaiji gonna fucking win or not.
Animation 8/10 It's madhouse madhouse does some amazing amazing animation with their shows. Sure the weird character designs are still there but l won't take a point of as its part of the shows style. The animation does have a few problems near the end but the animation with the characters reactions when they are in peril is fantastic.
Sound 7/10 The sound probably the weakest part of the show. But its not bad at all the opening is fucking fantastic even though it is screamo the ending sucks it just flat outright sucks
it doesn't suit the tone of the show at all and just takes you out of the experience.
The ost though is nice the iconic zara zara is there when something is not going kaiji's way or if its just a bad situation in general. Characters 9/10
Our fantastic protagonist kaiji is back while he is still a bit of a mean spirited person the development from season 1 he has extremely pure goals and pretty much putting his life on the line against impossible odds.
Sometimes not always winning in the end and adding more despair and tension to the series.
The side characters and the villains are also unique the villains are evil evil fucking people and you just want something really awful to happen to them at the end of it. and the sides especially kaiji's friends being a great bunch of unlucky people.
Enjoyment 10/10
The show had me on the edge of my seat most of the time more in the second half as it had way more build up then the first half. But still weaker in general.
l really enjoyed the second season of kaiji even though l didn't like it as much as the first season and the resolution is a bit too open ended for my tastes.
Overall 8/10 Kaiji's second season is something you should definitely see if you loved the first season.
But the second half may frustrate you imagine how the people who watched this shows airing right fuck that must have been awful anyway thanks for reading my review.
Danno
This series is pretty suspenseful and will give you a similar type of enjoyment to the first series, but I gotta say it's not as good. First off, Kaiji 2 is not a psychological battle. It also doesn't have much philosophy in it. It vaguely contains that sorta stuff, but it's really faint. I loved the first series of Kaiji so much for the constant risks, trust, betrayal, scams, elaborate schemes, exposure of human emotions, putting human character into question, and Tonegawa's philosophical speeches. Kaiji 2 doesn't really have such concepts in it. Both of his gambles are pretty much won simply with logic andcareful planning; the goal is to scam the scammer. This isn't a bad thing, but it wasn't as exciting as it could've been, or maybe I'm just being unfair since I thought the first season's way of doing things was much better.
Kaiji has good morals and it's interesting to see a good person thrown into a setting where being good is merely mocked, considered foolish, and makes everything much harder. Most anime will reward the hero for his good behaviour, but Kaiji must struggle due to his ideals, which is pretty realistic.
Once again, Kaiji teams up with fellow losers and demonstrates good leadership. His devotion is pretty touching. He's just a pretty great character.
One big problem with this series is how long things are dragged out for. It's not as fast paced as the first series or even most other anime... The second half of the series is particularly bad about that; the animation gets very repetitive... The crowd cheering, the pachinko balls flying around in the Bog, and the balls circling around the dishes. The pachinko balls and Bog are done in 3D, which is pretty boring and unappealing to me. It goes on and it goes on, each episode contains one realization/plot twist.
He's gonna win! Go, yeah! It's on the second plate! He's gonna lose. What a fool he was, now he's screwed. He's gonna win! This is it, nothing can hold him back now! Time to kick some ass! He's gonna lose. Agh, it's all hopeless! Or is it?
They could've shortened that stuff down a bit. I know the manga drags it out just as long, but I think it would've been nice if the animation studio decided to add a little filler arc... though that would've proved challenging with Kaiji's situation, I'm sure they could've found a way to do it without ruining the existing story/plot. It could've just been 2 or 3 episodes of some different kind of gamble, anything to shorten down all that time wasted watching pachinko balls rolling around. For example, if they started the series in a different way even if that would've taken away from the shock of Kaiji being sent underground immediately. He could've lost some other gamble and been found by Teiai due to that or something...
Anyhow, this is good overall, but not a masterpiece. It's suspenseful and exciting, but not as much as it could've been. You'll probably like it if you liked the first series, but you might feel something's missing or that it's drawn out.
MER0S
*sniff* this is pure ideology, but you know *sniff* the good kind of ideology. If you want an anime that's not always going the path, you expect it to do i think Kaiji is something that you could like. Kaiji is every single one of us. He is a loser... Of course he had his potentials when he was younger, but capitalist world brought him into his misery. He for sure is an intelligent guy, but his kind-hearted personality denied him access into a wealthy life and the story is going to show you exactly this. Multiple times. You're the loser, if you're altruistic, if you'reself-sacrificing. But if you go on and complete this series you will soon realize, that this world is much more than just living a successful life, although it's the hard way of life. I hope i convinced just a single person to watch this amazing series, also this is the second season, fyi.
WhiteWolfKiba
Studio Madhouse has done it again in the 2nd season of Kaiji! This is a 10/10 gambling anime. Kick Kakegurui to the curb, cuz there are no moe character designs or forced romantic relationships to be found in THIS gambling anime! Story: 10/10. The stakes have never been higher in season 2 as Kaiji finds himself basically a slave working in a labor camp to pay off his massive debts. If he raises enough money he can buy his freedom and rejoin society above ground! How's that for motivation? There's a small moment I need to mention where Kaiji can finally afford a decent meal forhimself after months and months, and when he takes a bite it brought a legit tear to my eye. Kaiji has always managed to make the small moments feel big, too, y'know? The first 10 or so episodes revolve around high stakes dice roll games, and this was easily my favorite arc in the season. Then we have...The Bog. Yup, the next 16 episodes are about Kaiji playing a single pachinko game, and I know this SOUNDS like torture, but believe me when I say you're gonna love it. I'd compare it to that season-long volleyball game in Haikyu season 3, where they SOMEHOW managed to drag out the game that long and still make it entertaining as hell! Trust me, I marathoned the pachinko arc in two days and it was well worth it.
Sound: 10/10. Zawa zawa! What more do I need to say? This show basically invented the oppressive atmosphere sound effect and uses it to PERFECT dramatic effect! And who could forget that crazy narrator, who constantly screams about how epic the action is, which only makes everything even more epic!? In fact, the narrator is so damn entertaining that I actually didn't mind the recap episode this season, just because it meant I got to hear the narrator talk some more! Other sound effects are used perfectly as well, form the clinking of dice in a bowl to the chattering of a nervous gambler's teeth. I remember sound was used especially well to make a tiny pachinko ball hitting some panels sound like a fucking wrecking ball coming in to knock over a building! Oh and I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the amazing OST. Kaiji's new OP by "Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas" is one of my favorite openings of all time, and while I could go on and on about the visuals and music in that OP, I'll just say it's one I NEVER skipped and it never failed to get my blood pumping as I started a new episode.
Art: 10/10. The animation is as spectacular as we expect from Madhouse anime at this point, and I'd claim that Kaiji's season 2 has vast visual improvements over season 1! Sure, you could argue that it has something to do with the second season being more readily available in HD, but I'd say character designs are more detailed in general this time around. When a character needs to show an emotion like great happiness or great sadness, his face REFLECTS that with perfect clarity! Like when Kaiji cries, his eyes don't just water up, they wiggle back and forth in a tear-shaped pattern! Madhouse's animation deserves recognition for making the most mundane tasks, from Light Yagami eating a potato chip in Death Note to Kaiji Ito playing pachinko, seem like the most blood-pumping, epic spectacles you've ever witnessed!
Character: 10/10. Kaiji Ito is one of the best anime protagonists I've come across. He's the ultimate underdog and thus instantly relatable. Kaiji can be very OP and badass in certain situations, yet very naive and dumb in others. Kaiji can be too trusting or "soft," as other characters call him, but I love these flaws because they make Kaiji more human (and thus relatable to me). The crux of the matter is that when push comes to shove, Kaiji will survive at all costs, and it's his survival that is so infinitely entertaining for an audience. What matters most to me is the fact that even though he can be ruthless, Kaiji can also be a very kind and honorable man. I love that moment in the final episode where he basically gives the villain a "pep talk" and says "If I could escape that hell hole, then a cunning bastard like you should be able to as well! Face me again!" What a swell guy! The villains this season are extremely well done as well. First we have a sadistic foreman who likes to manipulate and rob you of even the shirt off your back, and then we have the pretty boy owner of a casino. The casino owner at first didn't look intimidating to me, but once you see how he tortures people...all I'll say is "bloody manicure" and leave it at that. *shiver*
Enjoyment: 10/10. Like I said, few anime got me as pumped to watch it as Kaiji did when they blasted that OP. Watching every episode of this show was a pure treat, and somehow watching a man sit and play pachinko for like 15 episodes never got boring? They deserve an award for that alone!
Overall: 10/10. Everyone should watch Kaiji just so you can experience what an awesome main character Kaiji Ito is. Oh and if you're into gambling anime like Kakegurui or mind game anime like Death Note, then this show is an easy recommendation.
iabod10
believe it or not. This is the best thing I have ever watched. Everything is great except kaijis tringle nose. You must Watch it, Masterpiece. Story 10/10 Characters 10/10 Unique blend of psychological thriller and gambling elements, making it stand out in the anime world. Fans of the psychological thriller and gambling genres are likely to enjoy Kaiji The art style suits the gritty and intense atmosphere of the story The characters react to their insane situations in ways that feel all too human – from desperation to cunning to downright panic.
platformerbg
I take it that the people who are going to watch this have already watched the first season. I am going to try to base my review on that. So basically we once again meet with Kaiji. As always he is broke. He once again is put to a test. The first part of the series concentrates in a another place (that I won't mention so there aren't any spoilers), but basically he has to gamble once more. To be honest the reason I think this season is better is since Kaiji has become more and more of a hero. Even though theflow of the series moves rather slow (there wasn't enough material in my opinion for 26 episodes), but Kaiji now more resembles a figure that I myself would admire. He is more dependable. The art is as always interesting. When I rate the art I don't rate it for style but more like the way everything is showcased. I just love how the scenes change and how the characters react. Emotions are just flowing and you can just feel the adrenaline. I found myself being on the edge numerous times. So in a way you get emottionaly attached. This gambling, gambling in Kaiji's way is something unique. The series is also "anti-moe", meaning there are now women (well only one to be exact and she is well special in her own way). This anime will keep you on the edge. I would recommend it to anyone.
whiteflame55
It's more Kaiji, so that's automatically a major point in its favor. The characters still work their magic in the same way, but, and this is weird to say for a series where each decision is drawn out to extract its full agony, the pacing of this season drops considerably. The first arc actually works quite well, evoking a lot of the same feeling as the first season while adding something new an interesting in how they tackle the problem. The second arc takes up the rest of the series, and while it has its moments, it has a hard time holding your attention allon its own. It can only draw your attention with the same method so many times before it starts to feel absolutely absurd. It's still worth the watch, but the enjoyment factor dropped considerably.
Euphemius
(Since it would be useless to write a different review for the second season, I just copied the review for the first season here. I only have to say that I find the first season a little better, despite the fact that the art of the second is superior). Kaiji is the perfect anime if you are looking for something about gambling and that it feels realistic and crude. Because Kaiji is not simply an anime about someone who gambles - but about how bad it can be, to be a gambler in a world full of sharks ready to bite and drown you when you're weak. Kaijiis set in Tokyo, Japan, during the second half of the 90s, when Japan was in recession, known also as the Lost Decade. Ito Kaiji is a guy in his twenties that is unable to find a job and tries to get some money by winning some poker match. His life is so miserable that, sometimes, he can do nothing but to lie down and cry in his house. One day, a loan shark named Endo tells him that he has to pay for a debt he co-signed with a friend. Since he can't pay it back, Endo tells him that he can embark on a ship named Espoir to win a gamble and get the money to pay the debt. However, this will be only the beginning of a much bigger adventure for Kaiji.
The point of Kaiji is showing to people how the world of gambling is not at all colorful and funny like the trump cards used to play, but that it's made mostly of people that only care about themselves, and how it makes people forget about concepts like friendship or even humanity, because all it matters is to win and to get more money possible. Each time Kaiji gets into a gamble, he tries hard to maintain his humanity and uses it to fight back all the misfortunes that gets into his way.
But that's only a part of the entire thing. Nobuyuki Fukumoto - known also for works about gambling and mahjong such as Ten and the equally acclaimed Akagi - is a master at creating suspense, a trait that makes the gamble so incredibly tense that at times, the tension seems almost unbearable. Also, Kaiji doesn't win most of the gambles, instead, he loses many times, and when he loses, he loses big. Very big. Like, losing part of your body big.
Characters are also very peculiar and tridimensional, making them able to feel like they are criminals and normal guys you can actually encounter in real life - but whitout forgetting the classical anime madness that makes it a little more funny.
A divisive point might be the art style, which is very stylized, and that can be not appreciable by the audience. Noses are very sharp, faces have very exaggerated features and hairs are often not very detailed - even if the rest of the body features, mostly the hands, and the background, are instead very detailed. I believe that this style is instead very interesting, and it also works very well at conveying emotions.
The 3D artwork are, instead, very limited, which is somehow surprising, considering we are talking about Madhouse.
A problem with Kaiji is that it lasts only 51 episodes, covering only the first two parts of the manga, which is instead much longer (at the moment I'm writing this, the 71st volume has been published; the anime covers only the first 26), but its ending is nonethelss very satisfying.
In the end, Kaiji is one of my favourite anime, it is incredibly energic and emotional, and it's a truly underrated gems. Make yourself a favour and watch it.
pandapanda108
If i can just win big once i can be reborn and make my life how i want it to be This anime was a wild ride. But it is not the kind of show that can be enjoyed watching it 1 episode a day. It's really made to be watched in 6-9 episode blocks. The creators of this show timed each episode intelligently so the viewer must watch the next episode immediately. This is a strength of this show but also a downside for certain viewers who are looking for a casual experience. This show is true to the harsh reality of gambling and life formany people on the fringes of society. No cute anime girls, very few people that can be trusted and no guarantee of a future.
STORY:
The story is a continuation of season 1 and is consistent with the first season in every way. kaiji owes money and needs to win big to get his life back. However the story of season 2 also involves some aspects of friendship and the theme of putting everything on the line not just for yourself, but for those that depend on you.
One criticism on Part 2 of Kaiji is that it lacks the same life or death risks as season 1 did. However i preferred season 2 more as it was more technical and the gambles Kaiji did were more planned than season 1. while season 1 showed kaiji is intelligent at gambling, season 2 proves he is the real deal.
If you liked Kakegurui you'll probably prefer season 1, but if you like casino heist movies season 2 is for you.
BE PATIENT! is good advice for season 2. only 2 gambles take place with a lot of back and forth between kaiji and his enemies. If you're not willing to wait 9 episodes for the first gamble to be complete then 16 episodes for the second one, this anime will be a struggle.
CHARACTER: very realistic, liars cheaters scumbags, no one can be trusted, everyone is out for themselves. this show cuts the bullshit and doesn't waste time with characters that are unimportant. i really respect what the creators did with this show, focusing on the gambles rather than the characters, as after all most of these men admitted themselves they've wasted their lives. the lack of focus on their backstory's is representative of this.
ART: unique, didnt really think much of it when i began season 1 but it really grew on me over time.
SOUND: amazing OP, loved the soundtrack, really portrayed the theme of gambling
OVERALL: 9/10, for me nearly a 10, but not everyone will love gambling enough to survive all 26 eps.
i hope this review helps someone!
vaporweeb
I'm in the minority here, but I think Kaiji 2: Ultimate Survivor is BETTER than the first season, Against All Rules. Although I enjoy each for different reasons. In the second season, we see our titular protag start off in an even worse state than the first season: working in a slave labor camp underground, where his wages are less than a convenience store job above ground, yet the work is must more grueling and deadly. // MILD SPOILERS // Kaiji can barely keep himself out of debt from the allure of a cold beer on payday, much less from actually gambling. So when he doescatch a break and make it out of the labor camp, back to the surface for a limited amount of days, in an attempt to gamble enough money to secure his (and his friend's) freedom, I felt that weight. When days would be wasted, when money was wasted, when he had to borrow from more and more people, putting more and more people at risk of going straight back down to hell if he lost, I FELT that, way more than I felt the risks from the first season. I can't really imagine losing a limb or even dying, but I can imagine what it'd be like to be worked tirelessly to an early grave, deprived of all worldly comforts until my last breath fills my lungs with dust.
The 4-5-6 dice game (the first half-ish of season 2) is PEAK Kaiji, imo (slightly better than the boss game of season 1) and yes, the second halfish of the season starts to wear thin with that damn "Bog," it was still enough to keep me entertained and rooting for Kaiji.
On top of that, the animation, music, and characters are a little sharper in season 2.
Overall, BOTH seasons of Kaiji are stupidly repetitive, but it's one of those animes if it clicks for you, it CLICKS. I just finished watching season 2 for the third time today. Moving on to Shiki now but I don't know sh*t about Mahjong, so we'll see...
Kuta1
(Spoilers incoming) If you like engaging, binge-worthy, edge-of-your-seat shows, you'll love Kaiji. Story: 8/10. I found the motivations for Kaiji in this season to be stronger than those in Season 1, and it really helped establish Kaiji's character a bit more in this season while making all the risks he took seem organic and believable. There was an unbelievable sense of catharsis watching the show, perhaps one of the strongest I've felt in watching any sports anime (I consider Kaiji comparable to other anime of the sports genre despite gambling not being a sport persay). The story's nothing deep (win money and escape forced labor), butthat doesn't hold down the show at all.
Really, the bulk of the story can be condensed into two situations: Kaiji escaping the underground and Kaiji reclaiming his freedom through the casino. I found the former situation somewhat underwhelming until its latter end, but I really enjoyed the second arc (famously known as the Pachinko arc). It's pretty much a consensus that the arc dragged on immensely, basically taking up more than half of the runtime of the show. However, I never felt bored watching it; ever episode introduced a twist or a new obstacle, and throughout we see the fruits of Kaiji and friends' labors as their plan to win is revealed bit by bit. It was a great balance of immersion and strategy, the latter of which is fairly impressive since you'd never expect a thorough strategy in gambling. Kaiji definitely exhibits a sort of innovation in this way.
Art: 9/10. I really like the unique art style of Kaiji, some say it's weird but I like the unique take. Everything is bright and vibrant and this worked wonders when we actually got to the casino setting, since the color scheme + art style really brought more life to the show.
Sound: 10/10. Not being a fan of Season 1's music, I was pretty surprised to see how good the OST is here. Season 2 really outdid themselves compared to Season 1, the tracks have an intensity and rhythm absent in Season 1's tracks. There are a few unmemorable (or in my opinion just plain bad) tracks, but they're few and far between (I didn't like the ending song at all). All in all, each OST is unique and plays at the exact right time to up the intensity/drama of the moment
Character: 8/10. You're not gonna find deep characters in Kaiji, but the characters we do get are good enough at serving their purpose and having a strong individual persona.
Enjoyment: 10+/10. Despite the slow start, once things picked up I found myself binging the show within 3 days. While the last arc did drag out A TON, I never felt bored because of the twists they introduced and how the dynamics shifted in organic ways, which kept me wanting to see more. As I mentioned prior, the catharsis is real; there were moments I jumped for joy when Kaiji had a success.
Overall: 9/10. I was iffy on giving Season 1 a 9/10, but here I'm convinced the show deserves it. From start to finish I was immersed, and I enjoyed the show too much to not be able to recommend it. It's ridiculous but genius.
In summary, the pros and cons of the show for me are:
+great to binge
+engaging start to finish
+interesting scenarios and clever innovation within those scenarios
+likeable, distinct characters
+intense and unpredictable
-dragged out latter episodes might turn you off
-open ending + some loose ends from prior season not handled. If you expected Hyoudo to be relevant in this arc he doesn't play a significant role at all. And with no Season 3 and with the anime being 7 years old, I'm afraid we might not see this ever unless you're a manga reader (I'm not so I don't know if these conflicts are resolved in the manga).
MayoChan456
I think everyone's been in a position similar to Kaiji. Dirt poor and full of envy, and so desperate to succeed that you're willing to give everything. I saw both seasons in two sittings, and the second one finished at 4am leaving me with my eyes almost burnt out and my head throbbing in pain from watching so much all at the same time. It's a captivating tragedy, I literally couldn't bring myself to stop because I got so sucked in. Most great shows have lots of small lessons in them with many things happening at once. Kaiji is focused entirely on Kaiji himself andhis addiction to gambling. So few events within each episode, and yet the emotional pull is incredibly strong. The show has this real grounded, down to Earth feeling, everyone felt the feelings expressed in this show. The villians could be just like your boss at work. The friends Kaiji gained are like your friends you go to after punching out at work. The shit that piles on Kaiji is not dissimilar to how I feel when I get bills in the mail. Kaiji reflects adult life, it's cruel, cold nature, but also it's pockets of happiness between.
I would not watch this if you're feeling depressed, but if you're looking for a good drama or just something mature I highly, highly recommend.
Kempokid21
In some ways Kaiji's 2nd season could be seen as a bit of a disappointment, with far less focus on the crazy gambling games that push each side's strategic and psychological limits to the max, and more of a character driven story with the focus being on pushing the luck in your favour. Even so however, the stakes prove to be just as high this time around, making a lot of the tension remain despite the much less intense moment to moment interactions between opponents due to the games being around finding the cheats and rigs of the game and exploiting them, rather than necessarilygoing head to head in a battle of wits. With the lack of definitive plot armour still being established from the first season being reinforced in this season, it also plays more into a sense of dread than ever before. This is especially noticeable once you realise that you constantly feel as if the soundtrack is lying to you, as no matter how triumphant it may seem, chances are that things still won't go to plan, making things feel incredibly uneasy right up until a victory has actually been confirmed. There is no better way than this to explain why this series works so well, that sense of actual tension and possibility of horrible failure always lurking in the background, with the audience being unable to tell whether or not this failure will come to fruition or not.
With this said I do feel like this part is somewhat weaker than Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor, mostly due to pacing issues. While I'm all for a slow burn that builds up to incredible heights, I felt like the sheer amount of time dedicated to the Pachinko Machine arc was actually absurd, with the lack of proper opponent to outright fight against being a big part of the reason. Everything about this felt a bit too drawn out, each episode focusing on a single development of the plans laid out by both sides and then riding on it for an entire 20 minutes, where it often felt as if it could've been cut a bit shorter across the board to shave this season down by about 4 episodes, which would have definitely made it all a bit more digestible. Even with that said however, this was still a great watching experience, especially with the first arc of the season being as incredible as it was, with one of the single best moments I've experienced in an anime.
The bigger focus on characters here was also quite an interesting change, but one that definitely worked, especially with the development of Kaiji's character to demonstrate his multiple downward spirals into desperation and desire for another chance to feel the thrill of extreme stakes gambling. Seeing this lowlife with seemingly no future better understand his strong leadership and use it to inspire hope is such a nice little character arc that gives some further depth to the series and gives me high hopes to see what happens once I eventually get around to reading the manga.
Overall, despite a couple of gripes with the pacing and repetition in the main arc of the season, this still manages to almost live up to the near-insurmountable expectations I had after being engrossed in season 1. If you loved the first season and want to see more, be warned that this doesn't quite feel the same as it, but manages to still be almost as quality to the point where it should also be considered essential viewing.
ifaistos
Hi, The story that surrounds this anime is awesome. Truth and the meaning of life is in continues battle with those things that most people believe that make us different from animals. If u don't want or tired just to watch anime for fun , you must surely watch this. Just try to keep up with the script meanings and try to search inside your heart/brain and think what will u do in the same place of Kaijis. ( main hero) U will definitely win some things after watching this. arigato.
claracristiane
Oh God, I think that Kaiji put me in so many emotions, that I can't even describe! Seriously, the history can conquer you with unthinkable ways, at first, the art isn't pleasurable, but the bad luck and some kind of miracle keeps you watching and wishing that everything goes all right. Kaiji teachs you to never give up, to believe in friendship, and that you're more broke than you think! It's funny, it's lovin and makes you pull all your hair from your head. I need other anime like this, please God, send me something like this!!! I recommend it for all the people that like games,and are masoquist (it's a joke) :D
