raina.oconnell - 2017-01-16 10:33:45

Great continuation of Kaiji.
Never have I hated loving a protagonist so much. Every time you think he is making the right moves something happens.

Would definitely recommend this for anyone who is a fan of flawed protagonists. Such a believable portrayal of a man truly addicted to not just gambling, but balancing life and death.

marcellus.mitchell - 2014-12-14 10:10:47

Great continuation for Kaiji fans everywhere, though I have mixed feelings about it.

Story: Kaiji hasn't learned his lesson yet and still pursues casino after casino looking for the big hit. Well, his friend Endoh found him again to "help" pay for his ever growing debt. But he's sent to the notorious Teiai underground force labor, where he's expect to pay off his debts in fifteen years. But Kaiji sees a way out, and through what exactly? Well, underground, underground gambling of course! He aims to earn enough money through the workers' gambling nights to earn the one day vacation and then gamble again to pay off his loans. Sure, this sounds easy enough. The first arc of the show focuses on buying his way out, and we get introduced to a group of new characters, some of which becomes Kaiji's allies that will serve a purpose in the later arcs. It starts off strong with that good old  Kaiji feeling of intensity and suspense of what he has up his sleeve. The second half of the show focuses on Kaiji's time in the outside world and gaining over 10 million yen in a short period of time. But the key word is short period of time, which is what this half of the show lacks. The beginning of the second half is interesting, as it invites a massive jackpot and Kaiji's careful planning in attaining it. But towards the end, it severely slows down until it reaches the last episode. There are some note worthy points here and there, but they repeat the same information over and over again you just want to yell at the screen to get it over with. The ending pays off though, since it thankfully closes on a brighter, but still not completely happy, note that leaves the series open for more adaptations but manages to hold on it's own.

Animation: The one thing you notice about this as compared to the first season is the animation quality. There was a four year gap between the seasons, so it's understandable of the jump in quality, not to mention it's just pure eye candy, since I found that the style of the show goes really well with the updated animation. Also, there's a lot of moving objects such as dice and metal balls in the gambles that Madhouse has to use 2011 CGI to animate it, so take that as you will. Other than that, the designs and metaphors are still there and eccentric as ever.

Sound: Again, not much different than the first season, maybe a bit better since the actors are used to their roles and now fully understand the characters they play, thus adding more emotion and believability. The ZAWAS are also prominent and gives that pensive feeling. The soundtrack is still done by the same guy, and is passable in my book, but compared to the first one it was lacking in a few tracks. There are memorable tracks, but not as much as the first season and there are three tracks that are literally the same thing but with different intensity levels. So it falls short

Character: The problem I had with the first season is that some of the side characters didn't have any development, but here, since no one dies this time, we get to see our old pals from the first few episodes in the ending and in-between. Endoh also plays a bigger role in the second half, which really helped with his character be more than a tough loan shark, to be a troubled man that just wants lots of cash but reach for anything else. Sakazaki is a hopeless middle-aged man with a torn life but still has the spirit to help Kaiji in his endeavors. He's a great addition to the series, a good comic relief, and one to keep an eye out for in the later parts. Ichijou is an interesting casino manger, and a smooth talking but insecure villain; Oshida is a deceptively nice but sadistic first antagonist that we all just bathe in satisfaction of his defeat; the 45s (you'll see who they are) are humble and naive losers, as Kaiji bluntly placed, who surprisingly are Kaiji's friends in his days in the underground; Kaiji is now more aware of the lies and deceits in every corner, but is still a gambling addict at heart, and Old Man Hyoudou still raves at the sight of Kaiji's pain.

Overall: An enjoyable, but not entirely perfect, sequel. Really, if you could get past the slow pacing then the show will still be enjoyable as the first. If you haven't read the manga yet I urge you to do so, since the story starts to pick up again at the end of the third arc unless you want to wait another four years for season three.

neva76 - 2014-10-18 05:51:14

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 first half 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 9/10

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. ~Dex

dosinski - 2014-02-12 03:35:19

SPOILERS For Kaiji s1 and s2!

A great continuation of the first series, till the bog arc starts and what feels like the evil hand of the corporation prolongs the series far beyond its enjoyment point.

There is some disconnect between S1 and S2 of Kaiji. In the beginning of the season, we see Kaiji back on the street again, ear and fingers intact. It's explained how he got them back, but there are some differences in Kaiji from S1 to S2. He seems to lack that passion he used to have and seems to be addicted to gambling again. But then in the first 6 episodes, the Kaiji we all know and love returns, complete with badass levels of strategy! If the entire season was like this, I would probably give it a 9 or 10, but unfortunately the 2nd arc really hampers the season. Episodes 1-6 consist of the undeground dice/pachinko arc. The rest of the episodes are part of the bog arc. Without rambling on forever, I'll just say that it definitely doesn't start off badly, but by the time the last 8 or so episodes kick in, there are more than a few moments when I was saying to myself "get the ball in the hole already!", and "stop friggin showing the reactions of the underground worker and the big old boss so many times!!". I stopped caring for the show during that period. If they cut out the last 8 or so episodes, or condensed them to maybe 2-3 episodes and removed all the filler I would have greatly preferred it to the final result. While the damage was done and the painfully slow final episodes of the season really disappointed me, I will say that at least the last few minutes brought a smile to my face.

The art and music just like s1 were excellent; they portray the despair and passion greatly. Plus the music just rocks.

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Verdict

A great season, that could have been excellent if not for the super stretching out of the 2nd arc's.

7.25 (rounded to 7 in the system)

Also, just a side not, for those who loved the psychology of the s1, it's pretty much gone in s2, for the most part. It didn't bother me too much, as the games were still interesting and Kaiji's plans were good.