The End of the World

[Categories: Anime Reviews]

Kaiji 4-6: carpe diem baby

Posted by Martin  [Tags: Kaiji]

Life’s full of its ups and downs, ain’t it? The fact that our hero is still hanging around with the losers Furuhawa and Andou and shows no intent of stabbing them in the back is proof of his undeniable awesomeness I reckon - he understands that even when he’s surrounded by idiots, sticking together is better for all of them even when the going gets tough. Contrast that with the arrogance and lack of teamwork exhibited by Kitami and co…

Looking back even from this relatively early stage, it’s great to see how Kaiji has progressed from being a petty lowlife to someone more full of hope and determination - the strategy of Restricted Rock, Paper Scissors has really brought out his canny knack for playing the game to his advantage. Even when things take a turn for the worse (which happens repeatedly) and his two sidekicks are panicking and losing their cool, Kaiji’s moments of weakness don’t last nearly as long: our favourite mulleted underdog wastes no time in rethinking his plan and moving forward.

Our hero senses the danger. Zawa zawa!

I was also really impressed at how this experience has taught him a lesson - in a way it’s been the kick up the backside he’s needed for so long. The main reason I’m cheering the guy on now is that, if he comes out of this well, he has every intention of turning his life around; in my eyes, Kaiji has earned my respect. Quite how such a sharp guy could have sunk as low as this in the first place I don’t know but it’s better to have discovered his hidden talent now rather than never.

Of course Kaiji and his two buddies are by no means out of the woods yet - moments such as the cleverly-orchestrated win against Kitami are merely steps towards getting off the not-so-Nice Boat and making something of their lives. As he so eloquently explained to his less astute comrades, when you’re back is against the wall you have nothing to lose by forging ahead; he even used his verbal skills to teach the ‘Bleach Head’ a thing or two.

Once again, TOLD.

Unfortunately, Kaiji’s shrewd nature is at this stage exceeded by a certain grade A asshole in the form of Funai. Remember this guy? Yeah, he was the one who screwed Kaiji over way back when. I can understand Kaiji’s refusal of his offer based on this alone, but I suspect that even though Funai is a cheating, manipulative bastard Kaiji may have been better of getting that last star and cutting himself off from the two losers. But then, wouldn’t that make him a backstabbing, low-life cheat like Funai?

The bastard Funai, hard at work at being a bastard

I can see how things can go so badly wrong for Kaiji now, but at the same time I can’t help but admire his principles in such a lousy situation. The trust he showed in Furuhawa and Andou, not to mention the threat posed by Funai in these episodes, could well prove to be his undoing. Aw, hell, I still believe in the awesome power of the mullet. Gambatte, Kaiji!

[Filed under Anime Reviews]  [Tags: Kaiji]

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