Gantz: O (2016) User Reviews

Stunning!

[skecys · 8/10 · 26 September 2017]

As with other reviewers here I came across this little gem browsing Netflix.

I guess Gantz is pretty big in Japan for them to be able to make something this amazing. The animation and overall design quality is simply incredible.

Any mature anime fan will love this regardless of knowing the backstory.

The main reason I'm "reviewing" this title is because I see many people complaining about the laughable dialogue. To circumvent this, watch it in it's original Japanese language with subtitles!

Amazing Visuals but worst writing I've ever seen

[mattstger · 6/10 · 22 February 2017]

Seriously, the visuals were incredible. 10/10. The monsters in it were the perfect level of disturbing and fantasy. The movements fluid, But the dialog, my god the dialog. If they said literally anything other than the things they said I would have enjoyed it 100x better. They could have just shouted random names of fruit and I would have cringed a lot less.

Impressive animation and a rather good adaptation overall

[florent-die-849-145875 · 8/10 · 20 February 2017]

This is one of the best manga adaptation I've seen, right after Akira and Ghost in the Shell (Mamoru Oshii's version). Well, that might be a bold statement since Gantz: O doesn't have the depth of these two, but it's a rather good adaptation of a segment of Hiroya Oku's manga, quite entertaining, and very, very well made. The motion capture is impressive, the best I've seen so far in this kind of production and leaves far behind the various declensions of Final Fantasy, Halo, or resident Evil (the animated ones). It's so good that I often had the impression to be watching live actors. The facial expressions are perfect, down to the glittering eyes that gives these animated characters the sparkle of life that's often missing in Asian CGI animation. No doubt this movie will be a reference for future productions of that type. Otherwise, just an advice, don't look away or be distracted in the five last minutes or you might be baffled by what's going on (I had to watch the end twice because someone talked to me at the worst moment and I missed the one sentence that was the key to it all).

Great movie, laughable dialogue.

[nikkiten1979 · 7/10 · 24 February 2017]

Most animé have great great combat scenes, maybe even great visuals due to excellent CGI and maybe some great scenes and story flow... but what is usually lacking is the dialogue, which tends to be lazy and feels like an after-thought.

Gantz:0 had the potential to be an excellent movie, but just like other animé with amazing CGI - it fell flat, over and rolled over into laughing zone. One of the girls just sounds like a mental basket - not sure what they were trying to accomplish with her character.

Overall I liked it... definitely not the best, but the animation alone, combat scenes, story-boarding was excellent.

Amazing action film. If you like Gantz, you'll LOVE this movie.

[franco-km8 · 10/10 · 2 December 2016]

Gantz is one of my favourites ( or probably my favourite) manga ever. I've following Hiroya Oku ( the guy who created Gantz) work for years. When i knew about a new Gantz Film coming this year I was very excited but, at the same time, I didn't think that we could watch this film on theatres in Argentina. Well I was wrong, we could due anifest Latin America. What can I say about Gantz O? The animation is AMAZING. The best that i've seen for a long time. The fights, superb . Oka , "George" and Nobuo , members of the sadistic and cool Osaka team, have the best fights of the movie. The music fits really well. The Osaka mission is know as one of the best of the manga and it was a really clever choice to pick it up and make a movie about it. About Kato, he is the hero in this movie and you'll end loving him. And the aliens... they're bizarre, scary and really violent. Just like in the manga. To sum up, if you have the opportunity, watch it. Yeah, there're some missing characters, but this movie was so good, so entertaining, that you will forget that in seconds.

Completely stupid...but incredible to watch

[Morejambo54 · 7/10 · 13 July 2021]

Honestly the story is actually quite good, obviously it isn't the highlight of the movie. But if it was explored deeper I can imagine it becoming a really amazing story. We all know why you watched the movie though, because of the endless action scenes and stunning visuals. The action scenes are extremely creative without meaning to them, the weapons are inventive and the over the top gore is exhilarating to watch. And the visuals are absolutely the best I've seen on any movie so far. The lightning is dim with focus points that make certain areas stand out. ITS BEAUTIFUL! I don't really care for any of the characters, none of them were that great with the limited character development time but to be fair towards the end there is a certain attachment I felt towards the main characters, I did kind of annoy me how the people had only met that day and already they developed an incredibly strong relationship but whatever. If your looking for something to mindlessly watch, or are just looking to relax...watch this.

What a Breathless Movie!!!

[musardhianto · 9/10 · 17 March 2017]

Honestly, so far this is the best Gantz in screen representation. A great comeback to fix the reputation of Gantz. Far better than 2 Live Action Movies that we've got.

If you are new to Gantz, this will be your animated movie that had thrill, action, noir and horror in balanced setup. Even if you confused of what Gantz and Tokyo team used to be, you still can enjoy the game. Even they skip in (almost) last battle, there are still explanation what this game is all about. Its just complete menu i say.

For animated movie, the colors, graphs, movement, detail, expression and gesture is almost perfect. You can compare it with latest Final Fantasy movie.

I hope they don't stop in this movie. I hope Kurono's run is following after this. Last word, Hold your breath deeply :)

Great surprise

[mrbunny-63135 · 7/10 · 3 January 2021]

Found this hidden gem scrolling Netflix, and was really impressed. Never heard of Gantz, but was left wanting more!

Amazing. Period.

[rtwerk-36870 · 10/10 · 3 March 2017]

I have nothing to add to the other 10 out of 10 reviews for this amazing movie, except to say that the backstory doesn't matter. I don't read Manga and had no idea what this series was about and it didn't diminish my enjoyment at all. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to grasp the premise of the movie. Just sit back and enjoy one heck of a ride. The animation was jaw-dropping and the character development was spot on. I was actually rooting for most of the characters and the monsters were terrifically horrible. This movie was perfection. It's easily one of the 10 best movies I've seen in the last year. Treat yourself.

Now this is action

[ersbel · 25 July 2017]

The problem with Gantz: this is for the ones who already know the backstory. Yet, it was not too bothersome to just guess some of the facts while ignoring the rest. The story itself does not make too much sense, but compared with the action movies the West can produce this one is hyper intelligent.

The good part: it is action. Pure action. Lately I keep watching action movies. I have no idea why. And get bored less than half an hour in the story. Most of the time even faster. With Gantz 0 I had a hard time pausing. The monsters are very creative. The animation is very good.

The ugly: women are still at the emotional level of a mature male who buys manga, meaning somewhere between 6 and 11 with a strong emphasis on sex. I was warned the movie contained sex, yet sex meant silly dependent young women with unusual big breasts that sometimes move (the breasts) who (the women) make what Japanese think when someone says "sexy noise"

Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

Like a certain Video game, Pretty to look at, but painful story

[infoalwaysacritic · 6/10 · 28 February 2017]

Remember that old video game format of beat the boss, but wait - he's back again and this time he's bigger! You know the type: The kind of game that you have to battle the same boss again and again, wondering if this time he's really gone. That's Gantz in a nutshell, only it's a game you'd never want to play because the weapons are illogical, frustrating garbage, and because it would be a real nightmare.

As others have said, the cgi animation is on a different level and is stunning in its execution. Creative camera angles and use of lighting make the environments and characters pop with a distinct style that is reminiscent of the final fantasy movies, only with more demons and a lot more blood; buckets of blood.

The story centres around a young man who dies, only to find himself resurrected in a deadly game where he and others are pitted against demons, given the glimmer of hope that he can be reunited with his brother if he does well. Taking place over the course of only one session of the game, the film does a decent job of introducing the mysterious black ball that bears the name Gantz and the rules of the game. Unfortunately, the game itself becomes more interesting than any of the characters themselves, and the viewer learns quickly not to be attached to most of them in the process.

Despite having a story that is simplistic, it is not that which detracts most from the experience, but the tedious delay with which most elements of the action suffer. The guns used by the players, for example, are not projectile weapons but energy based and have an infuriating delay between firing the weapon and producing any result. Characters stand for long periods of time, pointing, but not using their weapons, at the enemies around them. More than incompetence, the delays seem to be deliberate decisions by the director to increase tension, but these delays instead result in breaking the viewer out of the moment. The heroic and emotional death of one character becomes comedy as he succeeds in killing his opponent, but only seconds after he has already died.

Taking into account the style and visual power Gantz brings to the table, the film comes out ahead as a worthy addition to the Gantz anime family. It's a story that is easy to forget, but an experience that will likely make an impression, even if only for its bizarre renditions of Japanese demons.

A real masterpiece

[verzantgray · 10/10 · 2 March 2017]

Gantz:O It's completely based on Osaka arc (not present in anime, just in Manga), this is one of the best arc of Gantz and one of the most incredible battles ever to come, the film takes a few small liberties just for Putting some characters in a simpler context of comprehension, is an extreme homage to the fans who were not disappointed at all and an excellent inter-training for anyone who has never heard of gantz, since it brings a film with moments of tension and unparalleled quality visual.

gorgeous visuals...and nothing else.

[snuffles-77101 · 3/10 · 19 April 2021]

The only thing that baffles me more than the script are the 10/10 reviews on here. It's a good looking movie, in fact it's an amazing looking movie. But the characters, as in most anime, are completely one note and communicate exclusively through clichés. Most of the dialogue (in the english dub) is characters simply stating what their emotional state is or what their intent is. Everything is just told, nothing is shown. This is either TERRIBLE writing, or TERRIBLE translation. At least 3 of the fights are resolved by a random, not set-up in any way, weapon materialising itself into the scene that Kato must get to to kill the monster. If this creates any tension the first time, it sure as hell doesn't by the third. The forced relationship between Kato and Yamasaki is laughably underwritten, they don't have any kind of meaningful conversation and yet are willing to die for one another after, what, 1 day? Consisting of a couple of exchanges of small talk? Also her just berating him, demanding that they will be together is seemingly played as romantic but just comes off as crazy. He sacrifices his freedom for her as he made her a promise. This is not chivalry. This is stupid. He also promised to return to his brother who he has known for longer than a few hours. Does any of this matter? NOPE. It turns out he can just leave the game anyway and goes home to his brother, completely undercutting his sacrifice and pretty much the entire movie. Why could they just leave? Could they always just leave? Who brought them back from the dead? Why is anyone afraid of death when clearly it's no longer an issue? Where do the monsters come from? What is their motive? What is gantz's motive? Why bring people back to life for this game rather than just give all this advanced weaponry to armed forces to quell the threat? I could go on and on asking questions that this film refuses to answer. Maybe it's in the other materials in the series, but that doesn't excuse it. There's a reason we are forced to see uncle ben and martha/thomas wayne die over and over....it's a quick catch up for anyone unaware of the backstory and/or motives. This needed something like that, if it exists, to give context to whatever the hell is going on. Without context, there are no stakes. Without stakes, there is no tension. Without a competent script, there are 3 star reviews.

Women made of water balloons

[henrijsb · 6/10 · 26 November 2021]

Never watched or heard anything of the series and was pleasantly surprised by this. No unnecessary exposition, just a glimpse of the world and the rules that govern it. Great sci-fi experience with good graphics even 5 years on.

The big minus: The story leaves on an abrupt cliffhanger with no follow-up for almost 6 years at this point.

Oh yeah and women have chests and behinds made of water balloons.. Really?! - 2.5* for this.

Amazing, a must for anime and Gantz fans

[Markjager · 10/10 · 19 February 2017]

Everything fits in this movie, they didn't overreached trying to tell the whole history, the whole manga; they just put a saga and run with it, telling the mechanics of the game on the run. They just missed one minor character from the manga in the Osaka saga, but it's amazing how they give even the minor characters a texture and weight, so you could understand their motives even if you didn't read the manga.

Great visuals and monsters but awful dialogs

[igor2209 · 6/10 · 26 September 2021]

Graphics team did a great job for animation and monster designs. Writers, on the other hand... Dialogs and actions of heroes are so dumb that it ruins the hard work of other people.

Impressive visuals n lots of monster action.

[Fella_shibby · 8/10 · 21 January 2018]

Hav never been a fan of certain Japanese films due to their weird gore n story. Havent read any of their manga. As for the Gantz, without having any exposure to its video game, manga, anime n action films, i was pleasantly surprised n happy to see this movie on a dvd. Imagine the fun on big screen. In one word, Gantz:O is an impressive visual spectacle. The movie is filled with style, awesome action sequences n terrific monster designs. The monsters were good. The editing is top notch n thankfully the hand held cam stuff n quick cut editing is nada n most of the action happens in proper light so you can actually follow what is going on. The characters appeared realistic with their facial expressions n body language. After watching this movie, i have become a fan of the Gantz series n looking forward to its sequels. They hav included one weird scene, a weird old man transforms into a naked woman n then into multiple naked women... after all its a Jap movie.

Great visuals, but horrible writing

[misterexpertgamer · 6/10 · 29 October 2017]

Positives - fight scenes, with sci-fi sword-fighting, and boobs. Negatives - Plot so vague you want to kill yourself.

The pure stupidity in the script is so bad, it's not hilarious, or cringey, it makes you want to jump off the highest building you can find. Our main character is mentally disabled, looks nothing like a 17 year old, has "romance" with a 23 year old, and actively looks for ways to kill himself, even tho he has a sibling to take care of. The dialogue is so retarded, you might just want to disable the subs after the first 20 minutes and then turn it back on at the end, you will save yourself a headache. The plot explains absolutely nothing about the game and it hurts more than helps.

A-freaking-mazing!

[manuelasaez · 9/10 · 15 March 2017]

have been a fan of the manga/anime for years; it's one of the few series that does not rely on the overused tropes in Japanese animation. It is not afraid to tell a depressing story that ends on a sour note, and it does not shy away from killing even the seemingly most important characters. This is an action movie with an anime fan in mind; it starts at 10 and rarely lets up. The animation, the character designs, the motion capture; everything culminates into such a thoroughly engrossing experience, that I did not want to blink in case I might miss something. As a fan of movies, it is impressive. As a fan of anime/manga, it is impressive. As a fan of both, you will be hard pressed to find movies that are this well done and this entertaining from any country, in any genre. One of the best movies I have seen so far this year, it deserves to be seen by anyone who just appreciates a good time. A treat from start to finish, I will be buying it on bluray, I loved it so much.

Great action, TERRIBLE dialogue and writing.

[Neos_back · 6/10 · 27 February 2017]

OK, lets start off by saying I love Gantz... but this, no.

I watched the English dub (bad idea I know) and I was very disappointed.

Animation rocks, great fight scenes and action.

A 17 yr old high school kid goes from zero to hero in 2 hours getting a model/ idol AND a 23 yr old mom to fall in love with him setting up his harem for life. Anzu and Reika are useless and annoying throughout. Suzuki is cannon fodder and the whole thing just gives me a headache. I think my main issue with the film is something literally unforgivable... he chooses to abandon his 10yr old brother to continue chilling with his harem. Im not going to lie, this "reasoning" has probably influenced me as it to this day outrages me.

The Voice Actors for the dub are awful (nothing new there) and I recommend watching this in Japanese with English subs.

Great anime quality, director ship and sticking close to the manga

[seanadams-01573 · 10/10 · 12 July 2017]

Gantz was my first and favourite manga i read, I've watched the TV show and was disappointed it discontinued early in.

after losing hope that Gantz was finished a few years back i stumbled across this movie per chance and could not believe how much effort was put in.

It has truly rekindled my flame for Gantz and would love to throw money for a Gantz:1, Gantz:2, Gantz:3 etc of this quality.

I'd even recommend it for first time viewers not knowledgeable of the manga

good pseudo Game movie, but lacks of content & answers

[divg-57-800054 · 7/10 · 10 December 2018]

The idea is very good, a pseudo action RPG game in real life with uknown creatures. The graphics are good and the monsters are original, very dark. But the most important was that after the movie ended, it left me with lot of questions like, are the points accumulable ? why do the veterans never leave the game ? why the lady and old man were so bad & unskilled if they played before? why the protagonist, cant remember anything if he can leave the room after the end of the mission, why not write notes, etc ?. If the veterans were so good at the game, but in this mission they died, then the game is increasing the difficulty, so in the next mission, the humans will be extincted ? ? My rating is 6.5, but this movie could be very good, I hope if there is a second part, they give some answers.

This is when backstory becomes dreadfully important

[ajknexlang · 5/10 · 25 February 2017]

I was surfing Netflix and came across this title and decided to watch it because the stills looked good and it had a good rating. Should have read the reviews...

The CGI is absolutely incredible, I'm honestly blown away. The industry has always had trouble getting humans right, but that being said the work in this one is just... photo-realistic level. The monsters are absolutely bizarre (reminds me of RIPD a little), beautifully rendered, but bizarre designs. The combat is pretty well done, although they really should have done more of it. And let's not forget the jiggly boobs, because what is anime without them am I right?

Aaannnd that's just about all the good I have to say about it. The plot is inexplicable without the backstory that I'm oblivious to, and the dialogue is atrociously bad. Still a better love story than Twilight.

Impressive monster fighting action

[Tweekums · 7/10 · 25 October 2021]

Mysterious monsters have been attacking in Japan; they are being fought against by equally mysterious people armed with futuristic weapons wearing skin-tight black suits. One day student Masaru Kato is killed trying to protect somebody from a knife attack on the Tokyo underground. He is shocked when he awakens in a room in a high-rise building overlooking the city; there are others present and a strange black sphere. He learns that the sphere, for unknown reasons is known as Gantz and those present have all died and being dispatched to fight monsters by Gantz. They are given a set time and earn points for their contribution. Before he has learnt much more they are teleported to Osaka where they must confront hordes of monsters. As he fights alongside the others of the Tokyo Team, and a girl from the Osaka team, he learns more about the rules of the game and the possibility of returning to his old life... just surviving the game will be a challenge though.

I haven't read the manga but enjoyed the anime series some time ago so thought this should be worth a watch... it is. At first I was a little unsure about the CGI; the characters look so real they risk entering uncanny valley territory. Thankfully it wasn't long before I forgot all about that and got into the story. The plot is fairly basic; once the action moves to Osaka it is almost non-stop monster fighting action. This is done in a way that helps the viewer get to know the key characters, in particular Kato and his desire to help others. The action is pretty intense and quite violent at times; as those familiar with Gantz should expect. The CGI is really impressive; much of what we see looks real. I don't think it is essential to have previous experience of Gantz but it is likely to help a bit as not everything is explained. Overall I'd recommend this to previous fans and anybody who likes intense monster fighting action.

These comments are based on watching the film in Japanese with English subtitles.

I don't really know what the hell just happened.

[photomongo · 8/10 · 26 February 2017]

:this is less of a review and more of just a ramble of what was in my head at the time I finished watching: As I would consider myself more a member of the "uninitiated" as far as anime is concerned, I really don't. I troll Netflix for the occasional anime. If it's available in English, I give it a shot. Many fail to hold my attention, this one did not. If you want a rundown of what it's about, others covered that just fine. But I'm here as someone who doesn't watch anime in it's native language with subtitles because it's "more authentic". Honestly, I'm a bored American who mostly fancies anime in the "ecchi" category for the laughs. I just spent 20 minutes cruising IMDb because I had no idea Gantz had a history. Never heard of it before. I'll admit, I'm still kinda confused. But I was entertained. I actually watched it. Most stuff that I put on Netflix is mostly to occupy the ADD side of my brain while I do something else. Gantz:O had my full attention and I'm gonna say that it's worth yours as well. Unless you're a purist, but this review isn't for you. I will say, I hope they do more of these in the 3DCG in the future. :ramble over: