CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

Thanks go to valdrianth for this timely review. ^^

http://www.christiananime.net/reviews.php?display=228

Hm. I haven't seen the anime in full (only read the manga) but I'm going to guess that those ratings are a bit high. Compared to Ninja Scroll or another thoroughly adult anime, Gantz isn't that bad.

Also, I think that it should perhaps mention how slow the plot moves. The anime covers a relatively small part of the Gantz storyline, and the manga storyline is incredibly slow. There are well over 200 chapters currently, and the plot is very involving, but it only develops occasionally and in small ways.

I have to disagree with UC. From what I saw of the anime, Ninja Scroll levels of violence and nudity are there. Sexual content may not be as bad directly as Ninja Scroll, but some things implied are pretty bad. I suppose it might have tapered off after I quit watching.

Remember this is one that had to be edited to be shown in Japan on TV due to graphic content

Given that I haven't actually seen the anime, I'll step aside for your opinion. Or perhaps I merely need to pursue it and find out if I really disagree with the review once my opinion is informed.

I know that we at CAA want to be able to give people reviews that reflect the Christian Perspective of various anime, but somthing is just pulling at my heart about the nessessity to even have somthing like this in the Database.

I agree that this series maxes out the negative ratings on our charts. But when are we going to stop giving the secular review of anime with only a Christian mention. When is an interesting Plot worth loads of gore, poor language, and blatent sex scenes (that dont even attempt to be ambiguous)?

How can you say it "Isnt that bad?" Even if you are being comparative, there is no such thing as a lesser-bad or a lesser-good. Atleast not in the eyes of God.

I know Im ranting a bit, but seriously; dont even waste your time with this one. (please)

kaji wrote:I agree that this series maxes out the negative ratings on our charts.

After further research on the anime, I am inclined to agree on Violence and Nudity, though I'm not sure if a 10 in Sexual Content is reserved for actual hentai.

kaji wrote:How can you say it "Isnt that bad?" Even if you are being comparative, there is no such thing as a lesser-bad or a lesser-good. Atleast not in the eyes of God.

Would you suggest that instead of ratings from 1 to 10 we simply have a "Yes" or "No" beside each area of content? The purpose of the ratings is to provide a comparative analysis of how graphic the content really is, not to rate them as appropriate or inappropriate. Previously, I was basing my comments off the manga, assuming that the anime would be less graphic as is usually the case. Now I have discovered that is not the case.

However, the truth is that though the manga contains a great deal of content that is highly offensive, it isn't as bad as some other series. That doesn't mean I approve of it, but I do want the ratings in our database to be accurate as opposed to going overboard and giving every other series a 10.

Forgive me if you feel I'm a bit defensive, but let me go back to something you said. "There is no such thing as a lesser-bad or a lesser-good" - I agree with that. In fact, I agree with it totally. Suikoden is on my mind recently because I've been looking at those threads, so I'll use it as an example. On a theological level, I have to condemn that series exactly as much as I would Gantz. Both present sin, which is equal in the eyes of God. If I believed that this made a series wrong in and of itself then I would watch or read nothing whatsoever.

But I don't believe that is the case. I don't think that portraying sin is the same as sin itself. I do think that it can be wrong for an individual if the sexual content is a temptation for them or if they wallow in the violence. It can also be inadvisable if it leads to destructive thought patterns or negative changes in behavior. However, it is not in and of itself wrong. The majority of people wouldn't want to read/watch something like Gantz for legitimate reasons, but I don't think it is good to condemn anyone who may watch the series.

[quote="kaji"]I know Im ranting a bit, but seriously]
In a perhaps futile effort to return to topic, I'll cast my lot in with this statement as well. Even if you feel violence or sexuality aren't problems for you, the series isn't worth your time. From what little I have seen, the pacing is painfully slow, and that combined with the slow plot in the first place makes the series worth nothing.

uc pseudonym wrote:Would you suggest that instead of ratings from 1 to 10 we simply have a "Yes" or "No" beside each area of content? The purpose of the ratings is to provide a comparative analysis of how graphic the content really is, not to rate them as appropriate or inappropriate. Previously, I was basing my comments off the manga, assuming that the anime would be less graphic as is usually the case. Now I have discovered that is not the case.

No, I do not think grading on a black and white scale would acomplish much. But what I do not understand is how the over-all rating of somthing like this can not reflect its various short commings. What I mean is that Gantz was given an 8/10 (a pretty good score) despite being highly offensive in just about every area. That is what was meant when I called the review secular.

Forgive me if you feel I'm a bit defensive, but let me go back to something you said. "There is no such thing as a lesser-bad or a lesser-good" - I agree with that. In fact, I agree with it totally. Suikoden is on my mind recently because I've been looking at those threads, so I'll use it as an example. On a theological level, I have to condemn that series exactly as much as I would Gantz. Both present sin, which is equal in the eyes of God. If I believed that this made a series wrong in and of itself then I would watch or read nothing whatsoever.

No thats ok. Im glad that you replied.
You know, I have been thinking about the same thing. I played through Suikoden 5 a little while ago, and it didnt take long for me to notice the blatant fan-service given in some character models... There were some characters that I completely refused to use because of their cloths (or lack there of). However, while I find this annoying in games, I cant help but think that even though I avoid or ignor it, by me simply buying and playing such a game I am still encouraging such things.

Right, well, you were talking about the theological aspects of the game in relation to Christianity and Im sure you picked this topic because I am famillar with it. Maybe you are on to somthing with this...

But I don't believe that is the case. I don't think that portraying sin is the same as sin itself. I do think that it can be wrong for an individual if the sexual content is a temptation for them or if they wallow in the violence. It can also be inadvisable if it leads to destructive thought patterns or negative changes in behavior. However, it is not in and of itself wrong. The majority of people wouldn't want to read/watch something like Gantz for legitimate reasons, but I don't think it is good to condemn anyone who may watch the series.

I dont think anyone has condemned any other person here so Im not sure where that came from.

But what I think you (and all of us) need to realize is that our actions in areas like this have a farther reaching effect then our own spiritual lives. By buying, watching, or even just downloading somthing like this, you are promoting it. Your choice has a dirrect impact on the people who make the stuff to the team that does the fan-sub, down to the kid whom this may cause to sin...

Yes, it may be possible for your own spiritual life not to be tempted by watching sin, but the problem here is that anime and manga like Gantz dont just make them selves. While they are not sin them selves (I think we all know that), they were created with it and promote it.

By taking part in it we are encouraging the sin of others and that is all of our problems.

kaji wrote:But what I do not understand is how the over-all rating of somthing like this can not reflect its various short commings. What I mean is that Gantz was given an 8/10 (a pretty good score) despite being highly offensive in just about every area. That is what was meant when I called the review secular.

Oh. I apologize]I dont think anyone has condemned any other person here so Im not sure where that came from.[/quote]
Mostly, it was me over-reacting to this:

kaji wrote:How can you say it "Isnt that bad?"

I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who said that and I believe you implied significant moral disapproval in your post.

kaji wrote:But what I think you (and all of us) need to realize is that our actions in areas like this have a farther reaching effect then our own spiritual lives. By buying, watching, or even just downloading somthing like this, you are promoting it. Your choice has a dirrect impact on the people who make the stuff to the team that does the fan-sub, down to the kid whom this may cause to sin...

You make a legitimate point here. Though I try not to support series that I feel present an excessively negative moral standard, I suppose I still do somewhat. I'll have to think more seriously about the ramifications of this.

I'll say that the review was done well it deserves the 10's. It wasn't very discriptive (the review that is) and UC having seen most of ninja scroll and some of gantz i will say Gantz is worse than Ninja scroll Gore wise. I won't go into details. But the plot was a very well done in Gantz just to much crap to make it worth watching.

EDIT: Just a note I am not trying to futher the argument that was going on above this post I was just giving imput and oppions

i dont believe the violence should be rated as a 10 perhaps an 7 or 8, but as far as sexualty and whatnot, that is indeed very high in this anime.

no one under 18 should veiw it

Wow, Ninja Scroll was pretty tame comparably LOL. In fact, I don't think I've seen much media with massive loads of objectionable content in Gantz. Not that I'm opposed to the entire show though.

I might have to finally check this out.

Sheol777 wrote:I might have to finally check this out.

Yeah, if you can get past the content I thought it was a pretty cool show. PM me about it if you want (that goes for anyone, really, I have nothing better to do).