Gasaraki 2 - The Circle Opens

The second volume in the intriguing anime series Gasaraki - A Circle Opens provides three more episodes of mech-battling action. For a full introduction to the series see the review of the first volume Gasaraki 1: The Summoning.

It is early in the 21st century, and the Gowa Instruments Corporation has completed development of the world’s first bipedal weapons platform. Or is it? When the corporation flexes its sizeable political muscle to involve its new Tactical Armour (TA) in a UN action, its high-tech machines find themselves faced-off against an enemy squad of similar mechas. But how can the relatively poor and technologically backward country of Belgistan develop such weapons? It’s becoming increasingly obvious that there is an evil power supporting the Belgistan dictator, but to what end? With a Gowa research team on the ground in Belgistan, and with the Belgistan mechas bearing down on them, this is no time to be asking questions...

Episode 5: The Touching
With the Belgistan mechas fast approaching, there’s no choice but for the Gowa TAs to meet them in battle. However, with no simulation experience against mecha opponents, and with the TAs not holding up well in the sandy environment, it looks likely that the Gowa team will be quickly obliterated. Yoshiro, the youngest brother and kai for the Gowa clan, senses that the pilot of one of the enemy mechas is none other than Miharu, the young girl that he first encountered during his dance of the Gasara-mai. With Miharu momentarily distracted by Yoshiro, the Gowa mechs are able to capture a piece of an enemy machine, and a sandstorm allows them to make good their escape.

Episode 6: The Puppet
An evil organisation known as ‘Symbol’ is revealed as the money and machines behind the Belgistan dictatorship. Seeking to hide their involvement in the conflict, they assassinate their puppet and institute a coup. With the new Belgistan leadership petitioning for a ceasefire, it’s time to think about evacuating the Gowa TAs before the Americans can get their hands on them. But Yoshiro has disappeared - traveling deep into Belgistan in an attempt to meet the mysterious Miharu face-to-face. Will Yoshiro be caught in a Symbol trap, or can his comrades race to his rescue?

Episode 7: Return
As the TA squad readies itself for return to Japan, the Gowa Corporation fights to keep their technological secrets and captured enemy samples. With Symbol seeking the retrieval of the captured specimens at all costs, strings are pulled with the American administration to try and stop their departure. But when the Americans fail to stop the Japanese departure, warplanes from neighbouring Armekistan are dispatched to make sure the samples never reach Gowa.

A continuation of what is fast becoming an enthralling anime series, this second volume, whilst not answering many of the questions posed in the first volume, makes good on the series’ promise of fast-paced mecha action. While episodes 5-7 pose new questions about the role of the mysterious Symbol, and their opposition to the Gowa Instruments Corporation, we are also fed small titbits concerning the Gasai-mai and the unspeakable terror that it may unleash. With the series being so well written, it’s still possible for it to go absolutely anywhere from here. It is even possible that it may eventually fall into cliché and genre-predictability, but somehow I doubt it. With the political intrigue deepening, I’m eagerly awaiting the next couple of installments.

In terms of animation, episodes 5-7 of Gasaraki continue the high standard that was set by the earlier episodes. There’s the odd panning still to be found, but in general the high quality animation supports the great character and mechanical design. In terms of the DVD transfer, Madman also continue the quality we saw in the first volume, with this full-frame presentation providing a sharp and detailed image throughout. The same muted palette is back and it's complemented by deep blacks and bright, clean whites. There are no problems with the source material, with only one or two white flecks to be seen throughout, and only a very minor amount of aliasing has been introduced. Produced at a reduced frame rate, Gasaraki does suffer from interlacing, and there are several compression-related artefacts to be seen. Specifically there’s a small amount of pixelation in the backgrounds of some scenes, and there's also the odd instance of slight posterisation. However, overall these problems aren't particularly noticeable, and this second volume of Gasaraki looks as impressive as the first.

Continuing the impressive soundtrack that was a standout from the first volume, this second disc in the series provides a satisfactory English dub in addition to the series’ original Japanese. Both being two channel Dolby Digital mixes, they sound about as good as Prologic can sound; although the absence of the noh performances seen in episodes 1-4 does render this volume a poor second to the first. Whilst the dialogue remains clear and distinct from the centre channel, the surround channel is utilised extensively to carry the score and to fill out the sounds of the vehicles and their many weapons - elements that really hit top gear in these episodes. Like the surround channel, the subwoofer is also used extensively, adding tension to the score and really opening up during the battle scenes. As in the original volume, the English language aspects of the disc are handled well, with the return of the capable cast of English voice actors, and the characteristic Madman subtitles clear and easy to read. All in all, this second installment of Gasaraki continues with the great audio presentation that we were introduced to in the first installment.

Sporting subtly animated blue-on-blue menus, disc two in the Gasaraki series provides a number of extras that are all very similar to those provided with the first volume.

• Episode Production Sheets: 14 pages of information on the vehicles and a selection of supporting characters that appear in these three episodes.

• J.S.S.D.F Profiles: Eleven pages of text giving an introduction to the members of Yoshiro’s TA squad of the J.S.S.D.F (Japan Special Self Defence Force) and the tactical part that member plays in the operation or support of the TAs

• Glossary: Three pages defining special terminology that is peculiar to these episodes.

• ADV Trailers: Exactly the same as those presented in the first volume, we get trailers for Gasaraki and three other ADV series' - Neon Genesis Evangelion, Martian Successor Nadesico and Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040.

Whilst the first four episodes of Garasaki focused on establishing the main characters and the mystical subplot involving the Gasai-mai, episodes 5-7 leave the more esoteric aspects of the plot behind, and concentrate squarely on battling mechas. Whilst the political subterfuge continues, the action comes think and fast, and there are hints of impending disaster. I must say I'm riveted, and can’t wait for the next installment! With this series fast becoming one of my favourites, it is certainly highly recommended for all you anime fans out there.