Watching the way some series bounce between distributors can be amusing when you have a few years under your belt and one of those shows is Gantz. Originally distributed and dubbed by ADV Films, the series ended up at Funimation while future CG works ended up on Netflix. The original series is one that still holds appeal and we’re taking a dip back in time nearly 15 years today to listen to some early dub era material with five clips.
Originally airing in 2004, the series was directed by Ichiro Itano based on the series composition by Masashi Sogo. It’s based n the manga by Hiroya Oku and had character designs by Naoyuki Onda with animation production from Gonzo.
The Japanese cast includes Daisuke Namikawa as Kei Kurono, Hitomi Nabatame as Kei Kishimoto, Hiroshi Kamiya as Masanobu Hojou, Masashi Oosato as Masaru Kato, Mie Sonozaki as Sei Sakuraoka and Mitsuaki Madono as Hajime Muroto.
The English cast includes Chris Ayres as Kei Kurono, Shannon Emerick as Kei Kishimoto, Emily Carter-Essex as Yoshino Uehara, Illich Guardiola as Masaru Kato, John Gremillion as Ryuji Kajiura, John Swasey as Naozumi Saito, Kelly Manison as Sei Sakuraoka, Kira Vincent-Davis as Sadayo Suzumura and Xero Reynolds as Masanobu Hojo.
The series was originally released in North America by ADV Films before Funimation acquired it and released it on DVD. A CG feature film was produced in 2016 for Netflix.
Plot Concept: If you are chosen by the bizarre black sphere known as the Gantz, you are already dead—yet you might be able to reclaim your mortality. First, the Gantz demands that you undertake brutal missions of madness, killing aliens hidden among the population. It is your only chance and you have no choice. You must play this disturbing game. And if you die again—and you likely will—it’s permanent.
