Series synopsis
GANTZ, also known as ガンツ is a Japanese animation action & adventure sci-fi & fantasy drama television series that premiered on Fuji TV on April 13, 2004. It ended on November 18, 2004. It stars Daisuke Namikawa, Hitomi Nabatame, Masashi Oosato and Masahito Yabe.
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.
Premise
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.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Daisuke Namikawa as Kei Kurono (voice)
- Hitomi Nabatame as Kei Kishimoto (voice)
- Masashi Oosato as Masaru Kato (voice)
- Masahito Yabe as Jouichiro Nishi (voice)
- Hiroshi Kamiya as Masanobu Hojou (voice)
Guest cast
- Mie Sonozaki as Sei Sakuraoka (voice)
- Chiaki Takahashi
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 27 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 3 | December 21, 2004 | December 23, 2004 |
| Season 1 | 11 | April 13, 2004 | June 22, 2004 |
| Season 2 | 13 | August 26, 2004 | November 18, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
They Aren't Human The Gantz opens, revealing unusual weaponry and odd suits. The strangers are sent into the city, ordered to kill an alien that roams the streets - and then the carnage begins. |
December 21, 2004 |
| 2 |
Kei, You're Awesome! With the small alien dead, the large alien exacts his revenge, slaughtering many with the group. When the creature pursues Kei, the young man quickly discovers that his physical abilities are enhanced by the suit he wears. |
December 21, 2004 |
| 3 |
Yuzo? Without his suit, Kei finds himself in serious jeopardy when he captures the attention of the Suzuki alien. Nishi ends up in even graver danger when his suit malfunctions at the worst possible time. |
December 23, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
It's the Beginning of a Brand New Day After Kei and his childhood friend, Kato, are torn into bloody pieces by a speeding train, they awake in an unfamiliar room, surrounded by strangers. In the middle of the room is a bizarre black sphere: the Gantz. |
April 13, 2004 |
| 2 | Episode 2 | April 20, 2004 |
| 3 |
OK, Here Are Your Scores The scores are tallied and Nishi explains some of what he knows about the rules of the strange world of the Gantz. The unusual situation grows even odder the next day when Kei wakes—and finds that this nightmare is no dream. |
April 27, 2004 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Goodbye Change is in the air for the players of the deadly game. Fed up with his aunt, Kato finds a new place to live with his little brother. Meanwhile, Kei’s attitude pushes Kishimoto away, and Tetsu’s life spirals brutally out of control. |
August 26, 2004 |
| 2 |
I Wanna Be There Now! The Gantz calls the players for another round. Among the new faces gathered before the sphere: a television evangelist that thinks he has all the answers and a girl who seems willing to give Kei the attention he seeks. |
September 2, 2004 |
| 3 |
I'll Do It! When Kato shares what he knows in an effort to help the new players, the evangelist begins to think something sinister is afoot. The holy man learns just how correct he is as the game’s new targets make their presence known. |
September 9, 2004 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Fuji TV |
|---|---|
| First aired | April 13, 2004 |
| Last aired | November 18, 2004 |
| Runtime | 25 minutes |
| Status | Ended |