Gatchaman Crowds [rating=3]

A secret war rages in the shadows of Tachikawa City, where every day its unsuspecting citizens fall prey to the unseen and unfamiliar foes around them. With the citizens powerless to stop their erratic and indefensible attacks, a new kind of hero emerges to push back the encroaching darkness: enter the Gatchaman! Gifted with alien technology the likes of which the world has never seen, and imbued with a much needed jolt of whimsy and adventure from its latest oddball recruit, Hajime Ichinose, the Gatchaman’s mission is to protect in secret, to defend unnoticed.

Meanwhile, a new online sensation is exploding within the city: Rui Ninomiya’s massive social networking hub known as GALAX is taking hold of the populace, turning every day “GALAXters” into heroes in the making. Unfortunately, a new yet familiar foe known only as Berg Katze sees an opportunity to create chaos in the streets, coercing the techno-prodigy Rui with thoughts of social justice while secretly bending the GALAX Network to his will! Unable to understand his motives, the Gatchaman will have to rely on their energetic new member to figure out the puzzle laid bare by the former Gatchaman as his army grows stronger by the minute.
The synopsis really gets a handle on the anime, so with the basic plotline covered I’ll cut right to the review. I watched this in one night, once I was done I checked the synopsis and discovered it was a reboot. I didn’t watch the original, nor am I going to attempt to compare the two.
I am not a fan of Mecha and these Gatchamen wielding alien technology almost turned me off the whole anime, but as I watched on the plot got to me. Then the action hooked me second.

The way the plot progresses, I didn’t notice any plot twists, although I was expecting some which never turned up. Slightly refreshing not being able to predict an Anime’s plot twists.
I’m giving Gatchaman Crowds a full star on plot alone.

The characters were the same character’s you’d find in any Anime, our heroine however was the very definition of an enigma, breaking the mould of everything on whim.
The character progression led more to be desired however, all in all I’ll give them a half star for it.
The animation is clear and crisp, like a lot of anime coming out now, the style is colourful and strong. There aren’t many dark tones to it as it isn’t really a dark anime, so it is keeping with the tone of it all. I’d give it a full mark for being consistent with the anime.

The fight scenes were good, but there weren’t many of them.
It seemed to lack the fierce energy to fight anything that moved in some anime.
It was disappointing but the plot and storyline really did make up for it. I wasn’t waiting on the edge of my seat for a fight, I was on the edge for the plot. The fighting was good when it happened but it wasn’t the focus of the anime. I’d give it a half star.

Finally the extras were the theme songs textless and trailers.
I’d award another half for the extras, there were some but there could be more in them.
I like extras on a disc.

Overall a 3 star Anime, definitely worth a watch.
Gatchaman Crowds comes out on the 27th of April

About the Author

Thomas Jones

Cartoons were a leading part to my every day life as a child. When I reached about 14 I realised that the cartoons I was actually watching were Anime, and the world of the Otaku was thrust upon me. I like Anime and Manga such as Fullmetal Alchemist, DRRR!!, Bleach, and a lot more.

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