Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 12 (Completed)

With the vast majority of the cast's major characters killed, maimed or dismembered by Yomi during the course of the series, it probably isn't too surprising to find that the grand finale of Ga-Rei -Zero- is all about Yomi versus Kagura... Although Noriyuki does put in an appearance despite being wracked by guilt over various things.


I mentioned in the last episode how what looked likely to be a long and massive battle turned out to be something of the more short, sharp variety, and this final episode of the series takes a similar approach - Rather than going on and on with an epic battle sequence, fighting is limited to relatively short, spectacular, high intensity skirmishes - And it works, there's no doubt about it. Ga-Rei -Zero- has frequently managed to put out some of the most spectacular action sequences I've seen in anime this year, and this big climax doesn't disappoint with plenty of moments that are simply a breath-taking mixture of speed, beauty and violence. Oh, and Kagura has a sword that can also fire bullets, a weapon that could only be made cooler if it also shot shurikens and lighting. While on fire.

Aside from pure unadulterated violoence, this final battle also has an emotional aspect to it of course, and this is handled well enough, albeit in an arguably cliched fashion of the kind we've seen before in everything from the Transformers TV series upwards. Still, I suppose if it isn't broken you shouldn't try to fix it, and I can't begrudge this series writers for finishing the show in the way they have, even opting to jump a couple of years in the future to show us how everything turns out (what have you done to your hair, Kagura? Change it back!).

In closing then, as far as I'm concerned Ga-Rei -Zero- is quite possibly the best action-oriented anime I've watched in 2008. Perhaps its biggest down-side was the slightly ponderous mid-section, but even this was watchable and helped to build the back story well enough, and to be honest considering the beginning and ending handful of episodes frequently kicked so much backside that my jaw hit the floor and carried on through several storeys below in awe, then I can forgive it such foibles. In fact, I can forgive it one Hell of a lot, because whenever Ga-Rei -Zero- broke out the swords and killer suitcases it was simply wonderful - Ridiculously violent, but delivered with almost balletic poise and grace that meant you simply couldn't tear your eyes away from the screen. There's certainly room for more of the Ga-Rei franchise in anime form, and I for one am hoping that this series was a significant enough success to encourage its production.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 11

The last episode of Ga-Rei -Zero- brought us back around to pretty much where we'd left the "present day" story in episode two (albeit with extra colour to fit in with all the back story we'd been taken through), with one major little addition to the end - The introduction of Kagura's father as Yomi's next heavyweight opponent.

With this in mind, I was rather expecting a humongous, drawn-out battle between these extremely skilful fighters, but in fact this particular battle turned out to be intense but brief, with Kagura's indecision when presented an opportunity to finish Yomi off (although to be honest it probably wasn't worth much given her near-immortal status) causing her father to be mortally wounded, and allowing Yomi to escape.


From here on in, the action comes thick and fast, but not quite as thick and fast as the bloodshed - Yes, that's right, once again Ga-Rei -Zero- is delighting in killing off or badly injuring as many major characters as possible - You've got to admit they do it with style though. Meanwhile, Kagura tends to her father's bedside, in the knowledge that her part in this saga isn't yet over, and that she still needs to decide which path she's going to travel...

There's always a danger with a series such as this that it will become a case of style over substance, and Ga-Rei -Zero- certainly has the former in spades - The character designs, the weaponary, the fighting may all be in familiar territory to the average anime fan, but that doesn't make them any less awesome, and when even the whelchair-bound former boss of Yomi comes out fighting with both style and grace you can't help but be impressed. Even with all of this going on however, there's still a quiet focus on the emotional aspects of the series' major stories - It isn't in your face, and it isn't anything like as explicitly clear as the death and mayhem, but it's certainly there as a subtle undercurrent that runs through the series.

In short then, Ga-Rei -Zero- continues to be hugely impressive as an action-oriented vehicle, while still carrying enough in the way of strong characters to edge just slightly beyond being a mere hack 'n' slash anime. It's gory and violent to the extreme, yet never feels like it's stepped over the bounds into being overly gratuitous, and you leave each episode that focuses on the action feeling like you've just stepped off a rollercoaster - Which is exactly how a series like this is supposed to work.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 10

After Yomi's transformation into... well, whatever she is now thanks to the Death Stone, and her disappearance from hospital, we more or less come full circle back to the events that we saw right at the beginning of Ga-Rei -Zero-.

While some of the major (or should I say, cooler) scenes are simply shown once again here, this is no straightforward recap episode - Now that we know all of the missing holes in the picture, we get to see exactly what Yomi has been up to in no uncertain terms (well, apart from when the censors get a hold of the picture that is), not least mentally torturing Noriyuki (who we learn has been working hard to find out who attacked Yomi) while physically torturing Kazuki.


We do get a brief glimpse of the tears of what might be the real Yomi before she turns her attentions to Kagura, bringing episode ten to a close in a similar position to episode two, with Kagura captured and Yomi about to deliver a lethal blow upon her - Except that she isn't the last line of defence just yet...

Given the use of what could be called recycled material in this episode, I wondered if it would all get a bit tired, but even the exact same scenes we saw at the start of this series still kick an almight amount of backside, and the whole thing is even more tense and the torture scenes harder to watch now that we know the whole back story to the show. With an ending that promises some more spectacular action and difficult decisions for both Kagura and Noriyuki, I absolutely can't wait to see what the next instalment of this series can serve now it's back to what it's proved it can do best.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 9

I'm really starting to think that Ga-Rei -Zero- should actually have been called Major Characters That Survive -Zero-, so high has the body count of this series been thus far. Last episode added Mei (for a second time, which has to be pretty bad luck) to the list, which seemed to be closely followed by poor old Yomi.

Except Yomi didn't die, nor was she implanted with the Death Stone that cursed Mei. Instead, she was left with terrible injuries which put her into a coma for two months and left her all but paralysed, blinded in one eye and unable to speak. However, it seemed to be the emotional pain which caused Yomi the most distress, as Noriyuki calls off his engagement to her (under pressure from his father), her colleagues hold her responsible for Mei's death (well, they're not wrong on that count to be fair), and eventually even Kagura who continues to dote on her "sister" has some moments of doubt. It's then, at that lowest ebb, that the kid that's been parading around with the Death Stone strikes, curing Yomi physically but leaving her with the same curse that racked Mei.


I'll be the first to admit that this was a rather slow-paced episode of Ga-Rei -Zero-, which kept much of its focus on the immediate emotional fallout of Yomi's fate rather than the more practical aspects. This may seem a little languid and luxurious, but the more you think about it the more sensible this focus seems, as the viewer needed to be taken on a journey from the Yomi that loved Noriyuki, Kagura, and indeed everyone around her into the Yomi who, while still feeling guilty about many things, doubtless also found hatred building up inside her due to the way she had been abandoned to varying degrees by those who she considered close to her. This kind of drawn-out exposition of that fact might not suit everyone, but for me it made for a pretty good episode in its own right, and if you are itching for some more action then surely now we must be at a point where all Hell will break loose and we'll loop back around to where we started this series. Much as I enjoyed this quietly upsetting interlude, I can't wait to get back to the real crux of the matter.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 8

Well, this series really has no qualms about upping its body count of major characters does it? After showing us the death of Yomi's adopted father last episode, the fallout from this shock brings us some further casualties this time around.

However, before all that the massive shake-up to Yomi's family's affairs sees things predictability turned around by Mei and her father, leaving them to head up the family and forcing Kagura out of the house while Yomi (who should have been the heir to the family's powers) is even stripped of her sword Shishiou.


Of course, what Yomi doesn't realise at this point is that Mei is still being controlled by the mastermind of all the recent chaos, and even when Mei's true mind tries to fight against this controlling force she simply can't break free (it must be kind of tricky when you're dead anyway, I suppose). However, this comes to light soon enough, treating to an epico battle between Mei and Yomi which leads to more shocks, and brings us closer to the situation we were greeted with at the start of this series.

While the layout of this series' scripting made it somewhat obvious where this particular episode was going to head, it still did a good enough job of showing it to us, and indeed no matter how many times major characters get subjected to a bit of the old ultra-violence it somehow never fails to shock and leave you open-mouthed. This episode managed to do this on two occasions in quick succession, with some great, stylish fighting sequences once again to make up for that slower (if equally brutal in a more psychological fashion) paced opening half to the episode. When all is said and done then, Ga-Rei -Zero- remains a winner in my book, continuing to ooze a certain cool factor while still delivering an interesting storyline.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 7

It's probably fair to say that episode six of Ga-Rei -Zero- didn't exactly offer much joy and happiness for Kagura, as she found herself having to kill the school nurse who had been overtaken by demons right in front of her only two real friends at school. Mind you, at least she came out of the ordeal physically unscathed, which is more than could be said for Mei...

With everything that went on in the second half of that last instalment, episode seven was only ever going to be a continuation of those trials and tribulations, and that's exactly what we get here. Largely, episode seven focuses on Kagura as she tries to come to terms with what she had to do, as well as how her friends have reacted to the revelations about who she really is, issues which have a wider impact on whether she really wants to inherit the powers passed down through generations of her family at all.


By the end of the episode all seems well, as her friends eventually come to accept her and what she is, although doubts still linger in her own mind no doubt. However, all of this becomes of secondary importance as she arrives home to find her uncle (and Yomi's adopted father) murdered. Unlike Yomi and Kagura, we know who the culprit is, with Mei having seemingly risen from the dead at the start of the episode before behaving oddly throughout the rest of this episode...

While there's nothing spectacular per se about this episode or the way it deals with the issues it portrays, the overall tone and feeling of this instalment works pretty well - Kagura has quickly become the centrepiece of this series, making the focus on her emotions after a harrowing time naturally important to the story (and her constant tears actually made me feel a little glassy-eyed myself, so I guess that proves that her characterisation in this series has worked pretty well), while the whole incident with Mei has been made blatantly obvious to the viewer, which equally makes it clear where the next episode will most likely be heading. While Ga-Rei -Zero- will probably never live up to those rip-roaring first two episodes, I still have to take my hat off to it for continuing to be what I'd class a good series, that has managed to move away from those action-packed roots pretty capably to create a series that I find myself anxiously waiting for the next episode of each time.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 6

It would be grossly unfair to label Ga-Rei -Zero-'s fifth episode as filler given that it did introduce some important new elements to the show's story, but beyond those disclosures it did give off a certain filler-esque feel to it. Thank goodness then that episode six is perhaps the closest we've been to returning to those high octane opening two episodes.

Indeed, this latest instalment begins with action right from the off, with Kagura and Yomi sent to despatch a particularly tricky supernatural entity. The action if fast, classy and well animated, so you can't help but to enjoy it for the few minutes it lasts.


As the episode progresses, we see a chain of events building while also paying more attention to both Yomi and Kagura's relationship, as well as (more importantly) their individual relationships with their families and how it pertains to their "work" in the supernatural field. Said chain of events builds up to a head as category C spirits start popping up left, right and centre, leaving everyone involved having to work hard, but putting Kagura in particular into an extremely traumatic situation.

Having been drawn into Ga-Rei -Zero- on account of its action-packed beginnings, it probably goes without saying that this episode was a welcome return to that kind of focus which still managed to keep the more human, emotional angle of the show intact and working well at the same time. There's simply something about this series that oozes cool, and even when it hits upon moments of blatant and gratuitous fan service (two schoolgirls in swimsuits trapped in a locker together, bodies writhing against one another... ahem) I can somehow forgive it. With Yomi and Kagura clearly the focus of the story, their own personalities and relationship are a vital part of the series working well, and thankfully they manage to do just that, being in turns vulnerable and decidedly normal girls when they aren't kicking spirit ass. Add all of that to the production values of the series, which seems to be remaining top notch so far, and Ga-Rei -Zero- really hasn't gone far wrong at all with its treatment so far - Long may it continue.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 5

Ga-Rei -Zero- continues to defy those rip-roaring opening two episodes by carrying on along the path its chosen ever since, although in episode five the focus of the story becomes far less about Yomi and Kagura, instead concentrating on the rather strained relationship between Yomi and Nori.


Although this particular couple are engaged as part of an arranged marriage between two powerful families, things really aren't going to so well on several levels - For one, Yomi and Nori are at each other's throats most of the time, and secondly we also see some in-family turmoil at the choice of an adopted child to take on this particular mantle, especially when there's actually a daughter who is related by blood to accept the role. Indeed, said daughter Mei seems rather keen to take this position within the family no matter what, refusing to fight Yomi's arranged marriage under the auspices of the fact that "she'll probably be killed sooner or later anyhow" - An ominous foreboding for the coming episodes perhaps?

Beyond laying out those details, I can't help but shake the feeling that this particular episode of Ga-Rei -Zero- felt a little like filler, taking a very light-hearted approach to both displaying and rectifying Yomi and Nori's problems with one another. While it did have its amusing moments, and there's something about Kagura that never ceases to be adorable, it really didn't work quite so well for me as the past couple of episodes in terms of the interplay between the characters it depicted.

Still, with those incredible opening episodes in mind, and the fact that the past couple of instalments have been really pretty decent at what they set out to do, I can't be too harsh on this episode at all - Overall, the series still counts as a positive in my book, and thus I remain as keen as mustard to see in what vein it continues.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 4

It's almost ironic that the relatively sedate pace of Ga-Rei -Zero-'s third episode proved to be rather shocking, after the action-packed, character killing bloodbath that was the first two instalments. If you're looking for a return to that hour of insanity however, you'll probably be disappointed in episode four.


We pretty much continue where we left off last time here, with the episode as a whole once again focusing on Kagura and Yomi's relationship, with some little asides surrounding Kagura's father thrown in for good measure. This episode also tries to inject a hefty dose of humour into proceedings, with varying results - A crazy, almost naked anti-evil weapon manufacturer wandering around really didn't work for me, but then again some of his creations did raise a smile... In this educated time we shouldn't laugh at the anti-evil iron for women I'm sure, but the anti-evil boiler? Considering my own boiler here seems to be playing up a little today, perhaps I should invest in one myself...

Anyway, I have to confess that it's almost hard to come to terms with this series change of pace after those frenetic first two episodes, but I say "almost" because I still really am enjoying this series - The animation remains largely gorgeous (aforementioned almost naked guy aside), and both Kagura and Yomi are eminently watchable no matter what angle you look at them from... I'm talking in personality terms, you perverts! Add to that some pretty cool supporting characters, and occasional action sequences that manage to remain quite stylish even though they're nothing new particularly, spice it up with a dash of not knowing what this series will throw at us next, and it remains a definite winner in my book.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 3

After two episodes of blood, guts and death aplenty, I suppose it was inevitable that Ga-Rei -Zero- wouldn't be able to keep up that kind of pace indefinitely, and thus episode three of the series takes on a far, fare more sedate pace.

The principle of this episode is simple - After seeing Kagura and Yomi clashing, and the former fighting for her life, last time around, this episode is a beginning to end flashback explaining the relationship the two have, and how they came to become "sisters". No doubt this is going to be some kind of precursor to see how Yomi has fallen from these close bonds to her current state, whatever that may be.


The non-stop action may have been missing from this episode, but this series continues to be incredibly visually appealing, with some great animation and pretty decent character designs to boot. While it's a bit difficult to adjust to this huge change in pace after such a rip-roaring start, hopefully the picture built up by this episode will come in handy as the series progresses - After all, they can't kill off a whole bundle of characters every week, can they? Perhaps the most exciting thing about this series is that once again I can't really figure out where the next episode will take us, or what it'll show us, which is very refreshing after having watched so many utterly predictable series that fell into the same old rut in recent months. While this episode has all but confirmed Kagura's survival despite what we saw in episode two, I wouldn't want to place any bets regarding episode four's contents - All I know is that I can't wait to find out, which cements Ga-Rei -Zero- as one of this season's best from what I've seen so far in my mind.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 2

The first episode of Ga-Rei -Zero- entertained me with its no nonsense blend of stylish action, then confounded me by seemingly killing off the entirety of what were shaping up to be the main cast in the matter of a minute at the end of the episode. So where on Earth can it go from here?

Hmm, how about a Humvee, spiritual ferrets that can turn into energy blasts, massive shotguns, briefcases backed with machine guns, zombies, and schoolgirls wielding huge swords? Yep, that's exactly where Ga-Rei -Zero- has gone, and to put it bluntly it just oozes awesome.


Aside from all that, we get introduced to a little politics in this series - Last episode, we followed the Supernatural Disaster Prevention Agency, whereas this time around we become familiar with the Ministry of the Environment's Supernatural Disaster Countermeasures Division, which is where our Humvee-sporting new band of heroes come from. After staving off a Category B monster, things ramp up a notch when a Category A element enters the fray... The trouble is, it's Yomi; one of their former colleagues and close friend (and then some) of Kagura, one of those aforementioned schoolgrils with swords.

If you've ever wondered how to make a non-stop, all action anime, then sit up and pay attention, for Ga-Rei -Zero- is well and truly it. Although we do get some quieter moments to firm up the plot, these are few and far between compared to the almost relentless action, all of which is carried out with both blood and guts with plenty of style to match. If it's your kind of thing, then it's really both engrossing and stunning to watch, with some very nice animation to back up the crazy supernatural fighting.

There's no need for deep thought or analysis here, I'm loving this series so far. A lot. It shows no signs of becoming too deep or highbrow, but as pure entertainment with a very definite laddish "cool factor", I don't think it'll be beaten this season... No, I don't actually think it'll be beaten this year on its current showing.

Ga-Rei -Zero- - Episode 1

Last season gave us Ryoko's Supernatural Case File, and now this season has dragged us into another world of the supernatural, this time courtesy of Ga-Rei -Zero- and it's Supernatural Disaster Prevention Agency. Although to be honest, judging by this episode they seem to be entirely rubbish at actually preventing supernatural disasters, only turning up after said disasters have occurred.

I'd normally delve a little deeper into the series' premise and plot at this point, but a. I really don't have much of a clue what's going on and b. It doesn't really matter anyway. Never mind the subtleties of human emotion or any of that nonsense, the focus of this first episode is clear - Fire, guns, floods, bikes, big explosions, and blood and guts aplenty (when the censors haven't gotten their filthy mitts on it that is). Hell, there isn't even any point discussing the merits of the main characters, because they all die at the end anyway. Yes, that's right, everybody dies in the first episode, which is either going to make episode two a work of genius or very, very boring.


There are some anime series that you can discuss on a cerebral level, but with others you just have to go with your gut instinct, and Ga-Rei -Zero-'s opening instalment is just such an occasion - There really isn't a lot to think about here, you either think it's a great, action-packed episode or you don't like it. Personally, my opinion sits in the former camp - Yes, it's daft beyond belief, but that's kind of the point, and once you've realised that this isn't a show to take too seriously you can just sit back and enjoy the ride. What a ride it is too, with a maelstrom of death and destruction that seems to have no interest in sparing anybody, such is its brutality.

It's rather hard to make any judgement on this series considering the entire cast of main characters got killed in two minutes flat, so I can only assume that episode two will somehow bring us something totally different. As long as it isn't some kind of deus ex machina regarding immortality, then I'm hooked already, and quite frankly I can't wait to see where this series is going.