Gate Keepers

Even though other reviewers of this before me already explained what this show is all about, I'll attempt to do the same myself, but in my own way and differently. It originated as a Playstation video game, which led to the manga, which led to the anime. It's essentially about some high school students who lead secretive, double lives as agents for an organization that works to protect citizens from what are known as Invaders, which can be described as aliens in earthlings' clothing. These aliens take control over or possess earthlings and the agents, known as the titular Gate Keepers, have their own, individual special powers and attacks, which they use to create and open up these extraordinary gates to entrap, and destroy the Invaders. Interestingly enough, the show's setting, which is in 1969 and 1970, is fitting, since coincidentally, the '70s were the decade when the mecha anime, as well as the super robot and real robot anime would begin to take off, and mechanics is one of the cross-genres of this show.

In addition to this, this series contains an array of subject matters, such as, in one episode, the controversy of an arranged marriage. Many of the characters are great. I think the favorite for me would be Reiko Asagiri. I love the episode that centered on her in which she has a hard time trying to find out just how she fits in with the team and how she contributes. But later, she proves she is a useful member after all. That's just one of the positive messages contained in the series. But again, many of the others are fine. Another reason why I consider this to be worth watching is that it's one of those shows that have enough good moments to keep one involved or engaged. Despite this being among the anime that feature characters with large eyes that some may have issues with, the characters are still well-designed in every other way, at least. The backgrounds and layouts are well-designed, too. This is mainly 2D animated, but there's also some use of CGI, as is with some of the robots and vehicles used, which seem fine. The music is alright, but keeping the original, Japanese-sung theme song as is in the English dub is a nice touch. Speaking of the English dub, the voice acting in this sounds well done enough. I haven't heard the original, Japanese dub yet, but I plan to do so eventually. Aside from mecha, there's also comedy, drama, sci-fi, adventure, and harem, so since there's something for everybody, it will appeal to anybody who likes any of those. One of the reasons I decided to check out this, is because I'm trying to get into more shows featuring robots, that's the case for me. It's enjoyable enough for me, for the most part. However, I, too, wish that it ran longer and think it should have. I wouldn't have been ready for it to come to an end just yet, I really would've been happier and more satisfied if it had hit the syndication level of running. For one, I would've liked to have seen Baruko Ogawa (,a girl who for most of her appearances, was a recurring gag for her Marilyn Maneuver moments,) in action more, when it's later revealed that she, too, is an A.E.G.I.S. agent and I thought the viewers would've got to see her involved in that more, so all of that came as a surprise.

Another thing I meant to mention is one of the differences between the anime and the video game. A character named Francine Allumange, an agent from the French-branch of A.E.G.I.S., is a video game-exclusive character. Anybody who is a fan of her may be disappointed she's not featured in the anime, but there's still plenty else to compensate for that. I'll recommend this, nonetheless, because it's full of so much fun.

I saw this series at one of the Toronto anime clubs and found it pretty cool. It takes place in the Japan of the 1960s when the economy was booming and the future looked so bright. Unknown to the world's general population Earth has been invaded by aliens who can take human form. To combat this menace is an international secret agency called A.E.G.I.S. (Alien Exterminating Global Intercept System). One of their hidden bases is under Tategami High School. Their special agents have the "Gate" power, the ability to open a doorway to another dimension to gain a super ability. One of them is high school girl Ruriko who has the the unfortunate nickname of Rurippe which means runny-nose. The story generally has a monster-of-the-week and we usually see something that was very new in the 1960s like the bullet train in each episode. Ruri is the star of the show but we pick up new team members as the series progresses. The series is good because the writers take the time to explore the background of the various individuals involved. There is even one episode where we learn the sad story about one of the Invaders.

Nice character designs. Interesting concept. If you like super-spies and super-gadgets it is definitely worth checking out.

Is Gatekeepers fine art? Hardly. Is it entertaining enough to check out, definitely for those who have a sense of humor.

Basically this series follows a rather large group of teenagers with the ability to call forth energy for another dimension, called a Gate Ability.

Of course given a team of teenage heroes you need a villain to create chaos. In this case they are Invaders, a rather engimatic life form whose nature is a mystery beyond that they take the forms of normal humans until they are called forth to attack Tokyo (Of course, didn't everyone know that the city radiates an energy that attracts all forms of aliens, evil overlords and megalomanics. Also the most combustable place on Earth but that is irrelavant in this series.)

What is so fun about this series is that is is a complete parody of itself. It obviously is not meant to be entirely serious as it tosses in so many silly anime cliches as a running gag. For example, the female lead of course has to get a few licks on the lead male/love interest while another girl is trying to win him over. One episode features the absolute most backwards use of a mecha ever. (hint, mecha and pianos are never intended to go together without triggering some laughter.) All and all it is good fun.

However, it isn't entirely fun and games, particularly toward the end when they do address the consequences of such quick and profound economic growth and the greed associated with it.

One major downfall of this series is that there are quite a few characters who really serve little purpose to enhance the story line. Many of these characters do come into their own in the final episodes, however it is too late for many to care at this point. The series would have benefited from either fewer charcters overall or having more episodes with which to develop these stray characters.

My absolute favorite aspect was Reiji Kageyama, the dark gatekeeper. He is a little bit of every anime character rolled into one. He is intelligent and goes to take over Japan through his political thoughts group. He has the angsty past to justify his actions, he never suddenly realizes his wrongs in teh end, and if anything defends them to the end. He is part bipolar sociopathic megalomanic while pimping it up with all the ladies of the school. Just a very unique villain.

I suggest watching this in the original Japanese language if you can bear the subtitles. Whie the dub is not autroicious by any standards, it was really a case of miscasting by the directors. (I am sorry but it is too strange hearing Vash's voice trying to do a villain...) They got he right people but many of them I could just imagine having done different roles and nailing them much better.

But basically if you want something you don't really need to think through or if youwant to start someone out on an anime that is not DBZ, this is definitely worht the watch. If you are really looking for something thought provoking, stick with the likes of Lain and Boogiepop.