Gibiate

You know the year 2020 has been one weird year. Probably the worst to a lot of people. And we all would love to blame a certain virus for the disruption of our daily lives, right? And over a year later, we’re still dealing with this sh*t. So are we going to beat this Corona virus soon? As if they want to scare us further, because there is a chance that the virus might mutate and turn us into violent monsters!!! OMFG!!! Nah. I just made that up. Because those are my thoughts when I watched Gibiate. Uh huh. It is the year 2030 and the world has been ravaged by a virus turning humans into monsters. No cure in sight and not only survivors have to put up with such monsters but other criminals who loot and attack others because there aren’t any more laws in the world. Wow. Such fun and exciting times we live in.

Episode 1
It is the year 2030 (because 2020 would be too obvious) as Kathleen Funada records of a video of herself to prove she is here. Of course it is to tell us about the devastating epidemic virus known as Gibiate that swept the world 2 years ago. First spread in Venice, the first wave was easily contained but the second wave, that’s where everything went downhill. So the virus doesn’t just kills you. You turn into a vicious monster! Kathleen vows to find a cure. Now we go back in time to 1600 AD. Sensui Kanzaki and Kenroku Sanada are on a boat, forced into exile. Sensui despite being a war hero, his exile is because of his lord making a scapegoat out of him for his own selfish gains. Suddenly the storm turns bad. When the duo wake up, they are now in modern Tokyo. This is not the afterlife they’re expecting. Confused by their surroundings, they try to seek help but this sick man suddenly turns into a monster. His cells fried or something? I don’t think any of their attacks can help but thankfully Kathleen arrives to zap it out temporarily and take its blood sample. The Edo guys are ushered into the van as they return to their camp base. While Kathleen believes them to be from the past, the Edo duo aren’t so easily swayed because they are disappointed this is what the future turned out. Is this what they fought for? At the camp, Kathleen introduces them to a few people like the marine, Brian. They can see many people talk bad about them because of their weird outfits. Like Adam who calls their samurai status as BS. He thinks many people have gone crazy thanks to the epidemic. Dr Yoshinaga then explains more about this Gibiate thingy. Those monsters are called Gibia and if you get stung by their venom, there is a high chance you’ll turn into one. Sensui notes he was hit during the attack but thankfully no cause for alarm yet since Yoshinaga notes that a symptom of one turning into Gibia is if you hear water dripping sounds. So if he doesn’t hear any, good. Gibia are driven by their strong impulse to spread so if their stingers don’t work on you’ll, they’ll still sting you to death! When night falls, the place is lighted up by flood lights. Apparently Gibia hates lights. Oh yeah. Looks like they’re coming out to play now.

Episode 2
Kathleen records Sensui as he talks about his upbringing and being taught of the ways of the sword. Then she shows the guys around before wanting to spar with Sensui to test how strong he is. She instantly lost. Yup. Definitely strong. Need all the help she can get to fight against Gibia. She brings him to see her mom, Yurika. As she is a history buff, Sensui wants to know what happened to his lord. Apparently history dictates he got beheaded after too many betrayals. This has Sensui sad as he wasn’t around in his final moments and wonders there was a point to his fighting. Just then, the lights all went out. Maeda, the guy who went home just to get a samurai sword for Sensui, returns. Just in time right before Gibia start invading the camp and killing everybody! Maeda is a partial victim but he gets to see how cool Sensui is with his sword now. Yoshinaga has Kenroku burn tents to create source of light. I think this is too slow. Plus, they never have any backup plan or anticipate such failure?! Anyway, Kenroku is a ninja could adapt and use well the modern tools to aid in his fight against Gibia. Sensui becomes a mad dog slashing the Gibia. So Adam, now you believe in this samurai? He is the real deal! Even if the sword becomes dull from cutting too many Gibia, with Kenroku’s help, he manages to slash more. Yeah, everybody enjoying the cool samurai fight. Even bringing Kathleen to tears. All behold your saviour! The survivors manage to hold out until dawn. But looks like Maeda is showing symptoms of turning into a Gibia. Satisfied with Sensui showing him the cool samurai stuffs, he now wants to be killed before he turns into a Gibia. I guess it’s time to hit the feels with Kathleen remembering the nice things he done for her. Let the tears flow. Before letting his head roll. RIP Maeda. You’ll always be remembered.

Episode 3
Kathleen now records Kenroku as he talks a bit about his life. Because the magistrate forced himself on a girl he likes, he killed him, the reason he was exiled. Say, doesn’t Kathleen look a bit like her? I can’t believe that our groupie are the only survivors left. Did everyone else die or turned into Gibia and got killed? Anyway, Yurika suggests heading to Niigata since there is a research facility there and less Gibia. Before they depart, Yoshinaga needs to collect Gibia virus samples so as to make his vaccine. That’s why he wants Sensui to cut down as many Gibia for him. Brian seems to be desperate and having hope for Yoshinaga to create a vaccine. It’s his only way to avenge his fallen men. As they are about to take off in a helicopter on the rooftop (Yoshinaga can fly?!), they see a huge man lying on the opposite building. As they are flying towards that building, a Gibia attacks the helicopter by sticking its thick web over. I thought Gibia don’t come out in daylight? Oh, an abnormal. Meteora they call it, huh? With Kenroku’s bombs not working, time for some Sensui slashing action. Oh damn, Meteora so tough the sword broke! There goes Maeda’s sword… That huge man, Yukinojo Onikura has awakened and wants to help. With his strength, Kenroku throws him a reel so he pulls the helicopter close for the rest to jump down. However Brian gets grazed by Meteora’s web during his fall. Kenroku then pilots the helicopter to crash into Meteora! That easy, huh? As night falls, they camp in the building as they learn more about Yukinojo. He is a warrior monk and comes from the same period as Nobunaga. Seems the monks were fighting some battle against him and Yukinojo was on the verge of taking his own life after losing. Next thing he knew, he fell into a shaft and came to the future. Yoshinaga tries to nurse Brian’s wounds. But your guess is as good as mine, the symptoms are showing but he turns into a Gibia faster than you can say… THIS EPISODE’S CGI IS CRAP!!!

Episode 4
Kathleen narrates how her father, war photographer got injured in one of his job and met mom who was a nurse who treated him. Too bad dad died when she was very young. Yoshinaga is saved thanks to Adam pumping all his lead into Brian. RIP, Brian. Meanwhile, our historical heroes are reunited with their original weapons because they are in an exhibition display nearby! Woah! The coincidence is so screaming plot convenience! Time to test it out since they are being ambushed by Gibia. Yeah, the irony of old weapons still much sturdier than newer ones. After lots of bludgeoning, the gang manage to reunite and escape. Sensui exerted too much energy so he needs to sleep. Yurika reciting an old poem means it is cue for some history lessons. After the unification of Japan, samurais were called back to help invade Korea. However Sensui for some reason was recalled home. There’s also some conflict between Mitsunari Ishida and Ieyasu Tokugawa. Hence many vassals were split into deciding which faction to support. One of them was Sensui’s lord, Jouzen Matsumoto. Despite Sensui making a solid suggestion on which side to support, Jouzen remained undecided. Eventually he decided to side with Ieyasu in the eleventh hour. Sensui and his men led the attack to march on Ueda castle. Though, Sensui felt it doesn’t matter which side they chose because whoever wins will brand them a traitor. The attack failed since whoever whatever went on to fight another battle, leaving Jouzen’s side behind. On the way back, that is when Sensui first met Kenroku since the ninja noticed his peculiar fighting style and wants to fight him. Both are formidable and dragging this fight longer would bring harm to both. Hence Kenroku called this a draw and hoped they will face each other again in the future. Back to current time, more trouble since the bus’ tyre is busted and Gibia looking for their next meal. Since Sensui is still out, looks like Kenroku and Yukinojo have to up their game.

Episode 5
Now it’s Yukinojo’s turn to have a go at recording. Looks like he wants to settle down and live a peaceful life once the war ends. He didn’t get to do it in his own era so this might do. Now we return to the Gibia attack. Too much Gibia for our heroes to handle and they can’t change the tyre in time. How? Oh, Adam going to sacrifice himself?! Yeah, this guy is turning into a Gibia… His bravery of blowing himself up with the Gibia and the bridge allows our heroes to continue their journey. Yurika sews back Yukinojo’s garb and this guy thanks her bashfully. Kenroku teases him he might like her and gets beaten up. Time for some history flashback. Yukinojo and his comrade, Douzan were part of some school. As monks, the thought of bringing in women was a hotly debated topic. Douzan thought if they had somebody they love, they would protect them. On the contrary, Yukinojo felt he would die for them. During Nobunaga’s war to unify Japan, his orders to the monks were to cut off some supplies. They refuse and Nobunaga sent his armies to fight them. Nobunaga’s side lost but the next time, he deprived their castle of the supplies. Hungry villagers came out to surrender but Nobunaga’s army shot and killed all of them. The monks get mad and fought back. Eventually they lost and the castle was burnt down. Douzan eventually died and Yukinojo took his club and vowed to live on. So he loves himself and will protect himself to live? Okay. He bludgeons the enemies but soon he falls through some hole that brings him here. Hence his affection to the ladies could be just of that of a father’s affection. Kenroku teases him further to get Yurika so they can have a kid together but obviously more beat down. While taking a break at a stop, why did Kathleen walk out alone herself and gets captured?! They are escaped convicts known as Galients and they want them to hand over their food. Learning Sensui is the real samurai, their boss, Renjiro Hatonami wants a go at him. And loses! Retreat! That was weird… The journey continues and before them is a dark tunnel. There could be Gibia lurking inside and if it does, Yoshinaga hopes the guys can help clear it. Through enough, lots of Gibia crawling! Time for action! Somebody needs to clear the path so the bus can proceed. Kathleen takes the bombs and bombs away the path. I don’t think that’s how it works but plot needs to progress. On her return, she trips! Like, HOW?! Because dramatic moment as a Gibia is about to sting her!

Episode 6
Renjiro even got a chance at recording? He’s telling how the criminals escaped prison because the cells were much safer when the Gibia attacked and all the guards died first. Now back to Kathleen. If you’re wondering why her life flashing before her eyes is so short, that’s because somebody is here to save her! Haha! She is Ayame and a former cop. Damn, I thought she was a former punk rock band or something. Anyway she kicks ass to save Kathleen’s ass. Damn, Kathleen got time to faint so we see more of her flashback?! Yeah, a time daddy went abroad for his photography job but got killed by a stray bullet. Kathleen always remembers his positive words that bad things don’t last forever. More Gibia massacre until there’s practically none. They invite Ayame to join them since they could use a pair of extra strong hands. They stop at a hotspring inn. Good thing the facilities here are still working. Asking about Ayame’s past, she explains her mom was killed by a Gibia while her dad was a useless person in the yakuza. It’s a reason why she became a cop. On to the guys’ side, everyone is shocked to see Sensui’s back filled with scars. Time for more Sensui past because we see his parents murdered and some lone foreigner swordsman (Chuck Norris?!) took him in and trained him in the ways of the sword. Unfortunately he was suffering from some disease and died too. Sensui alone again. And then some battle in which Sensui killed lots of enemies to let Jouzen escape. To reward this, Jouzen gave him a sword and that’s when Sensui decided to master in wielding both swords. As they resume their journey, they notice a van tailing them. It is Galients and why am I not surprised Ayame is shocked to recognize Renjiro as her dad?!

Episode 7
Ayame’s turn at the recording. Her mom’s Chinese and works in a restaurant so she learnt how to fight from the owner. So Renjiro got bored and wanted to have a rematch with Sensui?! Damn, a van trying to knock off a bus?! Are they really serious?! But no rematch today since before them is a Gibia. Oh, it’s that Meteora?! How the f*ck is it still alive?! Oh wait. I didn’t think that fall then would kill it either. Anyway, it has evolved into some human form. But is this discount Frieza’s final form? Apparently not as it evolves into a hideous T-rex! Galients is tossed away so it’s time for our heroes to save the day. Meanwhile Ayame is contemplating if she should arrest or let her dad die. ARREST AND THEN WHAT?! Time for mother and daughter to guilt trip her that her daddy is still alive and arresting him can’t be just her life’s goal, right? We see a deeper flashback how Ayame was forced to kill mom before she turned into a Gibia. So now what she is going to do? Ayame drives a car, rams it into the river and lets it get washed away by the current! WTF???!!! SO F*CKING EASY???!!! Was this T-rex that light that it can even fly away by the touch of a sedan car?! Okay, because now she confronts her dad and tells him off to stop being a bad guy. Gibia are the real baddies and mom died because of one! Oh yeah. See the shock on his face. Don’t show your face ever again. I guess for the second time, Renjiro orders a retreat. More drama because Sensui is sick? Damn, he fought too much Gibia and strained himself?! F*cking Ayame just showed us how piece of cake it was to deal with a Meteora mother! Damn, he has got to find a more efficient way of fighting! They stop by a food factory to let him rest when suddenly a Gibia stings Yurika.

Episode 8
Yurika’s recording tells us the happiest thing in her life was giving birth to Kathleen. And the saddest when her husband died. She adds more she doesn’t want anyone to die before her and would preferably die first. Damn, this death flag… How the f*ck nobody notices Yurika getting stung?! It’s quite a decently open space and the Gibia is right next to her!!! Finishing off doesn’t mean anything. Yoshinaga gives hope that the Gibia may have stung someone in the last 24 hours so it could be an empty stinger. Pray. I guess everyone is so tired and fallen asleep, nobody notices Yurika is gone! And Yukinojo was just sitting next to her bed! HOW?! So some go out to look for her. Kathleen finds a letter from mom. She apologizes for being unable to continue the journey with them. Also, remember father’s words. If she doesn’t turn into a Gibia, she will meet up with them later. Kathleen is so sad but Yukinojo tries to cheer her up that her smile gives him hope. And her curry too. Please don’t cry. I guess she feels better already and gives him a charm. Sew it onto his clothes too. We see Yurika somewhere… Showing symptoms of Gibia… That’s the end of her. :’(. Kenroku and Ayame are also near a store to get supplies. Cue to have them kill some Gibia for revenge. Feel better? Kathleen and Yukinojo notice a herd of Gibia returning to their nest before dawn. Can’t they just hide and let them pass? Yeah, they want to be heroes to fight and defend! Too bad Yukinojo is going to do this alone as he throws Kathleen back in and closes the shutter. We’re going to see if her charm works, right? I suppose protecting her smile > leaving her alone. Time to kick some Gibia ass!

Episode 9
I guess we’re running out of characters. Guren Soshigaya who is part of Galients is telling us how he was kicked out from the orphanage and his loyalty to Renjiro is because he took him under his wing. He is adept with the gun to back up Renjiro’s sword. When Kenroku and Ayame return, they see the Gibia massacre. Worse, YUKINOJO IS DEAD!!! OMFG! SAY IT ISN’T SO! Kathleen inconsolable. And they recognize a smashed Gibia nearby: It’s Yurika. Probably why Yukinojo couldn’t go all out. Oh, look who is up now? Care to know what is going on, Sensui? Time to bid farewell to the monk and move on. Now we take a detour to Galients. They search a store for supplies but looks like it is filled with Gibia. So how to kill them all? You burn and bomb the hell out of the place! Oh yeah! Renjiro looks down. His daughter’s words must have hit him hard. Since when did he care about Ayame?! I guess when you’re old, you’re old. Ayame makes a few tools for Sensui and Kenroku. I don’t think this puny shield can do anything but it’s better than nothing. Ayame has also made a chained sickle for Kenroku. This brings back memories since a guy he knows used it. Yeah, time for flashback. Kenroku and Shion are ninja buddies. The latter talking about some myth that if you see the moon red, you’re going to die. War rages on. Shion protects Kenroku and dies. Kenroku returns his chained sickle to his sister. Sister knows. Sister cries. Got to make good your promise to Shion to take care of her. And now Sensui is saying how the moon looks red. Oh f*ck…

Episode 10
More interview with Galients? What is better than an interview with 1 of them? Why, 3 of them! I guess time’s running out. So we have Isao Mikimoto who was an Olympic pole vaulter. He landed in prison for killing the guy who tried to kill his girlfriend. The new have Katsunori Hamuro who was a fisherman and did time when he accidentally killed his fellow fisherman. Lastly, Hidenori Sakuma is a bomb expert and tried to bomb the government! Safe to say he failed. Arriving at the ghost town city, they realize lots of Gibia hiding in the shades. Damn, hope it doesn’t turn dark soon. Galients turn up and they think they want to fight. However they’re here to kick Gibia ass! Oh sh*t, did the Gibia decide to f*ck the sun and go out in the open to fight?! And Renjiro trying to impress his daughter by turning over a new leaf. CRINGE!!! They manage to slaughter all the Gibia before the sun goes down. Both sides agree to become allies and work together. So while Yoshinaga works on the vaccine, the rest bond over curry katsu. And they don’t have to do it all in the dark because damn, Sakuma not only is a great cook but a great electrician?! He is the most useful character in this series!!! So he powers up the building’s generator and everyone getting along so good that you can’t tell who the good guys were and who were from Galients. Heh. And of course, Renjiro making up with Ayame because her words that day opened his eyes. Old geezer hasn’t much time left so I guess he wants to spend his last days with her. And time for some final drama because out from the sea pops out… IT’S THAT FREAKING METEORA AGAIN!!! CAN IT NOT JUST DIE?! Oh, did it also evolve to another final form?

Episode 11
Now what can Yoshinaga talk about in his interview? Oh, he had a fiancée?! He hints they did not break up… Oh dear… Flashbacks of kids bullying Ayame because her papa is a criminal. Damn, are they not afraid he is the yakuza boss?! I mean it’s a good thing but when you think about their safety… Anyway, Renjiro wanted to give a piece of his mind but with crying Ayame hugging him not to… Sorry to interrupt your dream but Meteora is here. Everyone gangs up and attacks this Gibia but it seems to be only defending and making its way to Yoshinaga. It’s a tough cookie to crack but eventually they killed it. Just in time when Yoshinaga finishes his vaccine, WTF he is mad they killed Meteora???!!! Then he reveals… He and Meteora are not from this planet!!! OMFG! THERE’S YOUR F*CKING PLOT TWIST!!! Back on his planet, those who drink the blood of the god called Soma will gained special powers. But not all will get it and those who failed will become monsters. Yoshinaga was tasked by Meteora’s father, his mentor to develop artificial Soma blood. Yes, Meteora is his fiancée. One day, Meteora accidentally drank that artificial blood and turned into this monster. Yoshinaga had to create a cure and used blood samples from failed ones. At the same time, the ruler of their planet died and everyone was fighting over the blood. Yoshinaga and Meteora were put into a capsule and flown into space. Because they orbited too close to the sun, their capsule separated. Meteora and the samples landed in Europe while Yoshinaga orbited around Earth for a while before landing in Japan. He then began developing a cure to restore Gibia’s intelligence. Meteora must’ve been following his brainwaves here to reach him. Now that she is dead, there is no reason for him to create a cure, let alone LET ALL OF YOU LIVE!!! Damn, that’s one helluva rage quit. WTF he created a virus that transforms human into a deadlier Gibia type?! HOW?! WHY?! DID HE FORESEE THIS?! Anyway, Ayame is the unlucky one as he throws the serum at her and she transforms into a Gibia. Yoshinaga also jabs himself to turn himself a Gibia but retains his conscious so he can slaughter them all! Damn, this escalated quickly. Everyone tries to fight Ayame but Hamuro gets stung and before he becomes a Gibia, Guren shoots him. Mikimoto in his rage throws his spear. You know that won’t do any good. Yup, he gets killed. Followed by Sakuma. KILL THEM ALL! Renjiro faces off with Ayame but can a father kill his own daughter? That’s why Guren protects him and gets killed and Sensui dealing the finishing blow. Renjiro and Guren exchange a somewhat emotional goodbye and the survivors now turn their attention to face Yoshinaga. Is this his final form?!

Episode 12
Oh Jesus! Yoshinaga turns into a discount version of Frieza?! First we watch a clumsy but laughable fighting between Kenroku and Yoshinaga. Ready to join in, Sensui? Oh, his sword broke! How now?! Kathleen returns and zaps him with her electric gun. Oh, it almost worked?! Some sh*tty explanation about how Gibia cells conduct electricity 98%. F*CK SCIENCE!!! And then Yoshinaga turns into a lamer version! Is this his final form?! WTF is this joker day?! I prefer the fake Frieza look… Time for another revelation because Yoshinaga reveals that it was Kathleen’s wish that brought Sensui, Kenroku and Yukinojo here. Some sh*tty explanation how the spaceship broke into orbit looked like shooting star and her strong wish resonated with their brainwaves thingy. CRAP!!! F*CK SCIENCE!!! Yeah, men in this era are pussies that she wished strong ones from the past?! Yeah… But WTF is this whole just to make Kathleen feel guilty she brought those men here?! You trying to guilt trip her?! More revelation as this whole Gibia thing was orchestrated by Yoshinaga. He wanted to see how far it could spread and seeing Sensui and Kenroku’s strength, he was resolved he could find a vaccine to save Meteora. After that, he will abandon Earth and return to their home planet. Yeah, he used Earth as his plaything real good. Renjiro gives his sword to Sensui and when he tells Kathleen to live for Ayame’s part, you know what this mean. This old man just charges towards Yoshinaga like that?! Oh. Looks like he indeed has a death wish and join Ayame. But he won’t be dying alone. He strapped himself with explosives! Boom! That damaged Yoshinaga a bit and this allows Sensui to decapitate him. Finally. And throw the remaining bombs to explode his body to pieces just to be sure. RIP, Yoshinaga. Hordes of Gibia are coming and as they are about to get on the boat to escape, Sensui can’t. He shows a wound he got from a Gibia. Gasp. Can’t risk it. So he is staying back to fight the Gibia. Kathleen so sad. She gives him a GPS so he can track them. He knows how to use it?! Whatever. Kenroku and Kathleen go off, clinging on to that faint hope that Sensui always keeps his promises. That, if he doesn’t turn into a Gibia. But for now, Gibia slaughter fest time!

Gee Baited & Just Bad-te
Oh man. This is how it ends?! Ah, damn it. At this point, I am just freaking glad it has ended. Although I would have just preferred everybody got killed off and the world further falls into a gloomy dystopian state with all the Gibia overrunning the planet until the end of time. And so nobody was saved. What’s the use of finishing the vaccine when there is nothing to live for, right? So my sentiments for Kenroku and Kathleen leaving as far away as they could, could be a sign that they really want to run away from this bad animation so badly! HAHAHAHAH!!!! Yeah, I wished it was that. But where to? Nowhere. You can never run away from bad anime! It’s all around us! And Sensui is like the ‘hero’ trying to cut down hordes of bad anime coming our way!!! If this was also a video game, Sensui would have the honour of earning the highest score and points from killing the most Gibia! Oh well, in another alternate timeline and dimension, this could’ve been the storyline! You see?! I can write stupid crap like this myself!!!

The most glaring and obvious issue about this anime is its animation. Yes, it is that bad. Heck, it even reminded me of that worst anime in history that I recently watched: Gundou Musashi! Heck, it could have been on par with that but it only fares a bit better because the visuals just look slight better. That itself is in the loosest term. For an anime that is supposed to be action packed, they failed in really animating those action sequences well. All we usually see are still pictures of the samurai yelling. A bit of movement just to fool us that there is some sort of animation. But overall there is not much animation to go with. There are also some inconsistencies but the bad animation takes that cake. It’s like the Gundou Musashi of the decade but with slightly better visuals. Again, that in the loosest definition. Even with Sensui looking like the bishonen samurai, I guess his face is so stiff and gloomy so that he could maintain his ikemen handsomeness. I am more likely to laugh than swoon over his ‘good looks’. That again in the loosest of terms.

Compiling to the visual woes are the CGI used. Especially the Gibia. It feels like they wanted to design some sort of horribly transformed monster but due to the bad animation effects, they turn out to be lame but at the same time they are also somewhat nightmare fuel. They’re supposed to be scary but the bad animation prevents them in looking scary but because of that same bad animation, the bad design makes them look scary! DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I MEAN?! AM I CONTRADICTING MYSELF HERE OR AM I JUST CONFUSED?! For instance, Meteora. Look at that abomination. The animation is already the worst, that’s a given. But look at its design. Scary at first. And then it soon becomes laughable. And then taking a closer look, damn if looks a bit scary if you stare a little longer. That’s the best I can describe. And the rest of the Gibia are like failed monster designs. Like as though they held a contest to come up with the ‘scariest’ monster ever and they mesh whatever they could think of. Like the whole world has turned into some kind of playground of the Island of Dr Moreau. Yeah, the animation of the CGI is so stiff like as though they hired amateurs or fresh graduates from the CGI department to do all the work. If Pixar or Disney released such crap, they’ll go bankrupt in minutes from its release!!!

Then there is the colouring and hues too. They look really bland and I understand that they want to give off that gloomy and desolated atmosphere. Yes, there are some dark scenes too and perhaps they want to give that claustrophobic effect because a large ruined city without the bustling people still feels claustrophobic and eerie with its dark corners. Anyway for the record, I didn’t feel claustrophobic. What I wanted to say was that with the colouring and hues sometimes a bit off, I thought this anime was done by GoHands, the studio that made K, Hand Shakers, W’z and Seitokai Yakuindomo. Their trademark is their weird colour hues but unfortunately they did not helm this anime. It is Studio Elle and Launch Box. First time animating, I guess? And to think they hired a famed guy who designed characters for Resident Evil and another renowned one who did Final Fantasy for this garbage!!!

Sorry fans of the action genre, the action here feels so mediocre that it is just laughable. And you already have bad animation as icing and cherry over the cake, sometimes I am wondering to classify this as action comedy. No wonder the Gibia are so dumb because so they can just rush in and get killed by our heroes despite their sheer numbers. Unless the plot calls for it that a character must die in this episode. It’s a big disappointment so see the action scenes so stiff and rigid that it makes you wonder if you can call that fighting. And how exciting is Sensui slashing his sword around or Yukinojo swinging around his club? Not quite. Even if they ramp up some variety with Kenroku modifying and customizing his ninja ways with modern equipment, it is still laughable when you see how Gibia get easily taken down by such. Like as though the Gibia can be easily killed by the touch of these men from the past. So if you have a whole arsenal of military weapons and unlimited bullets, if the plot says you can’t kill the Gibia, it means you can’t. I know I’m exaggerating but yeah. And why the heck do they give Kathleen some pea shooter to defend herself?! Does Ayame not have extra big guns for her to use?! Also, Gibia attacking are so boring. I thought they might shoot fireballs or lasers but apparently the DNA composition hasn’t changed to allow them to do any of that. Or even mind control. That would’ve been so f*cking epic and the end of humanity right from the bat. So they just have f*cking stingers and claws, fangs, whatever they have like other animals, huh? Animation so crappy that Yoshinaga the Gibia didn’t even have to move to dodge attacks! THIS IS HOW ATROCIOUS THE ANIMATION AND ACTION ARE!!!

Now that we’ve done getting the biggest issue out of the way, here is the next: The story and plot. Oh boy, it’s such a mess. Well, the concept and potential are there about virus mutating us into monsters. That was the ‘interesting’ concept that baited me to watch this crap but now I realized I was just trolled. Anyway, I understand this is an original anime not based on any manga and video game (can I go so far to say it is based on a certain current event?), so coming up with an interesting story is quite hard. But even a few episodes into the series, my guts were already ringing like hell that this was going to be bad. And my guts were right. The whole plot seems for the survivors to be going from a certain place to another, like as though this is one long road trip. Because of that, I have this feeling that the producers ran out of ideas and just started winging it with whatever they can come up with for the week. Sure, the ultimate plot is to find a vaccine to cure Gibia but that itself feels so lost and irrelevant when you watched the entire season. Because it doesn’t really matter anymore whether you got vaccine or not. I am assuming Yoshinaga is the only one who knows how to somewhat create a cure but with him being dead, my guess and hope is that this series will go along with it like the rest of humanity. Heh.

Then they inserted this mindf*ckery plot twist that Yoshinaga is not an Earthling!!! OMFG!!! You know what? I admit I did not see this coming! Yeah, I was so bored out of my mind and laughing out at the bad animation that I wasn’t expect this sort of plot twist. Hey, at least it is better than this one: IT WAS ALL JUST A DREAM!!! OMFG…Lazy writing. Yoshinaga wasn’t really an important character but you realize that he is a character that needs to be kept alive or else the survivors have no reason to continue journeying like this together nor would there been any other interesting plot to go with. Because he is the only one who can create the vaccine. Just like the king in chess, the most useless piece but also the most important. So the plot twist about his origins, just mindboggling and downright stupid. I admit I have a bad memory but I clearly remember they met Meteora and fought it twice. Not once but twice! And did they not get rid of it? Why didn’t Yoshinaga say anything?! Oh right. Save it for later plot twist. When Meteora first popped up, why did Yoshinaga not explain about Meteora, their connection and past?! At least enlighten them about this before they kill it! Now you blame them and want them all to die?! Like as though it was his plan in the first place, never to find a vaccine but to kill all humans. So he was just waiting for the right time for the heroes to kill Meteora so that he can exact his stupid bloodthirst revenge. Yeah, we lost all respect for you doctor, the plot and the series as a whole. This was really just stupid.

Sure, it sounds a lot interesting to bring a samurai, ninja and monk from the past to the current future and fight such monsters. Because all modern men and humans are just weak pussies who only know how to rage and troll online! TRUE! Yeah, men from the past have more honour and skill. And there’s your time travel element for this series. Hey, even Kathleen wished on it! So even if Sensui and Kenroku don’t really understand the modern world, don’t sweat it, the world is already a dystopia so don’t have to worry what the f*ck is the internet or even multi-level marketing. Damn, this virus turning humans into monsters is starting to sound like a pretty good reset idea… And to think those men adapted pretty well and it’s no surprise since they’re survivors in the past. Don’t worry about the advanced Japanese lingo. They’ll get by somehow. Thank goodness no karaoke showed up in this anime or they’ll be asking WTF that Japanese invention is.

Another point to ponder is about Gibia. While it is an interesting concept, it feels like it is not explicitly explored. And even those brief explanations that Yoshinaga told us, it feels like they’re just winging it and hoping we weren’t paying attention and forget about it. Yeah, sort of worked for me… What I want to point out is, only humans turning into Gibia, what about animals? Do they turn into one too? Because I see that there are so many Gibia around, endless waves of them so I am assuming that those are all humans who got infected. No matter how much our heroes cut them down, there are seemingly more. So I am assuming the rest of the world is now dead and no more humans alive. Make that ex-humans now turned Gibia. And how long do Gibia live? Like forever? If they do have a lifespan, maybe in a few more years they’ll all naturally die out and the Gibia threat over. The best cure ever. If there are human survivors by then. And it sounds so magical than sci-fi when they say how the virus mutates every component in one’s DNA. Convenient cheesy plot to turn them into monsters quickly. Because I’m thinking that this virus is God! Even Jesus doesn’t perform such quick miracles but this virus can?! I hope it doesn’t have this unwanted intention of making viewers go, “F*ck science!”. Yeah…

Speaking of the f*ck science and logic thingy, I don’t know if they are really winging it as the series reaches its climaxes because all the so called ‘scientific’ explanations feels like a big middle finger to science. I know this is sci-fi but the way they conveniently spout that crap in the final episode especially about Gibia cells conducting electricity and how brainwaves can bring people from the past to the present, this is just stretching it. Like as though they needed some sort of further twist but ran out of time so they had to go along with this crap. I mean, really. Like in Kathleen’s wishing case, even if that was remotely true, HOW THE F*CK DID YOSHINAGA KNOW THAT IT WAS KATHLEEN WHO MADE THAT WISH???!!! Did she tell him personally?! If that is so, can he just hypothesize based on a single observation?! Oh yeah, this plot convenience is getting to be really crappy for this series.

The characters, oh my God, what else can I say? They are as bad as the animation and the story. They aren’t anything memorable or deep and mostly forgettable. It is understandable why most of them get killed off. Uh huh. For those characters who ‘matter’, I guess that’s why at the start of every episode, we have Kathleen doing some sort of short camcorder interview. Oooohhh. I’m so enlightened that Yurika’s happiest moments was giving birth to Kathleen and that Yoshinaga had a lover. Wow. This should give them enough character! Obviously at this point we don’t even care nor all those trivia are important.

Even Sensui and Kenroku as the main characters fail to live up to their roles. I understand they came from the past so there must be some sort of culture shock when they arrive in future Japan that is so much more advanced, but the way I see it, they’re just mediocre. Like Sensui who gets tired after swinging a few times in beast mode! WTF?! Is he Ultraman?! So he has to be out for a while to let others to shine. Because you know, relying on him all the time is bad. Shockingly, I never expected Yukinojo to die. I mean, the trio were like quite okay together (not going so far to say that they are likeable or had compatibility but this is the best arrangement after all), so taking this big guy out of the picture, it feels so empty. F*cking plot twist. So perhaps that was my only shocking moment since I really wasn’t expecting this dude to die. So to show the ‘bond’ Yukinojo had with Kenroku, that’s why the ninja now arms himself with his club. In loving memory of Yukinojo. Rest in peace, big guy. So yeah, the trio had their past and it fleshes out their character a little but sometimes I feel it is just to fill in the time. Hey, can’t have Gibia smashing all the time, right?

Every show needs a cute main heroine. That’s you, Kathleen. In my opinion, she’s pretty useless on her own, at one time even almost causing a catastrophic event of causing trouble to others! She tries to be useful but what else is she good for? And seriously, in a world where Gibia are roaming free and so dangerous, look at the way she dresses. Heck, look at how everybody dresses! Shouldn’t they armed themselves to the eyeballs and protect themselves from unsuspecting Gibia stingers? I suppose we need to go kill Gibia in style and fashion, huh? So yeah, Kathleen’s dress that I am b*tching about isn’t the sexiest or most revealing outfit ever, but it is not Gibia battle worthy and it’s like as though she just came back shopping from Harajuku or something. Isn’t she cold exposing her midriff all the time? Oh, what’s this about her character? Nothing. Just wanted to go off track there.

Ayame feels like an SJW turned over a new leaf. Hah! That’s what you call judging a book by its cover. Like as though they wanted to play up some family sentiments here, hence the cop daughter and yakuza father that feels so cheesy. Renjiro isn’t entirely a bad dude. Society made him that way, remember that! Ayame isn’t a bad daughter. She still loves her father despite what he has become. And after their short cheesy reunion, this is how it all ends? It’s a subtle way of saying to go tell our parents we love them because one they they’ll no longer be around! Speaking of family, what about Yurika? I don’t know, sometimes I feel she is a bit of a senile and retard. Like as though she is a few steps away from losing her sanity. And look what happened to her? There’s your much needed family drama.

Ironically, I find Galients to be a more interesting lot despite their shorter appearances. Because this bunch of ragtag criminals sometimes feel like clowns! I mean, when you have a group that consists of an old yakuza father, a smooth criminal right hand man, a Rambo-shinobi fisherman, a Freddy Krueger-Punisher pole vaulter and a fatty nerd bomber, how is this not the most interesting and diverse group ever???!!! Sakuma being the most interesting and useful character of them all! He cooks and can connect power supplies in addition to making bombs! Plus, he tried to bomb the government but failed! The ‘ugliest’ looking Galients is the most interesting. So sorry for this dude. If I had to pick my ‘favourite’ character from this series, Sakuma is the man!

Voice acting feels pretty normal and if not wasted on everything else that is already so bad here. I was quite taken aback that I didn’t realize that it was Tetsuya Kakihara behind the voice of Sensui. I guess since Fairy Tail ended, there has been no big roles for this dude. Anyway, because he isn’t in his usual trademark loud and perky voice, I swore I could never have recognized him. Because Sensui is the kind of sullen and taciturn character so casting Tetsuya Kakihara seems like a mind boggling move. But it’s not my place to say. The other casts are Yukiyo Fujii as Kathleen (Kiriha in Strike The Blood), Hiroki Touchi as Kenroku (Estarossa in Nanatsu No Taizai), Michio Hazama as Yukinojo (Hans Georg Schubert in Monster), Emi Itou as Yurika, Hiroki Nanami as Ayame (Kenshin in Nobunaga The Fool), Shuuichi Ikeda as Yoshinaga (Shanks in One Piece), Kouji Ishii as Renjiro (Sakuraba in Idol Jihen), Hozumi Gouda as Guren (Leorio in Hunter x Hunter), Ryohei Kimura as Hamuro (Tsubasa in Kyoukai No Rinne), Hiromi Sakimoto as Mikimoto and Fukushi Ochiai as Sakuma (Kimura in Karakai Jouzu No Takagi-san).

If there is one thing that I really liked about this series, it has to be the opener. I just wished it had not shared the same name as the series because each time when you say Gibiate, everyone thinks about the anime and not the opening song of the same name. This instrumental has some very good shamisen and electric guitar pickings. I guess this is the only part where they hired the renowned shamisen group, Yoshida Brothers and Sugizo (guitarist from Luna Sea/X Japan) to make this incredible piece of music and it paid off. It is fast paced and frantic and perhaps the only saving grace of this series. Not enough to save it even if it was the best instrumental masterpiece in history, but at least it helped in not making this the worst anime of the season. I mean, yes, it is one of the worst but thanks to this opener, it isn’t entirely bad. Unfortunately for the ending theme, Endless ~Toki Wo Koete~ by Maki Ohguro (damn, this the singer who sang the first opening of Chuuka Ichiban?! This Maki Ohguro?! I’m feeling old…) is just some generic and dramatic piece. I’m not saying it is bad but with an epic opener, this pales in comparison. One of the most notable BGMs include one that sound like a very typical tokusatsu song! I guess it’s not bad but sometimes it made me think a masked rider would just pop up somehow…

Overall, this anime is a huge disappointment after all the hype it has promoted of getting famous and distinguished and legendary creators from well-known franchises to pitch in for this production. What came out was a mess in almost every department that it makes the real year of 2020 look like child’s play! Seriously. Bad animation, bland characters, unexciting action scenes and boring story make this look like one big flashy wasted project. Unfortunately, this cannot be said like Gundou Musashi where it is so bad that it is good. It is so bad that it is just forgettable trash. It is no wonder that all the comments and reviews that I have read on the internet panned this nonsense to the max! Sure, we can laugh off the silly concept that it is utterly ridiculous for us to become monsters from a virus. Unfortunately bear in mind that we do not have a samurai, a ninja and a monk to help deal with this sh*t. Only dirty politicians and greedy large corporations and conglomerates. The true virus that is scarier than any sh*tty animes any time!!! Seriously! No vaccine for that any time soon. So, Gee-bye…