![Black Lagoon - Season 1 & 2 (Blu ray + DVD) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/515Pgbxu7QL._SX300_SY300_QL70_ML2_.jpg)
![Jormungand + Jormungand: Perfect Order - The Complete Series (Season One and Two) [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81LGUJqxDrL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
![Neon Genesis Evangelion: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81EtgckZASL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
![Cowboy Bebop: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91JQpcQvweL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
![Gungrave - The Complete Series [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91S4UhhIp-L._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
![Saga of Tanya the Evil: The Complete Series [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71eoACzZYdL._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
![Noir - The Complete Series [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71M5UQ0CWsS._AC_UL160_SR160,160_.jpg)
This is my first time reviewing something on Amazon, and I have a tendency to be rather prolix, so bear with me.
I won’t go into plot too much, as I believe this is a show worth experiencing in its entirety, but will break down the pros and cons of the series.
Pros:
Action Action and MORE ACTION!!!
Fantastic animation
Appealing characters
Twisted story (if you can’t handle it this can be a con)
Unique pace and style
Cons:
Sort of a “dude” show (more on that later)
Box set feels incomplete (but the OVA, sold separately, finishes up the series nicely)
Pro/Con:
Voice acting is… a mixed bag.
Okay, here we go. I have been a big fan of anime all my life, and this has got to be in my top three series watched (and I have seen a LOT of them.) Black Lagoon is unlike any other anime series out there, to the best of my knowledge. It is what I imagine happens when a Japanese man with a fascination for guns and girls writes a manga paying honor to Quentin Tarantino, Clint Eastwood, and the Die Hard series.
At a first glance Black Lagoon is just another Michal Bay film, only animated, complete with subpar acting; but this is how it is supposed to be. You aren’t supposed to take the show seriously until it starts taking itself seriously. This can be haphazard at times, but the transition from “mindless shoot-em-up” to “story about the depravity of humanity” comes along in a surprising way.
This is a show where you are never more than ten minutes away from a firefight and never more than one minute away from an F bomb; it is clear that this show/manga was geared towards a male audience. However, as there is not a single female cast member who is not a bona fide badass, I would encourage everyone to watch this. It jumps away from the typical anime trope of “giddy teenage school girl” female characters, and the lead, Revy, is one of the most twisted sociopaths you’ll ever see.
The animation is amazing, too. From the characters expressions, to the intense detail placed in the action sequences, to the stunning hand-drawn backgrounds and tropical environments. No detail is omitted and you can really appreciate just looking at the scenes. Right out of the bag you’ll be introduced to amazing ocean environments that will leave you wanting to go to the beach. There is very little CG in this show and, in my opinion, it comes out better for it.
Now I’ll mention a little about the story before talking about the most important aspect of this show, the VA. The story starts of bland and un-inspired. Rokuro (Rock) is a Japanese business man whose luck runs out when he is hijacked by a group of international pirates known as Black Lagoon. A thousand bullets, one of those rare helicopter/boat collisions, and a few dozen explosions later nothing really changes aside from the fact that he decides to toss his old job and join up with Black Lagoon.
The series is a collection of Black Lagoon’s exploits after Rock joins. They are more like mercenaries than traditional pirates and pretty much work for the highest bidder. The story doesn’t get really compelling until the second season, “Second Barrage”, where the stories take a turn for the macabre. By the end of the series you will have that “Elfin Lied” feeling, where you will be questioning your own humanity and the meaning of life. Until then, though, just enjoy the ride and laugh at the curse words and vulgar behavior.
As I mentioned before the series doesn’t feel complete until you watch the OVAs, which is called “Black Lagoon: Roberta’s Blood Trail.” The manga which this anime is based off of is still under production, and the second season ended pretty much right when we start learning a little back story. You still won’t know much about the cast, except for Revy, by the end of the OVAs but it does feel like a better place to end, slightly more conclusive (though, again, the manga is still going on so we may even get more eventually)
Okay, lastly the Voice Acting. I know a fair amount of Japanese, and am traditionally in favor of Sub over Dub; I can tell good and bad voice acting regardless of language. I have only ever watched one other series where I prefer dub over sub, and that was Samurai Champloo. This show suffers the same fault as that series (or perhaps benefit, depending on how you look at it.) That is: the voice acting is…okay? In either language. I’ve watched Black Lagoon through in both languages and the quality is decent, but not great, it both languages.
NOW, as to why I prefer Dub over Sub in this instance? One: Watching a show in your native tongue when you have nothing to gain by watching it subbed is always easier. Two, and most importantly: The English language has a much more…. Colorful vocabulary. The majority of Black Lagoon (the pirates) is of American origins, and Rock is multi-lingual so everyone speaking English makes more sense. Not to mention it fits the tone of the series more, we Americans have 101 ways to say “F you” whereas in the Japanese language you are much more restricted. The cast is all pretty violent and vulgar, so having a wide variety in the curse words is a must for comedy’s sake.
Well that about covers it. A 4.5 star show in my opinion, with only the slightest of faults weighing it down.
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Add a debit or credit card to save time when you check out
Convenient and secure with 2 clicks. Add your card
Frequently bought together
![Black Lagoon - Season 1 & 2 (Blu ray + DVD) [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91lOUC50USL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
$91.04
Get it as soon as Saturday, May 11
In Stock
+
![Black Lagoon: Roberta's Blood Trail Ova [Blu-ray]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91i1YpLtzXL._AC_UL116_SR116,116_.jpg)
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Similar items that may deliver to you quickly
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the manufacturer
![Black Lagoon - Season 1 & 2 (Blu ray + DVD) [Blu-ray]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/S/aplus-media/vc/8a70a0b1-1ef2-48fd-88b3-0700e8d7a13a.__CR43,0,479,479_PT0_SX300_V1___.jpg)
Take a twisted trip to the city of your nightmares in this hard-boiled shootout from the studio behind One Punch Manand Death Note. Includes five high-octane OVAs from Roberta’s Blood Trail!
Rokuro was an ordinary Japanese business man—a whipping boy for the big bosses and corporate high rollers. But when his job to deliver a mysterious disk goes south, a ruthless gang of mercenaries fronted by a gunslinging femme fatale take him into their custody. Abandoned and out of his element, the newly reinvented “Rock” joins up with his kidnappers as a smuggler of the East China Sea.
Reviews with images
すごい。とてもおかしいです。
- Synopsis: The main character was just an ordinary businessman. Until one day, a fateful encounter changes his life dramatically. This anime showcases the adventures of the main character and his new-found allies. Their line of work involves espionage, guns blazing shoot-outs, and other dangerous situations. As he attempts to earn his keep with these unique mercenaries, the dangers all around him never seems to end. Just like the groups' ammo reserves.===========================================================================================================- Comments: This anime is great for mature viewers. It touches on more of the rough and darker side of life. Our poor main character gets dragged in with people he normally wouldn't ever hang out with. Probably worth mentioning that there is a lot of swearing. You'll find them swearing in almost every episode. But they do so in a comedic way. It's just hilarious. They can be a bit racist but again, it's done in a funny way.I watched it in Japanese audio. The English one isn't bad either. But I just couldn't help but laugh at hearing Japanese voice actors swear and drop the f-bomb in English! It's something you just don't see often in animes. Good times.- Analysis: One concept is the survival of the fittest mentality. People and animals will do whatever it takes to survive. From eating whatever is available, to forming groups to increase their chances of survival, and so on. Likewise, although our main character is weaker than the rest of the group due to lack of combat experience, he makes up for it with his adaptability and quick-thinking. Although the group is involved in dangerous missions, sticking with them is his best chance for survival since they are professionals. After all, it's not uncommon for the weak to cling to the strong.The title is fitting, as well. Psycho-Pass mentions a swamp of sorts. In other words, lagoons and swamps are most likely an analogy for a place that's dark and almost impossible to get out from once you're stuck. In a way, they may be alluding that life is basically a swamp/lagoon. And that it's filled with evil and darkness. Once you get caught up, there's no returning; It will also corrupt you. A fairly dark and pessimistic way of thinking on the outlook of life. That basically there's more evil in the world than there is good. An interesting perspective.- Features: English and Japanese audio with English subtitles. Includes 24 episodes on 3 Blu-rays and 24 on 3 DVDs with a run time of about 10 hours. Rated TV-MA for violence, blood, strong language, and some disturbing scenes.===========================================================================================================- Recommendations: Cross Ange, Deadman Wonderland, Akuma no Riddle, Claymore, Freezing, Death Parade, Blade and Soul, Prison School, Tokyo Ghoul, Samurai Flamenco, Ben-To, Code:Breaker, K, Tokyo ESP, and Psycho-Pass.
