[ANIME/MANGA] Deadman Wonderland - miserysyndrome

[miserysyndrome]

Introduction
Some may ask why I typed both Anime and Manga in the title instead of just anime.
The reason is, if you want to complete the story, you have to continue/start reading the manga, because there hasn't been any new about a second season and the anime ends where chapter 21 from the manga ends (latest chapter is 52, which released january this year).
Anyway, let's do the review
The Story

(click to show/hide)

A massive earthquake ravaged Japan's mainland and destroyed most of Tokyo, sinking three-quarters of it into the ocean. Ten years later, the story shifts to Igarashi Ganta, a seemingly ordinary student attending Nagano Prefecture's middle school. An escapee, a survivor of the earthquake, Ganta has no memories of the tragady and has lived a normal life. This all changes when a strange man covered in blood and crimson armour floats through his classroom windows. Grinning madly, the Red Man massacres Ganta's entire class but instead of killing him, embeds a red crystal shard in Ganta's chrest. Within days of the massacre, Ganta is declared the sole suspect and, following a quick trial, is senteced to life imprisonment in Deadman Wonderland, a massive theme park like prison. Arriving at the prison, Ganta is fitted with a special collar which monitors his location and life signs. Due to the heinous nature of Ganta's crime, he has to live out his imprisonment under Deadman Wonderland's 'Death Sentence'. A lethal poison is constantly injected into his bloodstream through the collar, but it can be neutralized by consuming a peculiar candy-like medicine every three days. Additional candy can be earned through hard work or purchasing it. In order to gather Cast Points, the prison's currency, an inmate has to perform in the facility's lethal games and survive. Fortunately for Ganta, he is aided by a mysterious girl named Shiro, who apparently knwos Ganta, but isn't known by other prisoners. While trying to survive as an inmate on death row, Ganta becomes increasingly obsessed with the Red Man and tries to find him so he could clear his name. In a bizaare twist, Ganta begins to develop the ability to manipulate his own blood, to the point of turning it into a weapon. Unbeknowst to him, Ganta has become one of the prison's Deadmen, a segregated group of prisoners possessing the Branch of Sin which makes them capabel of controlling their blood. After his ability is discovered,  Gantas is forced to particiapte in brutal gladiatorial death matches,  known as Carnival Corpse, whose anonymous spectators pay large amounts of money to watch. In his struggle he manages to befriend some of those he fought off in the arena, and with their help, Ganta continues his quest to uncover the identity of the Red Man, why he turned into a Deadman and the dark secrets the prison authorities are hiding.

The Review
I'm just going to head into the pro's and cons about these series
+ The characters are special.
Ganta isn't a character you'll hate, and is actually a very sympathetic person. Shiro is a very energetic, childish, cute character, which is the complete opposite of the environment, which is cold, dark, sad and almost frightening.
+ There is a lot of action going on (the slaughther happens in chapter 1 / episode 1).
+ Recommended for those who like Dark series, such as elfen lied. This is really a series you should try. Every character you meet in the series who's nice ends up faking it. The characters are cruel and vicious and like I said in the previous point, even Ganta gets it, when his whole classroom gets slaughtered by the Red Man and no ones believes his innocence.

- The series might not be for everybody. Some people might find it depressing. (example in explanation of my last pro)
- The pace of the anime series is way to quick. Almost like the wanted to end it as soon as possible
- Without the manga, you'll never get the complete story. (explained in introduction)
- The manga is different from the anime. (ex. a few deadman that are important story-wise don't appear in the anime, but they do in the first chapters of the manga).

The Verdict
After watching the anime, I started reading the manga.
And even though I think the manga is better than the anime, I still have to keep the pro's and cons of the anime in my final rating.
I would definitly recommend people who like series like Elfen Lied or Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni to check this series out. And if you're not sure wheter to start with the anime or with the manga, just go with the manga
So my final rating is
4/5


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[NekoJonez]

Hey, maybe you can add some pictures?

[miserysyndrome]

Hey, maybe you can add some pictures?

The series are rated 17+. So not sure if it's appropriate for me to post?

[NekoJonez]

Well, if it aren't sexual scenes, sure. But put them under a spoiler with a warning like "16+".

[dark 5FVD]

nah that's fine

[Light]

I suggest putting a disclaimer in the topic title or at the start of the topic if you do decide to add any "questionable" pictures.

[NekoJonez]

I suggest putting a disclaimer in the topic title or at the start of the topic if you do decide to add any "questionable" pictures.

That's possible too. Maybe a combo from what I said and you tell here is perfect

[Toffee]

Nice review. I liked the fact that you indicated in the topic title that the review was about both the Anime and Manga.
I especially like the color coding. Really distinguishes and emphasizes the pros and cons very well.

And like others said, I have to agree that pictures would be an excellent addition to this review. Not necessarily needed, but it would be a nice touch.

And this is such a coincidence since I was just thinking of getting into Deadman wonderland. Which would you recommend I start with first? The anime or the manga?

[Cupcake Fury]

I love the series, haven't gotten around to the manga though :L

[Toffee]

And oh wow, I just remembered that I'm a mod here.

[dark 5FVD]

good boy.

[miserysyndrome]

I did something wrong and now it ends up posting a new reply T.T
I wanted to add this instead of screenshots, since I think it gives a better look on the anime, and doesn't really contain spoilers.
Has part from a lot of episodes from the anime, but doesn't really reveal that much of the story


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[miserysyndrome]

Little off-topic, but if you all would like me to do more anime/manga reviews, let me know ^^

[NekoJonez]

Go ahead, the more content we have the better. Besides, this review is good. I should write reviews too.

[miserysyndrome]

Go ahead, the more content we have the better. Besides, this review is good. I should write reviews too.

Yeh, reviews are always good I was kinda surprised about the low amount of reviews Q.Q