Akagi Review

[b]Sound[/b]
The soundtrack of Akagi is definately one of its strong points. Moody and varied, the music suits the circumstances exceedingly well
8/10

[b]Animation[/b]
The big roadblock to Akagi is definately the animation. The main characters such as Akagi and Nangou are interesting and well-drawn in the unique style that is Akagi's own. The downside of the animation is the often low quality of the side characters, such as Akagi's Mahjong opponents, the worst drawn of which would be Urabe, whose misdrawn face and teeth are a constant irratant for the audience.
6/10

[b]Story[/b]
Story is another catagory where Akagi sadly falls short - depending on what you are looking for. Akagi has a very loose story that disbands and reforms itself several times throughout the anime. Broken down, the episodes follow a simple pattern however of:
Talking/Challenge Episode
Mahjong Episode x 3-6
Taking about how Akagi won, then leaves Episode
This pattern is followed throughout the series, and creates a lack of a single storyline that may put off viewers. Another issue remains that towards the end of Akagi there are a number of plot points demanding further exploration that are ignored for the rest of the series seconds after bringing them up. Taking this into account, it becomes clearer that Akagi is an series about a genius playing Mahjong, not a story intertwined with contests of Mahjong.
6/10

[b]Characters[/b]
The cast of Akagi is suprisingly unrevealed in that there is almost no backstory shown to the audience, and characters are relegated to the positions of generalizations. Akagi himself is an enigma, and the major supporting characters remain little more.
6/10

[b]Enjoyment[/b]
Akagi is definately an interesting and fun series, even for those who have never played Mahjong, although knowing the rules of the game definately makes things more comprehendable. When it comes down to it, enjoyment of Akagi stems not from the game that the characters are playing, but the tension and battle of wits between the characters. The first 8 episodes of Akagi reached an incredible pinnacle in that, and to me represent the peak enjoyment of the series. The latter episodes lack the same luster of the first episodes as the battle of wits is reduced to the narrator's inscessant reminders of how exciting the game is, how likely Akagi is to lose, and incredibly legnthy monologues from the minds of Akagi's opponents and spectators condemming Akagi's actions, relieved by the occasional respite of Mahjong action - consisting of an entire round if you're lucky. Despite that, it can still be a really fun series. Definately reccomended to those who like Mahjong, battles of wits, or ridiculious Sherlock Holmes-style pscylogical deductions prompted by the number of times the person sitting opposite you blinked.
8/10


[b]Notes:[/b]
Check out the wonderfully undeveloped Episode 25, in which Washizu is posessed by the deamons of the netherworld who "Have come for Akagi", but are "defeated" in a completely unexplained manner by Akagi, then immediately forgotten about by all.