Violence Jack: Complete OVA Collection

Far better than the British manga release with both Japanese and English languages available. Bonus feature is a look at the uncensored gang rape sequence that was taken from the Hong Kong print. The actual scene in the official feature has the original Japanese censoring where the parts below the waist are pixelated.As for delivery - it arrived two days before the scheduled date and in excellent condition.If you like ultra violent chaos and three stories that don't have much in the way of plot - you can't go wrong with Violence Jack.A beer and curry title for those who just want to kill another Saturday night.

In the 2000s, I knew of Go Nagai’s series like Devilman, Mazinger Z, and UFO Robot Grendizer, and many others. But among all these projects, one that always intrigued me was Violence Jack. Especially its Anime adaptation that was based on its manga version. A story set in an apocalyptic world, where the region of Kanto is dominated by an evil tyrant called the Slum King. Whose regime is slowly thwarted by rebel factions acting against him. Protests linked to the frightening Violence Jack, a giant whose unpredictable behaviour always makes him stand out for the innocents, though you are never too sure if he doesn’t have a double agenda. Intending something that goes beyond those people’s realities. And knowing that the series is one of two sequels to the 1972 Devilman manga series (the other being Devil Lady, set in a parallel universe), it interested me furthermore to know how that OVA production would look like.Although let’s make it clear, I knew not everyone loved it and that the violence in the episodes was so shocking some scenes had to be censored in pixellation or edited out. So when I discovered this DVD release from Discotek Media, I could not wait purchasing it. Giving my opinion about that OVA series and see how much good or bad it might be.And overall, this is what I found out.In this OVA series, three individual episodes detail turmoils in the Kanto region, and Violence Jack appears in them. Bringing his justice and courage into individuals that fight back against their bullies. Of the three episodes, one is an original plotline I never read in the manga, but the last two are adaptations of stories Go Nagai wrote in his series. Those latter two my favourites as they are the only ones with a decent story. Though all three are far from perfect.But for the first one, a story involving two teenagers caught in a gang ring of prostitution and exploitation, I was confused by the plot line. Having trouble understanding the whole story and noticing right there the main flaw of the OVA series.Which is the director Osamu Kamijo’s over-focus on the violence in the universe of Violence Jack, at the expense of the characters’ humanity. Especially for the antagonists that are depicted in black-and-white shades instead of grey palettes. No level of empathy for any of the characters, and a complacency in depicting gratuitous violent moments for shock value at the expense of any plot continuity. To the point that the audience just snaps out of the story and looks at all the events in complete confusion and perplexity at the absurdity they have seen.Of course, the animation, in all three episodes, is pretty fine and well done. With some excellent character designs and animation sequences. But none of that can compensate the series’ lack of coherent story structure and the lack of humanisation in several characters and their scenes. Especially as there were lots of philosophical dialogues during the original manga series regarding the dynamics of peace and justice versus the anarchy that has hurt their world; and also some comedic situations. Bringing much lighthearted moments to compensate the darkness that plagues the characters’ lives.Because the concept of the original manga Violence Jack does not revolve around the violent climate in the Kanto Region. It is a study of people that, after massive natural catastrophes, try to rebuild their lives. Making that series an ode to life and justice as important as Osamu Tezuka’s Phoenix or Hirohiko Araki’s Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure.Fortunately, the last two episodes do improve. Following the concepts of Go Nagai’s story. But they still omit the humour and humanity in the story. And as for the Slum King, his sole appearance is at the end of the last episode. Making this whole project a failed adventure that doesn’t even offer a proper conclusion to the trials of Jack and the Kanto region.As for the Japanese actors, they all gave a really good job. Though I loved hearing Unshou Ishizuka as narrator for the second episode; and as Jack himself for the third adventure. Between him and Tessho Genda, who voiced Jack in the second episode, Unshou was my favourite for he had more charisma and power in him. And knowing that he voiced the role again in a 1990 parody of Go Nagai’s world, I wish he could have participated in a revival of Violence Jack before his 2018 passing from esophageal cancer. And I do wish that they could compose a better soundtrack than the one in this OVA series, which is quite monotone and very annoying for the ears.For in the end, Violence Jack is a series as important as Mazinger Z and Devilman. That deals with the same thematics of anti-war and world peace. But involves other layers than violence and gore. Deserves to be treated as an ode to life and empowerment during a period of crisis and tyranny.