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AverageJoseph

  • England
  • Joined Mar 9, 2014
  • 34 / M

This is quite an old and odd collection of short films based on the manga Violence Jack. All 3 parts found on one disc in the official Manga video collection, Violence Jack is set in a dark time of global collapse as a giant earthquake destroys mankind's home and causes everyone to scrounge for life under city ruins, desperately hunting down food and entertainment, splitting off into different factions due to different mindsets, lust and general insanity. Released in the late 80's, this anime was certainly pushing the boundaries of censorship as it was largely banned and heavily edited in many countries outside Japan. The reasoning would go down to all kinds of perversions not considered suitable for viewing let alone involved in a series, such as its high sexual and violent content and taboo subjects like cannibalism, rape and bondage. I would advise you to check with the product info to find out whether or not it is cut, because if you are seriously considering buying this, then you probably don't want 15 minutes of controversy vanishing.

The plot very loosely revolves around a gigantic man 'Jack', named after his trusty jack knife with which he dismembers and disembowels his victims. In each episode, Jack dishes out all kinds of punishment to the scum of the earth, seeking some form of justice.. plus he seems to dig blood. The first episode is the most memorable and most interesting, taking place underground highlighting all the deeds and misdoings the factions get up too in times of major struggle. It turns into a brutal war when Jack is unearthed and pledges his allegiance to the numerous female victims. However it makes for uncomfortable viewing as one of the main antagonists and gang leader gets his kicks from eating or 'becoming one with' his possibly transexual sidekick blue. Not only this but several rapes and brutal deaths occur to the perpetrators. Along with some shoddy 'effect' during a fight scene (characters turn into red fluorescent lines), this makes difficult viewing all round.

The second and third pretty much revolve around the same idea - people get horribly assaulted and Jack extracts his jack knife justice, except instead of being underground, one is on the scrappy surface and the other based in a ruthless sex camp. The musical score is typically 80s and full of synth instruments and phoney jazz room bass. The stories aren't terrible and neither are the english dubs, but it depends whether or not you'd want to see an origins of hardcore anime type OVA. It certainly has enough violence to keep any gore buffs happy, but other than that its a pretty dark, hollow and clearly outdated anime.

5/10 story
3/10 animation
4/10 sound
4/10 characters
4/10 overall
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