Gantz

The 2004 anime adaptation of Gantz was produced by Studio GONZO and directed by Ichiro Itano, emerging during a period when the studio was experimenting with blending traditional 2D cel animation with increasingly prominent 3D computer-generated imagery. Based on the long-running dark seinen manga by Hiroya Oku, the series was designed to capture the visceral, high-stakes intensity of the source material. It occupies a distinct space in mid-2000s animation as a gritty, hyper-violent psychological thriller that focused on the nihilistic struggles of its protagonists after their deaths.

The production sought to translate Oku’s detailed, often grotesque character designs and the specific technological aesthetic of the 'Gantz' suits into an animated format. While the series garnered significant attention for its unflinching portrayal of survival and social commentary, its reception was complex; many critics praised the show's dark atmosphere and unique premise, while the open-ended nature of the final episodes sparked considerable debate among fans who were accustomed to the manga's pacing and narrative structure.