For some reason I have a big feeling that this anime, often forgotten by the anime community in general nowadays (that tends to forget anything thats older than 10 years), has a bigger reach for cinephiles, philosophy enthusiasts and many people who are very familiar with western culture. Its one of those works that could introduce someone with those tastes, into anime. It feels more like a movie than an anime.
Late to the party, but very much agreed. I'd also add Cowboy Bebop on to that list second. Maybe some old school anime like Space Pirate Captain Harlock (or Space(?) Battleship Yamato) that isn't typical over the top stuff. I'd add Gangsta to that, a little science fiction if you want to count the enhanced soldiers and kids they sired who need meds to survive. It has dark themes like class struggle, crime syndicates, drugs, forced prostitution and abuse, both physical and psychological. It's a good show, regardless.
I wouldn't say that it's "criminally underrated". It has beed over shadowed by other anime that come out at the same time like Death Note and Code Geass, but it still had a lot of fans. But i would agree that it is kind of underrated in these days, or maybe forgotten. It's 2020's, so many other showes made a big talks in 2010's. All the new anime fans doesn't really care about 2000's anime that much in these days. Few days days ago i saw that someone in her 20's mentioned that 2000's anime are out-dated. So Black Lagoon gets less and less attention, and that over shadowing thing doesn't help it eather.
What's actually funny is most of your points about the characters and story are addressed and improved in the manga. Definitely recommend a read if you haven't already.
I was never an anime fan and dislike weeb culture. That is what is so great about Black Lagoon is that it breaks away from all that and feels real. It is unlike anything before, and certainly not like anything since. It has characters that have layers to them, as opposed to the one dimensional heroes of other anime, it is raw, gritty, dark unfiltered. It is like punk rock. The deep moments are philosophical and the characters are tormented. It could get very dark, It shows things that mainstream shows are afraid to show. It is just a shame that it was shortlived and didn't get as popular as ot should be.
Black lagoon is such a great show. Everything is great from the characters to the setting. I think it's action is its weakest element but nonetheless is great. The tension revolves around the dialogues and interactions and it's the action scenes that break it. The music is menacing and I'll say the Dub is better than the Sub because it captured and fits the setting more. Rock and the gang are pirates that went around the globe so them being multilingual is better shown in the dub. The backstory of each character is compelling. And the reference in both fictional and real world is like a love letter to the parodied films/books.
@@Rafagafanhotobra Oh man, I need to get into that. Been years since I seen anything and I never read the manga. Good to know it's still going. Time to set some schedule aside to hunker down and blow through it.
As a manga reader, I can assure you, there's nothing to complain about in the anime as an adaptation. Other than maybe there not being enough of it. However, I SO agree with the point about wanting more of the other characters. The manga is still on going and only 2 arcs have been completed since then, the latest of which got some interesting Dutch backstory, confirming his past as a soldier. Here's to hoping we'll get more of the others too as time goes by.
Are you guys thinking revy and rock is going ta fix their thing? Because in the end of last episode when they was smoking on the bout it looked like the situation had calmed down (in my opinion) And I really hope they going to success with their relationship
Such a underrated anime honestly like the show isn’t S tier but it’s definitely a 8/10 and this show is so good people don’t give it the respect it deserves ya the fights and gun play is cool but I didn’t watch the show bc the fighting was so hecking cool it’s becuz the FUCKING CHARACTERS are just great the development of almost every single character is great there’s a reason to enjoy everyone from bin Chang balalaika revy rock Dutch Japanese girl from season 2 Roberta little lord kid everyone they literally all have something interesting going on or changing and so many different parts of the show just do something great that shows don’t always pull off bruh it’s really fucking good and underrated as hell man
Another thing that further complicates the series is much like "Last Jedi" it shows how those capitalist society conditions us to see as "good guys" often secretly fund and create the conditions that bring into being those we are conditioned to see as "bad guys".
Capitalism doesn't set moral boundaries whatsoever. That's the governing system around it. If you think it's Capitalism, someone sold you bad information, but before we can get any further? Communism is way worse and the histories of Russia, China* and Vietnam really give you a look into the reason such "ideals" can't be reached. To be fair, neither system is at fault because both have set systems. The problem is humans themselves will always find some way to abuse the system for selfish desires. For instance, Communism has sprouted what amounts to Aristocracy and rampant Nepotism** that gives free luxury to the few while forcing the rest to work like slaves for meager food while the Inner Circle of the Party dine lavishly because they're supposedly "working hard to give you what's best for you". It steals autonomy and kills creativity and innovation. Capitalism has been twisted into Corporatism. It's essentially the reverse idea of Communism, where the Corpos run the Government instead. It's our biggest problem right now and people keep mistaking it for Capitalism, where it is most certainly _not._ Capitalism is an economic system that could run in different government styles and is simply free trade. Problem is where government steps in and intervenes. The market can certainly regulate itself and pretending the government actually knows how to run anything aside from itself is naive. Slavery isn't viable in Capitalism, because it stems economic growth and slaves are potential consumers otherwise. Anyway, I could go on, but I don't think we'd entirely disagree. *China has started going Totalitarian Fascist these last few decades. **Sadly Nepotism isn't purely strict to one economy or government style. It's favoritism in general.
@@Maniacman2030 I am well aware capitalism does not set moral boundaries, that does not change the fact it has moral effects and implications whether intended or not. What exactly do you think communism is?It does not exist in Russia,China,Vietnam or anywhere like that and never has, furthermore speaking of communism as though it is an economic or governmental system is a paradox as it is meant to be the absence of either economic or governmental power in the end. True communism is the highest form of anarchism. No state,no political rulership,no religious authority,no bosses,no money,no arbitrary class divisions. I agree with you that government as it currently exists is ineffective and should ultimately be abolished, however saying that the market can regulate itself is naive beyond measure!Ever heard of the Industrial Revolution?Iceland under Kristjan?The East India British Trading Company?The Stock Market Crash?The Gold Rush?The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?Indentured servitude?Child labour?The Haymarket Massacre?Pinochet`s Chile?Those are the sorts of things that tend to happen historically when we have trusted the market to "regulate itself". Ya, not exactly the non-aggressive,voluntary paradise the Austrian and Chicago Schools promised,huh?
@@Maniacman2030 Also referring to corporatism as separate from capitalism is an unnecessary arbitration and abstraction as in the real world capitalism always results in corporatism,exploitation,ecocide and monopoly sooner or later,government or no government.
For some reason I have a big feeling that this anime, often forgotten by the anime community in general nowadays (that tends to forget anything thats older than 10 years), has a bigger reach for cinephiles, philosophy enthusiasts and many people who are very familiar with western culture. Its one of those works that could introduce someone with those tastes, into anime. It feels more like a movie than an anime.
Late to the party, but very much agreed. I'd also add Cowboy Bebop on to that list second. Maybe some old school anime like Space Pirate Captain Harlock (or Space(?) Battleship Yamato) that isn't typical over the top stuff. I'd add Gangsta to that, a little science fiction if you want to count the enhanced soldiers and kids they sired who need meds to survive. It has dark themes like class struggle, crime syndicates, drugs, forced prostitution and abuse, both physical and psychological. It's a good show, regardless.
My most favorite criminally underrated anime of all time.
I wouldn't say that it's "criminally underrated". It has beed over shadowed by other anime that come out at the same time like Death Note and Code Geass, but it still had a lot of fans. But i would agree that it is kind of underrated in these days, or maybe forgotten. It's 2020's, so many other showes made a big talks in 2010's. All the new anime fans doesn't really care about 2000's anime that much in these days. Few days days ago i saw that someone in her 20's mentioned that 2000's anime are out-dated. So Black Lagoon gets less and less attention, and that over shadowing thing doesn't help it eather.
agreed 1000%
Black Lagoon video in 2021? Fuck yeah
One of the best one-video analysis of the series I've seen. Great content!
Cool/informative/thought provoking break-down of the series, hope to see more psychological/sociological analysis like this for other series.
I enjoyed Black Lagoon for the personal connections, strong story arcs, a unique setting and wasn't like most anime of that era.
What's actually funny is most of your points about the characters and story are addressed and improved in the manga. Definitely recommend a read if you haven't already.
I was never an anime fan and dislike weeb culture. That is what is so great about Black Lagoon is that it breaks away from all that and feels real. It is unlike anything before, and certainly not like anything since. It has characters that have layers to them, as opposed to the one dimensional heroes of other anime, it is raw, gritty, dark unfiltered. It is like punk rock. The deep moments are philosophical and the characters are tormented. It could get very dark, It shows things that mainstream shows are afraid to show. It is just a shame that it was shortlived and didn't get as popular as ot should be.
Black lagoon is such a great show. Everything is great from the characters to the setting. I think it's action is its weakest element but nonetheless is great. The tension revolves around the dialogues and interactions and it's the action scenes that break it. The music is menacing and I'll say the Dub is better than the Sub because it captured and fits the setting more. Rock and the gang are pirates that went around the globe so them being multilingual is better shown in the dub. The backstory of each character is compelling. And the reference in both fictional and real world is like a love letter to the parodied films/books.
I wish and hope there's a new chapter or a sequel of the Black Lagoon franchise series.
I really do.
The manga is still going. It has one finished arc and another one near-ending, plus some great new characters.
@@Rafagafanhotobra Oh man, I need to get into that. Been years since I seen anything and I never read the manga. Good to know it's still going. Time to set some schedule aside to hunker down and blow through it.
As a manga reader, I can assure you, there's nothing to complain about in the anime as an adaptation. Other than maybe there not being enough of it.
However, I SO agree with the point about wanting more of the other characters. The manga is still on going and only 2 arcs have been completed since then, the latest of which got some interesting Dutch backstory, confirming his past as a soldier. Here's to hoping we'll get more of the others too as time goes by.
I like the last arc music, it's amazing
Very cool video!
This show is just so cool no other way of putting it. The characters feel like real people and not “anime characters”
Greatest Action Anime Ever
Are you guys thinking revy and rock is going ta fix their thing? Because in the end of last episode when they was smoking on the bout it looked like the situation had calmed down (in my opinion) And I really hope they going to success with their relationship
" Get in the giant Torpedo Boat Shinj-.. *Rock* "
Definitely my favourite one. What are your other top 5s you mentioned?
get there from the site, thanks fo the work
Such a underrated anime honestly like the show isn’t S tier but it’s definitely a 8/10 and this show is so good people don’t give it the respect it deserves ya the fights and gun play is cool but I didn’t watch the show bc the fighting was so hecking cool it’s becuz the FUCKING CHARACTERS are just great the development of almost every single character is great there’s a reason to enjoy everyone from bin Chang balalaika revy rock Dutch Japanese girl from season 2 Roberta little lord kid everyone they literally all have something interesting going on or changing and so many different parts of the show just do something great that shows don’t always pull off bruh it’s really fucking good and underrated as hell man
Don't give me hope
You need to read the manga
Another thing that further complicates the series is much like "Last Jedi" it shows how those capitalist society conditions us to see as "good guys" often secretly fund and create the conditions that bring into being those we are conditioned to see as "bad guys".
Capitalism doesn't set moral boundaries whatsoever. That's the governing system around it. If you think it's Capitalism, someone sold you bad information, but before we can get any further? Communism is way worse and the histories of Russia, China* and Vietnam really give you a look into the reason such "ideals" can't be reached.
To be fair, neither system is at fault because both have set systems. The problem is humans themselves will always find some way to abuse the system for selfish desires. For instance, Communism has sprouted what amounts to Aristocracy and rampant Nepotism** that gives free luxury to the few while forcing the rest to work like slaves for meager food while the Inner Circle of the Party dine lavishly because they're supposedly "working hard to give you what's best for you". It steals autonomy and kills creativity and innovation.
Capitalism has been twisted into Corporatism. It's essentially the reverse idea of Communism, where the Corpos run the Government instead. It's our biggest problem right now and people keep mistaking it for Capitalism, where it is most certainly _not._ Capitalism is an economic system that could run in different government styles and is simply free trade. Problem is where government steps in and intervenes. The market can certainly regulate itself and pretending the government actually knows how to run anything aside from itself is naive. Slavery isn't viable in Capitalism, because it stems economic growth and slaves are potential consumers otherwise.
Anyway, I could go on, but I don't think we'd entirely disagree.
*China has started going Totalitarian Fascist these last few decades.
**Sadly Nepotism isn't purely strict to one economy or government style. It's favoritism in general.
@@Maniacman2030 I am well aware capitalism does not set moral boundaries, that does not change the fact it has moral effects and implications whether intended or not. What exactly do you think communism is?It does not exist in Russia,China,Vietnam or anywhere like that and never has, furthermore speaking of communism as though it is an economic or governmental system is a paradox as it is meant to be the absence of either economic or governmental power in the end. True communism is the highest form of anarchism. No state,no political rulership,no religious authority,no bosses,no money,no arbitrary class divisions. I agree with you that government as it currently exists is ineffective and should ultimately be abolished, however saying that the market can regulate itself is naive beyond measure!Ever heard of the Industrial Revolution?Iceland under Kristjan?The East India British Trading Company?The Stock Market Crash?The Gold Rush?The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade?Indentured servitude?Child labour?The Haymarket Massacre?Pinochet`s Chile?Those are the sorts of things that tend to happen historically when we have trusted the market to "regulate itself". Ya, not exactly the non-aggressive,voluntary paradise the Austrian and Chicago Schools promised,huh?
@@Maniacman2030 Also referring to corporatism as separate from capitalism is an unnecessary arbitration and abstraction as in the real world capitalism always results in corporatism,exploitation,ecocide and monopoly sooner or later,government or no government.