Reviewer: Zandra [email]Overall Rating: B+
Media Reviewed: Digital Fansub
Creator: Yuya Aoki, Rando Ayamine
U.S. Licensed: Yes
Released by: ADV
Run time: 49 episodes
BL Content: None (slashable, gay side characters)
Genre: Action/Supernatural
Other media: English manga
This review is for episodes 1-7.
GetBackers is based on a shonen manga series by Yuya Aoki with art by Rando Ayamine. The anime is a 2002-2003.
GetBackers follows the adventures of two young men, Midou Ban and Ginji Amano, who promise that "If you lose something, we'll get it back!" The only problem with this buisness- it doesn't always pay that well! They both possess supernatural powers- Ginji can control lighting and Ban has an ability called the "Jagan" or "evil eye." If Ban looks directly at something, he will cause it to either have a dream or a nightmare for exactly one minute in real time.
With such a basic premise, you'd think the show would be boring, but the way the characters play off each other really brings out the fun. Ginji is the hyperactive and innocent blonde boy with a heart of gold, who has a mysterious past as being leader of a gang known as "VOLTS," part of the "Ura Shinjuku" group. Also was the Head of the Four Leaders of Shinjuku. Midou Ban, on the other hand, is cool and collected with a mind as sly as a fox. He also is extremely mysterious and LOVES money! He was a theif with a girl named Himiko and her brother Yamato when he was younger. It seems as if Ban had killed Yamato, but as of now we don't know why. You later find out Himiko has taken up a deadly persona as "Lady Poison" and is determined to kill Ban with her potions as an act of revenge for her brother.
This show is wonderfully slashy due to the relationship between Ginji and Ban. In the series, ONLY Ginji is allowed to call Midou Ban "Ban-chan" and it seemingly looks like his entire life was changed when he met Ban. He's completely loyal to Ban and is very trustworthy. In fact, the only things that get Ginji angry are when someone badmouths Ban or Ban steals his food!! Ban, on the other hand, can be kind of a tease to Ginji but truly believes in the boy's abilities. He usually comes up with the plans and has Ginji follow them. There are also the four leaders of the "Ura Shinjuku" group who used to be Ginji's loyal followers. One of these, Fuuchiyouin Kazuki, is so pretty he is often mistaken as a girl. He hates Ban with a passion, mostly because Ban calls him "Kazu-chan." (and perhaps jealousy?) Kazuki has trademark bells in his hair by his ear, and is good at stealing information. The other three leaders play important roles as well.
The animation for the show is obviously all-digital, as most shows are these days. The colors are nice and the fight scenes are well animated, however it's nothing special. Music fits the scene, but again nothing really stands out except one track usually played near the end of a fight. The opening song grows on you, I couldn't stand it at first but now I really like it. The ending song is very sweet and pretty. The seiyuu for Ban is Canna Nobutoshi, famous for Tasuki of Fushigi Yuugi and Gawl of Generator Gawl. The seiyuu for Ginji is Morikubo Shotaro, a relative newcomer, but he portrays Ginji perfectly in my opinon. One line of note is his whiny "Ban-chan!" used throughout the series. Other seiyuu featured are Takehito Koyasu, Miki Shinichiro, and Yasunori Matsumoto. Character designs are done by Atsuko Nakajima, most noted for Ranma 1/2 character designs.
In summary, GetBackers is a lot of fun to watch, and the slashy elements make it greater. I can see Ban-chan and Ginji being a fan favorite pairing. Try this show out, it's comedy, action and bishounen. You can't go wrong with that!
