Review by Frank Plowright

The cast sent on killing missions in Gantz have previously always seen action in areas at night where no members of the public are affected. That changed with the end to Gantz 6 when a man uninvolved in the ongoing mystery is about to die at the hands of the giant Buddha statue come to life.

Gantz has become a frustrating series because Hiroya Oku has good ideas, but drags them on way too long. Three chapters here continue the battle with the giant Buddha statue, and once that threat’s dealt with the cast enter the temple it’s been guarding only to be confronted with statues of other gods. Oku choreographs the action exceptionally well and with creative viewpoints, but even the shock of what happens can’t disguise this section essentially being repetition. Worse still, it’s a trick Oku has played before with one set of foes defeated only for another similar selection to manifest.

Developing from that, though, moves Gantz into new territory, and for the first time it occurs that while Oku has ensured Kei and Kato being the primary characters to date, there’s no reason that needs to be the case throughout.

Gantz 7 ends much as it started, with a desperate battle against a seemingly unbeatable foe and a life at stake. The only major difference is there are fewer cast members remaining to take us into Gantz 8.

Disappointingly, while Oku can’t move the plot forward with speed, he’s still able to begin each chapter with a cheesy pin-up of a girl with a gun.