Let’s Talk Anime – Kakegurui (Compulsive Gambler)
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Hey there Anime fans and Otaku Enthusiasts! Here’s another anime series that’s undoubtedly in our favorites list. Let’s talk about another fun and entertaining show that we simply cannot resist. For today’s blog post, let’s talk about Kakegurui – Compulsive Gambler.
We mostly have seen that one anime series that is known for the pretty girls in a distinct red high school uniform and involves gambling. Well, that my friends, is Kakegurui in a nutshell. Now, let’s get into more details as we can and learn more interesting stuff about this show, shall we?
As being internationally distributed in the popular streaming platform Netflix, Kakegurui is based off a Japanese manga based off the same name by Homura Kawamoto and illustrated by Tōru Naomura. The anime television series is animated by MAPPA and is now aired through from July to September 2017 on Tokyo MX, MBS and other channels. Followed a second season Kakegurui xx as well as a live action TV series based off the same name.
In Layman’s terms, this show is set in a private school where rich students gamble for power and social status. If you win, you gain everyone’s adoration, and if you lose, you’ll be seen as the lowest being. Here comes the protagonist Yumeko Jabami comes in, a mysterious transferee yet to see the way things go in this school. Surpisingly, she has always been understood the assignment and is unexpectedly good at gambling, defeating most popular students that challenges her.
Although the theme of this show is just as fun, colorful, and entertaining, but as things goes in real life, risking huge things in gambling is highly discouraged, as it could develop an addiction and later on deteriorate one’s way of living in many aspects; physical, mental, moral, and financial health. Which is one of the things subtly shown on the series. How a student’s life and reputation is considered ‘ruined’ by losing gambling. Just imagine the implications it gets if that applies to the real world. Once a person loses, it will get to him to the point that he keeps on trying harder no matter how huge the risks are, then there go the unhealthy habits until he realizes how much he loses, as it will spiral on him and sadly get addicted as a coping mechanism.
Now back to the series. It had 24 episodes in total, 12 on each season with popular characters Yumeko Jabami, Runa Yomozuki, Kaede Manyuda, Kirari Momobami, Sayaka Igarashi, Mary Saotome, Ririka Momobami, Rei Batsubami, and Ryota Suzui. The first season of Kakegurui aired from July 1 to September 23, 2017, on Tokyo MX, MBS and other channels. The opening theme is “Deal with the Devil”, performed by Tia. D-Selections performed the ending theme “LAYon-theLINE”. The first season is licensed and streamed by Netflix, first in 2018, ran for 12 episodes. Sentai Filmworks acquired the series for release on home video in the United States.
In August 2018, it was announced that Kakegurui season 2 would debut in Japan in January 2019. A second season titled Kakegurui ×× aired from January 8 to March 26, 2019. The second season’s opening theme song is “Kono Yubi Tomare” performed by JUNNA, while the ending theme is “AlegriA” performed by D-selections. The second season ran for 12 episodes.
From the fandom page of the show: “Hyakkaou Private Academy, an institution for the privileged with a very peculiar curriculum for the children of prominent wealthy families across Japan, it’s not athletic prowess or book smarts that keep you ahead, it’s reading your opponent, the art of the deal. What better way to hone those skills than with a rigorous curriculum of gambling. At Hyakkaou Private Academy, the winners live like kings, and the losers are put through the wringer. But when Yumeko Jabami transfers to Hyakkaou Private Academy, she’s gonna teach these kids what a high roller really looks like.”
Aside from the anime itself, the show is known for iconic fictional items that we bring back to life such as the cosplay costumes and wigs of these characters, especially the Signature red uniform of course. Aside from that, the love over Kakegurui is never ending as different merch items inspired by the show is kept being made such as action figures, hoodies, LED Lights, and even stickers. Merch items are such a must-have for every huge fan but still worth checking out if you have the likings for the show’s aesthetic and even casually interested with the show.
Due to its popularity, a series-inspired mobile game was created. Kakegurui: Cheating Allowed was a game for the iOS and Android systems developed by Wizcorp and Crossover and released on July 14, 2017. Aside from that, Kakegurui was nominated for the DaVinci x NicoNico Tsugi Manga Awards 2016 and won one of the manga awards by taking third place. There were in total 20 manga nominations in the contest.
Now one of the most popular anime series of the late 2010s, the show gained its fanbase from the anime community and a fair share of critical reviews as well. As per Wkipedia: Concerning reception of the first season, Collider gave the anime series negative review, although did note it was catered to fans of gambling and sexualized characters. About the anime first season, GoombaStomp wrote “Kakegurui is a sometimes silly, often intoxicating anime that had all the makings of something truly special…regardless of its shortcomings, Kakegurui is worth being watched if just for its gripping gambling bouts alone.”
AND THAT’S IT FOR TODAY
Hope you liked our little article discussing basic Kakegurui. Also, let us know your thoughts or if there’s something we missed down in the comments.
What do like the most about Kakegurui? What is the most memorable thing you can get from the show? How about the ones that you like and dislike? We would love to hear from you.
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