IKEBUKURO WEST GATE PARK

DESCRIPTION

CAST

MANGA DramaIkebukuro West Gate Park

REVIEWS

• 

  CeeJayz

  62/100
  Some stories hit home greatly, some miss by a long shot. It's an okay show.

  Ikebukuro West Gate Park is a strange beast. On one hand, it explores serious real-world issues like racism, but on the other hand, it attempts to fit those conflicts and tell episodic stories with its diverse cast of characters that can sometimes hit home greatly, or miss by a long shot.

  Story-wise, IWGP is an interesting take on the “gang” genre. The main character gets involved with different kinds of conflicts and attempts to resolve them without using forceful methods for the most part, but occasionally seeks help from his friend, who is the leader of a gang, to help him out when things aren’t smooth-sailing. These conflicts are certainly great choices to tell multiple stories that happen in Ikebukuro, but there are times where it feels as if the episodes that tackle some of these conflicts feel like they are lacking the extra punch or “oomph” to really give viewers an impact that will be felt long after the ED plays, save for a few that are actually pretty solid because it does have that extra punch like the two-episode arcs.

  On the positive side, IWGP’s characters feel grounded to reality, which makes sense as this anime basically is grounded too. Their experiences in life mostly revolve around the conflicts that the episode tackles, which is a good way to set up the mood of the episode. While on the topic of characters, the main character, Makoto, fights for justice and will use any means necessary so long as violence is avoided for the most part. Aside from that, he also empathizes with those who seek help from him and help them out to make Ikebukuro a better place. Of course, there are characters that are one-dimensional, but they are mostly just there for the plot and are unimportant for the most part. One drawback, however, is that I don’t really feel interested or invested with some of the characters, but for most of the time, they manage to keep my interest.

  Moving on to its art and music, it’s certainly not bad. Its minimalistic take on its character designs reminds me of another anime from this year from Doga Kobo, which is Sing “Yesterday” for Me. Speaking of Sing “Yesterday”, IWGP is kind of similar to it in a way that it doesn’t really use too much music aside from a few scenes, which makes me more focused with its dialogue and what’s happening on the screen. Now while all these things sound positive, I think that overall, there is really nothing to write home about with IWGP in terms of art and music, as I think it doesn’t really make enough effort in order for it to at least let its art and music stick with me.

  In conclusion, Ikebukuro West Gate Park is neither a great nor bad show. It is simply an “okay” show from Doga Kobo, and here’s to hoping that they manage to produce great shows in the future. Would I recommend it? If you have the patience, I’d say go for it, as there are certainly aspects of the show where I can see people enjoy it, but if you don’t have the patience, it would be in your best interest to skip it, as you are not really missing out on a ton. (6.2/10)

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• 

  Jhinnie

  90/100
  A simple yet compelling collection of stories

  Hey there!
  Now that IWGP has finished airing I'll be making a short review as I think I've seen what this show has to offer,but also the downsides that will turn people away,and I have to say I've been loving every single minute of Ikebukuro West Gate Park.
  To start I'd like to sway people that think this is going to be a gang war type anime and if they are looking for something like that they'll likely not get the point of this show.I'd like to consider myself somewhat of a seasoned delinquent manga reader as it is one of my favorite genres,it has a lot more to offer than just fights and the emotional side of it is often overlooked,not to mention the potential for comedy that is often utilized really well,sometimes even so much so that the whole series is based on that comedy element.This isnt the case here but the show handles many of these aspects really well in its episodic nature.
  So whats IWGP about?
  IWGP is an anime that takes a bit of an unusual approach to storytelling as we are shifted into this world that Makoto the main character is living in each week for a new fresh tale rather than an unraveling plot that the entire story is centered around.
  Makoto is in many ways a problem solver,a troubleshooter for just about anyone in Ikebukuro,but specially for one of the main gangs there called the G Boys because of his close connection with the gangs boss.This type of approach can offer a wide variety of topics to explore but will also limit the story's overall progression and people left looking for something more will often not find their time well spent with this series.In turn if we look at the other side of the spectrum and take the series for what it is I think you'll find that the world and characters are endearing and that the stories being told here can be short and sweet as intended.
  How is that not boring if there is no real plot?
  This is where the show makes it or breaks it for many people,the tales of Makoto in Ikebukuro take a very ''problem of the week formula'',with new things happening each episode and usually ending within that same episode.The beauty of Ikebukuro West Gate Park is not in this structure but it is in the tales that it tells,the stories feel very real and grounded and show you what the darker side of life can be like,the topics on display here are very dark but down to earth,from drugs,suicide,dealing with loss,family etc..This is the main strength of this show and its one of those where you can sit back and enjoy it for what it is.
  Whats the production quality like?
  There isnt much to say on this front from me as I am no expert in this field but this is a show done by the same studio that did Yesterday Wo Uttate in the spring season although you might know them a bit more as the studio behind Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, and you can see a very similar animation style here to those two animes.The sound quality feels very nice and the voice actors are all great I didnt notice any drop in quality and they have stayed pretty consistent on this front,the anime is very stylish and vibrant but can also take a pretty dark color palette to suit its story.
  Final Verdict
  I'll just say a few quick final words as the anime has compelled me enough to write my very first review on this platform.
  The show feels like a really nice breath of fresh air and its one of the many surprises that has kept my interest in seasonal anime this year going.
  As far as I am aware there is no english translations of the manga but the story adapted here in the anime has little to do with the original manga and the art style has been changed and modernized,and I quite like it.
  If anything I said here has peaked your interest I highly encourage you to give this anime a spin!

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