Black Lagoon

It’s been a long time coming (both this post and boxset) but FINALLY the complete box set of Black Lagoon is on UK shelves.

Bold and brazen this series manages to successfully combine all the elements that make for a great anime and an explosively addictive storyline. Make no mistake this is very much a lad’s anime; bullets, carnage, mercenaries, warring mafia factions, car chases, Nazis, an ever increasing cast of attractive but would kill-you-as-soon-as-look-as you femme fatales, and in the midst of all this chaos, violence and destruction we have our protagonist Rock, just a normal guy like you or me.

Whilst working as a low level employee for a Japanese company, quiet and downtrodden Rock inadvertently becomes hostage to the crew of the Black Lagoon, a gang of mercenaries that act as a delivery service and go between for dangerous (and almost always illegal) deals in the South China Sea. Thrown into a world of gunfights, danger and circumstances beyond his control Rock has little choice but to tag along and hope that he comes out alive. Obviously this leads to a lot of comic moments, more so when he decides to join with his captors and work as an accountant for all their illegal activities. You’ll have Rock standing fully suited on the bow during a hi-jack apologising for the inconvenience while short tempered and trigger happy Revy itches to fire a Rocket Launcher at them.

Though not shy in humour you’re never far away from the reality of the gang’s tentative situation and the ever present threat that death is only two steps behind them. It makes for some pensive and reflective moments between the explosions and provides a serious tone in the anime which at times borders on the melancholic. None-the-less this only seeks to add to cool demeanour that Black Lagoon so effortlessly emulates.

I recommend this as a must see for all anime fans purely for its ability to sweep you so readily into the action. Like Rock you’ll be taken on a brutal journey into the rough and ready criminal underworld surrounded by beautiful mangroves and crystal clear waters and with a sadistic grin you’re going to love every second of it.

Angelic Rogue