Completed Anime
Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

“Debt-ridden Kaiji gambles on a ship to erase debts, facing brutal games of survival and betrayal.”

Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor

8.26
355 rank · 389,562 viewers · 10,858 favorites
Suspense Adult Cast High Stakes Game Psychological Strategy Game Seinen
26 episodes · 23 min per ep min · Fall 2007 · Madhouse · R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
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Episodes · 26 26/26 aired
EP 01 EP 26

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Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...

However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...

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Synopsis

Debt-ridden Kaiji gambles on a ship to erase debts, facing brutal games of survival and betrayal.

After one of his coworkers fails to repay a debt, apathetic bum Kaiji Itou is pressured by loan sharks to settle the large sum of cash. Since Kaiji has little money and no future prospects of his own, he is unable to return what his colleague borrowed. Faced with massive financial burdens, Kaiji is given an offer to board the illustrious Espoir—it is said that "one night aboard the ship, and all of your debts will be paid." What seems like a simple night of gambling quickly turns into a game of strategy and betrayal. With the losers of the tournament being subjected to a backbreaking life of indebted servitude, Kaiji must choose his actions—and allies—carefully. However, this is only the beginning of a series of gambles that will wager Kaiji's life, testing the full extent of his wits and will to survive.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

What people say

Community consensus

Derived from 124 sampled reviews

8.3 /10

What 124 viewers settled on.

91% recommend
Score distribution
median 9 mode 10 σ 1.92
1510
Agreement

Polarized

σ 1.92 · split reception

split
The polarity gap

5.4 pts

Recommenders 8.9 · others 3.5

Yes
No
Score over time

↓ 1.75

Running avg · Dec 2007 → Nov 2025

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Production slate

A Tv Production · Fall 2007

Madhouse.
in association with

VAP · Nippon Television Network

  • Format 26 × 23′ eps × min
  • Total runtime 9h 58m all episodes
  • Aired Oct 2007 – Apr 2008 Fall 2007
  • Source Tv media type
  • Rated R 17+ (violence & profanity)
  • Ref. BS-2729 catalog

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