Review of Ikebukuro West Gate Park
Ikebukuro West Gate Park was really disappointing. After episode 3, I knew I should've listened to my gut and drop the series because of how mediocre each episode was. But I still kept watching it because I expected the plot to go into the gang aspect of the story. What I got, in the end, were redundant PSA episodes, characters that have one-note personalities, and a very lackluster and disappointing ending. Story (3/10) Right off the bat, IWGP had the potential to be a good show with Makoto acting as a mediator between the G-Boys and the Red Angels. Two rival gangs could cause a turf warand Makoto being the only one who can stop it from happening. However, instead of gang wars, we got PSA episodes telling us how society is all kinds of messed up and that weed is bad and getting YouTube clout is bad. Why? From the synopsis, the story sounded dark but it turned out to be a total lie, and instead, we got Makoto being everyone's errand boy that had little to do with gangs or even the G-Boys and the Red Angels. Episode 3 is by far the worst episode because of how cringey it was that the producers were trying to be up to date with the youth by making an episode about a YouTuber. As the story went on, I realized something: There is no conflict. Whatever conflict there is, it's solved quickly like it was never there to begin with. Only 4 episodes had some type of conflict but they were done quickly that it feels rushed.
I say each episode is like a PSA because they are and that's what really ruined the anime for me. Not to mention each episode talking about whatever PSA it was is only surface level. I expected an anime about gangs, not watch PSA episodes.
Characters (3/10)
Along with the story, I had issues with the characters. Everyone is so one-dimensional and boring. Makoto is a random fruit seller that everyone goes to for help and to solve their problems for some reason and it's never explored why he's the way he is. Personally, Makoto is the textbook definition of a Gary-Stu. He's so boring yet he does all these things and manages to resolve problems no other person could. He's never shown any development and remains the same all the way in the end. He's just so boring.
The anime also has the gang leaders, Takashi and Kyouichi. A.K.A. The most useless gang leaders I have ever seen. Both Takashi and Kyouichi are the equivalent of the Tuxedo Mask meme from Sailor Moon where Tuxedo Mask says "my job here is done" and Usagi says "But you didn't do anything." Takashi and Kyouichi are Tuxedo Mask and Makoto is Usagi. Makoto does all the leg work for the both of them and yet they are these respected gang leaders when in reality they do nothing. If anything, they're laughably bad with how poorly written they are.
The side characters aren't really that interesting either. Literally, one of them is used for plot convenience in 2 episodes and is otherwise forgettable. The same can be said with just about everyone else.
Art (5/10)
The art isn't really something to write home about nor is it bad. I thought it was decent enough.
Sound (5/10)
The OP and ED songs are the highlight of the anime. The rest of it was kind of forgettable.
Overall (3/10)
Ikebukuro West Gate Park is a disappointment. It failed to deliver in a lot of ways in regards to the plot. The characters are all one-note characters with no backstory to either of them, and the show overall was mediocre at best. Not the worst show but it could've been better. I would recommend (if possible) to watch the TV show instead. If there is one anime I recommend (aside from the obvious recommendation of Durarara), I would say watch Akudama Drive. Akudama Drive makes IWGP look like a slice of life. If you want fights, interesting characters and plot, then Akudama Drive is one I would recommend.
What else can I say about IWGP other than it was a disappointment.