Review of Black Lagoon

Another show that makes me want to smoke cigarettes. Black Lagoon is a show in the same vein as a Hollywood action flick. The series mimics one in many ways, most notably in the way real-world brands are used and become a backdrop for the impossible and over-the-top action that takes place throughout Black Lagoon. A few times I really did feel as if I could have been watching a high-budget action film. The story of Black Lagoon is simple. Besides what is set up in the first episode there is no continuous story arc. However, it isn't quite episodic either, it is split up intofour or five arcs, with each of these arcs lasting a few episodes. In the end you may have watched twelve episodes but you only recall four important things happening, but it gets the job done and allows more detail to be placed into what is going on. Which is good to have, because they go up against some very odd people. Neo Nazi's trying to restore power to the Reich and an ex-assassin house-maid both make an appearance.

Black Lagoon's art is phenomenal. It has crisp and clean designs for the characters, with varying density outlines which I like, and detailed environments which do seem out of place at times since they lack much outline and look more like paintings than an animation but it looks great nonetheless. I especially like the choice of colors for the show, everything looks great whether it is day or night. Nothing looks too dark or too light, a great amount of detail is payed to where light should be. It should be noted that Black Lagoon also takes advantage of computer effects to amplify its lighting effects. Bloom effects are used occasionally on the reflection of glasses or the sun setting over the ocean. CG is also used as well ,mainly on cars but also on butterflies, and fits the shows aesthetic very well and does not look out of place.

Although the soundtrack in Black Lagoon doesn't stand up to the more 'epic' sound tracks of other anime, the music played was the correct choice for the situation. The only fault I am able to find with it is that it isn't my favorite style. The voice acting is very good as well. I watched it dubbed, which I recommend unless you have to watch it subbed. In English everyone sounds great with the exception of a few minor characters, usually members of gangs, and all characters have convincing accents from where they are supposed to be from.

The characters are my favorite part of Black Lagoon. Every character has a different personality and the characters stick to their personalities and take actions you would suspect them to make. Two of the best characters are women named Revy and Balalaika. Revy who killed as a child to survive and is great with a weapon has earned the nickname "two hands" by the people that know her because of her skills with using two pistols at once. Balalaika was a captain for the soviet union before it disbanded. After the soviet union fell she and her subordinates headed a group called Hotel Moscow, a branch of the Russian Mafia. Balalaika is one of the most cunning characters on the show and watching her and her men is very entertaining.

Black Lagoon was a very enjoyable experience. The violence in this show will keep your attention for quite a while. I can't recall an episode where someone doesn't shoot something or something doesn't get blown up, it's great. I also had fun watching some of the characters' banter with the other characters. I may have even laughed a few times. It should be noted that Black Lagoon doesn't always take itself seriously and will put the characters into certain positions that will entertain its audience, something they really had fun with in the show's off-shoot, Black Lagoon Omake.

Understand that this is only the first half of Black Lagoon. The second season is titled Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage. Everything Black Lagoon does, Black Lagoon: The Second Barrage does better.