Kaiji season 2 episode 13 – hoisted on his own petard

There's been a wrinkle in the plan.

Episode 13 of Kaiji season 2 starts off with the discovery of a bit of a problem. The last episode ended with what looked like one of those classic moments of Kaiji putting together a plan, but this episode starts off with Kaiji discovering that Sakazaki hasn’t finished screwing things up. :face-palm:

Kaiji season 2 episode 11 – Gambling! Ambition! Madness!

Now the only thing a gambler needs is a suitcase and a trunk. And the only time that he's satisfied is when he's on a drunk.

Episode 11 of Kaiji season 2 begins Sakazaki’s battle against the main-eating Bog, a demonic pachinko machine. I enjoyed this episode, first getting anxious while watching the balls drop, then getting hopeful when it turned out that Sakazaki’s plan had some potential, and finally getting angry as everything went to hell, but Sakazaki refused to acknowledge that a change in plans was necessary.

Kaiji 2 episode 7 – way to make a tense situation worse

Ohtsuki is feeling the pressure.

Kaiji Season 2 episode 7 brings us the fateful game of chinchirorin between Kaiji and Ohtsuki, as well as an explanation to the secret of Ohtsuki’s magic touch, all dished up with a side of anxiety so bad I almost got sick. It is truly remarkable the way Kaiji manages to build up the anxiety around games that are so simple.

Kaiji S2 episode 4 – hell within a hell

Losers amongst losers find themselves despairing in the pits of Hell.

Season 2 of Kaiji, episode 4 sees Kaiji’s growing realization of just how bad a situation he has gotten himself into.

Kaiji: gambling with one’s life

Evil people prey on the weak and gullible.

Kaiji is a story of gambling, but it’s even more a story of what happens at the margins of society. It is about the desperation of those without money, and the selfishness of those who have lots of it. Make no mistake, this is not a comedy, nor is it a “feel good” story. Most episodes had me feeling like I wanted to punch someone. This review is based upon seeing the entire series (26 episodes), but is spoiler-free.