Name(s): Mahjong Legend Akagi: The Genius Who Descended Into the Darkness / Touhai Densetsu Akagi: Yami ni Maiorita Tensai / 闘牌伝説アカギ　闇に舞い降りた天才
Format: TV series (26 episodes)
Studio(s): Madhouse
Original Publication: N/A (unknown)

Akagi Review

Let’s get this out of the way: Kaiji is better. Akagi is a cool character, but he’s much too reserved and invincible. There’s no dynamic to his personality because he always wins and shows no sign of weakness. Also, I felt Kaiji relied more on strategy than luck—though Akagi‘s narrative might convince someone that it’s more of the former. Oh, and duh—Kaiji had more games than mahjong.

All right, but this is still a fun anime. Nobuyuki Fukumoto‘s character designs are as distinct as always (and thus divisive, but whatever), and his metaphors for the situations that come up in the middle of games are creative and exhilarating. He’s a remarkable sports commentator.

Verdict on Akagi

Kaiji is something everyone should try, while this anime is mainly some side goods that laid the stylistic groundwork for a better series. Also the ending is bullshit, as is the fact that the manga is still going.