Deadman Wonderland 02 – Antidote (Candy)

Initially I claimed that Deadman Wonderland is fairly similar to Battle Royale and I definitely have to stand by that statement. Not only is Ganta falsely convicted of a highly traumatic crime and placed on death row, the privately owned prison/amusement park of where he is currently housed, gets a kick out of killing off its criminal population for sport. Or rather the sadistic warden does. Furthermore how large is this population that vast amounts can be taken out during the course of one activity?

The endless supply of filler convicts aside, we’re introduced to our first criminal villain, a standard hot-headed thug, nothing more, nothing less. Considering this is a maximum security prison, one that goes that extra mile to deny basic human rights, I was under the impression you had to be convicted of a substantial offence, say massacring your classmates. Where are the real psychopaths? The really dangerous folk, not just the thugs! Please bring them out soon!

Ganta continues to darn his helpless-innocent cloak even in the face of his new brutal surroundings. He remains blissfully unaware of the rules, for example the importance of eating the prison candy/antidote, as well as befriended Takami. Again this is prison, it’s full of dangerous people, people who might appear outwardly friendly and charming but whom are secretly manipulative. Its not that complicated, but then Ganta is a naïve child. And of course since Ganta is innocent, presumably it is possible that other convicts have also been falsely convicted.

Verdict: Very Good.