Ikebukuro West Gate Park

“A Hidden Gem Anime About Empathy and Perspective”

Do you have a team that you can rely on for almost everything? Whether your team consists of family, friends, or a distinct group, they play a significant role in your life. Perhaps they represent a part of you that others don't see or recognize, working together to make you unique. Maybe you have an entirely different personality and vibe around your squad, because nobody else can handle your crazy like they can! Such people are extremely important, so cherish every experience you share with them.

“Ikebukuro West Gate Park," also known as "IWGP," is a 12-episode TV anime series that aired from the 6th of October till the 22nd of December in Fall 2020. Nippon Columbia and Kadokawa produced it, Funimation licensed it, and Studio Doga Kobo brought it to life. Cook Justin, Kikushima Kazufumi, Kobayashi Ryou, and Kamata Hajime were the main staff. This series of 23-minute episodes, which features the genres of drama and mystery alongside a theme of delinquents, earned a rating of PG-13 for teenagers 13 years of age or older.

The series is based on the manga of the same name that ran for a total of 4 volumes from July 2001 till November 2004. Author Ishida Ira and artist Aritou Sena created it, featuring the genres of drama, mystery, and romance, and serialized it in Young Champion. It was published in English by Digital Manga Publishing from September 28th, 2004 to September 6th, 2006. The manga "IWGP Denshi no Hoshi" served as an alternative version.

This covered a single volume from March 8th to May 10th, 2006. It was the work of the same author and artist, Asaki Masashi, and featured horror and mystery genres. It was serialized by Shounen Magazine Weekly, with a focus on the Shounen demographic.

Ikebukuro, the home of numerous and diverse businesses and gangs, serves as the setting for Ikebukuro West Gate Park. Among the many intriguing people inhabiting this eventful city, protagonist Makoto Majima is well known to all as the "troubleshooter" that mediates between the many warring factions—a much-needed role to ensure peace.

As a result, he is well acquainted with all of the ins and outs of the Tokyo district and works every day to maintain it. He maintains the status quo with the G-Boys, the group that assists him in his pivotal troubleshooting endeavors. Takashi Andou, known for his charisma and ruthlessness, leads the group, enabling the G-Boys to rise to prominence as the most influential gang in Ikebukuro. However, things aren't going to remain peaceful forever because a new faction called the "Red Angels" started to make moves on the G-Boys' territory, immediately causing tensions to rise between them.

Things escalate to the point that numerous enemies start appearing both around and within the G-Boys group, making the very navigation through their familiar streets quite difficult for Makoto. Regardless, he continues to troubleshoot problems, but ends up slowly unraveling a convoluted plot that may just trigger an all-out war that threatens the entirety of Ikebukuro!

Ikebukuro West Gate Park is the kind of anime you can’t truly judge by watching the first 3 episodes. While it is not a masterpiece that you cannot miss, it is a pretty solid show that most people drop too soon. While the plot revolves around the street gangs of Ikebukuro, our protagonist Makoto does not belong to any of them; he just happens to be best friends with a gang leader.

The plot itself is very simple. Makoto serves as a troubleshooter, attempting to uphold peace while resolving every issue that comes his way on a regular basis. Whenever someone approaches our MC with a problem that may have a very clear solution from the onset, the main focus is on the process of getting to said outcome and the social interactions involved. In this show, we see each problem from several angles, showing you the true impact of perspective, adding so much depth and room for thought.

While this may seem boring, there's lots to do and enjoy. If you have watched 'Durarara!!', this is quite similar minus the fantasy elements. The early episodes have a stand-alone structure, but these all connect impactfully as the series progresses. You can see these short stories addressing many real societal problems, including but not limited to bullying, overworking, discrimination, drug abuse, and so on.

The setting is well-developed, with the park serving as the central hub and the other locations feeling lived-in and distinct. As you enter the later episodes, the fact that something bigger is lying in wait beneath the surface becomes more and more apparent. This buildup is steady and well-paced, keeping the show captivating throughout. Make no mistake, this is a tale set in a grimy world of crime, filled to the brim with violent gangs, con artists, and hitmen, but at the same time, it is surprisingly kind-hearted and says a lot about empathy.

In the character department, Makoto is a man who stands in the middle of all the mayhem and ensures that none of it blows up in everyone's faces. He's not the most unique protagonist out there, but he suits this setting and story perfectly; he is charming, caring, slightly awkward, and incredibly smart in the ways he needs to be, always concocting the best solution to problems after viewing things from multiple angles. Things may not always go according to plan, but he always makes the best out of challenging situations and somehow manages to come out on top. He's just really good at thinking on his feet, as his position requires it, and delivers a very strong message of empathy by himself.

The show also focuses on the two main gangs, which have a lot of depth, and introduces a few members from each. Overall, I found all of these characters to be quite intriguing and likable, making me care about all of them to some degree. But the two leaders outside the MC are the real stars: Takashi and Ozaki, Kyouichi! Both of them feel so unique and likable, contrary to their attractive standard visual designs.

But their character dynamics are just as important because their mutual respect and frustration are compelling. Despite the abundance of supporting characters, the main or side stories develop them to a satisfactory degree. The series’ approach to developing characters through specific situations rather than just giving them backstory is very refreshing and well done. Together, these characters deliver a clear and simple tale that is far more impactful than you would expect.

The art and animation department is nothing special; it’s just decent. It's true that the art style fits the setting, and while the characters are likable and distinct, they lack depth. The animation itself is a disappointment; I could only see a very low level of fluidity, but it was consistent, and the movements felt somewhat natural. The background art perfectly captures the whole city vibe, making it feel truly alive and eventful. There are some impressive camera angles that capture the best of the character designs that would otherwise go unseen, paying special attention to the hair and clothes.

The handling of the sounds and music departments surpasses that of the visuals. The opening theme is "Needle Knot" by THE PINBALLS, and the ending themes are "after song" by INNOSENT in FORMAL, "Omou mama" by INNOSENT in FORMAL, and "Boukyoku no Sora" by Kiyoharu, all of which suit the show perfectly, and I found myself vibing to them every time. Even if you aren’t a big fan of rapping, these pieces will still deliver.

None of the OSTs really stood out, but all of them suited the moments just right and played a significant role in the delivery. For example, imagine a character hanging out at a bar alongside someone they’re talking to; such a moment requires an ambient OST that sets the mood but doesn’t distract you from the conversation. It's not an effortless task to incorporate music that perfectly fits the unique atmosphere of this show, yet it manages to do so in a simple yet brilliant manner. The voice acting was just as good, though there weren’t any groundbreaking performances to note.

While Ikebukuro West Gate Park won't win any awards, it delivers more than we expect and does so precisely. So rather than comparing it to other series, let it be said that this show accomplished what it set out to do without a hitch and provided us with a truly unique and deep experience. The main focus here are people: be curious about others, learn about them, and try to clear misunderstandings before things escalate.

This is a tale of empathy and perspective, teaching viewers to accept people for who they are and live together within a community. It truly drives home the idea that people aren’t just good or evil, because even hardened street thugs can be worthy of understanding and acceptance. Honestly, this is not your typical anime, and it deserves more recognition. Recommended!