High Card

"All you need in life are manners, dignity, and the will to bet on your own life." Does this sound like Squidgame? You occasionally have to play the game of life to live. To survive in this world, we participate in various games. Some of these games are hazardous, while others are as commonplace as just going to work and doing your chores on time. The dangerous ones are games that not all of us get to play. Because if we did, we’d have no choice but to win.

The "High Card" anime series was announced on June 9, 2021. The project's partners were Sammy Co., Ltd. and Kadokawa Co., Ltd. Junichi Wada oversaw Studio Hibari, which produced the show. Kenichi Yamashita, Kazuhiko Inukai, Shingo Nagai, and Naoki Kuroyanagi wrote the screenplays; Nozomi Kawano created the character designs; and Ryo Takahashi handled the musical arrangements.

It was shown on AT-X and other networks between January 9th and March 27th, 2023. The series has a Crunchyroll license and was scheduled to debut on January 9th, 2023, at the same time as it did in Japan. A second season was also announced at Anime Japan on March 26, 2023. On August 31st, 2022, the side story, High Card: 9 No Mercy, started its publication in Square Enix's online manga magazine Manga UP! On December 3rd, 2021, a drama CD version of the franchise was made available.

High Card might seem like an original animation. Still, it is actually a mixed-media project by Homura Kawamoto, Hikaru Muno, and TMS Entertainment in collaboration with pachinko/pachislot manufacturer Sammy Corporation and anime producer Kadokawa. The action and fantasy genres, along with the themes of organized crime, superpowers, and adult cast, were highly present in this anime. The series included 12 episodes, each of which lasted 23 minutes. For its violence and language, the show was granted an R-17+ rating.

When Finn, living independently on the streets, learned that his orphanage was about to close due to financial strain, he headed to a casino hoping to win big. However, he couldn't anticipate the nightmare that awaited him there. A deck of 52 X-Playing cards that can bestow various superhuman talents and powers on the people holding them now threatens to dominate the global order. These cards allow individuals to access their inner “Buddy's” secret power.

The monarch of Fourland has given a secret squad of players known as “High Card” direct orders to gather the cards dispersed around the country while working part-time for luxury vehicle manufacturer Pinochle.

In contrast to Kakegurui's classroom environment, where gambling is the norm, High Card removes the traditional Japanese school from its context, puts it in the trash, and inserts a world in which people's lives are in danger everywhere they go. This results from the mysterious royal family of the Kingdom of Fourland owning the secret 52-card deck known as "X-Playing Cards" used in the series. Each card in the deck of cards grants its owner (or "player") a highly particular superhuman skill or talent to use however they see fit, as discoveries are made and abandoned along the way. For instance, some cards give their player tremendous luck or the power to transform whatever he touches into marbles.

If you're thinking of the Kingsman movies while watching High Card, that's fantastic; that was the point. Kawamoto and Muno claim that the film franchise inspired their series to attract a global audience. For this reason, they decided to make a show that goes around the world and features people from different cultures.

The references to “Kingsman” carry over into the characters. Finn Oldman, the main character of High Card, is a ragged young man attempting to gather money for his orphanage when their callous landlord drives them out of the property. He rides to the spoof Las Vegas Casino to swipe cash from affluent individuals who aren't paying attention so that he may pay up and keep his Sun Fields Orphanage operating. He isn't willing to let his spirit be crushed for the sake of the orphaned kids.

Chris Redgrave plays the role of Red Harry "Galahad" Hart, a flirtatious womanizer and accomplished driver with a sweet appetite who carries the 5 of Hearts and has the "Calorie's High" power, which enables him to heal injuries that might otherwise prove deadly immediately. Leo Constantine Pinochle, the 14-year-old son of CEO Theodore Constantine Pinochle and manager of the Old Maid branch office, is the Navy Blue Chester "Arthur" King. His aggressive manner sometimes irritates his coworkers.

Grey Roxanne "Roxy" Morton, Wendy Sato, is the bookkeeper for Pinochle's Old Maid branch office and the daughter of an adept swordsman representing the Far East. She uses the Ace of Spades, a massive blade with a mind of its own and the capability of "Love and Peace," which conjures her cruel side before dissipating once her might is in check.

Green James "Lancelot" Spencer, played by Vijay Kumar Singh, is a brilliant doctoral student at the University of Cribbage and the system manager-cum-cook at Pinochle's Old Maid office. He uses the Three of Clubs, which has the "Green Green" power, to interact with and command adjacent plants. Due to his distant demeanor, he is challenging to reach.

The competition between Theodore, a childhood friend, and Norman Kingstadt, the flamboyant and charming CEO of "Who's Who," is transparent. Ban Klondike is the antagonist Richmond Valentine, the head of the Klondik mafia family. He used to know Theodore and Norman, and he seems kinder when talking to women and children, but he wants the X-Playing cards for his own reasons.

Bobby Ball was the one who provoked the X-Playing Cards conflict with the gullible Finn. Under the supervision of the young executive Tilt, a young, ruthless, and vicious member of the Klondike family, he mediates conflicts between members of the same family while overseeing the hunt for the X-Playing cards.

Comparisons to the movie above aside, the premise and the explanations for why people have powers are both entirely original, and this anime deserves more recognition. The past of the main protagonist is endearing and befitting of a central character; it's not too insane, but it's also intriguing. Hopefully, the second season, which has already been confirmed, will reveal the mystery of his backstory.

The series' art is notable and often flowing, with distinctive color palettes. No complaints in this department! Even better, the anime would not exist without the soundtrack. The composer Ryo Takahashi, the man, the (not so) myth, and the legend, is responsible for some well-known pieces, including Princess Principal and You-Zitsu, also known as Classroom of the Elite. "Trickster" by Five New Old is the opening theme, while "Squad!" by Meychan is the closing theme.

The cast, despite its endearing qualities, could use some further development. A more in-depth investigation into their histories would be a wonderful thing to do. This is an absolutely stunning animation in every way. If you are looking for a fresh and exciting anime to watch, my recommendation would be "High Card." I suggest watching this to anyone who enjoys well-written action, superhero, or mafia-themed anime. It's a unique take on the traditional combination of poker cards and abilities, and it's a refreshing change of pace from the typical anime fare that's been done to death.