A while back I saw trailers announcing that Deadman Wonderland was coming to DVD. I was extremely excited, and I knew deep down that a copy would eventually make its way into my hands from FUNimation. With that in mind, I skipped it on Cartoon Network’s Toonami, and I’m glad I did, because owning the most badass series to date is pretty awesome. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what to think at first, but it looked more and more badass with each trailer that was released. It is now December, and I’ve had the chance to watch the entire series. Find out how I liked it below.

Ten years ago, a massive earthquake hit Japan’s main island and destroyed most of Tokyo. In that time, a privately operated prison known as Deadman Wonderland has been built on ground zero. What makes this prison so different from others? To the public, Deadman Wonderland is a theme park run by the prison population. What the public doesn’t know, however, is that during some of the theme park events, prisoners are actually killed. There is also one additional event, reserved for the wealthy: Dead-Matches between the Deadmen.

The sole survivor of the earthquake is Ganta Igarashi, a young boy in middle school. One day, the young boy hears a tune he heard once before. He looks outside to see a strange person covered in blood. The red man outside the window grins, and comes into the classroom. What happens next…holy ****, so much gore! The red man murders the entire classroom except for Ganta, then embeds a red crystal in Ganta’s chest, which you learn more about later in the series. Shortly after this happens, Ganta is accused by the police of mudering his class, and is given a fast, unfair trial. He is pretty much set up to go to death row, and is sent to Deadman Wonderland for his “crimes.”

I mentioned Deadmen earlier. What are they? Well, you remember the item embedded in Ganta? It’s known as the Branches of Sin, and it grants the user a way to control his or her blood (as you can see in the picture above). The fighters in Death-Matches are the Deadmen, tasked with fighting using their blood as their weapon. Each fighter can control his or her blood in a special way, ranging from single shots like a gun, a giant spider web of blood that causes massive damage, and even a blood shell that can protect from attacks and deal out damage. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a series quite as badass as Deadman Wonderland.

The art and animation in this series is an absolute eye opener. From the moment you start watching you can tell the creators put in as much detail as possible. The classroom of dead children, the massive battles, the Deadman Wonderland itself, and more are all highly detailed. If you’re looking for a one of a kind badass show this is it. Now the series overall after completing did leave me wanting more. What anime hasn’t lately made me wish more could be added at a later date? As for the acting throughout the series, the actors did a superb job hitting every key mark. This ranges from the emotions each character has whether it’s during battle, getting along with others, or just being the badasses they are in the series. On top of that as I’ve said in past reviews I keep a keen eye on the acting when it comes to voices. What do I mean by that? Well do you still hear words after the lips are done moving? I doubt it! Don’t worry, no problems like that are in the series.

What about the musical scores in the series? They’re just as badass as the opening and ending to the series. I enjoyed the opening so much it’s hard not to play it a few times a day. Now when it comes to the musical scores it’s all up to what is happening within a series. Maybe a battle is going on or simply it’s getting very exciting. As I’ve said in past reviews the music plays a big role in any show. How? It sets the mood with the tone of music playing. Ever notice in a movie when something good or bad is about to happen and the music pulls you in right before you jump and scream like a girl. Yes, we all know some of you have jumped and screamed at some point. That’s why I enjoy music as much as I do.

If you’re looking for a badass series that will pull you in Deadman Wonderland is it. Deadman Wonderland packs a punch from start to end. Is it worth the price? Hell yes! This series kept on bringing me for more as each episode passed. Even though I felt as if the series was short it still did justice. Hopefully down the road more is brought into the series. One can hope, right? Near the end left a lot of questions that hasn’t been answered. Even with the unanswered questions the series still did a good job. You’ll be able to find this title over at FUNimation or your local retailer that sales anime.

Deadman Wonderland was provided by FUNimation Entertainment for review purposes. For more information on FUNimation or Deadman Wonderland, please visit FUNimation.