Ep 1. Naughty Boys

In the crime-ridden city of Ergastulum, the lines between good and evil are blurred and the only law that truly matters is the law of the streets. This is the world of GANGSTA., a gritty and intense anime series that follows two men as they navigate the treacherous criminal underworld.

In the first episode, titled "Naughty Boys," we meet the show's two main characters: Nicolas Brown and Worick Arcangelo. Nicolas is a deaf mercenary who is known for his incredible strength and combat skills. Worick is a smooth-talking gigolo who is also highly skilled in combat. Together, they run a business in Ergastulum that caters to the city's various criminal organizations.

The episode begins with Nicolas and Worick being called in to handle a job for one of the city's biggest mob bosses, Barry. During the job, they discover that one of Barry's "employees," a young boy named Constance, is being mistreated by the other gang members. Nicolas and Worick step in to protect the boy, but their actions have unintended consequences that set off a chain of events that will have lasting consequences.

As the episode unfolds, we learn more about Nicolas and Worick's partnership and their pasts. Nicolas is revealed to have a tragic backstory that involves a terrible incident from his childhood, while Worick's past is more mysterious. We also meet several other characters, including Alex, a young prostitute who is befriended by Nicolas and Worick, and Chad, a police officer who is trying to clean up the city's streets.

The episode is full of intense action scenes, as Nicolas and Worick fight their way through a number of dangerous situations. But it also has quieter moments that allow us to get to know the characters better. There's a sense of depth and complexity to the world of GANGSTA. that sets it apart from other anime series.

Overall, "Naughty Boys" is an excellent start to the series. It sets up the world and the characters in a way that is both engaging and intriguing. The animation is top-notch, with a great attention to detail in the backgrounds and character designs. The voice acting is also excellent, particularly in the case of Nicolas, who is played by a deaf actor named Shintaro Asanuma.

If you're a fan of gritty crime dramas like The Wire or Boardwalk Empire, or if you're simply looking for an action-packed anime with a lot of heart and depth, GANGSTA. is definitely worth checking out. With its intense action scenes, complex characters, and intriguing world-building, this series is sure to keep you hooked from start to finish.