Thanks to FOA standards, and other small points of interest. This shows the viewer that the script was carefully thought out as many of the reports were cast in accordance to what might happen in real life should the grain market fall through; even though the reports couldn't even be heard most of the time, the translation through the subtitles show that every small nuance in the plot was well thought out in advance. It's a pity that the audiences in Japan most likely couldn't detect the expository details permeating the series because it was intended as only background buzz, unless they too had subtitles rolling underneath. It's interesting to examine how something like the economy can lunge a nation into chaos and eventual disintegration. An interesting parallel can even be drawn from the situation in Gasaraki to the Second World War, though that would be considered a stretch by some. Incidentally, near the end of the volume, the viewer is confronted with the fact that the United States and Japan are ready to go to war.

In addition to three episodes, the disc also includes a load of extras to entice the buyer. Among the extras is an interview with the mechanical designer, which gives insight into the voice actor of Yushiro. It's interesting to see how the actors time their lines with the Japanese track playing in the background, and also the ways the script is tweaked so the timing fits the animation. In addition to all the above-mentioned extras, another bonus is the DVD insert, which includes a detailed illustration of a TA cockpit. The drawings are aided by brief descriptions of how certain parts work. In fact, it reads much like a manual, with even a small notation as to how one goes about getting into the cockpit. With all these extras on one disc, they're almost as valuable as the series itself.

One element of the series that deserves individual recognition is the character design. Rare in many anime series, the characters actually possess hair that's within the scope of normal human coloring (with the exception of Yushiro and Miharu). As an added plus, most of the Asian characters actually look somewhat Asian instead of absurdly Caucasian. Those points aren't, of course, a major factor in anime; it's just an interesting tidbit that one might notice while watching the series. Amusing to note was the perfect Japanese spoken by the President of the United States, although small things like that can't be helped.

As already mentioned before, the purposely inaudible background news reports were thankfully translated by the subtitles. In fact, the subtitled track warrants much merit and iration. Nothing was left untranslated and the depth that the background exposition lent to the series was astounding. Although it's hard to read multiple lines of subtitles at the same time while comprehending an additional dialogue subtitled above it, the viewer always has the option of either ignoring the background commentary, or reading one dialogue at a time and reading the other one after a second run through. Conveniently for the viewer, the commentary and the dialogue are presented in two different colors so they can be easily separated and identified. If the viewer doesn't want the nuisance of going back numerous times to read the different tracks, there's always the possibility of listening to the dub with the subtitles on to knock both tasks off at the same time.

It is no surprise at all why Gasaraki gained so much fan in Japan. The various plot levels are more reminiscent of a literary masterpiece than an animated show. In fact, it's possibly one of the most complex series to come out of Japan in recent years, rife with literary elements like symbolism and allusion. Gasaraki has many elements in it that will most likely appeal to almost everyone. Fans of the series will definitely want to pick up this volume, and the people that haven't seen it should seize the opportunity and step into the world of Gasaraki.