Gatekeepers is a bit of an odd duck. I can’t quite figure out if it is intentionally silly or if that’s just the way I perceive it.
The series showcases a group of teenagers, not unlike the Mod Squad or 21 Jump Street, protecting the world from an endless army of Agent Smiths (referred to as “Invaders” – cue Iron Maiden song) with their “gate” powers. How the kids even have these powers has yet to be revealed, and I get the sense that no one in the show really cares about such details.
In the beginning, we’re introduced to Shun Ukiya, a young man with “daddy” issues and an interest in kenpo and sports comics. Later, we come to see his issues revolve around his father breaking promises and lying. Naturally, these issues will most likely go unresolved due to the father being deceased.
For no reason, people begin synchronized marching down a major road towards a tour bus full of passengers. The marching people get squiggly-eyed and turn into the Agent Smith Invaders, complete with black suit, dark glasses, and a black hat (obviously needed to signify they are the bad guys). The tour bus transforms into a heavily armored assault vehicle. The tour guide and the tourists strip off their disguises and prepare for battle. Ruriko, one of the agents in disguise, ascends to the roof of the van. The Invaders are easy pickings, thanks to their being lined up like a bunch of red coats during the Revolutionary War. One of her glowing yellow “gate” arrows takes out an entire column.
The Invaders don’t bother to close ranks. Instead, a leader (clearly, he’s a leader because he’s in a red uniform) emerges from the ground and orders everyone to fuse into a giant black ball. That’s right, the villains have the power to fuse together in order to create monstrous creations… and they pick a giant ball. But, it’s a giant ball that fires some sort of projectiles as it rolls down the street, crushing the car of Shun’s neighbor. Fearing for his mother and sister’s safety, Shun (stupidly) grabs a piece of debris and hurls it, with the aid of his own newly discovered gate power, towards the evil ball of doom. Naturally, this only gets the ball to focus its assault on Shun.
Ruriko rushes to Shun’s aid and grants him the gift of her remaining gate power, thus increasing his own awesomeness. Together, they save the day and thwart whatever dastardly deeds the giant black ball of doom had in store.
Shun is then invited to join the Earth’s defense agency, known as Aegis, but he barely hears this because he’s too busy remembering that Ruriko was a childhood friend notorious for her runny nose.
My smart alecky assessment aside, Gatekeepers is a light-hearted and entertaining series. I may just continue with the next volume someday.
ANIME’L
Today was a great day for receiving anime goodies. No less than four packages arrived for me. 
First was my Amazon Marketplace order for a cheap copy of a still shrink wrapped Yukikaze v.2.
Then there were two packages from Amazon proper. One contained my pre-ordered copy of Black Lagoon – Second Barrage v.1, and the other contained The Night When Evil Falls v.3 and Ai Yori Aoshi v.1 (manga).
And last, but not least was most of my order from buy.com, where I scored some Bandai Anime Legends complete collections at fantastic prices. Among them: Wolf’s Rain, Witch Hunter Robin, and Gundam Seed. I can’t wait to see if I get anything tomorrow…
