Gyakkyō Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
After graduating from high school in 1996 in Japan, Itō Kaiji moves to Tokyo to get a job, but he fails to find steady employment because the country is mired in its first recession since World War II. Depressed, he festers in his apartment, biding his time with cheap pranks, gambling, liquor and cigarettes. Kaiji is always thinking about money and his perpetual poverty frequently brings him to tears.[1]
Kaiji's unrelenting misery continues for two years until he is paid an unexpected visit from a man named Endō, who wants to collect an outstanding debt that Kaiji has carelessly co-signed for his former co-worker. Endō gives Kaiji two options - either spend ten years to repay this outstanding debt, or board the gambling ship Espoir ("hope" in French) for one night to clear the debt. Using a con, Endō pressures Kaiji into accepting the deal, believing he will never come back from the voyage.[1]
This is the anime adaptation of the Tobaku Mokushiroku Kaiji arc.
Main Article: Gyakkyō Burai Kaiji: Ultimate Survivor
Gyakkyō Burai Kaiji: Hakairoku-hen
Though Kaiji survives the Starside Hotel he now has a debt of over ¥9.5 million. He contacts Endō in hope of being able to take part in another high-stakes gamble. However, Endō betrays Kaiji and sends him to Teiai's underground labour camp, where he will have to work off his debt for 15 years.[1]
This is the anime adaptation of the Tobaku Hakairoku Kaiji arc.
Main Article: Gyakkyō Burai Kaiji: Hakairoku-hen
Chuukan Kanriroku Tonegawa
A spin-off of the Kaiji series, which follows Tonegawa, the right hand man of Kazutaka Hyoudou, the president of the Teiai Corporation and owner of numerous gambling tournaments.[2]
Main Article: Chuukan Kanriroku Tonegawa