Gangsta

Number of Episodes: 12+ 1 recap episode

What Wikipedia says: The series revolves around two "Handymen" who take on jobs for both the mob and the police force that no one else can handle. The two, named Worick Arcangelo and Nicolas Brown, work in the town of Ergastulum, which is full of mafia, hoodlums, prostitutes, and dirty cops.

What KoanMan says: As the name suggests, this is a story of mafioso, and the associated lifestyle, focussing on two men who have survived the rubble of their lives. They are “The Handymen”. Nic and Worick survive on their particular skills, which make them both dangerous and valued, thereby also requiring neutrality amongst the various criminal organisations…. Good storyline, and pace that starts slow, building to a climax...

So How Does it End? (NOT Spoiler free):  ...that does not ever happen.

The reader should be aware that Manglobe, the company that produced the anime, went bankrupt in late 2015. The series ends part-way through, at Ep 12. Just when it was really getting going…. To be clear, there is no end to the anime - just no more episodes. The manga will have to suffice, although the gods of fortune have not been smiling there either, as the author, Kohske, has been ill since 2015 and has not been able to continue the Gangsta manga since then.

Be that as it may, GANGSTA is an enjoyable watch was only marred by a few minor issues. The main points were repeated a few times early on, and the “recap” Ep 9.5 seemed redundant. Some animation appears to be of lesser quality. 

How About the Music? KoanMan found the music, by Tsutchie, to be spot-on for the sleazy underworld feel that series director Koichi Hatsumi was going for. 
 
Overall Grade: Interesting characters that develop well throughout, an intriguing plot, and interesting twists in the story-line make this abortive series worth a watch, though all more frustrating for the lack of an ending. KoanMan scores this a C, though with a complete series it may well have been a B or even an A. Who knows?….

Addendum by tTPO:  Grade D. It's not that tTPO did not like this series while it was there, but I cannot recommend the investment in viewing time without some sort of payoff at the end. The journey alone is good, but unlike say, Spice and Wolf (which KoanMan still needs to see), it's not enough to justify watching. Save your efforts for Black Lagoon or Darker than Black.