20 Years Later, a 10/10 Action Cult-Classic Is Making a Comeback on Digital Streaming

One of the most iconic cult action series of the 2000s is making an unexpected comeback on digital streaming. Following anime’s explosion in popularity in the West in recent years, some Japanese studios have catered their shows to international audiences. But, during the 2000s, one series was released that felt as close to an ‘American anime’ as you can possibly get, without it just being animation. Black Lagoon might not be the most popular anime of all time, but anyone who has watched the action series has fallen in love with its quirky characters and Tarantino-esque style. After 20 years, that cult status hasn’t gone anywhere.

Black Lagoon is available to purchase digitally on iTunes and other online platforms. 20 years after it was first released, many are going back and re-watching the hit series. At the time of writing, Black Lagoon is the 13th most popular series on iTunes. The show is based on the manga series of the same name by Rei Hiroe. The anime adaptation, produced by Madhouse, was first released in 2006.

The series follows Rokuro Okajima, an overworked, timid businessman on a work retreat who is kidnapped by pirate mercenaries. When his company refuses to pay the ransom, Rokuro snaps and joins the mercenaries, known as the Lagoon Company. The series is non-stop action. To give you a clue as to how adrenaline-fuelled the series is: in the second episode, the Lagoon Company sails a boat up a ramp and launches it into the air to take out an attack helicopter. It’s wild, unforgettable, and a true cult classic. The official synopsis reads:

Rokuro “Rock” Okajima, a meek businessman, is on a trip to Southeast Asia, when things turn sour for him: Pirates board the ship and take Rock hostage. While under their control, he agrees to join the crew — known as the Black Lagoon Co. — which includes merciless and maniacal Revy, Dutch and Benny. Rock becomes responsible for the account management duties and negotiations of a gang that participates in gun-smuggling, drug-trafficking, kidnapping and black-marketing. Black Lagoon’s missions often involve gunfights, hand-to-hand combat and nautical battles.

‘Black Lagoon’ Is a Fan Favorite Action Series

Black Lagoon

Crunchyroll

To reiterate, Black Lagoon is nowhere near as popular as the likes of Naruto and Jujutsu Kaisen, or even its seinen contemporaries like Vinland Saga. However, Black Lagoon might be the anime definition of a cult-classic. The series has received tremendous reviews from audiences (critics tend not to weigh in on anime).

The series holds an overall Rotten Tomatoes user score of 89%. MyAnimeList users hold the series in similar regard, with an 8.03 rating. “One word that keeps propelling itself to the forefront of my head when I go to describe this show is: ‘refreshing’,” wrote one MAL user, while another said, “If there’s one way to describe Black Lagoon it would be that it’s an exhilarating ride with surprisingly smart moments.”

‘Black Lagoon’ is a Great First Anime for Action Fans

If you’ve witnessed the rise in anime’s popularity from the sidelines and want to dive into the animated medium, Black Lagoon is a great place to start (providing you can handle blood and violence). The series ignores many of the more frustrating and off-putting conventions of hard anime and feels like a Hollywood action blockbuster that just so happens to be in animated form. Give Black Lagoon a go, and you won’t regret it.