Two bros, one deaf super-soldier, infinite trauma. Welcome to the worst city in anime.
7.523 minSeason 1 • Episode 12
LatestThe peace of Ergastulum will be broken by the attacks of the radicalizing enemies. The enemies called “Esminets,” what’s their purpose?
In the crime-ridden, mafia-governed city of Ergastulum, Worick and Nicolas are two “handymen” known as “Benriya” who would take any dirty job from either police or mafia, for a good price. After an assignment from police the two met and later joined by Alex, a former prostitute who got interested in the mysterious background of the team, in particular of Nicolas’ abilities.
Acting
Tsuda's raw, physical performance as Nicolas—grunts carry entire scenes.
Cinematography
Manglobe's final anime: neon-noir shadows and brutal kinetic fights.
Writing
Deaf representation that doesn't infantilize—Nicolas is terrifying, not tragic.
Kenjiro Tsuda
Nicolas Brown (voice)
Junichi Suwabe
Worick Arcangelo (voice)
Mamiko Noto
Alex Benedetto (voice)
Tetsuo Kanao
Chad Adkins (voice)
Kaito Ishikawa
Cody Balfour (voice)
Ami Koshimizu
Constance Raveau (voice)
Katsuhisa Houki
Daniel Monroe (voice)
Tomohisa Hashizume
Delico (voice)
Hiroyuki Yoshino
Doug (voice)
Tetsu Inada
Galahad Woeho (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Manglobe filed for bankruptcy during production; episode 12's rushed pacing and unresolved threads weren't artistic choices, they were death rattles.
Nicolas' deafness and Twilight identity critique Japan's historical treatment of burakumin outcast communities—he's literally unspeakable in a society that erased him.
JP
