Here's an actually underrated anime that I've recently gotten into. It's a real gem. Just listen to this
track. It just makes you want to put it all on the line, ante up, go for broke. That's the whole theme of the show. Kaiji's another victim of the Japanese recession that came after its economic bubble burst in the early 90s. A reject of society with no hope of a better future. The only way he can get out of a massive debt, courtesy of his friend, is to play wicked games of chance with other rejects for the enjoyment of the societal elite. Each new game increases the risk exponentially, and with nothing to use as collateral, you can only gamble with your life.
The show might look light hearted with its unorthodox artstyle but there's a real gut puncher under the surface. With real stakes, real plays, and real loses. Tons of "on the edge of your seat" stuff that's compounded by its awesome tracks and the author's iconic "Zawa Zawa". It's a damn shame this show isn't as popular as it should be. It's got a lot of heart, a lot of tears, and a lot of noses.