Review of Gungrave: Vol. 6

Introduction

Based loosely on the PS2 game of the same name (though don`t let that put you off), Gungrave is, quite simply, one of the best of the current crop of anime.

The idea is Yasuhiro Nightow`s, and there are many stylistic similarities to his `Trigun` here. The animation is by Madhouse (Trigun, Texhnolyze, Paranoia Agent, Tokyo Godfathers), the scripts by Yosuke Kuroda (Trigun, Tenchi Muyo!, Excel Saga, Mao-chan, Scryed), music by Tsuneo Imahori (Trigun) and it`s produced by Masao Morosawa (Jubei-chan, Ninja Scroll TV) and Shigeru Kitayama (Ninja Scroll Movie, Noir) - so all from a fine anime pedigree!

Disc 6 in this series of seven includes episodes 21 - 23, with the final 3 of this TV Series to be spread across the final discs, which seems a bit cheap. I guess the thinking is if you`re hooked this far (lime me) you`re hardly going to stop for as little a gripe as short measures!

If you`re a late joiner to the series, here`s a whistle-stop re-cap though I can`t imagine why you`d want to join in 20 episodes in.

Ultra-cool Brandon Heat (think long-haired and youthful Clint Eastwood) follows his childhood pal Harry McDowell into a giant mafia style organisation, Millennion. Once in the two go their separate ways, with Harry becoming brutally ambitious and power hungry, whilst Brandon remains cool, efficient and quiet - biding his time in order to see the girl he`s in love with who was `adopted` by the leader of Millenion, `Big Daddy`, after her father was brutally killed on company business.

Brandon wins the respect of Big Daddy, though seems reticent to rise the ranks and, though fiercely loyal to Millenion`s `family` credo, he starts to question the validity of the organisation and the way it conducts its business. Things go from bad to worse between Harry and Brandon and when Brandon discovers that Harry is plotting `Big Daddy`s` assassination, he refuses to join with Harry. Harry then kills Brandon. And, under normal circumstances, that would be that. But this is anime and anything can happen. Using a new technology, Brandon`s body is resurrected and he returns as an indestructible fighting machine, known as `Beyond the Grave`.

Volume 6 continues the story, with a measly three episodes (though they`re all scorchers!). Look away NOW if you want to avoid spoilers…

20. DUTY
T and Brandon smuggle themselves and Mika into Billion, to the apartment of the now `retired` Rich (who`s blind) and Gary who is now an older version of the anti-social slob he always was. They tell Brandon and Mika that Big Daddy was murdered which comes as a shock to both.

T then has a clandestine meeting with an unknown man in an alleyway, which results in T getting hold of a bunch of secret documents about the OrgMen, the `Superiors`, and their weaknesses.

The Millennion agents track them down and the man, whose children and wife are being held by Millennion, dies in the shoot-out.

Brandon heads out for Millennion HQ, leaving Mika in Rich and Gary`s care, and the scene cuts to Bunji getting drunk and thrown out of a bar, offering no resistance to the bouncer.

Brandon heads out to battle Orgmen protecting the Millennion building, and Mika`s stay at Gary and Riche`s turns into a nightmare when Lee (now a superior) kills them both, taking Mika prisoner. When Brandon returns he`s not too happy. Brutal stuff!


21: REMORSE
Mika becomes the bait for Brandon, and T (using his newly acquired knowledge) fills Brandon`s guns with some new ammunition to help fight both the Orgmen and the Superiors.

A bloody battle ensues and the new ammo (delivered just in time by T) does the trick, though the episode ends on a sad note as T exits the story having put Grave on supercharge prior to the final countdown.


22: DAUGHTER
Brandon Heat / Beyond the Grave is getting closer to the heart of Millennion and to Harry in particular. In this episode it`s Bear Walken`s turn to take on Harry. His motive seems to be nothing more than trying to please his daughter who is married to Harry, though in blissful ignorance of Harry`s cruel nature.

Bear has become a superior and things look bleak for Brandon though once again the new ammunition saves the day. Walken`s final thoughts are memories of his daughter. He asks Brandon to fire one more bullet to finish him off. He obliges and the episode ends with a single bullet sound ringing through the dark night. Cue the upbeat violin music…

Video

A top-notch transfer free from flaws or artefacting. Superb, and infinitely better than the grimy fan-subs that the majority of UK anime fans will make do with till this set comes out in full at a half-decent price.

Audio

It`s a very good English dub so I didn`t take the time to watch in original Japanese. The English Dolby 5.1 soundtrack pushes most dialogue to the centre, using the rears for atmospheric music and occasional off effects. All good stuff.

There`s also a choice of Japanese Dolby Digital Stereo, and Japanese DTS 5.1.

Features

Not much as per. There are some 15 conceptual art stills, showing basic black and white line drawings, which may be of interest to art students or Manga wannabe`s. Then a couple of trailers - one for `Kiddy Grade` and the other for Ikki Tosen (`Battle Vixens`) which is a potent mix of `Love Hina` teen romance, `Fist of the North Star` style fight sequences and Russ Meyer influenced visuals (lots of big boobies and short skirts).

Conclusion

Gungrave is surprisingly good. It`s one thing having a PS2 game created in your honour, but quite another having a series created around a popular game. But this is far better than you would expect given those creative origins. It`s intelligently written, with in depth characterisation balanced with full-on action. It`s also imaginatively animated with a very decent US dub.

It`s worth noting that it`s surprisingly violent for a TV show, despite being originally aired in twenty-six action-packed 22-minute episodes.

Volume 6 of the UK DVD releases contains episodes 21-23 inclusive, with the remaining 3 episodes to be issued (ungenerously) across a further disc, making the outlay for the series considerable.

Volume 6 continues the story arc initiated in Volume 5 with the arrival of Mika (Maria`s daughter) to the plot.
For fans, this will prove to be another engaging outing. For newcomers, Disc 6 is no place to start. Thoroughly enjoyable.