Gungrave
Publisher
Geneon / MVM
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
24 eps/25 minutes
Year
2003
Gungrave Volume 1: Beyond The Grave
By otaku_kei
20th Apr 05  Gangster. Horror. Not exactly the two most obvious genres to put together but that is exactly what you are going to get yourself into with this release. Gungrave is based loosely upon the Playstation title of the same name. The plot has two separate threads running through it firstly is the story about the undead anti-hero Grave and his fight against the malevolent crime syndicate Millenion, and the second strand is the story of two young gang members Harry and Brandon and their rise through the ranks of the underworld. Both stories, as to be expected from these genres, are brutal and yet with surprising touches of humanity. This two-strand structure creates for very different episodes. Opening this release we are introduced to Grave and his associates as they try to hide in the ruins of a derelict district of an unnamed city. But this is impossible, as it appears that the silent Grave has some memories of this place, memories that still haunt him to this day. But Grave and his friends have not been particularly successful in hiding, having been tracked by mutated killing monsters in the employ of the Millenion Group. Kickstart a violent showdown between Grave and these creatures and you have an action packed first episode that has already thrown up a lot of questions about the past of Grave, as well as the shadowy men that have sent out this hit team of mutants. The rest of this volume then switches to the second plot strand of Harry and Brandon, as well as the other members of their gang as they fight for control of their turf, as well as make plans for their rise through the ranks of the underworld. For a pack of gangsters these hoodlums appear to be very affable guys who do not fit into the cutthroat, hard-edged side of the gangster mold. But the events across these three episodes see this group of wannabe criminals come to face with some of the very final results of being in the criminal fraternity. These episodes slow down the high octane pace set by the opening show, but do not abandon it completely. Being a more personal story that is to be expected, but already we are starting to see that all is not right between these two friends, and tragedy will not be far behind. This ramping up of the mystery and drama side of the show more than compensates for fewer action scenes. But 'The Godfather' this show is not. We are not delivered any sort of climactic coup d'tat where everything comes together to the benefit of our heroes. In fact Harry and Brandon are pretty far from the heroes of this story anyway. Whilst yes they are not as vicious as some of the other gangs, and the tragedy that surrounds this volume does make us feel for the sheer helpless plight that not only led them down this criminal path but will also ultimately destroy them, it is unavoidable to still see these two as violent protagonists of their own destiny. They may have had few options in life but it is not like they ever chose the right and good decisions. Harry and Brandon are not the heroes of this tale, but from just these four episodes it is hard to say who is a hero in this dark world. Gungrave is a darker title than I have been watching of late, and it certain did impress. But I think the tying of horror tales to gangster stories is slightly tenuous at best, but I will have to wait and see how the crime families get tied to the R&D of undead monsters. In fact this volume raises many questions that I now long to see answered. The action hooked me in, and the brutal start to Harry and Brandons' rise kept me enthralled. Personally I'm looking forward to see where this title goes with it.
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English Language; Japanese Language; English Subtitles; Textless Opening; Textless Closing; Production Art Gallery; MVM Trailers
Release information: OUT NOW
Notes: Manman & MVM have once again provided a great disc with superb picture and sound quality. The extras are as usual quite light, but that almost goes without saying for a UK anime release.
-- otaku_kei 20th Apr 05
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