Gungrave
Publisher
Geneon / MVM
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
24 eps/25 minutes
Year
2003
Gungrave Volume 4: Die Trying
By otaku_kei
22nd Nov 05  The modern gangster tale, in fact gangster tales from throughout the ages, have in many cases looked to the moral impact of the actions that must be justified within this underworld fraternity, and yet eat at the moral fibre of our being. Actions that may have seemed perfectly reasoned at the time needle here way into these characters subconscious and drive home the depravity of what has actually taken place. Gungrave has not so far developed that side of its tale, and yet here for the first time do these characters start to make decisions that can from this point onwards only ever lead them down one path, a path that we have always been aware of from the opening episode. Harry and Brandon - the best of friends, Millenion – the organisation, everything is due to change and these four episodes show us how this destiny has become manifest! These four episodes give the viewer exactly some of the action that we have been awaiting since the first volume. Finally Harry’s ambitions have overtaken him and his decisions are starting to destroy the one relationship that has been true to him since the beginning of his days. Brandon and Harry’s falling out is nothing short of shocking, and deeply saddening. Much like in any show where certain necessary information is given to the viewer at the start, no-one actually wants to see these two firm friends part ways, and especially not in this manner. Brandon’s death rocks this show, it closes any hope of redemption for Harry. Harry’s actions after his friend’s execution demonstrate that to it’s fullest. One of my major complaints about this series so far has been the lack of emotional depth to certain characters, but with this release both Brandon and Harry grow into such rounded characters that the events that carry these two along are even more heart breaking. But whilst this volume may do much to recompense the loyal viewer who had put up with the lacklustre start to this show, it still does not fully assuage all the questions as to how good this show can be! I mean, just when they finally give Brandon a personality – Bang! And now we’ve got ‘Beyond The Grave’, surely the corniest name for a resurrected anti-hero! No, that’s not fair. This show has been a slow-burner, and these four episodes more than make up for any complaints I had of the earlier volumes. So if you have been waiting for this show to kick into its monster madness side then this is the volume where it looks like it will all kick off, but without a doubt the stand out factor of these episodes is Harry’s reaction to the murder of his best friend. Al Pacino couldn’t have portrayed his breakdown to true emotions any better, or the quick return of the hardened emotionless shell. Gungrave is in my opinion finally living up to the positive fan opinion that is commonly held by this show. From these episodes you can look back over the previous releases and reassess the whole situation and see just how well the whole arc fits together. This is crime drama at its best, with a healthy addition of zombie super-monsters! You cannot lose, I assure you!
R2 DVD Notes
Features: Japanese Language 2.0; English Language 5.1; English Language Subtitles; Production Art Gallery; MVM Trailers
Release information: OUT NOW
Notes: Once again a fantastic release from MVM. Both the audio and visual quality is top notch. This company continues to go from strength to strength with the quality of its releases, setting new standards for the UK market.
-- otaku_kei 22nd Nov 05
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