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Brandon Heat and Harry McDoul (dunno how to spell his last name) are an orphan duo set on one thing. To get to the top to attain the ultimate power. The power to take anything and give anything at will. The power of freedom. They are childhood friends and allies who trust eachother 100%. But one day, their fate is changed as they are attacked by a rival gang. During the minor skirmish, a good friend of theirs, and Brandon's crush, Maria tells a friend of her fathers to help them as they were driving by. This friend was known as Big Daddy, the founder and leader of the behemoth organization and mafia known as Millenia. After being saved, Brandon and Harry decide to join Millennion (fully aware that it is a mafia). Harry joining in order to get the freedom and power they want and Brandon to get closer to his dream girl Maria. Little do they both know the twist of fate which befalls them.

I just recently started watching it on TV (ain't it great to have channels like G4 Tech TV). Its probably one of my newer favorites now. I would give my review now but I think I'll save it for tomorrow.

Alrighty here is my review (finally!). Sorry for it being a little bit late.

Okay. Lets start things off with animation. Gungrave's animation is pretty good considering that there was a lot of action in it. Its not as smooth as some shoes like Samurai Champloo but the edgy-ness gives it a detective feeling (like your watching the mafia and who doesn't like to watch the mafia and their quirky ways). The flashbacks during the show take place with black and white tones, some of which are without sound. Overall the animation is fantastic but if your looking for animation that rivals Studio Ghibli or Gainax then look elsewhere.

Character wise, they are a bit complex but most people should be able to understand them. The basic "Code of Iron" they follow really adds the mafia feel to the characters as they all sturggle with living and sometimes dying by the code. There are a few love relations between the characters but not much (as far as I've noticed, 3 definate and maybe 1 more but I'm not so sure about it). The design of the characters fit the series as they actually show age differance and the aging process taking tole on their bodies. This means no 50 year old people looking 5 or a 30 year old running like a 10 year old. Of course there isn't much of an array clothes wise in the show because 80% of the time they are all wearing black suits (well it is a corporate mafia).

The soundtrack for the show is great. Led by Tsuneo Imahori (some of you may know him from Trigun, Arjuna, etc.), the soundtrack features jazzy yet refreshing tunes such as the opening theme "Family" to some guitar based jams (sounds like Trigun no). The music fits the show's theme of betrayal, loyalty, and mafia life and to tell the truth, is probably some of the best music I've seen (on a scale of 1-10 an 8 so its pretty good).

Well thats about it. If I think of something else I'll add it later. Well, this is the Great Dragon Ragnarok saying happy watching and remember to get exercise.

-ADK

Funny. It really is based off the game but I really don't see how. The anime looks much better. Plus they don't show Brandon before he died and you can't play as him (as far as I know).

Hell yeah!

Well I just finished the series and I have to say one thing. I know that the same staff who created Trigun created Gungrave but its sortah weird how similar they are. I'll explain when I get back.

As much as I like Brandon Heat (which the only thing you can hate about him is that he has a crappy name after he dies. Dr. T does not know how to name people), I'd still have to say that my favorite character is a toss up between Bunjin Kugashira and Harry McDoughl (still can't spell his name). Both are bastards at some point but they kept true to their characters. Especially Bunjin. I almost cried when he died. It was like a bad guy Wolfwood scene.

Yeah. I think nobody would like Bunjin because all he ever did in the show was kill people for Harry.

I have to agree though. The art and story are up there. It surpasses Trigun in many ways (the story is about on the same level though).

This is like Orphen to me, I just never got to finish it.