A Masterpiece!

The film makes a home in your brain and the only cure is to see it again.

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

I saw the reviews and the ratings and thought I'd give this a go, and noticed a VERY disturbing trend on IMDb boards- Otaku Anime-Chan's are giving every anime out there a 7 minimum, and most are at a 8-9 regardless of how horrible it is. This, of course, is one of those.It starts off wonderfully, with great excitement and an awesome storyline! Cool guns, and questions you want answered (don't worry they won't be until ep15 or so), and a cool lead character who again isn't shown until the last arc of the storyline(in the form you first see him in).Enter Episode 2....absolutely nothing like the 1st, even seems to be a different world or timeline entirely. Has NOTHING to do with the first episode, and it remains this way until the VERY END OF THE SERIES! You could very literally skip all the way to 17-20 (out of 26!!!) and not miss a SINGLE THING due to the snail's pace of the story(not even story just endless rehashed filler) and the fact that NOTHING RELEVANT HAPPENS UNTIL THE END! They could be two separate stories, two separate animes and it would have been better.No neat gunfights other than a few, with only two which are noteworthy. Again most of which are in the last few episodes.This show is too blatant a ripoff of scarface, and the stuff they added in to make it watchable disappears after the into and doesn't reappear until the end of the series. This is unfortunate, because it had some potential to be cool.Every character is a cliché, every story predictable, and in case you don't understand a point, don't worry because it will be flashbacked and rehashed at least 4 times.I really wish I could get the time back I wasted watching this and put it towards a good show, or game, or outside breathing air...anything really. Want guns? Watch Trigun, Trinity Blood, or any of the other gun-slinger animes, but skip this one! It even makes the mafia seem boring (unlike, say, Cowboy Bebop). Point of fact...would you watch it if the cover art was a few guys in business suits lookin all mafia-like, and the name matched the show, and it was called Tha GodfathaZ (with a Z since there's zombie-wannabe's in this),...probably not. If so, then by all means, this is the show for you!

no detailed plot spoilers, but a general discussion of the progression of the series.gungrave works best when it is a moody crime drama, somewhat along the the lines of michael mann's 80s series crime story. the speculative fiction aspect--- the org men--- seems like an idea shoved into this crime world to make it conform to the video game and more like something for kids who like bleach. the "science fiction" element never fits comfortably with these characters and unfortunately distorts them into laughing evil cliché, injuring the dramatic integrity of the world.overall, gungrave is somewhat like a mix of berserk (which also begins obliquely) and hellsing, but not nearly as well written and psychologically compelling as the earlier and nowhere near as fun as the latter.bear walkin is a cool supporting character and the friendship of brandon and harry is enough to keep me engaged for most of the earlier episodes, but the action is badly directed and sloppy, which is unusual for a madhouse anime, since they are the most consistently excellent anime studio ever (eg. shigurui, x (tv series), death note, etc.).another negative observation is that the violence seems very toned down from what it should have been-- like the pg version of something that should have been a rough hard R (see berserk and shigurui).i'm surprised at the high rating--- this show succeeds somewhat as a moody crime drama, but really loses its way with poorly handled action (with three exceptions) and laughing "evil."

May contain small, non-significant spoilers. Finally, I've just saw the last episode and I am feeling strange, kind of like a person after being tortured. I won't lie, this anime do have some interesting points, a bleak lights seeing through the darkness of the infantile. This show is definitely not for the grown people. But lets start over.Friendship, trust, family, love, brotherhood, loyalty, total control and betrayal. Those are the basics, the main themes explored in this anime. Harry and Brandon, best friends since their childhood, are going to experience some dramatic stuff in their life. Starting as a small hustlers on the streets, they are becoming members of a very strong and influent crime syndicate. Soon they have a key positions inside, but from here everything can go only down, into the grave. First warning sign for me was Brandon Heat. It is very problematic to have the main character being silent most of the time. Language is a weapon when used properly, but the only weapons Brandon uses are guns and fists. Which is OK but pretty soon it is becoming empty and hollow without the talking. His lack of ability to do so, or probably intentional decision not to speak, is very annoying. It doesn't makes him more cool, it makes him more stupid. Not able to express or to explain himself, not able to talk to the girl that wants him, blindly following some idiotic syndicate rules and people, making sacrifices instead of profits. There are no real questions or doubts, no selfish behavior, no real feelings for him, only to serve and to obey. He is an autistic tool used by others, he has no real personality. As a heroic idol, as admiration icon - he is dumb. I can't respect dumb hero, no matter how brave and dedicated he is. The second sign, more clear and exact sign for the upcoming failure, is the women in this show. There are only three main female characters, and they are the most superficial, most dumb, most worthless and most unnatural characters in anime ever. It was real shame to see each and one of them. There are no real issues that occupies those women, they are plastic toys with stupid smile, a constant victim, a mindless decoration. No will of their own, no needs, just waist of color and animator's work.*** Aahhh, Faye Valentine! You are the only one of your kind. There is no competition here for you. ***And I think I found the reason the first episode and the second half of the series are so bad in the eyes of many Gungrave viewers. It's Mika. Every time I saw and heard this demon child, all I could think about is how can I grab her and choke to death over and over again. It is unbelievable how irritating and annoying she is. I don't have enough words to describe my disgust from this creature, this Antichrist. Please be aware and ready, long exposure can do lethal and irreversible damage. And of course, the last warning sign, more exactly the last confirmation how bad this series is, it's the story. I've seen a lot of anime. I know it is mainly for the teenagers and children, but the beauty is, that grown people can find really mature stuff in it. Thus we have so many anime for adults (no, not hentai). It's the total freedom of animation, the unlimited fantasy, the lack of limitations and boundaries of reality, that can add so much depth and interest into animation. Not Gungrave. The story is very simple, very clear, many cliché moments. When you see some sparkle of complexity, some dramatic or even tragic conflict, just before you wonder how does it get here, you realize - this is actually retarded. Because of the context, because of the pointless and the banality of this story. This show is not a smart one, it is ridiculously childish.And something positive for a change - action scenes are not so bad and can be nice to watch. Spilled blood and the killings are more or less realistic and believable. Some of the characters are creative and imaginative on the first impression. Some of the events are nice, some of the moments are surprising, and overall you just watch it because you want to know how it will end. Would you enjoy the ride? Not really. But I guess it depends who watching it.*** Some recommendations for better anime:The series: Cowboy Bebop, Berserk, Ninja Scroll, Samurai Champloo, Outlow Star, Yu Yu Hakusho, Reign: The Conqueror, Last Exile, Bible Black, Black Lagoon.The movies: Wings of Honneamise, Perfect Blue, Roujin Z, Memories, Vampire Hunter D, Steamboy, Lupin the 3: Castle of Cagliostro, Mind Game, Kite, Ninja Scroll, Akira, Paprika. There is more, much more.

Let me begin by saying, this anime not only defines the art and style of the anime world. But also defines what true anime masterpieces stand for.The story begins with Brandon Heat and Harry Mcdowell. Two teenage punks who are always up to no good. Such as getting into fights, stealing and conning others. Their life was already set for them, thought by Harry. Harry was the ladies man and Brandon had his eyes on a beautiful short-haired blond named Maria. Even though love was tumbling around their young minds, both of them were still doing their wreckless lifestyle. During an alley fight that broke in pandemonium, Harry and Brandons gang showed what that they were truly made of.Proud and Motivated, Harry and the others decided to go back to their hangout pad which already had food prepared for them by their friend Joylce. With laughs thrown in the air, heavy drinking and drunk conversations that took hours of enjoy. Harry's gang did not know what they got themselves into.During the ally fight, the gang that was defeated by Harry's Crew, was involved in the Mafia. Rage, Anger and total annihilation went trough the defeated gang leaders mind. He sought out help and forgiveness from others since his gang was already disgraced from the Mafia.Harry's crew one night decided to return a Treasured Jewelry that represented equal value to the owner, but haggled for decent pricings. Confident and Cocky harry tried persuading the women, But ended up getting him and his crew beatup. They returned back bloody and bruised but still laughed from all experience they all went through. Limping and laughing the crew almost smelled their friend joycle cooking. As soon as they opened the door, they found something that not only engulfed their mind with anger but brought tears to their eyes.The gang not only got themselves involved with something big but would change Brandon And Harry's life forever.**.........[ - ]...........** This anime is a combination of gangster genres such as the godfather, sopranos etc. And a combination of Sci-Fi and modern living. It's beautiful when they combined these elements cuz when u watch it, it doesn't look futuristic, it doesn't look old, it just makes u relate to what kind of world they are living in. When watching Trigun and Gungrave, director Yasuhiro Nightow, not only created worlds that gives audiences an Aww amazement base, but wants u to be living in that world the he creates in his head.The one thing I love about Gungrave is the characters. The characters are so emotionally realistic, the way each characters have their own style and feel to them. U get attached to each single character because they represent themselves to make u believing they are that person. Yasuhiro Nightow not only does an excellent job portraying the characters, but gives each one a personality that u can relate to. Other animes always have ur typical Serious Guy, Funny Guy, Quiet guy etc. To me, animes like that gets pretty boring because u know u already expect that out of each character. For example "Naruto" that list I wrote down have all that in that show. And it gets pretty boring.In Conclusion, If u want an anime that gives u an endless impression. Watch this, because this is what Anime is all about. Like I said And I'll say it again "An Anime Masterpiece Of Our Generation." Thank You.