Gungrave

This is one of my favourite anime's. The first episode throws you in a battlefield in the middle of the anime. A big gunfight with no introduction at all. In fact the anime really starts with the second episode. Slowly you'll get introduced to the characters and the organization. After you've watched half of the episodes of Gungrave you'll start to see things of the first episodes. Slowly you'll build up to the situation of the first episode.

!Do note that the first episode isn't the last episode as well. The story goes on after that!

+ You really see how the characters change and the situation. That has been done outstanding by the creators of this anime + It's an intense story. When you watch the anime, you feel like you are in fact IN the anime

• AND + The first episode should've been deleted. Puts some people on the wrong track. Although after watching the first episode I decided to watch Gungrave.

This series, told throughout 26 episodes, combines the very best of mafia movies and anime. It's beautiful action, crisp, clean and stunning visuals, great storyline, sensitive music, and most of all, it's heart -because the makers clearly put a lot of emotion in it-, make this series an all-time classic which is an obligation to everyone who's interested in gangster-films or anime. This series is, without a doubt, top-notch. Because I also forget to mention the dialogues, the great screenplay, and in-depth characters.

P.S.

Watch the subbed Japanese version, the American dubbed version is somewhat out of shape in the plot. The Japanese dialogues are more subtle and seem to fit more in the series.

Gungrave is, hands-down, the best anime series I've had the opportunity to follow this year. Based on an obscure PlayStation 2 game of the same name, the story chronicles the rise and fall of two childhood friends, Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowell, two lowly street punks who join the ranks of Millenion, a Mafia organization that runs the city they dwell in. Driven by youthful exuberance and ambition, Brandon and Harry both rise quickly in the organization. It is clear during their ascent in Millenion that the two friends' paths are diverging. Brandon becomes the most feared "sweeper" in the organization, but all he wants is to be able to protect the people he cares for: Harry, Millenion boss Big Daddy, and Maria Asagi, the only woman he loves. Harry becomes overly consumed with his ambition to rise to the top of Millenion and it threatens to destroy everything both he and Brandon have worked so hard to protect! Gungrave is the brainchild of Yasuhiro Nightow, the creator of Trigun. The animation studio in charge of producing Gungrave is the venerable Madhouse Studios. The show is supported with an awesome soundtrack by composer Tsuneo Imahori, who used to be a member of Yoko Kanno's "The Seatbelts", the band responsible for all of the memorable jazzy tunes from Cowboy Bebop!

Gungrave is the story of two friends who join the mafia and progress up the ranks of the family. It is filled with sub plots of love, friendship, trust, and finally, betrayal. It takes you on an emotional journey of the two friends, Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowel. It shows you how the two men grow and change over time, and the different paths they take in life. For Brandon, the family is all about honor and trust, while for Harry it is for power. You can see the development of both of these characters, and how much they change, throughout the entirety of the 26 episode series.

The ending is absolutely heart shattering, all the loose ends are tied together and it gives you a perfect sense of closure to a great series. The story among the best in all of anime, and the execution of this story is flawlessly done. This is definitely an anime to see, even for those who don't usually watch it.

There are very few films that have touched me as deeply as this anime series. It is unfortunate that this series isn't more well known. Everything about it is terrific. The story, voice acting, music, and animation is excellent. I have to say that the ending to Gungrave is hands down, the best ending to an anime series I have seen. It broke my heart and pieced it back together all at the same time. There is also the themes explored through this series mainly dealing with loyalty, love, and friendship that is expressed so well in this series. I greatly recommend this series to anyone who loves anime. It's definitely worth it.