Gungrave (anime)

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Gungrave


caption =
ja_name = ガングレイヴ
ja_name_trans = Gangureivu
genre = Crime, Science fictionInfobox animanga/Anime
title =
director = Toshiyuki Tsuru
writer = Yousuke Kuroda
studio = Madhouse
licensor = flagicon|United States flagicon|Canada Geneon flagicon|United Kingdom MVM Films flagicon|Australia flagicon|New Zealand Madman Entertainment
network = TV Tokyo
network_other = flagicon|United States G4 flagicon|Sweden ZTV flagicon|Turkey S'nek TV
first = October 6, 2003
last = March 29, 2004
episodes = 26

nihongo|"Gungrave"|ガングレイヴ|Gangureivu is a Japanese animated television series based on the video game of the same name, created by Yasuhiro Nightow. The series is directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru, from a screenplay by Yousuke Kuroda, and produced by Madhouse Studios.

The series follows Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowell as they rise through the ranks of the Millennion crime syndicate.

"Gungrave" aired on TV Tokyo from October 6, 2003 to March 29 2004, totaling twenty-six episodes. Like the Gungrave video game, and its sequel (Gungrave Overdose), the series' music is provided by Tsuneo Imahori; this also includes the series' opening theme. [ [http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/people.php?id=5757 Tsuneo IMAHORI - Anime News Network] ]

Plot

"Gungrave" opens thirteen years after Brandon Heat is betrayed by his best friend Harry MacDowell. He is reborn as Beyond The Grave, and begins a quest of revenge against the crime syndicate. The series then backtracks to Brandon's youth, and follows him and Harry as they rise through the criminal underworld, detailing the circumstances that led to their eventual falling-out.

Characters

;Brandon HeatA small-time criminal who was in a gang with his best friend, Harry McDowell, along with three other close friends. After their friends were killed, Brandon and Harry joined the crime syndicate Millennion, led by Big Daddy. Brandon was trained by Millennion's Bear Walken to be a sweeper (assassin), eventually forming his own elite sweeper unit within Millennion called "True Grave".

As Harry rose to power, Brandon remained loyal to the syndicate. Brandon confronted Harry for betraying the organization, but found himself unable to kill his friend. Instead, Harry killed Brandon. Brandon was resurrected by Dr. Tokioka as "Beyond the Grave". His purpose is to destroy the syndicate that he once worked for and the friend who betrayed him.

;Harry MacDowell"Bloody Harry" was the leader of small-time gang operating out of Desolation Alley and Brandon's best friend. After five years with Millennion, the two friends were made part of the leader's inner circle. As part of Big Daddy's "family", they were expected to follow a strict code of conduct, but Harry took the code lightly. He started killing and cheating his way to the top of Millennion, ultimately securing his position by killing his best friend.

;Maria Asagi

Maria was Brandon's sweetheart when they were young. She lived with her adoptive father Jester, a member of Millennion, who raised her from infancy after finding her while working a job for the group.

After Jester was killed, she moved in with Big Daddy at his villa, eventually growing close to him after Brandon rejected her, on the grounds that he had sinned too greatly during his profession as an assassin. She eventually married Big Daddy and gave birth to his daughter, Mika. Maria was later killed by Harry MacDowell, in his attempt to discontinue the line of Big Daddy's descendants.

;Dr. Tokioka

A scientist who developed the necrolyzation dead regeneration process. When Mika came to him, he used the process to bring Grave back to life.

;Big Daddy

Millennion's founder and leader. He started the organization to protect his city and his "Family". He developed a bond with Brandon early in the latter's career in Millenion, which resulted in Brandon giving up Maria to Big Daddy out of loyalty to the man and the organization. Big Daddy was killed by Harry out of jealousy.

;Bear Walken

A sweeper for Millennion, and one of the oldest members of Big Daddy's inner circle. He stays with the organization after Harry becomes the leader of Millennion for the sake of his daughter (Who is romantically involved with Harry). He is later killed by a resurrected Brandon, after inviting Brandon to his home for a duel to the death.

;Bob Poundmaxanime voices|Chafūrin|Doug Stone (voice actor).

A portly, morbidly obese intelligence operative, he rose through the ranks of Millenion with Brandon and Harry. After Harry’s ascension to the head of the organization Bob sat as one of the Big Four under Harry. He became the second “Superior” created after the procedure was perfected and the first to confront Beyond the Grave. He was killed by Brandon.

;Balladbird Lee

Bob Poundmax's best friend. He owes his life to Harry after it was discovered that he was working with Lightning, a rival group of which his older brother Cannon Vulcan was a member, while in Millennion. However, Harry forgave Balladbird, allowing him to stay in Millennion in exchange for his loyalty. After learning of Bob's death, Lee kidnaps Mika and kills her two bodyguards in the process. Lee is eventually killed in the subway by Brandon's Anti-Superior bullets.

;Bunji Kugashira

An assassin from a rival group originally ordered to eliminate Lee, Bob, Brandon and Harry. He joins Millennion after Harry convinces him of a double-cross by the group that hired him. He and Brandon became good friends and becomes Brandon's protege before Harry's rise to the leader of Millennion. After Brandon's death, he takes over the sweeper team and eventually becomes its only member.

After facing the resurrected Brandon Heat, he opts to transform himself into a "Superior". He is finally defeated by Grave in the lobby of the Millennion's headquarters after a quick draw duel. He is last seen during the final episode in the reflection of his cat's eye.

References

External links

* [http://www.gungravedvd.com/ Geneon's "Gungrave" DVD Site]
* [http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/m-serve/tv/gungrave/ JVC Music's "Gungrave" Site] ja icon