Gungrave
Publisher
Geneon / MVM
Country of origin
Japan
Format
Series
Running time
24 eps/25 minutes
Year
2003
Gungrave Volume 6: Erosion
By otaku_kei
15th Jun 06  As gangster influenced horror shows with zombiefied mob bosses goes, I'd say Gungrave is the best of the bunch. Actually I think the whole premise is pretty individual, and that the show executes the premise with a great deal of quality entertainment. Gungrave continues to move into its closing chapters as Brandon continues to target the head of the Millenion organisation, and eliminate the chief lieutenants of Harry McDowell. But can this new direction for this show hold up the interest of the audience, as the early success was built on the growth of these character relationships, when all these episodes provide is the shocking destruction of those same relationships? Brandon continues his war against Millenion in these episodes, with his targets being the Superiorised versions of his former friends and allies. Once again Brandon moves like an unstoppable force of nature through the rank and file of Millenions' henchmen, and even through the exceedingly powerful lieutenants of the organisation. For all the high explosive power displayed by the best and brightest of the criminal underworld there is never any doubt that the indefatigable Brandon will defeat those ranged against him. I think this lack of any real concern for our protagonist comes from the source material for this show. Based on the popular console game of the same title, Grave had to battle through these bosses of the organisation before he reached the top to accomplish his goal. This show mirrors that path and must open up the way for Brandon to have his reckoning with 'Bloody' Harry. This path of destruction is my main gripe with these closing chapters of this show. The drama has fled this show from the moment it picked the action packed monster path to follow for almost half a series. Gungrave thrived as a show building relationships, but also demonstrating that in the cutthroat world of organised crime that loyalty can be a very fluid and tempestuous mistress. Now with all the focus being on the monster killing, all the good work getting the audience to connect with these characters that Brandon is now forced to kill seems to have little resonance with what came before. We are further disassociated with the established characters that Brandon faces as they have been so dramatically warped by the experimentation that they have undergone. Both Ballardbird Lee and Bear Walken are not the characters that were introduced earlier in the show. As such their deaths at the hands of Brandon Heat have even less impact than deaths of sidelined characters earlier in the series. That is not to say that Gungrave does not still retain some of its charm. The show shines its brightest during the numerous action set-pieces that dot each and every episode. Be it Brandon destroying countless Orgmen, or his drawn out battles with the powerful heads of Millenion, these fights are energetic, enthralling encounters. The character arcs are not wholly forgotten either, but with the previously mentioned changes in some of these characters behaviour the resolution to these arcs sometimes feel a little forced. With only one volume left to conclude this show, we can already pretty much guess what is going to occur. Can the closing chapters of this show live up to the early quality displayed, or will this show stumble at the final hurdle? Only time will tell.
R2 DVD Notes
Features: English Language 5.1; Japanese Language 5.1; Japanese Language 2.0; English Language Subtitles; Production Art Gallery; MVM Trailers
Release information: OUT NOW
Notes: Yet another release from MVM that shows just how to consistently release a quality product. The A/V quality is top notch, and presentation of the show is very good. The menus are quick and easy to navigate, Unfortunately the extras are sadly lacking and will not bring you back for repeat viewings.
-- otaku_kei 15th Jun 06
Gungrave Images  
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