Review of Gungrave: Vol. 2

Introduction

If you`re reading this review, then I`m guessing that you`ve either seen the first 4 episodes (contained on the R2 Disc 1 of the set) or that you`ve already read the review of that disc. I won`t repeat the background here…

This volume picks up (unsurprisingly) where Disc 1 left off. There are a further four episodes here which thicken the plot, as well as increase our empathy and understanding of the three key players - Brandon Heat, his child-hood street buddy, Harry, and the object of his affections, the gooey-voiced doe-eyed Maria.

As a curious foot-note, we know from Disc 1 that all these episodes are flashbacks to a time before Brandon is killed, and before he returns from the dead to destroy the criminal oranisation `Millennion`, led by his buddy Harry who he later sets out to destroy. So in a sense, the series started somewhere near the end, and the remainder of the series, including these episodes, is just playing catch-up. But in truth, the episodes are so individually engaging that that`s all quickly forgotten.

EPISODE 5: MILLENNION
Brandon gets to join Millennion, a huge criminal organisation hiding behind a very respectable corporate facade. But whilst he joins a low-key loan shark outfit, his ambitious young buddy Harry works the corporate ladder and seems to be making his way up the rungs double fast. With his new connections, Harry discovers that Brandon`s girl (Maria) is being housed in the cocoon-safe mansion of Millennion leader Big Daddy`s pad. Brandon pays a brief and moving visit.

EPISODE 6: BIG DADDY
After a day with Maria, under the watchful eye of Millennion, Brandon remains as confused as ever about his loyalties. His one rock is his affection for Maria. But something`s in the air - with Brandon getting involved in some `ugly stuff` with his team of debt collectors. He wakes from a (prophetic) nightmare where Harry kills him and his cohorts from the loan shark outfit. Finally, Brandon takes a bullet for `Big Daddy` during an assassination attempt. It`s hard for us (or him) to know why he did it. Was it because of his love for Maria? Or his love for the `Family`. Or is it the mutual respect he has developed for Big Daddy during one of their fishing excursions together? `Fist of the North Star` this aint!

EPISODE 7: FIVE YEARS LATER
Yeah - just like that! Brandon is now working for Millennion`s top enforcer, Bear Walken. There`s a tense few moments when a killer (Bunji) is sent by a rival gang to assassinate Harry, though Harry talks him out of it - suggesting that they `mock` his death and then see how honourable the gang are at paying up. Once they see Harry`s body the gang attempt to shoot Bunji too - and he sees in a flash the side with the most honour and then fights alongside Harry. Brandon arrives minutes later with gun`s blazing to save the day. Great stuff!


EPISODE 7: FAMILY
At last, Harry and Brandon are introduced into `the family` - reserved for the top 100 men only. At the party, Harry falls for Bear Walken`s daughter Sherry - though we`re unsure whether this isn`t just another career move! Bear tells Brandon that there is a loose canon on the inside that is set to betray the family. It turns out to be Bear`s oldest and dearest friend, Sid Galarde. Bear can`t bring himself to kill him, so Brandon does the honours - always the first to volunteer for the toughest jobs.

Video

Widescreen 1.85:1 - and a really great digital transfer, free from flaws and a real pleasure to view.

Audio

There are three options though I selected the perfectly acceptable Dolby Digital 5.1 English soundtrack. (Other options are Japanese language DTS 5.1 and DD 2.0). It`s a good surround experience with some lively exclusive rear speaker action that will have you jumping from your seat at all the right moments. The voice artistes are perhaps a little predictable and corny but it all seems to work as perfectly good `mindless entertainment`!

Features

The extras listed sound impressive but in reality offer very little. There`s some production art -useful for the avid fan trying to ape the simple drawing style. There`s a completely befuddling Japanese promo for the Gungrave video game. There are a couple of trailers, and some alternative credits. And that`s your lot…

Conclusion

`Gungrave` (thus far) seems to me to be the perfect combination of anime action nicely balanced with a decent narrative and strong interpersonal relationships and characters. In short - it`s proving to be frighteningly addictive.

Despite a running time of approaching a couple of hours I couldn`t believe how quickly the time passed. Sure, it`s hardly intellectually taxing and it doesn`t really break any new ground, but for sheer escapist entertainment it really does the business.

Despite the obvious nods towards anime bedfellow `Trigun`, and the blatant homage to Clint Eastwood`s `Man with no name` persona, `Gungrave` does have character all of its own, with a good solid story building in flashback, heading towards a mega melt-down previewed in Chapter 1. Roll on Disc 3!