Deadjournal

I finally got around to watching this anime, which I’ve heard about for many years. I can confidently say I wasn’t disappointed, I really enjoyed it, especially the ending. A pleasant bonus was that I watched the remastered version in 720p with a smooth 30fps framerate. That’s pretty decent quality for a 2003 anime.

Speaking of the smoothness, why don’t all anime look this fluid? It doesn’t require drawing more frames, as you can easily boost the fps from 23 to 30 with software. Anyway, for anyone interested in increasing framerate, I recommend using SVP4.

Now, about the visuals. The art style is pretty basic, even for 2003 standards. What saves it are the smooth motion and high resolution. As for the character designs, they didn’t appeal to me at all, especially Brandon after his "necrolyzed" transformation. A towering, three-meter-tall mass of muscle with a disproportionately small head? It just doesn’t look good.

The characters are probably the anime’s strongest aspect. Each one is well-developed, with their own philosophy, worldview, and unique perspective on the events. The one I disliked the most was Big Daddy. How could such a kind-hearted, saintly figure lead a massive criminal organization? That part of the story didn’t fully click for me.

The entire plot feels like it was built solely to set up the final episode, which is the culmination of everything. It’s in that last episode where themes of friendship and betrayal, love and forgiveness, fully come to life. I don’t understand why so many people hate the ending, I personally thought it was the highlight of the entire series.
Final Thoughts

Mika deserves a mention, she’s the one character who suffered the most throughout the story. By the final episode, it was no surprise that she was already showing signs of losing her sanity.

Off-topic: I think I’ll stop writing detailed thoughts on anime I watch. The more anime I watch (and at this point, I’ve seen over 800 titles), the more everything starts feeling formulaic. Writing about it just doesn’t seem as worthwhile anymore. At most, I’ll stick to leaving short comments on MAL.

Final Rating:

While Gungrave has its flaws, it’s an emotionally powerful experience, with its ending being the crown jewel. Highly recommended for those who value character-driven narratives.