About Gungrave

Gungrave is a popular anime television series that aired in 2003. The series is based on a video game by the same name and revolves around the character of Brandon Heat, who is killed by his best friend and returns from the dead to avenge his murder. As a zombie-like creature known as "Beyond the Grave", he must navigate through a world of monstrous creatures known as "Orgmen" to finally confront his old friend, now a leading figure in a criminal organization.

Making / Production

Produced by the esteemed anime studio Madhouse, Gungrave was directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru. The series was an adaptation of the video game developed by Red Entertainment for the PlayStation 2.

Actors

• Tomokazu Seki is the voice behind Brandon Heat/Beyond The Grave. Seki portrayed the character's transformation from a loyal friend to a revenge-seeking undead with a deep, soulful voiceover performance.
• Chafurin brings to life the character of Bunji Kugashira, a former friend, and now enemy, of Brandon's with a complex moral compass.
• Iemasa Kayumi voiced Harry MacDowell, the principal antagonist and former best friend of Brandon, who is as charismatic as he's ruthless.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Gungrave is a spin-off of a video game, making it one of the few anime series to be based on a video game rather than the other way around.
• Despite being rooted in action and horror, the series is lauded for its poignant exploration of themes like friendship, betrayal, and redemption.

Awards

While Gungrave did not win any specific awards, it has received favorable reviews for its standout animation, storytelling, and character development.

Quotes

• "Death doesn’t count at all when it is compared to what lives inside us..." - Brandon Heat
• "Even in this shitty world, at least the dawn is beautiful." - Harry MacDowell

Music, Soundtrack

• The series' opening theme song, "Family," captures the poignant themes of the series with an emotional melody.
• Composed by Tsuneo Imahori, the score of the series infuses western and classical influences, reflecting the series' blend of action and emotion.