Into the Grave

dimagic

May contain small, non-significant spoilers.

Finally, I've just saw the last episode and I am feeling strange, kind of like a person after being tortured. I won't lie, this anime do have some interesting points, a bleak lights seeing through the darkness of the infantile. This show is definitely not for the grown people. But lets start over.

Friendship, trust, family, love, brotherhood, loyalty, total control and betrayal. Those are the basics, the main themes explored in this anime. Harry and Brandon, best friends since their childhood, are going to experience some dramatic stuff in their life. Starting as a small hustlers on the streets, they are becoming members of a very strong and influent crime syndicate. Soon they have a key positions inside, but from here everything can go only down, into the grave.

First warning sign for me was Brandon Heat. It is very problematic to have the main character being silent most of the time. Language is a weapon when used properly, but the only weapons Brandon uses are guns and fists. Which is OK but pretty soon it is becoming empty and hollow without the talking. His lack of ability to do so, or probably intentional decision not to speak, is very annoying. It doesn't makes him more cool, it makes him more stupid. Not able to express or to explain himself, not able to talk to the girl that wants him, blindly following some idiotic syndicate rules and people, making sacrifices instead of profits. There are no real questions or doubts, no selfish behavior, no real feelings for him, only to serve and to obey. He is an autistic tool used by others, he has no real personality. As a heroic idol, as admiration icon - he is dumb. I can't respect dumb hero, no matter how brave and dedicated he is.

The second sign, more clear and exact sign for the upcoming failure, is the women in this show. There are only three main female characters, and they are the most superficial, most dumb, most worthless and most unnatural characters in anime ever. It was real shame to see each and one of them. There are no real issues that occupies those women, they are plastic toys with stupid smile, a constant victim, a mindless decoration. No will of their own, no needs, just waist of color and animator's work.

*** Aahhh, Faye Valentine! You are the only one of your kind. There is no competition here for you. ***

And I think I found the reason the first episode and the second half of the series are so bad in the eyes of many Gungrave viewers. It's Mika. Every time I saw and heard this demon child, all I could think about is how can I grab her and choke to death over and over again. It is unbelievable how irritating and annoying she is. I don't have enough words to describe my disgust from this creature, this Antichrist. Please be aware and ready, long exposure can do lethal and irreversible damage.

And of course, the last warning sign, more exactly the last confirmation how bad this series is, it's the story. I've seen a lot of anime. I know it is mainly for the teenagers and children, but the beauty is, that grown people can find really mature stuff in it. Thus we have so many anime for adults (no, not hentai). It's the total freedom of animation, the unlimited fantasy, the lack of limitations and boundaries of reality, that can add so much depth and interest into animation. Not Gungrave. The story is very simple, very clear, many cliché moments. When you see some sparkle of complexity, some dramatic or even tragic conflict, just before you wonder how does it get here, you realize - this is actually retarded. Because of the context, because of the pointless and the banality of this story. This show is not a smart one, it is ridiculously childish.

And something positive for a change - action scenes are not so bad and can be nice to watch. Spilled blood and the killings are more or less realistic and believable. Some of the characters are creative and imaginative on the first impression. Some of the events are nice, some of the moments are surprising, and overall you just watch it because you want to know how it will end. Would you enjoy the ride? Not really. But I guess it depends who watching it.

*** Some recommendations for better anime:

The series: Cowboy Bebop, Berserk, Ninja Scroll, Samurai Champloo, Outlow Star, Yu Yu Hakusho, Reign: The Conqueror, Last Exile, Bible Black, Black Lagoon.

The movies: Wings of Honneamise, Perfect Blue, Roujin Z, Memories, Vampire Hunter D, Steamboy, Lupin the 3: Castle of Cagliostro, Mind Game, Kite, Ninja Scroll, Akira, Paprika.

There is more, much more.

score 3/10

dimagic 12 December 2006

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw1542936/