# Gungrave (2003)

> A dead gunman rises from the grave to take apart the undead mafia that betrayed him, starting with his former best friend.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/5551

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 26
- Episode runtime: 25 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, action, crime
- Network: TV Tokyo
- Cast: Masahiko Tanaka, Motomu Kiyokawa, Michiko Neya, Tomokazu Seki, Kikuko Inoue, Iemasa Kayumi, Takehito Koyasu, Chafurin
- TMDB rating: 7.9/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435961/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: graphic
- Tone: bleak, brooding, violent, tragic

## What critics say

Audiences rate the series positively for its stylized revenge storyline, dark atmosphere and bold action, though it is regarded as a cult anime rather than a mainstream classic.

## Synopsis

Gungrave (2003-2004) is a Japanese seinen animated action crime series created for TV Tokyo and produced by Madhouse, adapted from the video game of the same name. Brandon Heat (voice of Tomokazu Seki) returns from death with one purpose: to cripple Milleneon, a sprawling mafia organization that uses undead monsters as its enforcers. His path leads toward Harry MacDowel (voice of Tsutomu Isobe), once his closest friend, now the crime boss he means to destroy. Supporting figures such as Brad Wong (voice of Masahiko Tanaka) and Big Daddy (voice of Iemasa Kayumi) move through a neo-noir underworld where each episode builds a steady run of gunfights, betrayals and shadowy dealings. The single 26-episode season is one continuing story with flashback glimpses into the friendship that once bound these men. The series carries a bleak, dystopian atmosphere, with a melancholic weight over its violence and a sense that death offers no escape. Fans of Cowboy Bebop, Blood+ and Black Lagoon will find a similar blend of stylish gangland action and tragic underworld drama.

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