Gungrave (TV series)

Did You Know?

• The series was first licensed in North America by Geneon Entertainment and later by Funimation.
• It was broadcast on the Funimation Channel in 2011.
• The series opens thirteen years after Brandon Heat is betrayed and killed by Harry MacDowell, then backtracks to their youth.

Characters

Brandon Heat was a low-level criminal running with a gang that included his best friend Harry McDowell and three other close companions. After those friends were killed, Brandon and Harry joined the Millennion crime syndicate under its leader, Big Daddy. Brandon started in a small collection crew in the West District, handling money from illegal race track betting and black market deals. He moved up after a special assignment Harry recommended, his connection to Maria, and a moment where he risked his life for Big Daddy.

Bear Walken trained Brandon as a sweeper, or assassin, and he later led his own elite sweeper squad called True Graves. While Harry climbed the ranks, Brandon stayed loyal. He confronted Harry for betraying the organization but could not bring himself to kill his friend, and Harry killed him instead. Dr. Tokioka brought Brandon back as Beyond the Grave, with the mission to destroy the syndicate and the friend who betrayed him.

In the anime's end, Brandon chose to protect Harry out of respect for their old bond. Whether he lives or dies when Mika arrives is unclear, though he appears in later game sequels. He becomes a father figure to Mika, telling her to move on because he no longer belongs among the living.

Harry McDowell craved true freedom and hated being held back. With Brandon's help, he used his ambition to rise in Millennion. When he could not advance further, the impatient Harry plotted to kill Big Daddy. As his dreams came true, Harry grew paranoid and insane, seeing any hesitation as betrayal punishable by death. He killed Big Daddy and hundreds of others, earning the name Bloody Harry, and also killed Brandon. Thirteen years later, Harry targets Big Daddy's daughter, Mika Asagi, but Brandon has returned as Beyond the Grave to shield her.

Reception

Early in the series, Anime News Network criticized Brandon's silent attitude, comparing him negatively to characters with a similar design. When the anime focused on his younger persona, Brandon Heat, ANN still found it hard to sympathize with him due to his calm demeanor and the slow pace, though they looked forward to the foreshadowed conflict with Harry. By the next review, ANN enjoyed how Brandon took action in the Millennion organization alongside Harry and found his relationship with Maria appealing.

DVD Talk appreciated the early tragic setting and how the characters became invested in gaining power. Mania Entertainment enjoyed the backstory of how friendly people like Brandon and Harry would become enemies. In a later DVD review, Mania praised Brandon's darker characterization from his involvement in Millennion and how his loyalty to Big Daddy led to his tragedy and transformation into Grave. The final review, where Grave's lifespan nears its limit while facing Harry's forces, was praised for exploring the friendship between the two main characters.

DVD Talk generally enjoyed the handling of Brandon and Harry's story and how their personalities change through enjoyable character arcs. Manga.Tokyo commented that the friendship between Brandon and Harry was the biggest appeal despite the chaotic setting. Hardcore Gaming 101 enjoyed how the anime corrupts the young characters, leading to Brandon becoming Grave. IGN compared Brandon to the Terminator for his deadly skills but questioned his depression about his gangster job and why he would not leave Millennion with his love interest.

Tomokazu Seki's vocal performance as both personas was praised by Mania over the English dub, with Famitsu offering similar comments.