Takai
11-17-2008, 08:50 PM
Gunslinger Girl
Reviewer: Brian
Original Title: Gunslinger Girl.
Format: TV series, 13 episodes, complete.
Year(s): 2003-2004.
Genres/Themes: action, drama; seinen.
Animation Studio: Madhouse; Marvelous Entertainment.
Director: Asaka Morio.
Number of Episodes Seen: 13/13
Introduction (optional):
Young girls are rescued by the Italian Social Welfare Agency, turned into powerful cyborgs, and brainwashed into becoming merciless counter-terrorist assassins. But every weapon has a flaw...
Plot and Setting/Story: 8/10
The episodes revolve around five young girls who are wards of the Social Welfare Agency. Each of the girls has been mentally conditioned to be absolutely loyal to their “handler”, the man who is entrusted with their training and care. Together they must form a team to carry out anti-terrorist missions. Although there is plenty of violence, the stories are actually about the interactions between the handlers and the girls. The girls have only fragmented memories of their past, are aware of the brainwashing process, and must deal with the fact that their lives will be short and dedicated to serving the state by killing people. The handlers, in turn, must grapple with sending young girls into harm’s way and ensuring that they are operating at their best ability. There are no amazing “end-of-the-world” moments, but the series has very good plotlines and consistency.
The ending of the series is inconclusive, with plenty of room for sequels.
Characters/Character Development: 10/10
The strong point of the series. The different episodes show how the handlers approach their responsibilities, varying between treating the girls like children to regarding them as soulless killing machines. Jose, the handler for Henrietta, is the most gentle and caring of the men. He thinks of Henrietta as a little sister, buying her presents as a reward for doing a good job. The girls’ viewpoints differ as well. The oldest, Triela, is resigned to her fate, and openly argues with her handler. Henrietta, on the other hand, is very naive, and is simply happy to be with Jose. Much of the relationships is revealed little by little as the series progresses.
Art/Animation: 9/10
The characters are very well drawn and the animation is quite detailed and smooth. The backgrounds of Italian cities are well-rendered, and the vehicles and weapons are very realistic. The animators were obviously careful to follow the laws of physics. It’s not hard to forget that you’re watching an anime series instead of live action.
Sample Screenshots:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns01.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns03.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns04.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns02.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns05.jpg
Music/Sound: 9/10
James Bond-type opening music, and a kind of opera-pop thing at the close. The background music during the episodes is mostly classical, in keeping with the theme of the series. To be honest, I had to go back and re-watch the episodes, because the soundtrack fits in so well with the storyline that it’s almost hard to notice.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
You won’t find any happy endings here – the series is about child exploitation. There’s no sex or nudity at all, but plenty of violence, realistically rendered. I enjoyed the cultural background theme. The art and music that run through the series helped to create a sort of “classical” atmosphere very different from most anime series.
Overall Anime Rating: 10/10
Reviewer: Brian
Original Title: Gunslinger Girl.
Format: TV series, 13 episodes, complete.
Year(s): 2003-2004.
Genres/Themes: action, drama; seinen.
Animation Studio: Madhouse; Marvelous Entertainment.
Director: Asaka Morio.
Number of Episodes Seen: 13/13
Introduction (optional):
Young girls are rescued by the Italian Social Welfare Agency, turned into powerful cyborgs, and brainwashed into becoming merciless counter-terrorist assassins. But every weapon has a flaw...
Plot and Setting/Story: 8/10
The episodes revolve around five young girls who are wards of the Social Welfare Agency. Each of the girls has been mentally conditioned to be absolutely loyal to their “handler”, the man who is entrusted with their training and care. Together they must form a team to carry out anti-terrorist missions. Although there is plenty of violence, the stories are actually about the interactions between the handlers and the girls. The girls have only fragmented memories of their past, are aware of the brainwashing process, and must deal with the fact that their lives will be short and dedicated to serving the state by killing people. The handlers, in turn, must grapple with sending young girls into harm’s way and ensuring that they are operating at their best ability. There are no amazing “end-of-the-world” moments, but the series has very good plotlines and consistency.
The ending of the series is inconclusive, with plenty of room for sequels.
Characters/Character Development: 10/10
The strong point of the series. The different episodes show how the handlers approach their responsibilities, varying between treating the girls like children to regarding them as soulless killing machines. Jose, the handler for Henrietta, is the most gentle and caring of the men. He thinks of Henrietta as a little sister, buying her presents as a reward for doing a good job. The girls’ viewpoints differ as well. The oldest, Triela, is resigned to her fate, and openly argues with her handler. Henrietta, on the other hand, is very naive, and is simply happy to be with Jose. Much of the relationships is revealed little by little as the series progresses.
Art/Animation: 9/10
The characters are very well drawn and the animation is quite detailed and smooth. The backgrounds of Italian cities are well-rendered, and the vehicles and weapons are very realistic. The animators were obviously careful to follow the laws of physics. It’s not hard to forget that you’re watching an anime series instead of live action.
Sample Screenshots:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns01.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns03.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns04.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns02.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a68/vitas_fd/Anime%20screenshots/guns05.jpg
Music/Sound: 9/10
James Bond-type opening music, and a kind of opera-pop thing at the close. The background music during the episodes is mostly classical, in keeping with the theme of the series. To be honest, I had to go back and re-watch the episodes, because the soundtrack fits in so well with the storyline that it’s almost hard to notice.
Additional Comments or Warnings:
You won’t find any happy endings here – the series is about child exploitation. There’s no sex or nudity at all, but plenty of violence, realistically rendered. I enjoyed the cultural background theme. The art and music that run through the series helped to create a sort of “classical” atmosphere very different from most anime series.
Overall Anime Rating: 10/10