“Two friends join a mafia, rise through betrayal, and face tragic consequences over years.”
Gungrave
ガングレイヴ
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AI-powered analysis tailored to your taste
Based on your preference for character-driven stories with layered emotional arcs, this title's exploration of identity and belonging would deeply resonate. The pacing mirrors series you've rated highly, and its thematic depth aligns with your appreciation for nuanced storytelling...
However, the slow initial episodes might test your patience given your history of dropping shows that don't hook you early. The art style shift in the middle arc could also be a concern...
Synopsis
Two friends join a mafia, rise through betrayal, and face tragic consequences over years.
Brandon Heat and Harry MacDowel, two friends so close they could be called brothers, receive an abrupt and violent reminder one fateful day of how appallingly merciless the world around them can be. Their whole lives before then were simple and easygoing, consisting largely of local brawls, seducing women, and committing petty theft to make a living and pass the time. What they failed to realize is that in this cruel world, happiness is fleeting, and change is inevitable. Enter Millennion, the largest and most infamous mafia syndicate in the area, which accepts Brandon and Harry into their ranks and starts them at the bottom of the food chain. Harry has ambitions to ascend the ranks and one day replace Big Daddy as the supreme leader of Millennion, while Brandon only wishes to support his friend and appease Big Daddy who has taken custody of the woman Brandon loves. Based off the third-person shooter video game under the same name, Gungrave is an epic story of friendship, betrayal, and avarice that spans the course of several years, ultimately tying back to the gripping and foreboding first episode, all the while building up to the story's thrilling conclusion.
What people say
Community consensus
Derived from 75 sampled reviews
What 75 viewers settled on.
Mostly aligned
σ 1.77 · some divergence
5.3 pts
Recommenders 8.7 · others 3.4
↓ 1.96
Running avg · Jan 2007 → Jan 2026
- 10 “I really have to say that if it wasn't for gungrave, I don't think I would be into anime. Gungrave is one of my favorite animes. I really enjoyed the story etc. If your looking forward to watching...”
- 10 “A perfect, legendary anime whose brilliance becomes clear from the second episode onward. The only real stumbling block is a first episode that initially feels generic and almost made me drop the...”
- 10 “Gungrave packs non-stop action, lovable characters, and an exciting, emotional plot into a short, easy-to-follow series that deserves a permanent spot in any DVD collection. With a killer...”
Watch Order & Related
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See all credits →Production slate
A Tv Production · Fall 2003
Madhouse.Victor Entertainment · Tohokushinsha Film Corporation
- Format 26 × 24′ eps × min
- Total runtime 10h 24m all episodes
- Aired Oct 2003 – Mar 2004 Fall 2003
- Source Tv media type
- Rated R 17+ (violence & profanity)
- Ref. BS-0244 catalog
Produced by
- Victor Entertainment Producer
- Tohokushinsha Film Corporation Producer
- Arts Pro Producer
Licensed by
- Funimation Licensor
- Geneon Entertainment USA Licensor