Review of Gunsmith Cats

I suppose it only makes sense to use contemporary anime as a benchmark with which to compare this show against, as that is what most people will be able to relate with; and is likely to be the most prominent concern for viewers used to that visual standard when considering picking up an older show like this for an afternoons entertainment. I would say to that, that it's a 3 part OVA and so it's not that big of a commitment, the second and third episodes are also very much the same as the first so you can get a feel for the show quitequickly and decide if it's for you or not. Much of the shows charm is that it stands on its own as a story without the need to rely on (too many) tropes and set pieces. So if you like something more original, or at least as original as an 80's action type show can offer, then definitely check it out.

Obviously this show is not as aesthetically polished as shows made these days, especially the ones backed by the bigger studios. But there-in lies much of its charm. The animation is still of a high grade despite its age (if you can forgive the rough edges caused by the old animation technology that made it) and the actual frame to frame animation is going to be more pure and dynamic as a result of being hand drawn (i find even the best of the modern shows to have somewhat stiff characters, you see it in shows like Mahouka Koukou no Rettousei where the characters, as full of detail as they are, feel like statues because they never really do anything with their arms unless they have to). There's a classic cartoon style to be seen that you just don't get anymore with modern shows that take themselves far too seriously. You'll find the same innocent quirkiness in other shows of the era like Tri-gun, Tenchi Muyo, Dominion: Tank Police, Full Metal Panic; effectively late 80's going on early noughties.

The character designs are straight out of an 80's Hollywood action classic which also matches the music and overall atmosphere of various scenarios like the "police precinct". There's not much to be said here, it all fits, it's a tad cliché, but the kind of cliché that it would feel lesser without it. The personalities are also relatable; they're trope-y in a Hollywood fashion it has to be said, but not so overbearing that they're not believable as individuals like some cookie cutter characters are. The mature tone also lends itself to this story telling and i'm not talking about sex scenes or violence, but that the show focuses around adults doing adult things without it explicitly being a skit, even if it seems like they're often goofing around).

One thing that will strike you about the show is the overall attention to detail that is one display. A lot of modern shows rely on obnoxious main character designs and set service pieces to carry other elements that can be neglected because "the important boxes were ticked"; and whilst there are 2 or 3 "panty shots", they don't feel like panty shots because they're written in to a believable scene or a scene where the main focus is not the pants; you could say it was supplementary servicing. But back to my point, a lot of the shows quality can be observed in both it's background art, vehicle designs and even the sound. There's one scene that involves a car chase and someone lands on a car bonnet and it actually sounds like someone landing on a car bonnet as opposed to a generic muffled metallic thud sound bite bought off a stock website.

Without spoiling too much of the show (even though it could be argued as being quite predictable) It's well paced and well rounded. The main characters could use a little development, but it's a 3 part OVA and not a full seasonal show. It's just an overall pleasure to watch even if i do have a bias towards 90's action anime.