Gunnm Review Pages

Gunnm
(Battle Angel)
Tears Sign

Copyright: © 1993 Yukito Kishiro/Business Jump/Shueisha/KSS, Inc.; @copy 1995 A.D. Vision
Length: 40 minutes
Rating: NR, Graphic violence, nudity, language and adult situations. Parental Guidance Suggested
Format: Subtitled (VHS)

Screenplay: Endo Akinori Director: Fukutomi Hiroshi Supervisor: Taro Rin Character Design: Ochi Hiroyuki Music: Wada Kaoru

vhs jacket

Yugo has an ambitious dream: to get to Zalem, the near-mythical floating city high above Scrap Iron City. A goal etched into his memory from his late brother, who died trying to realize this impossible task...

But Yugo has a plan: Vector, the underworld king-pin and manager of production for the Factory, has promised Yugo passage to Zalem in exchange for 1,000,000 chips. Chips that Yugo makes by stealing biological spines from unsuspecting victims, and selling them on the black market. But even Vector hadn't counted on the ambitious young man to be able to actually attain the goal. But when Yugo tries to steal the spine from his latest customer, the tables are suddenly turned. His would-be victim is none other than Zavan, one of the Factory's deadliest Hunter-Warriors. Barely escaping with his life, Yugo has a large problem on his hands: the Factory has placed bounty on his head. But even the Factory hadn't counted on Gally becoming involved... as Yugo's girlfriend.

Technology, story, betrayal, loyalty, friendship and love. This short series has it all. The developing love interest between Yugo and Gally works incredibly well as the backdrop for the various events that unfolds in this conclusion. Yugo's devotion to his brother's dream, and Gally's devotion to Yugo cumulates in a climax that's both tragic and satisfying. Perhaps most interesting of all is that these elements are echoed by yet another subplot, this time involving Dr. Chiren's feelings for Ido. These two elements make the denoument all the more poigniant, and is a real tribute to the thought that the screenwriters put into this anime.

Acting has picked up a bit as well, and even though I'm not a Yamaguchi Kappei fan, I though he fit the role of Yugo very well. In fact, I can't think of any voice actor who didn't fit the character they played. It's not very often that occurs. Again, I can't say enough about the artwork featured in this series. The animators have done a most remarkable job in not only maintaining Kishiro's designs intact, but also allowing these characters to convey deep emotions.

There's not as much action as the previous installment. The fight scene between Zavan and Gally is secondary; it merely serves to set up Gally and Yugo's final meeting atop the Factory tubes above Scrap Iron City. As with all well-realised productions, it's the story that will capture your spirit. Among the backdrop of struggling to rise above your peers are some very apt themes, including the most important one of all: nothing is as important as the ones you love. And at that level, Battle Angel succeeds like no other.
- AN , 98.04.26

Original: Subbed: Dubbed:

Story: N/R N/A

Direction: N/R N/A

Acting: N/R N/A

Animation: N/R N/A

Music: N/R N/A

Translation: N/A N/A

Overall Rating: N/R N/A

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