Devil May Cry Was Weak – This 22-Year-Old Game Adaptation Anime Beats It on All Fronts

Recently, Devil May Cry, an adaptation of the game of the same name and one of the most anticipated animated projects of the year, was released on Netflix. Although critics gave the series a near-perfect 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, fans were less positive, giving the project a 63%.

Devil May Cry Has Received a Lot of Criticism From the Fans of the Game

Devil May Cry also received a wave of criticism from fans of the original game. Reddit user Logical_Monk8154 wrote:

“I wanted to turn off the screen so bad. I only stayed until the end to see how bad it got and trust me, as an avid fan of the DMC series since childhood, [...] it got pretty bad.”

That's why we decided to remind you about a really stylish and wild anime that was released in 2002 but is still going strong today – Gungrave.

Gungrave Is a Unique Mix of Gangster Story and Gothic Aesthetics

I would like to start a conversation about this anime with the most exciting thing – the setting. On the one hand, those who are familiar with the original game already know that the anime is going to be a fantastic and gothic revenge story in the style of Devil May Cry 3.

This impression is created by the first episode, which, like the cult Berserk, takes us to the future of the main character and leaves us with a dozen questions.

But then the title begins to resemble The Godfather or Scarface with its gangster aesthetic – you will quickly notice the similarity of the main character's best friend, Harry McDowell, to Tony Montana.

The contrast between the two settings creates a memorable atmosphere that makes Gungrave a truly unique title. Seriously, where else have you seen a mix of gothic style and gangster showdowns?

The Anime Expands on the Story Told in the Original Game

The plot of the series expands on what was shown in the game. There, Brandon Heat, under the name Beyond the Grave, immediately went to avenge his murder, the details of which were revealed in short flashbacks.

In the anime, the first half of the story is dedicated to the past of the main character and his sworn enemy – Harry McDowell, who was once his best friend.

What Did the Fans Think of Gungrave?

• On IMDb, Gungrave has a score of 7.9/10.

The anime was appreciated by both ordinary viewers and fans of the game. Redditor edm4un wrote:

“You don't see to many animes with the dark, gritty feel of Gungrave. It's something that modern anime lacks. Best mob story in anime too.”

So if you are crazy for gloomy dramatic stories, mob showdowns, and stylish action in the style of Devil May Cry – you will undoubtedly love Gungrave.

Where to Watch Gungrave?

Gungrave is available to stream on Crunchyroll.