Ranked #1067

Gun X Sword

Gun X Sword... There isn't much about this show that hasn't been done before, but then again you can say that to almost every anime made. So what if the plot is rehashed from many other anime. Anime is just like test driving a new car, "It looks real nice, but how does it drive?" As a matter of fact, it drives REALLY nice.

Story (Mediocre)
As i said before this plot has been done at least a good dozen times (in anime AND movies). Hard boiled desperado out to seek revenge for what was lost. Along the way he makes friends and enemies. But happens to hit a few speed bumps along the way. Doesn't sound like much of a story but in all honesty, it was a fun trip the whole way through, from beginning to end. A good way they managed to keep it fresh throughout was that they managed to parody some classic action scenes straight from Hollywood. The ones that stand out the most are Kill Bill, Pulp Fiction, and even ROBOT JOX (you might have to IMDb that one). It really made some scenes pretty interesting, especially when you realize how close they actually imitated some scenes from their action movie counterparts.

Art (Good)
The art and animation wasn't too spectacular. But as in any mecha anime, you will see all the detail get put in the mechas and the action scenes. They all run so smoothly and blazingly fast. Of course theres the usual cheap action animation but for the most part you'll see the fighters move with accurate fluidity. The character art is very average though, compared to the mechas. Although the art is very average, the settings are varied and vast to say the least. Everything from a barren wasteland, to a lush jungle, to a bustling industrial city are all present here. At first you would think this is a western style anime through and through, but you'll soon realize that is not the case.

Sound (Very Good)
Sound is one thing that is very hard to mess up on and the more sound added to a show the better imo. This show has it in spades. From the environmental sounds, to the flora/fauna/crowds, music and even the voice actors are all there. A wasteland sounds like a wasteland, a large train station sounds like a large train station every environment sounds exactly as it should. The music also sounds like it should, with the exception of the opening theme song. I laughed every time i heard the big band song come on when there was comedy scene. Nothing sounds over used and you'll even hear a few classic movie sounds if you can spot them fast enough.

Characters (Fair)
Now there are a few unique characters in there but for the most part the main/supporting characters are direct ripoffs from other anime either in appearance or personality. Take that as you may but I found it to be a good decision considering how fun this show is to watch. Of course there are a few annoying characters. But overall its a very good cast of characters.

Well once you overcome how insanely plain the plot is and just watch it for what its worth, you'll most likely have a fun viewing experience. Its an audio visual treat! read more

Many people compare GUNxSWORD to Cowboy Bebop or Trigun. These comparisons are not true. Not true at all. I consider GUNxSWORD to be an animated Kill Bill with mecha.

I removed spoilers from my original review, so if something sounds funny. You'll know where when you read this.

Story - 9/10
On the planet of Endless Illusion, a lone man adorned in a tuxedo roams the wild and lawless frontier... Armed with a shape-shifting sword and a powerful Armor, Van's sole purpose in life is to find the mysterious clawed man. So, his story begins...

Art - 8/10
The animation, done by Studio AIC, is quite solid and fluid, its nothing very special or unique. It's pretty cookiecutter, if you will. It looks very shiny and very clean throughout.

Sound - 10/10
The soundtrack is just beautiful. The OP is an instrumental piece with a unique animation sequence I haven't seen in anime since sCRYed. I can't really descrive it, but somthing about it is just beautiful. The music is very similar to sCRYed's instrumentals and "moaning" songs, which GUNxSWORD has -- it gives off that mysterious, wierd feeling. The ending songs are plentiful. They change every now and then, but the original ending song is sung by Shuntaro Okino of Last Exile Opening fame. If you liked the Last Exile Opening, you'll like this Ending song.

Character - 9/10
They are pretty much a cookiecutter cast. They do keep it pretty interesting throughout, with revelation after revelation. You'll love some, you'll hate some. My favorite characters were Pricilla, Ray, Fasalina, Michael Garret, Carossa, Melissa and The Claw Man. Best characters of the series to me. That's mostly all of them, so I guess I did like most of them.

Enjoyment - 10/10
The most fun series I've watched this year, easily. It's just a very fun and enjoyable series. Goro Taniguchi of Code Geass fame truly makes a masterpiece -- the overall feeling of the series really gets your blood hot and going. Very andrenline-packed.

Overall, I give GUNxSWORD a 9/10 - it would've been higher if I included spoilers, but I'll let you watch and decide for yourself. Excellent script, excellent directing, cookiecutter cast, solid animation, beautiful music. Everything just clicked. read more