Gungrave more like Gunrave

Because I am normal about this series I decided to make an entire blog dedicated to it. Because I'm normal.

[gunrave]

Hello there fellow Gungrave fans!

(all 4 to 5 of you who still post)

I created this blog with the intention of adding my thoughts to this lovely series. Once again Yasuhiro Nightow tore out my heart right after I discovered Trigun. Even though Gungrave isn’t one of his more popular works I feel it still deserves some attention. While I admit that narratively Trigun still remains the more compelling of Nightow’s works (I haven’t seen Blood Blockade Battlefront yet please no spoilers) I loved Gungrave enough to buy the Dark Horse artbook! Ranging from stupid shitposts and analysis on both the games and anime adaptation, I would love to discuss this odd little gem with others so feel free to message me!

(However, I should add that my attention span and willingness to share my thoughts with others is a fickle thing so if I don’t respond to you please don’t take it personally. Interacting with people in any sort of capacity drains my social battery.)

Probably should’ve posted this sooner but this is my sideblog. Here’s a link to my main: TheJezHangout

[vanguardalexkio]

Guy who has only played Gungrave: Wow these Curly and Jimmy guys are JUST like Grave and Harry it's crazy

[gunrave]

It's my 1 year anniversary on Tumblr 🥳

When the hell did that happen??

[ask-postcrash-curly]

Hey Captain Curly! I heard you like space cowboys, so I'm showing you my favourite space cowboy, Vash the Stampede!

In his world, he and the rest of humanity live on a desert planet called Gunsmoke, or No Man's Land in some other versions. This infamous gunslinger is determined to live his life spreading peace and kindness despite the $$60,000,000,000 bounty on his head (yes it's that many zeroes), and so he keeps up a cheerful and optimistic personality, using his inhuman reflexes and pinpoint accuracy to avoid killing at all costs! I think you'd appreciate his hopeful outlook on humanity, especially later in the series when the plot kicks in and his backstory is unravelled. Let me know if you'd like to watch an episode (either the silly but heartfelt 90s version or the more immediately serious reboot), or if you just want me to ramble about his backstory!

The first picture is him in the original anime (a more western look that I prefer), the second is him in the reboot with more of a cyberpunk influence.

While he's a silly guy most of the time, but when shit hits the fan he's a total badass.

Hey! Thanks!

Huh, wow! That's an exciting character design.

A desert planet, huh. Sounds kinda miserable, hah. Still, good for him. That's... That kind of hope is hard to maintain, yeah? I wouldn't mind learning more about that backstory, if you want to share it.

He looks very exciting. Thank you again for showing me.

[hellsingmongrel]

Actually, yeah, a massive part of the theme of the series (especially the very excellent manga, if you're into visual novel-type storytelling) is how humanity is dealing with losing their hope and trying to desperately claw it back despite everything that's stacked against them. Vash does everything he can to encourage hope for people, and it's a CONSTANT struggle for him!

[rookthebird]

"redemption arcs are toxic, you shouldn't try to fix someone!"

actually it is so important to me that being in community and experiencing human connection can save people. thanks

[chriscdcase95]

[nexadarling]

Calling Wolfwood "Woowoo" to cope with the horrors of his life story ✌🏽✌🏽✌🏽

[ask-postcrash-curly]

Y’know Curly, you kind of remind me of a character from one of my favorite video games. His name is Brandon Heat and he also has a best friend named Harry MacDowell. The two had known each other since they were kids, both orphans. When they get older shit goes down and the two decide to join the mafia after they both suffer the loss of their other friends. Harry wants to reach the top of the organization (climb the ladder) while Brandon is just happy that he can still remain by Harry’s side. But the longer Brandon remains in the organization, the more he has to make sacrifices. His hands become bloodier and he slowly numbs his emotions so he isn’t constantly wracked with guilt. He even denies himself from having a potentially happier life with the woman he loves because Brandon still feels responsible cares about Harry. Long story short, Brandon is forced to point his gun at his remaining friend from his life before the mafia. But he can’t bring himself to kill Harry. How could he, after everything they’ve been through? Unfortunately for him, Harry’s time in the mafia made him colder, more paranoid. Harry doesn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. In the end, Harry cares more about his ascension to power instead of the bond he had with Brandon.

Don’t worry though, Brandon comes back! Through a process called ‘necrolyzation’ he returns from the dead as an undead killing machine to take revenge on Harry! Hooray!

Whew! Sorry for yapping for so long, I am very passionate about this game if you couldn’t tell. I didn’t even get into the other aspects of story. But I do want to ask you a question Curly. If you had the option to undergo the process of necrolyzation right now, would you? You’d be stronger, more resilient. The process is even more effective if the person is still alive, you might be able to regenerate your limbs! Would you be willing to give up what little humanity you have left to save your crew? Would you be willing to become a monster to save everyone?

(WARNING!: Possible side effects of necrolyzation include severe memory loss, blood replacement every two months, and the need to dress like an edgy anime character.)

…I was nodding along, thinking I could see the resemblance, until we got to the “undead killing machine” part. I’m not quite there. Hah. That’s an unfortunate story…

No need to apologize. Uh… I don’t think I understand the process enough to make that decision. When you say I’d lose my humanity, would that mean becoming a mindless killing machine? Or would I still control myself and the change would be purely physical? If it’s just physical I certainly wouldn’t mind. Gotta be better than this, yeah? Even with the blood replacement and memory loss… As long as I remember enough to stay myself and protect the crew, I don’t… I’d power through.

[gunrave]

I’d be happy to elaborate! Aside from Brandon, deadmen (guys who get necrolyzed) appear to retain their memories for the most part though it’s never stated whether it’s because they were still alive during the process or not. For the most part they look human, sure, but if their mental state starts to deteriorate they can…mutate.

As long as you have a strong mental fortitude you can pass yourself off as human. You also might can some weird abilities like being able to turn your limbs into weapons or something. I can definitely see you pulling off a ‘knives for legs’ look. Oh, here’s a picture of the bros!

Before and after the betrayal! Reminds me of you and Jimmy… Brandon is even missing an eye (because that’s where Harry shot him)!

[oxygen-stealer]

The neurodivergent urge to do this

[oxygen-stealer]

I made this picture in like 5 minutes on Ibispaint and it still haunts me to this day. Nothing else I will ever do will have the same reach.

[breannasfluff]

I’ve never seen the original! But this is one of my fav reaction pics

[gunrave]

Listen. Listen guys. I know I said this was gonna be a Gungrave blog but. Would anybody mind if I post about other stuff? Namely of the mouthwash variety? Obviously I’ll still post about Gungrave but like. Damn. Mouthwashing has me by the throat.

[tereferka]

Total softness Total softness I won't leave a single cat unpetted La de da de dai Like a cream puff La de da de duh An ocean of fluff Let's begin the cuddle time 🎶

[staccatoredwinters]

Grave looks too funny 😭 (Made this in October a while back but saw someone post a Jyuji one lol)

[sapgoop]

[staccatoredwinters]

Brandon is literally such a cutie 😢

[gunrave]

Not a thought behind those eyes <3

[art-is-accessible]

I hope this hurts/I don’t want anything

Jeanne and Anya are kindred spirits I think

[peachgull]

Yall forgetting that they have “super forms” in overdose

[peachgull]

Source material

[muaflya]

despite everything...

it's still you

[aestheticcluttercore]

A Fair Return

A comic I made for the ShortBox Patreon in 2020! So so proud of this one. You can see my other work HERE