I was writing reviews for AA weekly but I dont know what happened to Harmony and TWP. I will just be posting my reviews alone I guess.😭
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For this one I decided to color code it based on what season it is. I found this necessary because the two seasons are actually pretty different in many which will become evident throughout this review. Thanks. Read on.
Gunslinger Girl
Gunslinger Girl - Il Teatrino
Both
Japanese Title - ガンスリンガー・ガール | ガンスリンガー ガール -IL TEATRINO-
Genre - Action, Drama, Sci-Fi, Psychological, Military
Producers - Madhouse Studios | Artland
Episodes - 13 each season, 26 total
Episode Length - 24 | 25 min. per episode
Rating - R - 17+ (violence & profanity)
Airing Date - Oct 8, 2003 to Feb 19, 2004 | Jan 7, 2008 to Apr 1, 2008
Airing Status - Finished Airing
Synopsis
In the heart of Italy, the Social Welfare Agency rescues young girls from hospital beds and gives them a second chance at life using the latest in cybernetic advancements. With their artificially enhanced bodies, the girls are brainwashed and trained as assassins to carry out the dirty work of the Italian Government. Despite all the modifications, they are still just children at heart, struggling for recognition from those they love, even knowing the love they feel is manufactured. This tragic tale unfolds as these girls grapple with their emotions in an agency that treats them as nothing but ruthless killers.
When the Social Welfare Agency investigates the disappearance of an operative, their inquiry leads them right into the lair of their rival, the Five Republics. The assassin Triela infiltrates the hostile organization, but her search is cut short when she finds herself staring down the barrel of a gun...
Characters
Henrietta - She was left for dead after the brutal murder of all members of her family, Henrietta is the newest addition to the Agency. She was assaulted repeatedly next to the dead bodies all night, which had inflicted psychological trauma to her, making her suicidal. Her struggle is the most developed of all the girls as she adjusts to her new life. Henrietta's favorite activity is to spend time with her handler, Jose`. Whenever Jose seems to turn his attention to other women (including the other cyborgs of the SWA), Henrietta becomes slightly jealous. This is due to Henrietta's strong romantic feelings for him, as a result of her faint conditioning and the care he gives her.
Triela "Princess" - She was former victim of a Mafia child smuggling group based in Amsterdam, Triela was one among many who regularly suffered abuse in the form of drugs, torture, rape and mutilation. She was rescued by a pair of Europol detectives, one of whom was her future handler, Hilshire. After being mortally wounded in a gunfight, Hilshire's partner bravely used the last of her strength to perform CPR on Triela, enabling Hilshire to save the child's life. Triela has a sarcastic wit and prefers to wear masculine clothing. She serves as a sort of mentor/Mother to the other girls of the SWA and she retains the most realistic outlook on their situation. Triela's preferred weapons are the SIG-Sauer P230 SL pistol (after losing her P230 to Pinocchio, she is given a 232-SL as a replacement) and the M1897 Trench Shotgun with bayonet attachment. She has also been shown using a selection of Heckler & Koch weaponry, including the H&K G3A3 battle rifle, the H&K P7M8 pistol, H&K UMP submachine gun and H&K MP7 PDW.
Rico - She was born with severe birth defects confining her to a hospital since birth, Rico's parents signed her over to the SWA on her eleventh birthday, where she was given a new lease on life due to her cybernetic operation. Rico loves her new body and life at the SWA, viewing each day as a blessing. She maintains a happy disposition, despite her treatment as a machine by her handler, Jean. Rico is only one who clearly remembers her past: that she was in a hospital, that her parents fought, and where her father works.
Claes "Fleda Claes Johansson" - Once known as Fleda Claes Johansson, this girl has undefined origins. In the beginning, Claes is confined to the Agency, unable to participate in missions with the other girls because her handler, Raballo, had died, which caused her to snap. She is used as a test subject by the cyborg engineers, who utilize controlled situations and equipment to monitor the usefulness of her implants. Claes wears glasses from her life before her cybernetic operation as a visual reminder of the promise she once made to Raballo and is knowledgeable and mature for her age.
Angelica - A while ago her father's business was about to declare bankruptcy. In desperation, her father decided to cash in on the large life insurance policy he had taken out on his daughter, Angelina. While getting groceries with her dog Perro, Angelina had no warning when her father "accidentally" hit her with his car. After the incident, Angelina was chosen by the SWA to be the first girl to undergo the cybernetic augmentation and conditioning process. Now known as Angelica, she later became a model for the refinement of the child assassin program. Unfortunately, Angelica was also the first to experience the problems of the conditioning process, especially long-term memory loss.
My Opinion
This anime is in my opinion (as it says above) just masterful. The manage to perfectly blend a very sad feely story that makes you feel nothing but sorry for the characters and a very high octane action anime. From the very beginning you get a feel that you are going to enjoy the entire ride and then it slams on the brake and makes your heart drop. The only thing that bothers me is that since Season 2 was taken over by another company the art style was changed. Every thing else that may have been a change wasnt big enough for me to personally notice. More than ANYTHING is the story. This anime hits the nail on the head with the story. It is really detailed and deep with everything it does. No detail is just a filler to add on to a story that is lacking. Almost every detail goes into the story in some way and should not be ignored. Another thing this anime does is good flashbacks. There are flashbacks everywhere that add the backstory to the characters that makes you feel really connected to them and then feeling sympathy and empathy for them at every turn.
My Rating - 9/10 | 8/10
Just watch this. Please watch it. You will do nothing but thank me. It has something in it for everyone. From fast paced action that will keep you from getting bored to in depth story that will keep you on the edge of your seat to back story and character personalization that makes you feel for the characters and want more of them.
