A while ago while I was checking out some previews on a Geneon release (I can't remember which one) I came across a slick looking anime simply named Gun Sword. It immediately caught my attention even though the video clip was merely a teaser with some animation set to music. Now that I've had the chance to get my hands on the first volume and really sink my teeth into it I can honestly say that "slick looking" doesn't do Gun Sword justice.

Produced by AIC (Bubblegum Crisis and Tenchi Muyo!) Gun Sword came out last year in Japan and ran for 26 episodes. The series features a blend of action, comedy and drama to weave its tale and craft the bizarre world known as Endless Illusion. It's one of those planets that could only really exist in anime. Towns are scattered across its surface and each is unique in its own right, though the overbearing tone is that of a Western. If you think about the atmosphere as a Trigun meets Kino's Journey thing you're on the right track.

Another part that reminds me about both of those series is the fact that the main character Van is roaming the countryside. Just like Vash the Stampede, his name precedes him though there are several variations on it. Sometimes he's called Van of the Dawn, Van the Crybaby, or Van the Man of Steel. He tends to change it depending on the situation and what mood strikes him that day. In the first four episodes here we never really get the chance to get to know Van. He's the mysterious quiet type with a strange weapon, the ability to call forth a powerful armor (mech), and a love for simple foods covered with every condiment that you can find in the refrigerator. He also beers a remarkable resemblance to Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop, but that's another matter all together.

In the first episode Van finds a sidekick in the form of a young girl (Wendy) when he wanders into a town overrun by outlaws. The surviving civilians holed themselves up inside of the local mall and are on the verge of annihilation thanks to the "lucky" murders that surround them. As Van squares off against the leader of the criminals he realizes that having a cool whip/gun/sword thing isn't going to get the job done. He calls in his armor known as "Dann" and gives the bad guys a real butt-kicking.

Wendy sees Van as a man that may be able to track down her brother who was taken away by a mysterious man with a claw for a hand. A tragic event in Van's past prompts a flashback to a man with a claw and he ultimately accepts his new tagalong. The pair makes their way to a town built on a bridge in order to search for information, but all they find is another group of bad guys waiting to be beat down. The odd thing about this band of outlaws is they can mentally control their mustaches and turn them into weapons. It's really weird to say the least, but it certainly speaks volumes about the kind of place that Endless Illusion is.

The other two episodes on this first volume further the mystery of Van's past and strengthens the bond between him and Wendy. The standout episode here features a group of elderly washed up heroes in a rundown village where the young people hold no respect for them. They were part of a Voltron-like team but the death of one of their members catapulted them all into despair and days filled with drinking. It was interesting to me because we all watched those team-based anime at one point. This particular episode had a lot of fun with the question "What if one of them died?"

Gun Sword proves itself to be a series to pay attention to with this first installment. I liked the premise and the characters, though you do have to admit that the whole mysterious loner thing has been done to death in the past. Oh, and the Spike Spiegel reference? It has more to do with the way his face looks than anything else; I just can't help but shake the déjà vu. At any rate if you enjoy cool action, mecha, and off the wall characters you can't go wrong with this one. Here's waiting for volume 2!

Gun Sword is so fresh from Japan it's not even funny. Geneon certainly wasted no time in getting this one across the ocean, and we're talking not even a year. The transfer for this DVD is beautiful with a 16:9 widescreen presentation and very few flaws overall. There were some bits of aliasing to be noticed and a few splotches of grain here and there, though they were minor at best. This is a sharp looking show with a great sense of style and some very fluid animation.

Loud and clear is the best way to describe the audio experience for Gun Sword. With three distinctive tracks available on the disc, each offers phenomenal quality. Granted the 2.0 Japanese track isn't the most impressive, but the 5.1 DTS Japanese and 5.1 Dolby Digital English selections really rock. The rear speakers kick in at all the right moments and the soundstage is properly balanced between action, music and dialogue. If you're an otaku with a nice home theater you'll want to turn this sucker up.

Woah, what's this? Gun Sword actually features a bevy of supplemental material that's actually worth checking out? That's right! Unlike the typical anime release with some trailers for other shows and some textless animation you'll want to spend some extra time here. Granted both of those features are present on the first volume but an art gallery with more than just screen captures is a welcome addition. The cream of the crop though has to be two episodes of Gun Sword-San. This is a very short puppet-like anime with an offbeat sense of humor and charm all its own. It's rare that you see some extra tidbits like this here in America.

Gun Sword may not be the most unique anime in the world but it certainly is a lot of fun. The action can get very intense and some fluid animation really goes a long way to making it the main attraction. The big "hook" for Gun Sword is the mystery revolving around Van's past and the man with the claw. After experiencing this first volume I can't wait to see what's in store for our heroes next time around. Keep this one on your radar if you're looking for something with personality, Mecha and a lot of fighting.

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