▪	RELEASED BY:		DARK HORSE
		▪	AUTHOR / ARTIST:		YOSUHIRO NIGHTOW
		▪	PAGES:		256
		▪	RELEASE DATE:		12/06/2006
		▪	REVIEW DATE:		08/19/2007
		▪	REVIEWED BY:		HOLLY ELLINGWOOD

An anime, game players, and art lover’s delight, this art book holds a delightful array of amazing paintings, conceptual sketches, cover art and much, much more. This collection holds the two original Japanese Gungrave art books Gungrave and Gungrave O.D. Archives (known in Japan as Gungrave Settei Shiryousyo – Archives and Gungrave O.D. Settei Shiryousyo – Archives) all in this one hefty collection. Exclusive to this US edition are two gorgeous bonus posters and extra material not included in the Japanese original.

The book holds art work from the popular Gungrave Playstation games and anime designed and illustrated by Yasuhiro Nightow (Trigun). This fantastic collection of eye-stopping art work include full color illustrations by Nightow that appeared on various magazine covers and advertisements including Newtype and Animedia, PS2 game covers, and more. There are a vast array of image clips from both the games and the anime TV series.

It is well organized into sections that focus on the various incarnations. The first part is the story of Gungrave and goes through anime image clips, story notes that follow through the introduction of the characters and the setting, and the follow through of the story. The part ends with a complete reproduction of Nightow’s original “concept manga” for Gungrave, including notes from Nightow and Toru Kubo.

The second part focuses on designs that include conceptual sketches, art work and notes on various characters, art, settings and mechanical designs for the game and the anime. These hold some full color art as well as black and white line conceptual sketches, image clips and more. It also includes character profiles and story notes. Scattered throughout are photos and explanatory notes of Gungrave merchandise offered. The book also has the exclusive treat of Nightow’s comic panels.

The second part of the book is the ‘Next New Gungrave’, which looks at Gungrave O.D., the new game, including character profiles, notes and art work, game images and an extensive interview with Nightow and Toru Kubo regarding OD. It holds the story behind Gungrave the anime TV series, and conceptual art work. It even has the added treat of providing an in depth look at the game which also offers many gaming strategies. It finishes with several staff interviews, including an extensive interview with Nightow a Kubo interviewed together, then game and graphic staff interviews with the Ikusabune staff, Tsuneo Imahori (Music), Takeshi Koike (motion image plan at Mad House), and a full range of Japanese voice actors and actresses interviewed, as well as various staff comments.

Then by page 137, Gungrave O.D. Archives, follows closely the organization of the first archives collection. This one however focuses solely on the new Gungrave O.D. game and includes a full color art gallery with cover illustrations, designs of characters, mechanics, and scenery, and even includes black and white rough storyboard continuity for the game, including keywords and explanations. There is even more displayed from the ever growing collection of merchandise offered in Japan. This second part of the book also includes a special interview with Nightow and Kubo together again in 2004, and more with the Ikusabune staff, and Romanov Higa who deals with the movies within the games. There are interviews with the O.D. Japanese voice actors and actresses as well as OD staff comments.

IN SUMMARY:
Gungrave Archives is a treasure of art for fans of the anime, the games, and for fans of art in general. It holds an expansive variety of not only art, but insight behind it and the forming of the popular games and anime series.