If you're into crime anime such as Psycho Pass or Tokyo Crazy Paradise , then you have to add Gungrave to your watch list. Created by Yasuhiro Nightow, the series based on the video game of the same name. The television adaptation is directed by Toshiyuki Tsuru and written by Yosuke Kuroda. It aired on Tokyo TV from 2003 to 2004. As of 2011, the Funimation Channel has licensed all twenty six episodes.
The anime follows a novice criminal named Brandon Heat, who is betrayed and murdered by his best friend, Harry MacDowell. Thirteen years later, he gets reborn as Beyond The Grave, and plots revenge against the crime syndicate. The series also highlights flashbacks of Brandon's youth, and how he and Harry ascended the criminal rankings. Despite its brief time on screen, fans continue to show their love through cosplay. In no particular order, here are 10 awesome cosplays that look just like the characters.
10 Grave Overdose
CJ (IG: cj_bradley64) rocks this cosplay of Grave from Gungrave: Overdose. This video game was launched two years after the anime's release. In this second installment of the video game franchise, Beyond the Grave simply goes by Grave. His mission is to destroy the narcotics empire called SEED.
Grave possesses advanced melee attacks and can charge his pistol shots or melee hits to deliver powerful single attacks. He wears a new outfit and uses new weapons, as seen in this cosplay. The background of a cemetery is equally fitting.
9 Grave G.O.R.E.
Valentina (IG: ferluci_cosplay) looks menacing as Beyond the Grave from Gungrave G.O.R.E. This will be the next video game in the Gungrave saga, and a teaser trailer has already been released. The story will continue with Grave and Mika taking down the SEED drug cartel.
They'll also encounter an enemy clan called the Raven Clan. Gungrave G.O.R.E. will be released at the end of 2020. There will be new characters to accompany Grave and Mika, so we anticipate seeing more Gungrave cosplay once the game is out.
8 Masquerade Mika Asagi & Brandon Heat
Couple cosplay goals right here. Mai (MaiSheri) and another cosplayer make the perfect pair as Mika Asagi and Brandon Heat. They put their own spin on the outfits, making formal versions for the Moonlight Masquerade Ball at Anime Next.
Although at the same time, any fan would still recognize the characters, from trademarks such as the hairstyles and color schemes. It's a sophisticated yet unique take on the designs from the anime.
7 Fem! Beyond the Grave
This fan (IG: evil_pi) put her own spin on Beyond the Grave by cosplaying a female version. It's a unique and creative take on the character , but it's still recognizable. The hat and jacket are tailored perfectly and the props look like exact replicas of the guns.
Personally, our favorite additions are the bullet belt and the high heel platforms. Who says you can't be a criminal and look stylish while doing it?
6 Mika Asagi
KTN looks so cute as Mika Asagi from this post on Cure World Cosplay. Mika is the daughter of Big Daddy and Maria Asagi. Throughout the series, she struggles to cope with the deaths of those around her. She confesses she cares for Brandon, and that he should give up on seeking vengeance.
When Mika proposes they run away together, Brandon tells her to move on without him. In the final episode, Millenion is no longer trying to kill her, and she searches desperately for Brandon. She eventually finds Brandon in the end.
5 Beyond the Grave
This Beyond the Grave cosplay by an anonymous cosplayer is terrific. All the elements of an accurate cosplay are seen here. The bright red trim makes the maroon jacket stand out, fitted right above the two bullet belts. Not pictured are the cross knee pads, and holsters, which make this cosplay even more accurate. The prop guns are the best features, and the way the cosplayer poses with them looks like a scene from the show.
Looks like Beyond the Grave is going to kick butt and take names! The photo featured was taken by MangaChild during a cosplay showcase.
4 Rocketbilly Red Cadillac
Rocketbilly Red Cadillac appears in Gungrave: Overdose. Known as "Billy," he is actually ghost who haunts an electric guitar. He is known for being a laidback flirtatious individual. When in combat, he uses the guitar he haunts as a weapon, shooting lightning as he plays.
This cosplayer, aka FlippantKun on DeviantArt, pulls off a rocking Rocketbilly. It looks spot on from the shiny suit to the gravity defying hair do. In fact, with the exception of the wig, he made this cosplay by himself -- even the guitar!
3 Mika Asagi
Cosplayer FluffyNephilim (IG: fluffynephilim) looks spot on as Mika Asagi. The red leather jacket and black turtleneck dress are perfect. Their wig is a nice black and gray ombre, and the cut resembles the character exactly, falling in the exact same way above her face. It's simple but it gets the character across really well.
Considering this awesome cosplay, we understand why Harry had been fond of Mika!
2 Brandon Heat
Before becoming Beyond the Grave, the main protagonist starts out as Brandon Heat. He joins Millennion with his best friend Harry, and as he succeeds, he moves up the ranks. Bear Walken trains Brandon to be a sweeper, or an assassin, and they form their a faction in the Millennion called "True Graves." Brandon confronts Harry for betraying Millennion, but he can't bring himself to kill his best friend. This allows Harry to kill him, before he is reincarnated as Beyond the Grave.
This cosplayer (IG: executor_haruko) wears Brandon's outfit when he's in the Millennion. This is also indicated by his shorter haircut, as he grows his hair out when he is revived. It's a casual but easily recognizable cosplay, and it's looking great so far.
1 Beyond the Grave
Cosplayer Enhar Güreşçi looks dead on (no pun intended) as Beyond the Grave at Torucon İstanbul. Everything about the ensemble is impeccable, from the massive weapon to the screen accurate detailing on the coat. The designs on both the clothes and weapon are flawless, from coloration to the patterns of crosses and studs.
It's clear that a tremendous amount of effort was put into making this cosplay look exactly like the anime. It has definitely paid off and we are nothing short of impressed. This picture is taken from a post by MegCosplay on the CureWorld Cosplay website.