Gunslinger Girl - DVD

In the heart of Italy, the Social Welfare Agency purports to be a government-backed charitable organization dedicated to rehabilitating physically traumatized young girls. In reality, it serves as the cover for a cold, covert anti-terrorist intelligence unit. Young girls who have suffered horrific tragedy or near-fatal injuries are given cybernetic body replacements, enhanced physical capabilities, and subjected to psychological "conditioning"—a brainwashing process that ensures absolute, unwavering devotion to their adult male handlers. Operating out of a secluded compound, these young assassins, including the gentle Henrietta and her handler Jose, execute ruthless black-ops missions against political insurgents and terrorist cells across Europe. Yet beneath their lethal combat proficiency lies a fragile, deeply tragic struggle to retain what little remains of their humanity.

Based on Yu Aida’s acclaimed manga series and produced by the prestigious Studio Madhouse (Monster, Death Note), Gunslinger Girl is a somber, cinematic masterpiece. Directed by Morio Asaka (Chobits, Cardcaptor Sakura), the anime sets aside typical "girls-with-guns" tropes in favor of a quiet, atmospheric, and profoundly melancholic exploration of duty, emotional manipulation, and existential tragedy. Paired with an extraordinary neoclassical score and realistic tactical firefights, the series stands as one of the most poignant anime dramas of the 2000s. Released on DVD by Funimation, this complete collection presents all 13 episodes in dual-language presentation.

Notable Staff & Voice Talent

Director: Morio Asaka (Chobits, Nana, NANA)
Original Creator: Yu Aida
Studio: Madhouse
Music: Toshihiko Sahashi (Full Metal Panic!, Hunter x Hunter 1999)
Cast:

• Yuka Nanri / Laura Bailey as Henrietta
• Hidenobu Kiuchi / J. Michael Tatum as Jose
• Kanako Mitsuhashi / Caitlin Glass as Triela
• Eri Sendai / Monica Rial as Angelica
• Ami Koshimizu / Luci Christian as Claes
• Hitomi Terakado / Stephanie Young as Rico

DVD Features

• Clean Opening Animation ("THE LIGHT BEFORE WE LAND" by The Delgados)
• Clean Closing Animation ("DOPO IL SOGNO ~Yume no Ato ni~" by Yoshitaka Kitanami)
• Original Japanese Commercials & Trailers
• Textless Songs & Interactive Menus
• Funimation Trailers & Previews

Spoken Languages: English & Japanese Audio, English subtitles

Edition Details

Japanese Title: ガンスリンガー・ガール (Gunslinger Girl)
Runtime: ~325 Minutes (13 Episodes)
Director: Morio Asaka
DVD Release Year: 2005 / 2007 (Funimation Complete Box Set Releases)
Original Air Date (Japan): 2003–2004
Publisher: Funimation / Crunchyroll
Rating: TV-14 (Contains Tactical Gun Violence, Dark Psychological Themes, & Emotional Peril)
Region: Region 1 (U.S. / Canada)
Genre: Action, Drama, Psychological Thriller, Sci-Fi
Themes: Cybernetics, Assassins, Italian Setting, Handler & Cyborg Dynamic, Tragic Fate

Media assumed VG+ unless otherwise noted.