Gunsmith Cats
Synopsis — from MyAnimeList
In the dangerous suburbs of Chicago, skilled bounty hunters Irene "Rally" Vincent and "Minnie" May Hopkins run Gunsmith Cats, a firearms store of questionable legality. One day, Bill Collins, an agent for the Chicago branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, blackmails Rally and May into working with him on a case. The stakes are high, but Rally’s gunmanship and May’s knowledge of explosives are unmatched. As Rally and May unravel the secrets of the case, the two will need to use guns and grenades while being faster, stronger, and better than everyone else in order to stay alive.
Audience Consensus
Audience consensus points to Gunsmith Cats as a technically brilliant OVA with fantastic action and a strong sense of place, largely carried by its charismatic leads and impressive production values. However, its narrative simplicity and underdeveloped plot are frequently cited as significant drawbacks, especially given its short runtime. Despite these criticisms, it's generally seen as a fun, action-packed ride that excels in its visual and auditory presentation.
Strengths
- Exceptional attention to detail in recreating Chicago, including landmarks, signage, and local culture.
- Highly praised for its realistic and meticulously animated car chases and gunfights.
- Strong, charismatic female protagonists (Rally and May) with good chemistry.
- Excellent production values for its time, particularly in animation, character design, and sound effects.
- Fantastic jazz fusion soundtrack that enhances the action and atmosphere.
- Well-regarded English dub, often cited as one of the best of its era.
Weaknesses
- The plot is considered simple, predictable, and at times laughably bad or generic.
- Lack of character and story development due to the short, 3-episode run.
- Certain characters from the manga are absent or underdeveloped in the OVA.
- The main antagonist in the final episode is seen as hammy and forced.
- Some minor fanservice moments are criticized as being gratuitous or eye-rolling.