In the 2003 broadcast series, Gunslinger Girl, orphans are given cybernetic implants and brainwashing to turn them into petite assassins for the Social Welfare Agency, a covert branch of the Italian government. Each girl has her own trainer/handler, who teaches her everything from marksmanship to table manners. Henrietta, the central character, works with Jose, who describes their relationship as “brother and sister.” When Henrietta, whose dreary personality recalls Key the Metal Idol, isn’t machine-gunning criminals under Jose’s supervision, she plays the violin. Because Henrietta remembers nothing of her past life and feels no regrets for her murderous actions, Gunslinger Girl offers none of the pathos of Saikano. The overall effect suggests Koi Kaze re-imagined by Sam Peckinpah or The Professional: Gogol reenacted by the cast of Princess Tutu. Gunslinger Girl ranks among the grimmest anime series of recent years. (Rated TV 14: considerable violence) –Charles Solomon
