Setting

In the late 90's Italy, a secret government organization is advancing on cybernetic implants and medical research using small girls as 'guinea pigs' - usually mental or physical deficient or which suffered massive damage on an accident. However, the intentions of such organization are not all for the best of the girls: They are trained and 'conditioned' to be lethal cybernetic killers, completely loyal to their “Fratello” (A girl's supervisor and tutor).

Plot

As Henrietta, the younger and our main character, finally reaches the top of efficiency among the 'artificial girls', she is taken by José, or 'Fratello' to get her own life and missions, while watching how the other girls think and feel, and are taken in by the corporation. However, the overly aggressive approach of brain washes and body improvements have an intense and inevitable tool on the lifespan of the girls.

Pacing

What initially starts as a superficial super-girls in mission-impossible plot style eventually becomes a dense drama thriller focused on each character and their personality development, as well showing relation between the girls. Eventually the missions get to be 'secondary' as the main focus is about the life or this special girls. Gunslinger Girls is a character-driven plot, and there is no actual main plot and the missions and events, aside from the ones character related, are actually not that important in the light of the character development.

The missions also serve to touch on the subject of people's humanity, and show us, thru each girl and her corresponding Fratello, different ways of thinking, act, and treat people. We are presented with the ones who create efficiency using trust and care, those who create with respect, and those who create with rigidity and even violence, and we get to see the qualities and problems for each perspective. Eventually, as much as some are cruel or not, they are all humans and have their believable motivation, background, and sometimes end.

Pretty dense, Gunslinger Girl shows what have to show, so be prepared for some dramatic moments and blood.

Along the incredible character development depth, Gunslinger Girls manages to escape from most clichés you would expect. Some girls actually die, some Fratello actually die, and we see people thinking if their actions are correct or not, regretting and even learning with their experiences, making this title's ending strong and real.

As a side comment, the animation, art and voice acting are also top quality and follow the title's quality.

Conclusion

Extremely indicated for most anime fans, from those bloodthirsty to lolitas firing gun and blood, to those wishing for romance, drama and a deep character/plot development. Gunslinger Girls might not please those who do not wish to see little 8~14 year old girls being shot (though it's not gratuitous violence, and is well within the plot), and can also not please those who wish non-stop action - this is a balanced title with both but not much too much or either. This title takes it's pace to lay down it's plot, and certain amount of reading between the lines is required to really enjoy every aspect of the character development, but it will not offend the viewer with magic unexpected solutions to the problems it presents - but rather a realistic and believable closure.

A friendly hint: pay special attention to last scene after the ending credits of the last episode, and you might realize there is “something” special about the episode orders.