Gunslinger Girl
Overview
Set in modern Italy, story follows a group of traumatically-injured young girls taken from hospitals all over the country, who are then cybernetically enhanced, indoctrinated and trained to be assassins by a secret branch of the Public Corporation for Social Welfare, Section 2. Each girl is assigned to a male "handler" who oversees her training, deployments, and general conduct. Each handler is free to "condition" his cybernetic assassin to the extent he sees fit, which increases a girl’s lethality and loyalty at the expense of human individuality and lifespan.
Episodes
1. Fratello (Siblings)
2003-10-08
Following a gruesome night of terror, Henrietta is taken in by The Social Welfare Agency. It’s up to José to show her the ropes.
2. Orione (Orion)
2003-10-15
Henrietta works to find her place at the Agency after the mistakes of her recent assignment. Feeling responsible for her shortcomings, José tries to learn what Henrietta needs to help her flourish as an assassin.
3. Ragazzo (Boy)
2003-10-29
After years in a body she couldn’t move, the Social Welfare Agency gave Rico a new one. While scoping out a mission, she meets a boy who makes her question who she’s supposed to be.
4. Bambola (Doll)
2003-11-12
The friction between Hilshire and Triela could jeopardize their mission of protecting Mario Bossi, a retired criminal who’s turned government witness in a case against organized crime.
5. Promessa (Promise)
2003-11-19
Captain Raballo accepts a Handler job with the Agency. But when he’s teamed with Claes, he wonders if his selfish needs justify the pain he must inflict on the young assassin.
6. Gelato (Frozen)
2003-11-26
José, Henrietta, and Enzo are tracking terrorist Enrico Berdini, who’s negotiating to buy an explosive device to use in an attack on Rome.
7. Protezione (Protection)
2003-12-03
Jean and Rico befriend an accountant named Filippo who carries a ledger coveted by a terrorist. Unbeknownst to Filippo, his two new friends are his only protection from impending death.
8. Il Principe del Regno della Pasta (The Prince of the Kingdom of Pasta)
2003-12-17
Angelina was hit by a car and left for dead. With the help of the Agency, she was reborn as Angelica - but the negative side effects of the cybernetic implants began to show.
9. Lycoris Radiata Herb (Be Struck Off Herb)
2004-01-04
When Henrietta reaches out to new recruit Elsa, a cold shoulder is all she gets in return. When Elsa’s handler brings José and Henrietta in on a hit, strained tensions place the mission in jeopardy.
10. Amare (To Love)
2004-01-28
After a grizzly murder, Section One attempts to get to the bottom of the cyborg problem. Jean becomes embroiled in a cover-up, and José and Henrietta are sent away for their own "safety."
11. Febbre Alta (High Fever)
2004-02-04
Henrietta and José are tailed in Sicily by Section One agents. Pietro and Elenora's suspicions grow as Henrietta reveals she knows more about Elsa and Lauro’s death than anyone thought.
12. Simbiosi (Symbiosis)
2004-02-11
Claes is in trouble after her mission to foil a Republican Faction kidnapping plot goes awry.
13. Stella Cadente (Falling Star)
2004-02-18
The girls are excited about tonight's meteor shower, but everyone's thoughts are with hospitalized Angelica. Her time is short, and Henrietta must convince Marco to go to her side.