Summary
- Gachiakuta is a hidden gem in the manga world, showcasing unique art style and captivating storytelling.
- Featuring a morally gray protagonist motivated by vengeance, the series offers a refreshing take on shonen characters.
- With a creative power system, intriguing world-building, and memorable side characters, Gachiakuta is a must-read for manga fans.
Kodansha is the second-biggest manga publisher in the industry, and it has birthed many incredible and genre-defining series that changed manga and anime forever. It is still going strong, with a new series called Gachiakuta that has gradually gained popularity since it started serializing.
Written and illustrated by Kei Urana, it began publishing in February 2022 in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine and received an English publication by Kodansha USA in March 2023. The series has a lot going for it, and it was praised by the creator of Fire Force and Soul Eater, Atsushi Kubo, as Urana worked as his assistant before going off on her own.
Despite the manga being less known than those of Kodansha's bigger hits, such as Blue Lock and Shang-ri La Frontier, it is just as good and has amassed a big following relative to its popularity. With only 93 chapters out so far, Gachiakuta is a hidden gem that needs to be recognized for its excellence.
10 Best Kodansha Manga of All Time, Ranked
Kodansha has published some of the best manga of all time, including Attack on Titan and Vinland Saga, which have transcended mainstream popularity.
One Of The Best Revenge Shonen In Years
Gachiakuta depicts a ruthless world and a classic tale of revenge
Gachiakuta is set in a dystopian world where there is a huge gap between the oppressed tribes folk and the wealthy society. Rudo lives in the slum among the tribes folk, a group of people descended from criminals and exiled to the ghetto. His life takes a turn for the worse when his adoptive father is brutally murdered by a mysterious person, and he is assumed guilty due to his lineage, and thus is thrown in the Pit, a huge hole that criminals and trash are thrown in. Rudo's heart is filled with hate for the one who killed his father and for the society that banished him, and he swears to exact vengeance even as he fell to his impending death.
However, his life isn't over just yet, as he finds himself in a wasteland full of garbage and toxins. Puzzled by the landscape, he is quickly ambushed by a group of monsters, and he fights and runs for his life, but is miraculously saved by a mysterious man with powers called Eijin. Eijin is surprised that Rudo possesses abilities similar to his and invites him to The Cleaners, an organization that protects the people from these monsters that wreak havoc in The Pit. Motivated by his hate for the people who cast him into this place, he agrees to become stronger and to find information on how to go back up.
It wouldn't be fair to discuss Gachiakuta without talking about the incredible artwork that dazzled fans. Urana is a brilliant illustrator who has a very similar art style to that of Fire Force, and her extensive experience with other manga and her own one-shots such as Shikidou have polished her pen game to produce the mesmerizing Gachiakuta, which draws in readers to the detailed and unique art.
The Character Design And Creativity Make Gachiakuta Truly Stand Out
Urana's Storytelling Abilities Are Amazing
There are many reasons that Gachiakuta is a must-read, but what differentiates it from most shonen is the creative and unique power system. The Pit surprisingly has a civilization living there that detests people from above, and people who are gifted with powers are called Givers. Their power comes from a weapon or object that they treasured and have had for a long time, and corresponds with their circumstances and personality, a far cry from the usual spiritual energy trope in the action genre.
From the fast-paced action, the hilarious comedy, the ingenious power system to the fantastic world-building, Gachiakuta's unlimited potential makes it one to keep your eye out for.
Rudo is also a unique main character in the shonen landscape, as he is motivated by vengeance, while other protagonists such as Tanjiro and Deku fight for the sake of others. This morally gray character of his makes him all the more appealing and interesting, differentiating himself from the sea of happy-go-lucky characters. Eventually, Rudo does end up serving in a unit that protects the people from the monsters inside the Pit, but he only does so for his selfish reasons and nothing more.
The side cast is similarly as enjoyable and cool as Rudo. The character design is executed perfectly, telling the personalities of the cast just by looking at them, and as the story progresses, the side characters get more screen time and time to shine, revealing their intricate stories. From the badass Riyo to the bipolar Zanka Nijiku, Gachiakuta has a character for everyone that they will certainly come to enjoy.
The Future Of Kodansha Is Bright
Gachiakuta's Incredible Potential Makes It One To Look Out For
The giant publisher has a hit in the making that will undoubtedly become one of the best current manga. It has managed to become this popular even without an anime adaptation, so it is interesting to see if one will be announced soon, as Gachiakuta has all the makings of a show that could leave a strong impact on the industry.
From the fast-paced action, the hilarious comedy, the ingenious power system to the fantastic world-building, Gachiakuta's unlimited potential makes it one to keep your eye out for, as it is slowly but surely generating more hype, especially at a time when series like My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen are nearing their end, and new series are needed to fill this huge void.
