Gantz

A prior reviewer summed up my sentiments quite well. Gantz is utterly insane and spectacular. While that reviewer gave it a 5, acknowledging its flaws which impacted their enjoyment, I found these drawbacks did not detract from my overall experience.

The two elements that drove me to binge this manga in one go were creativity and uniqueness. Sure, Oku's edgy atmosphere and somewhat unlikable characters are not groundbreaking, and the "hostile aliens invade Earth" trope has been done before. The rules set by Gantz resemble those of a death game manga, but nothing compares to the design, fights, or climaxes Gantz delivers.

Secondly, the manga’s negative aspects weren't as bad as they seemed. Many characters were likable despite being somewhat one-dimensional. The protagonist starts off as irritating but improves significantly after the third fight, early in the story. The answers to the big questions align with what the manga had been building towards, allowing you to enjoy the conclusion even if you disagree philosophically with Oku's worldview.

The final arc doesn’t have much profound meaning. It escalates plot points to absurd levels, some characters regress negatively, many one-off side characters are introduced, and some battles are against forgettable monsters. One main character embarks on an adventure disconnected from others, offering a bare-bones commentary on human-animal relationships and just showcasing Oku's wild ideas. Despite these criticisms, I couldn't stop reading because Gantz is unlike anything else, and I was eager to see how it concluded and what bizarre twists Oku would introduce next.

Your approach to Gantz shapes your experience. Many hype it as one of the greatest, but its entertainment value heavily depends on personal preferences more than other manga. If you start without high expectations set by the initial craziness, you'll find an entertaining manga that can amaze and horrify you positively.

A final warning: Gantz is known for its graphic and gory content, and many civilians die brutally. This aspect often goes unmentioned when discussing the manga, so if this bothers you, avoid reading it.

The manga starts off with great promise, but it quickly devolves into something filled with cheap sexualization. The minimal reflection offered by the plot is overshadowed by an excessive focus on distracting elements: constant sex and nudity, gratuitous violence, and poorly developed characters throughout! The artwork has a unique style—perhaps the artist inverts some common colors (white becomes black and vice versa). However, the explanation of events is weak and presented in broad strokes, further undermining a story that had potential but failed to deliver. The ending feels incredibly dragged out and lacks substance. Avoid this misleading work; don't be swayed by the high ratings it receives. Just because something is highly rated by the masses doesn't mean it's good—often, it's quite the opposite, isn't it?

Gantz is the manga equivalent of the TV show Lost. That's the short version.

If you're unfamiliar, Lost was a heavily discussed show with significant attention and focus for five years. Many mysteries surrounded it, including "What on earth is happening?" By the end of the final season, people stopped talking about it, and most seemed to generally dislike the show after its ending. This succinctly describes Gantz...

You're still here, so I guess you want more details. Let's delve into the long version... I'll try to avoid spoilers as much as possible, but Gantz is a 383-chapter journey. It has multiple spin-offs, tons of fans, some who think it's amazing, and... I don't like it.

At least not enough to give it higher than a 5 (maybe a 6), not enough to recommend it, and not enough to see redemption. While that sounds fully negative, it isn't. There are good points, but in every way Gantz is good, it also finds a way to be bad... I'll attempt brevity, won't recount the story, as synopses and other reviews cover that, and I won't dive deep into spoilers because I don't need to. But I do want to start with two interesting admissions from the artist in early volumes' omake sections.

Early in the series, Oku mentions two facts. First, he used 3D modeling software to help him with the art. Because of this, characters were imported into 3D, positioned, framed, then drawn as framed. This technique is likely one reason Gantz became popular. Gantz constantly features large-scale battles with giant creatures and detailed action scenes. Rather than exaggerated action scenes typical in shonen manga, Gantz can depict every attack, blow, and battle scene rivaling a full-production live-action movie. The enemy detail is amazing, and the style can be stunning.

But as mentioned, every good thing ultimately turns bad. I feel the art removed something important from a manga artist's requirements. Gantz has numerous chapters that are just parts of an action scene—14-18 pages of just action and characters uttering "Fuh" or "Ha" repeatedly, showing exhaustion. Many of these feel empty except for the art. If I waited weeks for that chapter or read an entire volume I paid for, only to find that content, I'd feel cheated. Luckily, it doesn't happen often consecutively, but it's still too common.

The ease of using 3D modeling for action means much of Gantz's action is slower and more deliberate, but also longer because the artist isn't selective. Many mangas show a single attack in a panel, but Gantz shows every motion, taking pages or multiple pages. Entire chapters almost feel like they could be omitted. While the action and visuals ARE amazing, Gantz tends to err on the side of too much action. After many slow-paced battle chapters, it rubbed me the wrong way. Honestly, this is probably Gantz's strongest part—the art is truly impressive at times, exciting readers. It's just sad that beyond that, Gantz feels shallow.

I didn't mention another omake admission: Oku likes drawing sexy women on title cards. He may have said busty or some other word. On its own, I had no problem with this. It's a title card, not the story, and many women he drew were attractive.

The problem is this comment stuck with me. By the end of the manga, I asked myself, "What did any women in the series do?" There are multiple women—at least 5—and sadly, they mostly amounted to sex objects. People to have sex with, look at, or barely do anything. One major character feels like a strong female figure... she even is one of the manga's "Warriors" who fights, but I can't recall her fighting. Even when she gets a major moment, it's done off-screen. And that's a problem.

While I appreciate the author's bluntness about liking to draw women, I question if that's all he thinks of women because, in his work, they're little more than plot devices. Many point to the major character... I looked, waited for her to stand up like other characters, and found she doesn't rise to the level people act like she has. She, like many background characters, is just a stand-in for others to fight around. Often, a few characters fight while the majority stands lifelessly watching.

Moving to a lighting round: If you think you might be offended by that, there's more to be offended by. There's an absolutely brutal scene going on far longer than it should, designed to shock and terrify but struggles because it's blatant and lingering. Gantz tries to shock the audience often, but it comes off more as an "edge lord" trying to get a rise out of people than a necessary part of the story. Often, it's done and immediately hand waved away. There's also a bit of Lolicon baiting late in the series—more groan-inducing than rage, but not right. Beyond several horrific violent deaths, though those feel pulled off correctly.

The main character is unlikeable, and many will say, "He's not supposed to be." However, many see him as redeemed by the end, but I find the opposite. He's unlikable, and worse, when he could step up and shine, he remains selfish. Even when he steps up, it's far too late and forced. Maybe that's the point, but after reading it all, I find it hard to be interested in him. Before discussing his main romance and how ultimately uninteresting his paramour is—she's a plot device instead of a character and sadly around for too long.

With smaller issues out of the way, let's discuss how Gantz is like Lost. Gantz is strange and weird. Our main character dies and instead of being dead, he's teleported to a room with a black sphere called Gantz. He and a group of 'players' have to kill an onion alien, teleport back to the sphere, graded, and freed.

Obviously, most wonder, "What's going on?" or "What's the purpose?" At Gantz's heart is often the mystery of what is happening, who is behind the power, what abilities exist, and if something greater is at play? That's how the manga leaves readers after 20 chapters—more questions proposed, mysteries teased...

And then the manga answers the questions... Over 300 chapters later. There are no hints, slight reveals leading to further questions, or foreshadowing. Questions like "Who are the targets being killed?" or "Why are there more targets than expected?" aren't discussed. It's an unspoken promise there's a reason.

Ultimately, answers come as a weak exposition dump in a place called the room of truth. It's almost like the artist was forced to give answers, doing it because someone made him, but it's done where characters "Ask questions and get answers," reciting answers to common questions.

Many answers feel basic, unsatisfying, blunt, as if he had to answer fan questions without desire. Worse, many questions lacked answers for most of the manga. If the manga was three major arcs, the middle arc feels out of place and isn't brought up, answering an important question linking back to our omake answers before.

Why does Oku draw big-breasted women? Because he likes it. Why did Oyu give special powers to a character? Because it was cool. Why are there characters from the second arc? Because it was cool. Why did those characters stop appearing? Because he was bored.

Gantz was created and popularized for its art and style. Characters felt meaningful, struggle felt real, no one had plot armor, and there were many mysteries about what was happening and why?

I figured out the real answer: "Because it was cool." And "Because it sold comics." That's the why.

The problem is once you realize the story never really wanted to bring everything into a cohesive story, bringing in elements only to draw interesting art, Gantz falls apart. People will still love it for the art, but even there, I don't know if it's truly epic. Some enjoy it for shock value, and that's okay. People claim to have read it four or more times. But I question why?

Gantz is a shallow facade in front of nothing. It's edgy, cool, mysterious, but ultimately that's all Gantz is. Perhaps that's enough for some, but if so, my review isn't for you—I look at manga as an entire concept. I need purpose in the story and art, and just "Being cool" isn't enough for me. For Gantz, I spent 383 chapters hoping there was a reason, and now I've reached the end, I can tell you, there wasn't.

The worst part is I've gone back and looked at some loudest, most positive Gantz praise reviewers and realized many praise it without finishing the story. 200-300 chapters in, I hoped there was an ending paying off, thinking everything built to that epic ending.

Now that I'm at the end, I'm telling you it wasn't. If you're chasing a resolution putting everything into context, you're better off reading something else. You're probably better off not starting Gantz unless you hope to be built up and let down in the worst possible way. Now I've ruined the question, "Will the story be worth it?"

Before someone says, "Well, you have to read..." No. I've given my time already, read the main series, failed to get answers, and been let down. Even if there was a complete book of answers in another form of media, it can't fix the original media nor give meaning to a meaningless grind. I'm done with Gantz, and sadly that may mean I'm done with Oku's work. Hopefully, I'll find purpose in my next choice.

Story 8/10
+ The narrative skillfully blends elements of explicit thriller, horror, drama, and battle royale with a survival-of-the-fittest theme. Clever plot twists are woven seamlessly into the story, and occasional one-liners had me laughing out loud.
- The combination of sci-fi and supernatural feels like it pushes the boundaries of fantasy mixing. I'm still unsure about Kurono being the strongest solely due to his mental state. Also, deciding what happens after death is a bit presumptuous.

Art 10/10
+ The artwork is beautifully detailed and realistic, surpassing typical manga styles. Great care and attention are evident in character designs, action sequences (which sometimes feel like slow-motion), and backgrounds. The large overviews are stunning and could easily be displayed as frescoes on mansion walls.
- It took some time to adjust, and I'm not sure if I'll ever fully embrace the exaggerated chins, but by chapter 50, you'll find yourself loving it.

Characters 10/10
+ The characters develop wonderfully; even those who don't last long in the 'game' or whom you might dislike become valuable parts of the story.
- Sometimes characters seem to become caricatures of themselves, though this adds to the drama. Some major characters could benefit from more depth, but it's understandable given their circumstances.

Enjoyment 9/10
+ The tension-building is superb, and the seamless transitions between simultaneous fights/events create a rhythmic and edge-of-your-seat experience.
- As someone not particularly fond of sci-fi, the genre blending was initially off-putting, but I'm glad I finished the series. It's definitely worth reading at some point.

~

Overall rating: 9.25, which could be a perfect 10 if I were more into sci-fi. Personally, I could have done without the shift in pacing after the first 100 chapters (the end-of-the-world idea), but it fits surprisingly well. This manga will stand the test of time, and despite not being entirely my taste, I enjoyed it immensely—a true masterpiece nonetheless!

It's somewhat akin to perusing the journal of a teenage individual. Everything orbits around this young person—the teacher assigns poor grades out of dislike, the sun ascends merely to compel the youth awake, and so forth. The entire cosmos holds significance only in its relation to the protagonist. I have an intense suspicion that the supporting cast within this manga doesn't genuinely exist but rather are figments of the main character's imagination. It feels as though, when not engaging with the MC, they dwell in some void, simply waiting.

Horrendous characters, absolutely horrendous.

The storyline is also less than impressive; while I appreciate the concept, it appears the author lacked direction for its progression. Consequently, he introduces aliens, dinosaurs, vampires, robots, psychics—essentially anything conceivable.

The sole redeeming quality lies in the artwork.

I recommend "reading" the Japanese edition, especially if you're unfamiliar with the language. This way, the dreadful plot, characters, and narrative won't obstruct your appreciation of the remarkable designs.

This manga tends to evoke strong reactions, either love or hate, due to its intense content that includes gore, horror, psychological elements, and some sexual scenes. If any of these genres are off-putting to you, it's best to steer clear. However, if they intrigue or don't bother you, this manga might be worth your time.

Gantz follows the story of a 14-year-old named Kei Kurono, who along with several others finds himself transported to a locked room with a giant black ball after dying. They're forced into a "game" where their mission is to hunt down and kill aliens. The narrative is shrouded in mystery—questions like who Gantz is, why they must kill the aliens, where humans got this technology, and even whether God exists keep readers engaged as the plot progressively delves deeper into reality and human existence.

Here’s my personal analysis of Gantz:

Story: 10/10 (Avoiding spoilers limits detail). From the start, I was hooked. While not driven by plot twists, the concept was executed well. Initially, the goal was mere survival; mid-way through, it became about adaptation and learning to thrive rather than just survive. Near the end (SPOILER), the objective shifts to humanity's survival and the protagonist going through hell to rescue his beloved.

Characters: 9/10. Kei Kurono starts as a pitiful loser—not sympathetic but more despicable, a perverted weakling unlikely to amount to anything. You’re meant to hate him initially, but he represents a realistic high schooler. Gradually, he develops into a survivor, transforming from pervy and desperate to someone determined and capable. He evolves into a character worthy of respect. Other characters play secondary roles; many die permanently or temporarily. Kato Masaru contrasts Kurono’s loser persona, while Kishimoto Kei serves as fanservice and jealousy fuel. Nishi Jouichirou showcases Gantz's harsh reality, and Reika is an obsessive stalker who loves Kurono unconditionally.

Art: 9/10. The art style is dark and gory, perfectly capturing the intended atmosphere. My only gripe is occasional overuse of shading, making certain scenes too dark. Despite this, the overall art quality is excellent and fitting.

Action: 10/10. The action sequences are top-notch, featuring realistic struggles and pain without overly powerful moves or weapons. Though weapons seem strong, so do the enemies, balancing the fights. This makes every encounter potentially lethal, intensifying the experience.

Romance: 10/10. Early on, romance revolves around a desperate guy trying to lose his virginity. Kurono’s pathetic love life involves doing scumbag things, reflecting his lack of love from anyone. His parents disliked him, and his brother ignored him. Eventually, he finds genuine love with a homely girl, giving his life meaning and turning romance into a beautiful aspect of the manga.

Enjoyment/Overall: 10/10. In total, I found this manga beautiful. Its extreme realism within sci-fi, character development, amazing romance, and inspirational messages make it exceptional. If you've read this far, thanks for your time. I share this recommendation because, in my opinion, Gantz is incredibly amazing and offers much to learn from. Note: the anime, while good, doesn’t compare to the manga.

Gantz is undoubtedly one of my favorite manga that I have ever read. I'm not even sure what draws me to it specifically. When people ask me what it's about, and I give them the basic rundown, I then start to mention aspects that would typically deter readers. For instance, the main character is a complete jerk, and there are numerous scenes involving rape, nudity, and random murder. But then I usually say, "Well, that's how it is in real life."

And I think that's precisely what I like about it. It feels real. There are bad people in life... many of them. Even Kei Kurono, the main character, was an absolute jerk at the beginning, and I despised him deeply. However, all the events he goes through and the people he meets—both good and bad—really help shape the person he eventually becomes.

The characters are probably the primary reason I am so attached to this manga. I love all the characters. Everyone has a role to play. Whether they're good or bad, you learn to appreciate them. I don't want to give too much away, so I'll leave it at that.

I genuinely enjoy re-reading this series. Surprisingly, it's a quick read if you aren't taking the time to look at much besides the character dialogue. But I recommend taking your time to appreciate the artwork. In the beginning, it's decent, nothing extraordinary, but around 100 chapters in, it transforms into something beautiful.

Gantz isn't something I recommend to everyone because not everyone will be able to get past the rape, nudity, and random murder. But if you're looking for something genuine and can transition from hating the characters to rooting for them, then Gantz is right for you!

Gantz is incredibly challenging to rate. It's overly cliché, the ending feels rushed, and it has more plot holes than anything I've ever read. Yet, despite all that, it remains one of the best manga I've ever encountered. The character development of Kei and the artwork surpass those of many others. The mindless fights and story kept me utterly engrossed, unable to put it down. I became deeply attached to the characters, and their deaths left me in awe. The final arc suffered from a hurried narrative and relied heavily on plot armor, but Gantz has undeniably made its mark on me. After reading thousands of manga chapters, Gantz still stands as a top-tier manga. Whether it's mindless or cliché doesn't matter—read it, and you'll experience a wild journey through its story.

Do you want to start with this manga? Well, turn off the lights, bring some food, a drink, and play the most epic music you have on Spotify because yes, this story is EPIC in every sense.

Kei Kurono, the protagonist, is a selfish, egotistical virgin who doesn't care about anything other than himself. He gets involved in an accident while trying to save a drunk man who falls onto the train tracks due to pressure from a friend he hadn't seen in years. In that accident, do both of them die? It's complicated, but they are transported to a room along with other people where they are forced to play a twisted game in which they must kill whoever the Gantz sphere in the room tells them to. The enemies, the fights they have, are graphically incredible. Up to this point, you might think it's like any generic shounen, right? Well, no, my friend, this is a seinen, so get ready for blood, sex, and bodies dismembered in ways you never imagined. Reading this masterpiece with your favorite action anime songs is an incredible, incomparable, and irreplaceable experience.

As long as you're over 18, I highly recommend it.

I'm not really a critic who knows every deep meaning; reading manga is for entertainment, and I got that with Gantz. I don't want to write a long review, but if someone reads this, I suggest you read Gantz for yourself. The whole concept is weird—really, really weird. All the aliens are incredibly strange, everything is bizarre.

My favorite part of this story is the characters, especially Kurono. He's our main protagonist and the most reliable MC—at first, anyway. But the character development is fantastic. His relationship with Tae is also wholesome, and we must protect her. We have an incredibly likeable cast.

Towards the end, the point system gets tossed aside for reasons. Like I said, read Gantz and stop reading my review. (Now I'll spoil some stuff, so yeah) Time and again, I've heard people criticize Gantz's ending, but I'm a sucker for happy ones. Gantz delivers, and I'm so glad almost everyone survived. The whole God dude from the room was kinda freaky, and he killed my favorite old man in the whole manga. Screw him.

We have some strong female leads here too. This is seinen, so yeah, some rape happens, and I understand the adult tone it was going for, but I just didn't like it. Not to say I can't handle it; to me, it's unnecessary unless it's during a pivotal moment in the story. I'm lazy, so I wanna stop typing this up.

Final thoughts: Loved the twists and turns the story took. It's cool how the aliens were just trying to live and had feelings. Loved the characters and the development between them. The ending hit me hard after they all survived.

I'm probably wrong about the 9/10, but I don't care.