Gunnm

What an incredible original story this turned out to be. The artwork is remarkably detailed and clear, making it easy to follow the action in the fight scenes. Unlike some fighting manga where it's hard to imagine what's happening during a battle, Alita kept me engaged throughout. It was thrilling to watch Alita's progression from an innocent cyborg to a bounty hunter, elite sportswoman, and finally a warrior. There wasn't a single dull moment. The excitement of seeing her acquire new weapons or bodies and strategize how to defeat or capture her enemies was palpable.

The main characters were not only interesting but uniquely crafted, each with their own distinct personality. It was fascinating to see the author's vision of a future world cohabited by cyborgs and humans. This manga offered plenty of blood, gore, fan service, and even a love story, catering to a wide range of tastes. I found the narrative to be both dark and beautiful simultaneously.

For fans of Ghost in the Shell, this manga comes highly recommended. With just about six books, it’s a relatively short yet memorable read. This is one story that will always hold a special place in my heart.

Finished a long time ago.

First read and completed all 9 volumes back in 2005 or 2006,

then watched the OVA, saw the movie in 2019 (it was good, could have been better),

and it made me reread all 9 volumes again.

I can't say I'm a mega fan, since I haven't read The Last Order yet.
I know, it's an issue, I'll address it.

I do consider Galley (Alita) my first waifu.

And so far, she has no competition with me, yet.

It's an 8 out of 10 on my list, and on my favorites list.

If Kung Fu, Blade Masters, Gunslingers, and Cyborgs in a Mad Max setting excite you, then hit the gas pedal.

BBA was a phenomenal series from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and diving into its captivating world.

Story:

The narrative is outstanding... I appreciate the various themes consistently introduced, such as the essence of living, moving forward, doubt, love, and more, and how the protagonist tackles her challenges. The death race arc stands out as my favorite part of the story.

Art:

The artwork is remarkable... among the finest I've encountered recently. I admire how each character is drawn uniquely and how the action sequences are handled with professional use of panel space.

Characters:

The characters were quite impressive and relatable, though this might be the weakest aspect of BBA. Some characters didn't resonate with me immediately, and at times, their development felt rushed.

All in all, I genuinely enjoyed the work, so I will give it a 9/10.

There's really just one way to describe Battle Angel Alita - EPIC. This stands as one of the greatest sci-fi/action adventure tales I've ever come across. It's packed with love, horror, happiness, sadness, and much more. Battle Angel Alita delivers all this and then some.

Although I could be mistaken, it feels like a lot of Battle Angel Alita was inspired by Hollywood movies from the 80s. Specifically, the manga seems like a blend of Blade Runner and Mad Max. Some areas have a wasteland vibe, while others are futuristic and full of sci-fi elements. There's an abundance of action in Battle Angel Alita. For those who enjoy it, there's plenty of blood and gore. Of course, there are also slower chapters dedicated to character development. I appreciated how the manga balanced these aspects to create such a humanistic story. One scene near the end was particularly touching and brought tears to my eyes. It's comforting to know that Battle Angel Alita isn't just about action; it has heart.

The only issue I had with the story is that a small section gets a bit slow. It revolves around Alita "finding herself." While crucial to the overall narrative, I would've presented it differently than what was shown in the manga.

The artwork here is fantastic. During battles, you can feel every jump, kick, punch, and cut. It's brutal yet fun at the same time. In slower moments, the artwork beautifully captures the world of Battle Angel Alita. It's a place that's ugly but beautiful simultaneously (if you understand what I mean). Characters are drawn quite well, with Alita having the best artwork of any character. She feels real. Her expressions, whether happy, sad, or angry, create a fully fleshed-out character (animation-wise).

Talking about characters, they're all great here. The standout star in Battle Angel Alita is the main character, Alita. Saying that Alita is a strong female character with the strength and intelligence of a goddess is an understatement, but perhaps that's the only way to describe her. Whenever she prepares for battle, it's clear that Alita will do whatever it takes to succeed. She also has a softer side. Her relationship with Daisuke Ido, the person who found her, is often explored. Daisuke Ido has feelings for Alita but struggles to express them when they first meet. He's not bad, but he's not necessarily good either. I'd argue that he has two sides to his character, each equally important. It's evident that Daisuke and Alita are close and deeply care about each other's choices in life. Some of the most touching moments in Battle Angel Alita involve them.

Other characters play significant roles in the story, but discussing their plot points would spoil things. One thing that slightly annoyed me was how certain characters kept switching from bad to good and vice versa. This happened frequently, leading me to assume every character met on Alita's journey would end up opposite of where they started. Not a big deal, but worth mentioning beforehand.

Overall, I enjoyed Battle Angel Alita more than I expected. Initially, I thought it would be a mindless action manga with little else, but what I got was a touching story about love, friendship, and what it means to be human. Despite minor flaws, the pros far outweigh the cons. This epic deserves to be read by anyone interested in sci-fi, action, adventure, or romance.

MOTORBALL IS THE GAME'S NAME! One of the best and essential elements that make the Alita manga a cyberpunk gem! The story, much like the two OVAs, starts off great and features a large number of characters, each with their own significant, dark, filthy cyber backstories or pasts! The animation fits like hell and truly shows its potential in the mecha design drawings, which absolutely melted me, TOTALLY! As the story progresses beyond the anime, it delves deeper into Tiphares, the scrapyard once known as Earth, Alita's past, and the involvement with the cyberdoctors. Violence here is one thing that makes this manga an absolute must-read, along with the cyberpowers some people develop FOR MOTORBALL! and more.

Years ago, there was a 3.5-minute clip on the internet featuring Alita in a Motorball match in 3D, so damn exquisite and highly recommendable! We need a continuation!

Alita Battle Angel... it's quite an underwhelming manga. The whole narrative relies on the premise of a scientific dystopia, yet instead of delving into worldbuilding or exploration, only the bare essentials are provided for the story to move forward. There's a mysterious structure floating overhead that everyone considers heaven, brimming with wealth, glory, and happiness. Apart from that, it's just standard bounty hunter missions—similar to the adventure guild quests in medieval litRPGs. Despite heavy hints, there's no sense of cyberpunk-like activities; it feels like the sci-fi element was merely a vehicle for Alita to become a cyborg.

Alita herself is a rather unremarkable character. The entire plot revolves around her personal growth. She's a killer cyborg, but at heart, she's just a child. The manga attempts to portray a naive teenage girl trapped in a cyborg assassin's body, navigating a world where violence seems to be the sole solution and kindness gets exploited. Unfortunately, this doesn't evoke much empathy from the reader. Instead, Alita leads a somewhat whimsical life. Sometimes she magically gains the resolve of a warrior, other times she's in her first love phase, and finally, when I stopped reading, she became a professional sports athlete. I... don't care. None of Alita's experiences feel very authentic. Everything is rushed, and it feels like the story is speeding through all the exposition to get to the next arc. For what, exactly? It's not really a story-driven manga, but one centered on Alita's development.

Gunnm, or Battle Angel Alita, is undoubtedly one of the finest works within the cyberpunk genre. In my view, this series deserves to be mentioned alongside classics like Ghost in the Shell and Akira. It possesses all the elements that make those works great and more. Surprisingly, it seems to have flown under the radar for many people and never received a memorable anime adaptation. Even Hollywood's attempt at bringing it to life didn't seem to give it the recognition it deserved. If you're reading this, do yourself a favor and dive into this manga; you won't regret it.

Firstly, Gunnm excels in so many aspects. The setting is a captivating cyberpunk world that touches on all the classic themes—high tech/low life dichotomy, rampant crime, rogue cyborgs, dystopian decay, consumerism, bounty hunters, and more. While these elements are present, there are also unique aspects that set this universe apart from others. For instance, Kishiro even created a new sport specifically for this story! Discovering the secrets of this world adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. Moreover, this manga shines in every department—it features fights that surpass many shonen titles, the maturity and gore typical of seinen, deeper philosophical implications, and romantic subplots that outshine most others. Amidst the battles between giant cyborgs, the moments of love are especially touching. Throughout the love and war, a beautifully engaging story unfolds that will keep you hooked from start to finish, all within about 50 chapters.

The quality of the manga itself is noteworthy. First and foremost, the art is phenomenal. The characters are well-designed, detailed, and extremely expressive, capturing powerful moments with pure emotion and providing comic relief when needed. The motion is clear and crisp, and the fights flow seamlessly from panel to panel. Every swing and impact feels forceful and fast. Each page, whether action-packed or not, brims with palpable energy that keeps you engaged. All the machines, biotechnology, and gore are meticulously detailed, enhancing the narrative significantly. Furthermore, this manga stands out for its visual clarity. Kishiro-sensei's line work is impeccable, making it easy to follow the action at any point. It's astonishing to think he achieved such high quality back in the early '90s.

Beyond the art, the writing is equally sharp. This is a character-driven story centered around Gally/Alita. She is an outstanding multi-layered protagonist who commands attention throughout. She's an incredible fighter, immensely powerful, holding her own against various threats. She's determined, steadfast, and strong-willed, yet kind, caring, and emotional. She retains her femininity while being a total badass. Hollywood writers should take notes—this is how you write a strong female character! Gally/Alita's strength is well-explained within the universe's constraints, allowing her to face larger opponents. Despite her power, she often needs clever tactics and quick thinking to prevail. Through all the violence, she remains true to her nature as a real woman, never losing her caring and empathetic qualities. With a balance of personality layers, great strengths, believable flaws, and an intriguing mysterious past, she confidently carries the story.

If that weren't enough, the other characters are just as engaging. Almost every side character has significant depth. They are morally grey individuals trying to survive in a harsh world, possessing both positive and negative traits. No one in this story is purely good or evil, making it feel incredibly real and believable. These characters have goals, ambitions, strengths, and weaknesses, striving to survive in a brutal world. The world itself serves as an excellent backdrop for their struggles and drives their decisions, shaping the plot. It's a grand adventure full of intrigue and excitement, as well as a deep emotional journey of personal growth. The only criticism is the slightly odd ending, but research reveals this was due to publisher interference, so it can be somewhat forgiven. By the end, most loose ends are tied up, leaving you wanting more. Thankfully, you can continue with the next manga in the series.

In conclusion, this is one of the greatest cyberpunk stories I've ever experienced and, beyond that, one of the most well-made and enjoyable manga you could read. I hope my enthusiasm convinces you of its quality. If you love cyberpunk as much as I do, this is a must-read, but even if this genre isn't your cup of tea, the amazing story, excellent action, and phenomenal art will still make it worthwhile. So don't hesitate—give it a read!

Gunnm is a manga packed with thrilling action and a captivating setting, yet it falls short in providing a sense of calm within its narrative. Let's break it down:

The characters in Gunnm are a mixed bag. On one hand, we have intriguing figures like Yugo, whose pursuit of the afterlife leads to an engaging arc. On the other hand, there are characters such as race car drivers who lack charisma. This inconsistency results in parts of the story failing to connect with me because I find myself uninvested in certain characters.

Besides, the villains come off as overly exaggerated and cartoonish, diminishing any interest they might have generated. Destiny Nova and Makaku serve as prime examples of this issue.

However, the protagonist, Gally, is compelling to follow. She's passionate and emotional, leading her to face numerous negative consequences that force her to reflect on herself and her surroundings. The work contains poetic moments thanks to her character development. She accepts others' flaws and failures as part of growth but remains stubborn, often plunging herself into problems.

The author frequently shifts the core aspects of characters with each arc, ensuring they undergo constant introspection, adding dramatic weight to their journeys.

The story is unpredictable, as each arc introduces a new scenario. One moment, she’s a hunter battling bandits; the next, she’s a racing pilot. The reader's immersion will depend on their interest in that particular arc and its themes. Overall, it's a fantastic action story with grand battles. The author isn't afraid to harm characters, including the protagonist, maintaining constant tension throughout.

Despite this, I felt a need for more tranquility in the storytelling. Part of the manga's appeal lies in exploring or settling into its grim world. Due to the rush to bring action to the forefront, characters sometimes exhibit extreme or underdeveloped behaviors, sacrificing depth for spectacle.

The artwork is superb, from the detailed world-building to the exhilarating fight scenes. Special praise goes to the action sequences, which are incredibly exciting.

In conclusion, Gunnm is an action-packed manga with an enjoyable story but a hurried pace. Since it has a sequel titled Last Order, this installment doesn’t offer a definitive ending.

Battle Angel Alita (Gunnm) is a classic science fiction work from the mid-90s. Given my interest in sci-fi, I decided to give it a try. This was actually my first foray into sci-fi manga, and I can confidently say that I’m not disappointed.

Story (8/10)
The story revolves around Alita, also known as Gally, who is discovered by Dr. Daisuke Ido, a specialist in cyborg repairs. He constructs her a new body. Upon awakening, she discovers her passion for fighting after becoming a hunter-warrior, a side job of Ido’s. They reside in Beneath, a place inferior to Zalem, which hovers above them and is superior in every conceivable way.
At first glance, the story seems straightforward—Alita's sole aim is to uncover her past. However, as the narrative unfolds, it raises numerous questions whose answers I eagerly awaited until the end. The setting and circumstances evolve significantly, ensuring the story remains fresh and non-repetitive.

Characters (6/10)
This appears to be the manga's primary weakness, though it's not terrible. The characters develop somewhat; some more than others, but none truly stand out. As the plot becomes more intricate, so do the characters. Nonetheless, their complexity doesn't match that of the storyline, nor does their creativity.
Throughout the story, you don’t get much insight into or connection with the main character, let alone the supporting cast.

Art (9/10)
I might have overrated this section, but the art is genuinely impressive. It was especially meaningful given the numerous fight scenes, which were easy to follow thanks to the excellent artwork.
Of course, there were moments where the art wasn't at its peak, but these instances were minor.

Personal Enjoyment (8/10)
When rating, I always incorporate a bit of personal opinion while striving for objectivity. My personal enjoyment holds significant weight. I found reading this manga enjoyable due to its intriguing nature. Admittedly, some parts were slightly dull, but they were few and necessary for the story's progression.

Overall (7.75 – 8)
An interesting note is that I collected physical copies and thoroughly enjoyed the process of acquiring them one by one—it was thrilling.
I hope this review alleviates any hesitations you might have about reading this manga.

One of the finest Sci-fi tales out there! This manga is absolutely fantastic! The artwork is incredibly detailed, perfectly setting the tone and atmosphere of the entire world. It features amazing action scenes, high tension, significant stakes, and visually appealing characters... It has it all!!

Let's delve deeper than just surface-level impressions. What distinguishes Battle Angel Alita (BAL) from other generic fighting stories isn't merely how most fights impact the plot but also that the core focus isn't on the fight itself but rather on what can be learned from it. Every crucial battle scene emphasizes personal growth and understanding. Each confrontation brings a lesson, significantly contributing to Gally's development as a character.

And that's what truly matters in this story: Gally. She's an excellent female protagonist who undergoes remarkable changes throughout the narrative. You witness her evolving in believable ways, making it delightful to see her interactions with the world and people around her!

This feels like a big, impressive blockbuster from the '80s or '90s. It delivers everything you could want and even more! Utilizing all its elements to their best advantage, you get an incredibly cool story with outstanding character development, a stunning art style, high stakes, and tension-packed pages!

A pure joy to read, highly recommended! Don't miss out on this one!

When Yukito Kishiro initially crafted Gunnm (Battle Angel), he began with the world-building. It’s essentially a future post-apocalyptic setting, but it’s meticulously thought out and entirely plausible. Throughout the book, there are small notes providing details about some of the new or old technology. Like most manga, the artwork is relatively simple yet beautiful. The vehicles, landscapes, character designs – you name it. All possess that gritty futuristic vibe reminiscent of the original Star Wars films, infused with a dash of Mad Max. However, the true essence lies in the characters. The protagonist starts at rock bottom, literally discovered in a junkyard. Her character development, as well as that of the man who finds her, is masterfully executed. There are numerous internal and external struggles, all portrayed without holding back. As she endeavors to uncover her identity and past, the world expands alongside her journey. External influences, initially on the periphery of the story, gradually come into play.

There are nine original books. Afterward, Kishiro took a ten-year hiatus, rumored due to illness. Upon his return, he revised the ninth book and continued the series with Gunnm: Last Order. Off to my next stop...