Gunnm

Battle Angel Alita (or GUNNM) is a dystopian tale that follows the journey of Alita (or Gally, in some translations), a moral and conscious being navigating the ruthless Scrapyard beneath the seemingly god-like Tiphares. The manga explores profound questions about right versus wrong and what it means to be truly "human." It delves into consciousness, morals, and staying true to oneself. As a manga, it's very good but falls short of being a masterpiece.

The setting in Battle Angel Alita was one of the story’s most crucial elements, captivating readers with its mysteries. Similar to Nausicaa, it has a distinct post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Its picturesque and imaginative backdrop creates something that recent mangas often overlook. While parts of this world may seem whimsical, there's an underlying sense of despair. The setting remains static while Alita undergoes significant changes. This contrast makes for a perfect foil to her character development and reactions within the environment. It convincingly portrays Alita living in that world.

However, I cannot say the same for Alita or any of the characters. Despite the story focusing on personal morals, we rarely see Alita's standpoints. Without spoiling too much, she struggles to differentiate between friends and foes, the innocent and the criminal. Significant events often shift her beliefs and ideals, making her a clumsy, dynamic character who isn't as complex as people think. Characters were introduced purely for plot advancement, appearing conveniently with ties to the main story. These characters lacked depth, and original characters saw no development. This was disappointing because realistic settings and characters are essential for an excellent manga.

The narration throughout the manga was smooth, maintaining intrigue and subplot mystery. Some parts were slower than others, and after completing an arc, there wasn't much motivation to start the next one. You could take days off from reading and pick it up again without issues. The story itself was captivating but had typical shounen moments despite being seinen. A new villain would appear every few chapters. There were minor plot holes, but they didn't significantly impact the story. The ending was excellently done and wrapped everything up nicely. The only issue was Alita's near-immortality; you couldn't see the effects of time passing. Sometimes characters would remark about not seeing each other for years, but later on, the passage of time became confusing due to neglect by the mangaka. Apart from that, the story was excellent and touched on topics like humanity and moral consciousness.

I won't discuss the art much. If you can't appreciate early 90s art style, don't read it. It visually enhances the setting and characters, fitting the story perfectly. Occasionally, details or anatomy might look awkward, but it suited Battle Angel Alita well.

All in all, it was a great read but didn't live up to the hype. It had small problems, but their cumulative effect was disappointing. It wasn't as mature as typical seinen manga, contrary to some reviews. With a great premise that could have been a 10, various issues brought it down to an 8.5. Despite characterization problems, Alita's growth was the most important aspect. Battle Angel Alita is extremely interesting and presents ideas symbolically, sometimes neatly discovered. It deserves an 8.5. Not a masterpiece, but very good.

★★★★★★★★☆☆

This review focuses solely on the first six chapters of the manga and should not be taken as a reflection of its overall value. Instead, it highlights aspects that you may either like or dislike in these initial chapters. If none of the points mentioned seem problematic to you, or if the positives outweigh the negatives, you might want to check out the manga. For me personally, it wasn't an obvious choice, but I gave it a try based on a friend's recommendation, despite my reservations about the setting.

One potential downside is the story's setting: a post-apocalyptic world with cyberpunk elements. I'm not a fan of such themes, so I wasn't immediately drawn in. The plot begins with Alita, a cyborg whose head is found by a doctor specializing in cyborg repairs. As the story progresses, Alita remembers bits of her past and unlocks the potential of her new battle body, which adds a shounen-like feel to the narrative. Since I generally dislike shounen stories and post-apocalyptic settings, this was a tough read for me. You might face similar challenges if you share these preferences.

The artwork, however, is commendable. It effectively captures the gritty, futuristic world without overwhelming the reader with unnecessary details. Some mangas set in similar worlds can look cluttered and overly dirty, but Gunnm manages to strike a good balance. The fight scenes are well-drawn, with some gore present but not excessively so. There are brains and lost limbs, but nothing too extreme. Personally, I appreciated the art style, though your mileage may vary depending on your tolerance for gory visuals and the general aesthetic of the world.

The characters have their moments of interest. The doctor who rescues Alita has a nighttime job he doesn't want her to know about, and they see each other as special individuals. He views her as an innocent angel, while she wonders what that makes him. This dynamic is intriguing, but the villain introduced so far didn't particularly captivate me. Alita herself comes across as a cheerful, innocent person determined to do what's right, even if it means bashing the brains out of monsters and evil beings. While I found this personality somewhat generic, there's potential for development given her memory loss. The relationship between her and the doctor didn't engage me much, nor did the villain's introduction, but there's room for growth. Even the less engaging characters had interesting traits that could draw readers in.

If you've read this far, you should have a clear idea of what to expect from the first six chapters. I stopped reading because I didn't find the characters compelling enough to keep going. Given the world and storytelling style, I needed a strong driving force to stay invested, which I didn't find here. However, if the elements I mentioned aren't deal-breakers for you—or if they're precisely what you're looking for—you should definitely give the manga a shot. Despite my criticisms, there is undeniable potential, and you might enjoy the full story more than I did.

Gunnm is considered a classic, and I can see why, I suppose. It boasts a very interesting setting and an intriguing world, but that's about it.

The story wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. For starters, there was no clear antagonistic force to drive the narrative forward. In each arc, Gally (Alita) had different goals and things to fight for. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing, lacking a final destination is a drawback, especially in a story that centers on battles.

The art is pretty damn good, honestly, it's the manga's best aspect. It was quite enjoyable and really easy to read. The movement was nice and clean. However, I couldn't fully grasp the characters' emotions and feelings through it.

Gally had huge potential as a character, but it was wasted. Her development felt unnatural and forced, which made it seem downright silly. Apart from that, most characters were rather average and one-dimensional. Many of them just disappeared because the author wanted to change the cast, which is an annoying fact. Jashugan was probably my favorite character in the series; he was pretty cool and authentic.

Overall, while I had my issues with Gunnm, it was fun to read, not gonna lie. I would recommend it as a chill read with pretty good art.

I was on the fence about reading this for some time, but after watching the new trailer featuring Fox, I figured "why not?" and I must admit, I wasn't let down. While I don't want to give too much away, I definitely recommend giving this a look.

I have to confess, I'm a bit apprehensive about seeing the movie since live-action adaptations rarely do justice, yet I'm still incredibly excited. If you're keen on learning more about Alita and the changes made in the movie adaptation, I suggest tuning into Cya.live's Gundam show tonight. They will be diving deep into the differences between the film and the manga. Check it out here: https://www.cya.live/event/277.html

This review contains heavy spoilers from Gunnm.

SPOILERS AHEAD

This is one of the best manga of all time despite some obvious flaws. I repeat myself: it's one of the best, but nothing is perfect.

The story centers on a cyborg named Gally, discovered in the junkyards beneath the floating city of Zalem, known for its advanced yet corrupt society led by an anonymous figure named Desty Nova.

Gally was found amidst the waste from Zalem and was repaired by Dr. Ido Daisuke, who treated her like his own child, even naming her after his cat. Suffering from amnesia, she doesn't remember her past or how to react to the world around her. Her journey is fascinating and serves as a deconstruction of Battle Shonen tropes within a Seinen manga. The narrative moves quickly, introducing Alita’s crush, a thief stealing cyborg parts. As the story progresses, we meet antagonist Zapan, who humiliates Alita, leading to the introduction of a major villain who defeats her. However, this isn’t about winning or losing; it's about learning from mistakes. She eventually acquires the "Berserker Armour," which some might see as derivative, but the story evolves beyond mere battles.

Alita learns more about her past and why she’s stuck in the scrapyard. After a glimpse into Motorball, tragedy strikes when her boyfriend Yugo is killed by Zapan, driven by revenge. Yugo, raised by his brother and sister-in-law Nana (who betrayed her husband), sought to reach Zalem. He became involved with Vector, who exploited him. Despite being well-developed, Yugo's death was tragic, especially since he didn’t recognize Alita’s feelings. This manga far surpasses the movie adaptation.

After a time skip, Alita is...

TRY IT YOURSELF BOZO, I AIN'T AN ENCYCLOPEDIA.

*Critics

The story of this badass cyborg has its ups and downs. It excels when focused on Alita and her interactions, showcasing her struggle for identity while honing her ancient fighting skills, Panzer Kunst, with impressive fight choreography and art. However, sometimes there’s a lack of challenge for Alita, making some fights predictable. Yet, unlike typical shonen, Gunnm fleshes out each character, giving depth and personality. Each antagonist has a personal conflict with Alita, impacting the world as revealed in later adaptations like Gunnm Last Order.

The high-quality story is character-focused, but initial issues include predictability and fast pacing. Through battles, especially in the Motorball arc, we understand Alita better, uncovering memories of her warrior past. The rapid pace can detract from enjoyment, and Desty Nova’s repeated resurrections can be annoying. Some complain about the ending, rushed and info-dump-heavy, but overall, the complaints are overshadowed by the great world-building, amazing art, and established technology rooted in real-life nano-tech research.

From an innocent child with hidden talents to a dominating force in the Zenith of Things tournament, Alita is unforgettable.

Overall, a solid manga, definitely an 8.5/10.

Shonen authors should learn from this classic manga. It truly deconstructs Battle Shonen, beating them at their own game despite being a Seinen. Pretty ironic. :)

Nowadays, it seems that stories about heroism, particularly in anime, have become somewhat stale. Heroes are often depicted as invincible or superficial, lacking the realism needed to make them truly compelling. Modern narratives frequently resolve conflicts with simplistic wisdom or sudden power boosts, turning heroes into uninteresting, cardboard characters we can't sympathize with. However, if we look back at older anime and manga, we find rich tales of heroism featuring believable, flawed, and unique protagonists. One such example is "Battle Angel Alita," a manga that masterfully captures the essence of heroism and its costs.

In the realm of sci-fi action, "Battle Angel Alita" stands out as one of the best. Written and illustrated by Yukito Kishiro, the story unfolds in the harsh, desert-like city known as The Scrapyard. This dystopian setting is home to criminals and cybernetic monstrosities. Our protagonist, Alita, is introduced by Dr. Ido, who finds her body in a local dump and rebuilds her with cybernetics. Soon after, Alita experiences the horrors of The Scrapyard's criminal underworld and decides to become a Hunter Warrior, essentially a bounty hunter acting as a police force. As she embarks on this path, Alita learns that being a hero involves both tragedy and self-discovery.

The brilliance of this manga lies in Alita herself. She is arguably one of the greatest fictional characters in anime and manga. What makes her so remarkable is how Kishiro crafted her as a symbol of humanity and the human experience, despite her partial cyborg nature. Throughout the story, we follow Alita through an apocalyptic world filled with despair and survival fears. Despite witnessing horrifying events and enduring pain, Alita remains a messianic figure for those in need, embodying the spirit of a hero rising against evil.

Another aspect that enhances Alita's character is her backstory and amnesia. Though seen as courageous and determined, Alita struggles with her mysterious past, which adds depth to her character. These elements portray her as a flawed individual, leading to significant consequences for other characters. Such moments showcase some of the manga's finest writing, demonstrating Alita's growth as she learns from her mistakes to protect her loved ones.

Besides Alita, the supporting characters are equally compelling. Like her, they possess traits that make them feel human, dealing with regrets, existential crises, love, and questions about their existence. This allows readers to connect not only with Alita but also with the diverse cast she encounters. While some characters may be forgettable or stereotypical, this is a minor flaw given the overall quality of the character development.

Beyond the excellent writing, "Battle Angel Alita" boasts exceptional artwork. Kishiro's illustrations convey gritty, emotionally resonant action scenes. The scale of destruction and chaos depicted in the environments is epic, while detailed facial expressions and movements bring the characters to life. Everything from technology to body language and actions is rendered with superb technique.

"Battle Angel Alita" is a must-read for fans of science fiction, action, and drama. It features some of the best character writing you'll find in any medium, coupled with outstanding artwork. Alita embodies the ideal portrayal of a hero in an action story. Reading this manga feels like experiencing one of the most thrilling and explosive action films ever made, but in manga form. For anyone seeking an atmospheric, action-packed manga with a realistically relatable protagonist, "Battle Angel Alita" is essential reading.

(Side Note: First manga review!!)