I believe Gachiakuta can be shonen anime's future

Gachiakuta is an upcoming shonen anime set to air in the Summer 2025 season. It will be adapted by Bones Film, a Studio Bones subsidiary that is currently animating My Hero Academia: Vigilantes. As the most popular anime demographic, shonen has produced several beloved titles such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Demon Slayer.

However, given that most of these stories are gradually reaching their conclusion, fans around the world have kept their eyes peeled for the “next big anime”. While some consider it to be a series like Dandadan or Sakamoto Days, I believe Gachiakuta is an upcoming anime that requires an equal amount of attention.

This action fantasy story follows Rudo, a young boy from the slums who is wrongly accused of killing his foster father. Found guilty with little chance to defend himself, he is thrown into the Abyss, a place where all the garbage of the world is thrown. Here, this waste has mutated and turned into dangerous monsters.

Right when Rudo is faced against these creatures, he is saved by an organization known as the Cleaners, which combat the monsters. As he joins this group, Rudo soon discovers that he possesses the ability to manipulate waste and turn it into powerful weapons called vital instruments.

With this newfound ability, Rudo helps the Cleaners carry out their duties while aiming to go back above ground and avenge the death of his father. However, this is easier said than done, as Rudo faces plenty of troublesome antagonists in the Abyss who force him to mature and grow stronger.

Gachiakuta covers several shonen tropes, starting right from its protagonist. Rudo is a resilient boy who may seem ruthless but is extremely kind. He is innocent of the ways of the world and can be bad at reading situations. Nevertheless, he is an extremely likable main character who has a soft spot for abandoned objects and waste. Additionally, aspects such as the power of friendship and the forced development of characters due to tragic circumstances also come into play.

However, these aren’t negatives, but rather some of the biggest positives in the series. There is a common misconception that the use of tropes automatically leads to a story being bad. Gachiakuta proves this wrong by showcasing moments of brightness in its extremely dark world. It also features several exciting and hype scenes that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

At the same time, Gachiakuta does not merely deliver shonen stereotypes directly. Rather, it completely subverts them through its fascinating world. Shonen anime often features characters who are cast out and treated like waste. On the other hand, Gachiakuta’s setting and power system revolve around garbage.

This junk-based society isn’t just a backdrop but also a long-lasting metaphor for the wealth disparity and dark surroundings of the characters. Therefore, by showing that even waste has its use, the series delivers its message in an extremely impactful manner.

Rudo is also surrounded by a cast of captivating characters. He shares close relationships with memorable individuals such as Enjin, Riyou, and many others from the Cleaners organization. As a result, when the stakes are at their highest and the situation becomes dire, we feel the weight of tension right alongside the protagonist. Gachiakuta embraces the new wave of shonen anime that does not shy away from tackling mature themes and psychological elements.

At a time when both I and audiences worldwide are craving something more than just straightforward battles, Gachiakuta offers rich substance to complement its exhilarating fights.

Is the Gachiakuta manga worth reading?

I would undoubtedly suggest reading the Gachiakuta manga, whether it be before or after the anime’s release. A major advantage of the manga is that it highlights the stunning artwork of the creator, Kei Urana. The designs are distinctive, the aesthetics are grunge and gorgeous, and multiple styles of different artwork are featured.

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This is risky in the field of shonen manga, which usually sticks to one standard style that’s easy on the eyes, but it ultimately pays off. The beautiful yet gritty illustrations properly bring out the characters’ emotions while immersing us in their world of waste. The manga is currently ongoing and has 135 chapters.

Based on the early visuals and their reputation, we can trust that Bones Film will deliver a faithful adaptation of the source material. Nevertheless, it is still worth reading the manga on its own at some point to experience the creator’s original vision.

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