Manga Adaptation by Bones
Streaming on Crunchyroll

Premise

In a world strictly divided into the affluent and the poor, Rudo is a scavenger who takes pride in fixing and refurnishing old objects deemed “trash” by the privileged. After being framed for murder, he’s thrown into The Pit, a gaping abyss the inhabitants cast both their garbage and undesirables into. Rather than dying, Rudo finds himself in an unfamiliar world; an endless hellscape of garbage.

Gee’s verdict: Slightly Used

In a lot of ways, Gachiakuta’s anime feels a bit like we’re coming full circle. The manga was created by Kei Urana, an assistant on Soul Eater and Fire Force, the former of which became one of the most high profile adaptations by Bones studio. And like the manga she assisted on, Gachiakuta cuts a somewhat similar cloth of occupying the semi-niche of edgelord battle shounen. The stark visual divide of the haves and have nots in the opening episode create an okay impression, but it’s the character designs, with their scratchy lines and manic expressions that really sell you on the vibe. I don’t necessarily mean this derisively, I think there’s an appeal to be found in the shounen that purports to be darker and edgier. It’s a version of popcorn entertainment I can get behind when the mood strikes me.

Unlike Soul Eater however, Gachiakuta’s premier lacks a hook. It suffers from a problem seemingly endemic to shounen stories in general, which is an anemic opening chapter more focused on setting up the world and its status quo than endearing us to its characters. Understandably, Gachiakuta’s setting is so out there that it probably requires some degree of exposition, but I become increasingly convinced nearly every shounen would be benefited from just excising most of its opening chapter or episode. I’m happy to learn about the nature of a weird and wonderous world once I’m actually invested in the characters who inhabit them. Especially for Gachiakuta, whose world holds a grimy charm to it reminiscent of Dorohedoro. There’s a reason the credits include a graffiti artist on staff. Will most audiences have the patience to get there? I think the sheer weight of it being this seasons new high profile shounen adaptation will work in its favor but the premier episode doesn’t do it many favors. I’m curious to see if Bones can still turn it on when it counts.

If nothing else, it’s refreshing to hear a Taku Iwasaki soundtrack again after so many years. Welcome back buddy, I hope you’ll stick around longer this time before going back to the Bungo Stray Dogs mines.