Gachiakuta: Should you watch the anime or read the manga?

Gachiakuta is one of the most beloved new-gen manga, having been serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shonen Magazine since February 2022. The highly awaited anime adaptation by Bones Film started airing in the Summer 2025 anime season, and is currently underway, generating immense excitement.

Given the two formats that a fan can experience this fascinating tale of trash, many may be wondering what the best way to enjoy it is. While the Gachiakuta anime has a lot of positives and is undoubtedly worth watching, the manga remains the superior version and is a must-read for any fan of the series.

Gachiakuta follows Rudo Surebrec, a boy who faces rampant discrimination while growing up in the Sphere. Rudo’s only sources of joy are his love for waste and his foster father, Regto. Unfortunately, right when the boy's dark life begins to show signs of light, he is framed for the shocking murder of his father.

As punishment, Rudo is sentenced to be exiled into the Pit, an abyss where all of the world’s waste is thrown. Thrown mercilessly into this wasteland without being given a chance to stand up for himself, Rudo vows to gain his revenge against Regto’s killer as well as all those in the Sphere who stood on the sidelines.

However, after landing in the Pit, he soon finds that his mission will be much more difficult than anticipated as he confronts monstrous Trash Beasts. Right when he seems destined to die, Rudo is saved by Enjin, a Cleaner who is able to use supernatural powers through a treasured object called a Vital Instrument.

Given Rudo’s love for trash, he, too, possesses the ability to wield a Vital Instrument, one that is much stronger than the rest. In his quest to return to the Sphere, Rudo joins the Cleaners, uncovers shocking revelations, and undergoes inspiring growth alongside a cast of memorable characters.

Why you should read the Gachiakuta manga

The Gachiakuta anime will be many viewers’ first introduction to the series, and it certainly offers a faithful view of Kei Urana’s world. The show perfectly adapts the gritty and unforgiving nature of the series, featuring intense battles, emotional voice acting, and smooth animation.

The hardcore music enhances the overall experience, while the combination of 2D and CGI visuals ensures that the immersiveness is not hampered. However, one particular aspect that neither Bones Film nor any other studio would be able to replicate from the Gachiakuta manga is its stunning art style.

Gachiakuta’s world is vast, and the power system is unique, but the main reason that these stand out is Kei Urana’s raw art style. The mangaka uses a variety of techniques and designs that are unlike anything else in manga, thoroughly gripping readers from start to end.

Hideyoshi Ando also provides his expertise as a graffiti artist, truly making the source material a spectacle for the eyes. While Bones Film is able to adapt most elements of Gachiakuta, it is a near-impossible task to perfectly showcase the author’s creativity with the pen on the screen.

Trending

Even within the few episodes of the anime that have been released so far, one of the most iconic panels of the manga, where Rudo falls into the Abyss, was not animated, since it is an incredibly difficult task to mirror the emotions one feels when they see a panel from the manga.

Therefore, while the Gachiakuta anime is certainly well-made, the manga truly emphasizes why the story is considered a step above everything else in the space of shonen.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback