Gachiakuta

Jasmine Gutz

“Gachiakuta” is an anime adaptation of Kei Urana’s manga, with Season 1 ending in December. It follows Rudo, a boy from the slums of a floating city where the rich dump their trash and people into a vast pit. Framed for murder and thrown into this wasteland, Rudo discovers new powers, joins the Cleaners (a group of Givers who use their powers to exterminate Trash Beasts), and fights both monsters and the corrupt society that exiled him.

I absolutely adore the gritty art style and wasteland dystopian world, which perfectly match the series’ dark and chaotic tone and even remind me of the Borderlands video game franchise. I’ve been watching the English dub, which is surprisingly strong, on par with the “DanDaDan” dub, and while the characters’ use of modern slang might seem awkward to some, it adds to the humor. It’s interesting to see this trend of modern slang more in anime dubs, and I’m curious how well it will age over time.

The world building stands out with its concept of Givers, individuals who wield vital instruments powered by Anima, an energy formed through emotional attachment to objects. Rudo’s cherished gloves become his weapon. Even the character designs are striking, with distinct silhouettes and bold fashion statements.

Though still ongoing, “Gachiakuta” already has a compelling, rage-driven protagonist in Rudo. The story can feel a bit incomplete, maybe due to underdeveloped characters or an unexplored setting, but fans of “Fire Force,” “Soul Eater,” “Jujutsu Kaisen,” or “DanDaDan” should find it worth checking out.