The art is one of the best I have ever seen. There are two kinds of art I find that gets the most hype: the strikingly realistic combined with superb shading and detail, or the unique. (By unique I mean the drawing style is instantly recognizable, one look and you think ‘oh, so-and-so drew that’. A good example is Nakamura Asumiko, or Nihei Tsutomu) Gantz falls in the first category.
Gantz also incorporates some thought provoking issues into its story. They are always up for debate though, its never a clean cut right-or-wrong; you are left to decide your opinion by your own devices and morals. Which makes Gantz that much more respectable in my eyes, as it does not preach.
The initial story of Gantz revolves around a big black, suspiciously man-made ball situated in an apartment room. When people die, mainly in accidents, they are revived and transported to that room where they are then sent out to kill unidentifiable creatures. Later on, we find out they are aliens. (duh) When you kill aliens, you get points. When you get 100 points, something happens. And when you die while fighting the alien, you die for good.
Pretty simple and basic right? But that’s just the beginning. Lots of things happen after that and the plot becomes more complex and more heavy. The character development of Kei Kurono also deserves special mention. In the beginning I thought he was an absolute dickhead, well in fact he WAS an absolute dickhead, but he slowly transformed into someone worthy of being called a man, he became admirable, considerate of others' feelings and I found myself rooting for him.
Gantz has elements of tragedy, suspense, romance and otherworldliness, woven together beautifully by the constant reminder of the power of humans and their strength to survive, for themselves and for the ones they love. The pain of sacrifice, of losing after even trying so hard, of helplessness in the face of an undying enemy, and all things disgusting and terrifying; all these are illustrated in its unabashed reality. It makes for a tumultuous read, but also a truly unforgettable one.
Bottom line: Impossible to put down (at least for me) and has insanely good art. A balance of characters with unsavory qualities, and characters who are noble and admirable, as well as those with a mix of good and bad. Graphic violence and nudity (look at all that tit service) but if you don’t mind either, or even like it, then please, this is one amazing manga you can't miss out on.
