Gantz mangaka announces new project coming soon

Modified Nov 08, 2024 18:32 GMT

Gantz mangaka announces new project coming soon (Image via Gonzo)

Thursday, November 7, 2024 saw Gantz mangaka Hiroya Oku announce his intent to begin production on a new manga sometime soon, although production has not yet officially begun. This news comes from the 23rd issue of Shogakukan’s Big Comic Superior magazine for the 2024 year, which also had quotes from Oku regarding his upcoming work.

Per Oku, his next work is still in his head and yet to be drawn, but he is itching to draw it soon. Oku also added that he’ll try his best to make this new story interesting. As of this article’s writing, no other information regarding Oku’s new work has been shared beyond his intent to produce one at some point.

Gantz mangaka to begin producing first new original work in 3–plus years

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As mentioned above, there is no other confirmed information on Oku's new upcoming work. However, given that this initial announcement of the series came from Shogakukan’s Big Comic Superior magazine, it’s expected (but not confirmed) that the series will be serialized there. It’s unclear when fans will be getting more, confirmed information on Oku’s new work as of this article’s writing.

However, typical hallmarks of Oku’s work will likely be included in the upcoming manga. This includes general mature material, such as excessive violence and risqué, with the latter’s overall inclusion and strength of presence differs from project-to-project. Large set pieces and integration of technology into the series’ narrative in some way, shape, or form is also a recurring trend of Oku’s works.

The Gantz manga, which is also Oku’s most well-known work, serves as a good example of the general themes and areas of Oku’s works. The original manga ran from 2000 to 2013 in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump magazine, which is aimed towards a seinen demographic (adult males aged 18 to 40). The manga inspired a television anime adaptation from Studio Gonzo, which ran for one 26-episode season from April to November 2004.

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The manga also inspired two Japanese live-action films, as well as two spinoff manga. The GANTZ:E historical spinoff manga was launched in January 2020 with illustrations by Jin Kagetsu. The series ran in Weekly Young Jump until 2023, when it moved to the YanJan! Manga app in January 2024, where it is still ongoing today. Shueisha’s “Jump TOON” vertical manga service launched a vertical, full-color version of the original series titled with the titular addition of :T in July 2024.

Oku is also well known for his Inuyashiki manga series, which ran from January 2014 to July 2017 in Kodansha’s Evening magazine. A television anime adaptation began in October 2017 and ran until December 2017 for a total of 11 episodes. The anime was produced by MAPPA Studios.