What Is the Gachiakuta Manga?
Gachiakuta is a dark fantasy shōnen manga written and illustrated by Kei Urana. The graffiti-style artwork is handled by Andō Hideyoshi, which gives the series a distinct visual identity you won’t find in most shōnen titles.
The story is set in a dystopian world split into three layers:
- The City — where the wealthy and privileged live
- The Sphere (Slums) — home to the “tribesfolk,” descendants of criminals
- The Ground — a massive wasteland below, used as a dumping zone for trash and exiled criminals
The main character is Rudo, a teenage boy from the slums. He is falsely accused of murdering his foster father Regto and thrown into the Ground. There, he is rescued by a man named Enjin, who introduces him to a group called the Cleaners — Givers who use powered weapons called Vital Instruments to hunt trash beasts.
Rudo joins them with one goal: get back to the Sphere and take revenge on whoever framed him.
What makes this series stand out:
- A unique magic system built around emotional attachment to objects
- A layered social class commentary baked into the world-building
- Dark themes balanced with humor and strong character moments
- Atsushi Ohkubo, the creator of Soul Eater and Fire Force, publicly named Kei Urana as the successor to his legacy
It was licensed for English publication by Kodansha USA in March 2023. The first English volume released in Winter 2024.
Is the Gachiakuta Manga Finished or Still Ongoing?
The short answer: it is still ongoing.
The manga has been running in Weekly Shōnen Magazine since February 16, 2022. As of early 2026, it has released over 166 chapters across 18 collected volumes.
New chapters come out every Tuesday on the KManga app and the Kodansha website.
Current arc status:
The series entered its tenth arc, the Doll Festival Arc, with Chapter 131 in August 2025. That arc is still in progress, meaning the story is nowhere close to wrapping up.
What about hiatuses?
In early 2026, the manga went on a brief hiatus due to Kei Urana’s health issues. It has since returned to its regular weekly schedule.
A few quick facts:
- No ending has been announced
- The anime covered up to the Heritage Mural Arc (Season 1, 24 episodes)
- Season 2 of the anime has been confirmed, but no release date is set yet
- The manga is well ahead of the anime, giving readers plenty of story to explore
Volumes: Complete List and Collector’s Guide
How Many Volumes Are There?
As of February 2026, 18 tankōbon volumes have been released. A new volume drops roughly every 2–3 months
| Volume | Japanese Release Date |
|---|---|
| Vol. 1 | May 17, 2022 |
| Vol. 2 | July 15, 2022 |
| Vol. 3 | September 16, 2022 |
| Vol. 4 | November 11, 2022 |
| Vol. 5 | February 17, 2023 |
| Vol. 6 | April 17, 2023 |
| Vol. 7 | July 14, 2023 |
| Vol. 8 | October 17, 2023 |
| Vol. 9 | December 15, 2023 |
| Vol. 10 | March 15, 2024 |
| Vol. 11 | June 17, 2024 |
| Vol. 12 | September 17, 2024 |
| Vol. 13 | December 17, 2024 |
| Vol. 14 | March 17, 2025 |
| Vol. 15 | June 17, 2025 |
| Vol. 16 | September 17, 2025 |
| Vol. 17 | November 17, 2025 |
| Vol. 18 | February 17, 2026 |
Where to Buy the English Volumes
Kodansha USA licensed the series for English in March 2023. The first English volume came out in Winter 2024. You can buy them from:
- Kodansha’s official website (kodansha.us)
- Amazon (physical and digital)
- KManga app (digital reading)
Is There a Box Set?
No official box set has been confirmed yet. Given the series is still ongoing, a box set is more likely once it nears its conclusion.
A Note on the Art
Each volume cover features Kei Urana’s illustration work combined with Andō Hideyoshi’s graffiti designs. The covers are visually distinct from most shōnen titles and are worth collecting for the artwork alone.
All Story Arcs in Order
The series currently spans 10 arcs. Here is a full breakdown:
| # | Arc Name | Chapters | Anime Episodes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ground Wanderer Arc | 1–6 | Ep. 1–3 | Covered by anime |
| 2 | Workplace Observation Arc | 7–11 | Ep. 4–6 | Covered by anime |
| 3 | Raiders Trap Arc | 12–22 | Ep. 7–10 | Covered by anime |
| 4 | Successor Spellcaster Arc | 23–28 | Ep. 11–13 | Covered by anime |
| 5 | Lady of Penta Arc | 29–43 | Ep. 14–18 | Covered by anime |
| 6 | Trash Storm Arc | 44–81 | Ep. 19–24 | Covered by anime |
| 7 | Heritage Mural Arc | 82–90 | Ep. 24 (partial) | Partially covered |
| 8 | Information Broker Arc | 91–116 | — | Manga only |
| 9 | First Job Arc | 117–130 | — | Manga only |
| 10 | Doll Festival Arc | 131–ongoing | — | Manga only |
Quick Arc Notes
Arcs 1–2 set up the world, the Ground, and the Cleaners. Good for new readers to get their footing.
Arc 3–4 introduce the Raiders and expand the lore around Spellcasters and Vital Instruments.
Arc 5 is where Amo is introduced. A major turning point for the story’s emotional depth.
Arc 6 (Trash Storm) is the longest arc so far — 38 chapters in total — and the most action-heavy. Jabber and Zanka’s clash happens here
Arc 7 (Heritage Mural) slows things down after the chaos of Arc 6. Big lore drops about Rudo’s lineage. Season 1 of the anime stopped partway through this arc, at Chapter 87. Readers picking up after the anime can start at Chapter 88.
Arcs 8–10 are manga-only territory. New characters, new threats, and the ongoing Doll Festival Arc introducing the arc villain Mymo.
Chapter Release Schedule and Latest Chapters
Weekly Release Day and Platform
New chapters come out most Tuesdays on the KManga app and the Kodansha website at 11:00 am EST
That’s two official options:
Kodansha website — web-based reading, same coin system.
KManga app — available in the USA, Canada, India, Singapore, Australia, Philippines, Brazil, and parts of Europe. Chapters require coins to read.
The series is not available on Viz Media’s Shonen Jump or Manga Plus, which is worth knowing if you’re used to reading other shōnen titles there.
| Chapter | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Ch. 167 | May 5, 2026 |
| Ch. 166 | April 27, 2026 |
| Ch. 165 | April 14, 2026 |
| Ch. 164 | April 7, 2026 |
| Ch. 163 | March 24, 2026 |
| Ch. 162 | January 20, 2026 |
Hiatus History
In early 2026, the manga went on a brief hiatus so that creator Kei Urana could recover from health issues. It has since returned to a weekly release schedule
Occasional break weeks also happen outside of hiatus periods — usually announced by the official staff in advance.
Quick Summary
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Release day | Every Tuesday |
| Time (EST) | 11:00 am |
| Platform | KManga app / Kodansha website |
| Latest chapter | 167 (May 5, 2026) |
| Total chapters | 167+ and ongoing |
Characters: Complete Guide
Rudo Surebrec — The Main Protagonist
Who Is Rudo?
Rudo Surebrec is the main protagonist of the series. He is 15 years old, human, a Cleaner, and a Giver.
He grew up in the slums of the Sphere as one of the “tribesfolk” — a group descended from criminals and looked down upon by society. His foster father, Regto, raised him and gave him a pair of gloves.
Everything changes when Regto is murdered and Rudo is falsely accused of the crime. He is thrown into the Ground (the Pit) as punishment. There, he meets Enjin, discovers his ability as a Giver, and joins the Cleaners.
His goal is straightforward: get back to the Sphere and take revenge on whoever framed him.
Appearance
Rudo is a sharp-eyed teenage boy with messy gray hair and a constantly rough, slightly wild look.
He wears gloves at all times — not just because they are his Vital Instrument, but because removing them causes intense pain in his forearms. From his forearms down, both arms are darkened, almost black, and he keeps them wrapped in bandages.
Personality
His emotional reactions are intense — his joy, anger, grief, and excitement are all vivid. Despite his rough edges, he is deeply considerate of others and tries to treat people without prejudice or preconceived notions.
He hates cruelty. He is blunt, honest, and fiercely protective of anyone he considers a friend.
Vital Instrument: The 3R Gloves
Rudo’s unique 3R gloves, given to him by Regto, enable him to turn anything he touches into a Vital Instrument, making him exceptionally versatile in combat
This is what sets him apart from other Givers. Most Givers pour years of care into one specific object. Rudo can pick up trash mid-battle and weaponize it on the spot.
The 3R gloves are part of the Watchman Series — a set of rare, exceptionally powerful Vital Instruments.
Combat Abilities
Rudo has enhanced strength, speed, and reflexes. He was able to dodge gunfire mid-air and blitz opponents without them noticing — even experienced fighters
He has no formal combat training, but his improvised fighting style is unpredictable and hard to counter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the series still ongoing or finished?
Still ongoing. It has been serializing weekly in Weekly Shonen Magazine since February 2022, with 18 collected volumes available through Kodansha. No ending has been announced yet.
How many chapters are out right now?
The most recent chapter was Chapter 167, released on May 5, 2026. New chapters drop every Tuesday.
Where can I read it officially?
You can read it digitally on Kodansha’s KManga app or buy the physical volumes on Kodansha’s official website. It is not available on Shonen Jump or Manga Plus
Who actually killed Regto?
Tamsy, a member of the Cleaners, was Regto’s killer. He goes by the name “Angel” and is capable of moving between the Ground and the Sphere
The manga doesn’t reveal this until Chapter 110. Tamsy killed Regto for two reasons: to take away the person Rudo loved most, and to steal a special book from the Watchman Series.
Who is the traitor in the story?
Tamsy. He appears to be a loyal Cleaner and even seems to look out for Rudo. But his true goal is to mentally break him. Even after Rudo joins the Cleaners, Tamsy continues to manipulate those around him — including torturing Amo to push Rudo to his emotional limit.
Why did Rudo attack Amo?
During their first encounter, Rudo was manipulated by Amo’s Vital Instrument, which caused him to mistake her for Chiwa. Once the effect broke, he attacked Amo in a blind rage, believing she had harmed his friends.
He immediately regretted it. After a conversation with Enjin, he apologized to Amo and the two eventually reconciled.