Anime News Network has reported that Hiroya Oku, best-known as the creator of the dark sci fi manga series Gantz, has announced the upcoming debut of his latest manga series for 2025 in the pages of the Big Comic Superior manga magazine. No other details are available as of this writing beyond the promise that more information is coming soon. The name of Oku's new series has not yet been revealed. The Anime Away team will have more details as they become available in anticipation of the new manga's debut. Notably, it is currently unknown if Oku's forthcoming manga series will be related in any way to the existing Gantz series.
The original Gantz manga ran from 2000-2013 for 37 volumes and was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump in Japan — the very same magazine that publishes One Piece and Dragon Ball. In North America, the English translation of the series is published by Dark Horse Comics, which has made the entire series available in 12 omnibus volumes. The original series was followed by two spin-off series, Gantz: G and Gantz: E, a prequel to the original series set in the Edo period. As of this writing Gantz: E is still ongoing.
Oku's first manga series was published in the late 80s and he has been active was a manga creator ever since. His other works include the romantic comedy series Hen, the dark superhero series Inuyashiki and the sci fi series Gigant. Readers should be aware that Oku's works often depict graphic violence and explore sexual and mature themes, along with other content that readers may find disturbing.
Gantz has become the center of a multimedia franchise
The original Gantz manga series has served as the basis for several adaptations in other forms of media. An anime adaptation by Gonzo (Afro Samurai, Basilisk) ran for 26 episodes in 2004. The series is currently streaming on Crunchyroll, which summarises the series below:
"If you are chosen by the bizarre black sphere known as the Gantz, you are already dead—yet you might be able to reclaim your mortality. First, the Gantz demands that you undertake brutal missions of madness, killing aliens hidden among the population. It is your only chance and you have no choice. You must play this disturbing game. And if you die again—and you likely will—it’s permanent."Crunchyroll
Other adaptations of Gantz include a video game for PlayStation 2, a pair of Japanese live-action movies, a CGI anime movie, and a Hollywood live-action adaptaion from Sony that was announced in 2020, with Julius Avery (Overlord, The Pope's Exorcist) attached to direct. At the time of this writing, detail about this upcoming live-action movie are still sparse.
The Anime Away team will be here to report on any new information about Hiroya Oku's new manga series as it is revealed. In the meantime, stay tuned right here on Anime Away from more news about all your favorite anime and manga series, along with news about upcoming debuts and anime reviews.