With GACHIAKUTA officially getting an anime adaptation, it's a good time to remember that author Kei Urana was praised by Atsushi Ohkubo, the author of Fire Force and Soul Eater, who called the mangaka his rightful successor and the one who will surpass him. GACHIAKUTA began serialization in February 2022, which is when Atsushi Ohkubo commented as follows:
At Weekly Shonen Magazine, Kei Urana's new series has begun! This is the person who has loved Soul Eater since childhood! Urana is my rightful successor who surpassed me!! If you like my manga, you should definitely like this manga too! Check it out! It's really awesome! I've been defeated! Awesome! Congratulations!
If you like Japanese food, please leave a comment! Tell us about it! Tell us about the Japanese food culture in JapanSign up! Sign up! Sign up! Sign up! https://t.co/s1oG7ai9g9
— Atsushi Ohkubo (@Atsushi_Ohkubo) February 16, 2022
Atsushi Ohkubo calls Kei Urana (Gachiakuta Creator) 'Legitimate Successor'
The inspiration is evident in the work itself, while Atsushi Ohkubo certainly has the credibility to say something like this since Kei Urana actually worked as his assistant while Fire Force was being serialized in the same magazine. The sequel is also quite fitting since the Fire Force manga ended just a week after GACHIAKUTA began, practically marking the passing of the magazine's torch of madness.
Since then, the GACHIAKUTA manga has released 102 chapters. The film was released in English by Kodansha USA in January 2024. Official summary:
Rudo lives in the slums of a floating town, where the poor live in the shadow of the wealthy, simply dumping their waste into the abyss. Then one day, he is falsely accused of murder, and his false conviction results in an unimaginable punishment—being cast out into the margins, along with the rest of the trash. It turns out that humanity's waste has spawned vicious monsters, and if Rudo has any hope of uncovering the truth and seeking revenge on those who sent him to Hell, he will have to master a new power and join a group known as the Cleaners to battle the giant trash beasts of the Pit!
Fire Force is also producing a third TV anime season, while Soul Eater is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
Source: Atsushi Ohkubo on X
©Kei Urana, Hideyoshi Andou and KODANSHA/“GACHIAKUTA” Production Committee
©Atsushi Ohkubo, KODANSHA/“FIRE FORCE” Production Committee