The next stage for shonen anime is here. Gachiakuta is a dark fantasy, action anime series that premiered in July 2025, based on a popular shōnen manga by Kei Urana. The story follows Rudo, an orphan who is framed for murder and exiled to the “Pit,” a hellish junkyard. He joins a group called the Cleaners to fight mutated monsters, develop new powers, and seek revenge on the corrupt society that condemned him.
As the first half of season 1 wraps up, CGMagazine had the opportunity to sit down with the creators of Gachiakuta at Anime Expo 2025, back in July. We spoke with author/mangaka, Kei Urana, and illustrator Hideyoshi Andou—along with the anime producer Naoki Amano. Urana discussed how Gachiakuta began, their reactions to the Anime Expo 2025 premiere, and they all spoke on why Taku Iwasaki was the perfect person to create the music composition for the anime.
How did you (Urana-san) and Andou-san come together and form the art style we see in the manga and anime for Gachiakuta?
Kei Urana: It started with the vibes. We really clicked, and the things we liked were really similar. We started to have a discussion about how to make a manga no one’s ever seen before. And after these back and forth [conversations], we started to formulate this world of Gachiakuta.
One of the standout features from the first couple of episodes is the themes around trash. Where did this concept come from?
Kei Urana: Everything started from the fact that I wanted to write about a world filled with trash. From there, I expanded on the themes, like where did the trash come from? [I figured] it usually comes from objects, and how we don’t take care of these objects. I started to build upon these types of ideas.
Also, [I wanted] to touch base with environmental issues, but not only the planet Earth. It’s also about where you live and where you belong could really influence people, and how it could cause them to change.
And for you, Amano-san, from a production standpoint, what drew you to Gachiakuta?
Naoki Amano: When I started to work on this project, the story was only about three or four episodes in. But I was really taken in by the visual uniqueness of the series and the emotional, dramatic story. In addition to that, there’s a really unique worldview, things like graffiti and a trash-covered world. These are the kind of things that made me think, ‘okay, maybe this would be a great challenge to take on and make it into an anime.’
For the battle-action music of Gachiakuta, how did you all decide that Taku Iwasaki was the right match for the anime?
Naoki Amano: There were several candidates that we wanted to work on for the music composition of the anime. But I discussed options with the creators (points to Kei Urana and Ando Hideyoshi), and they said, ‘How about we work with Taku Iwasaki?’ We already had working experience with him, and we gave him an offer. Around that time, he was really slammed with his schedule. But even then, he felt very strongly about backing up the series. So, he incorporated coming up with new music for Gachiakuta into his schedule.
“I’m really glad that I said anything about him making the music for Gachiakuta. And then, he ended up making the music fit perfectly for Gachiakuta. I’m really glad I raised my voice about this.”
Kei Urana: I definitely had Iwasaki-san’s music in my head. Honestly, he was at the top of my list for choices of musicians I wanted to work with. But I was a bit hesitant because he worked on other works, and [worried] if it would overlap too much [with Iwasaki-san’s other works]. I’m really glad that I said anything about him making the music for Gachiakuta. And then, he ended up making the music fit perfectly for Gachiakuta. I’m really glad I raised my voice about this.
Hideyoshi Andou: That’s the same for me too. I wasn’t sure if I should say, ‘This is our choice.’
And for the whole team, this is amazing to have you all here showcasing Gachiakuta at Anime Expo 2025. How does it feel hosting the world premiere here?
Naoki Amano: I was first surprised and very happy to receive such enthusiastic support! I really want to share this warm welcome with the director and the other staff. It was also a wonderful experience to watch the screening together with everyone and enjoy how every move of the characters generated laughter, surprise, and other reactions. Anime Expo fans are truly the best. For us in production, fan support is the greatest encouragement, so please keep it up.
Kei Urana: I was both surprised and happy to see that the series is so popular around the world. That’s something difficult to really feel when I’m at home in Japan, so to actually experience it has been motivating for me.
Lastly, what do you hope audiences take away from watching Gachiakuta when it premieres on Crunchyroll across the world?
Naoki Amano: I’d like to leave it up to viewers what they take away from the series. But I do think that the injustice and sense of oppression that exist in the real world are also inherent in the enemies and world that Rudo is standing up against. I think—and hope—that bearing this in mind when you watch the series, it will awaken some kind of change inside of you.
Kei Urana: I want viewers to feel the passion and intensity of people who struggle and strive to rise up.
You can check out our review for Gachiakuta Episodes 1-2 now.
