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Gunslinger Girl #1
Gunslinger Girl, Vol. 1
Innocence Lost.... Henrietta barely survived a brutal attack that killed her family. "Rescued" by the Social Welfare Agency, her injuries were repaired with robotic components and she was brainwashed - lost with the memory of her family's death was almost every trace of her own humanity. Today she is an extraordinarily lethal cyborg assassin, obediently working with her handler Giuseppe to carry out her deadly tasks. Despite her conditioning and programming, Henrietta still has the heart of a young girl; she has not completely forgotten how to love. Yet the very emotion is contrary to her training and programming. Can the Gunslinger Girl survive? Can she find peace in a struggle against her very nature?
184 pages, Comic
First published December 15, 2002
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773 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
February 8, 2023
[Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars]
Jan 29, 2023
Volume 1
Chapters 1-5
Ever since watching the Gunslinger Girl anime and liking it, I already decided to pick this up one day. And that day has now come.
This series might have adorable little girls as protagonists, but it's not something fluffy and flowery and light. On the other hand, it might get heavy and dark and depressing at times. They are adorable little girls with guns in their hands and violence in their minds. They are little girls with different degrees of 'disabilities' who, in some reasons or another, have to undergo some 'conditioning'. It's a process of them getting brainwashed to be a Cyborg assassins for this organization called Social Welfare Agency, a government-sponsored counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence group. They are mostly 'tools' to use for the government's 'dirty works', as they put it.
This first volume provided us an initial introduction of the main Cryborgs protagonists and their respective 'Handlers', which are called to the agents assigned to them. They are partners in most missions. The Handlers monitors, equips and trains the Cyborgs while the Cyborgs helps protect their respective Handlers. They are usually called 'fratello' or siblings/brothers.
We are introduced to Henrietta, Rico and Triela, who have different personalities but equally lovable in their own ways. They are programmed to be loyal to their handlers but the girls have different ways of viewing them. Rico sees her Handler, Jean, like her master. I think, in my personal opinion, she has the highest level of 'conditioning' between the three of them. She has this blind trust to her Handler and she listens to him without question.
Fermi: If you were killed while fighting to protect Jean, would that make you happy?
Rico: I think I'd rather not die in the first place. But...
Jean: A cryborg exists for the sake of her handler. Dying to protect him is a matter of course.
Rico: If Signore Jean says so, then it must be true
Henrietta, on the other hand, acted purely on her emotions. She clearly loves her Handler Jose, either as older brother or in a romantic sense, I'm still not quite sure, but I don't think her love was due to the conditioning. Jose also avoided putting Henrietta in too much conditioning, as it exposed the girls to too much drugs and might turn them into less human, and more of a real cyborgs. In my opinion, he might be the most soft and empathizing Handlers out of those introduced. But Henrietta, this child, might be the scariest one when it comes to emotions, as it was shown in one of the chapters.
She might be like Elsa, one of the Cryborgs, who killed her Handler Lauro for not getting her feelings returned then killed herself. But getting her feelings returned or not, Jose clearly and sincerely cares for Henrietta.
Lastly, I think for now, Triela might be my most favorite among the three. I think she is one of the oldest and definitely the most mature. Just like Jose, her Handler Hilshire also avoids putting her in too much conditioning.
She's smart and rational. She's not as blindly loyal as Rico and not 'obsessively in love' like Henrietta, but she clearly cares for Hilshire as well, though she didn't show it openly. She sometimes acted like a rebel and have an occasional spat with him. I think Triela and Hilshire have the most 'fratello' relationship. They're like real siblings in many sense. I want to see more of their interactions, as well as the other 'fratello'.
I'm not sure if I remember correctly but most of what happened in the anime is already here in Volume 1, so I guess I would see more content from this series as it has up to 15 volumes. I'm quite thrilled to see more from this!
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 2
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 3
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 4
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 5
[ 2019-2020 READING SPREADSHEETS ]
[ NEW READING SPREADSHEETS ]
Jan 29, 2023
Volume 1
Chapters 1-5
Ever since watching the Gunslinger Girl anime and liking it, I already decided to pick this up one day. And that day has now come.
This series might have adorable little girls as protagonists, but it's not something fluffy and flowery and light. On the other hand, it might get heavy and dark and depressing at times. They are adorable little girls with guns in their hands and violence in their minds. They are little girls with different degrees of 'disabilities' who, in some reasons or another, have to undergo some 'conditioning'. It's a process of them getting brainwashed to be a Cyborg assassins for this organization called Social Welfare Agency, a government-sponsored counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence group. They are mostly 'tools' to use for the government's 'dirty works', as they put it.
This first volume provided us an initial introduction of the main Cryborgs protagonists and their respective 'Handlers', which are called to the agents assigned to them. They are partners in most missions. The Handlers monitors, equips and trains the Cyborgs while the Cyborgs helps protect their respective Handlers. They are usually called 'fratello' or siblings/brothers.
We are introduced to Henrietta, Rico and Triela, who have different personalities but equally lovable in their own ways. They are programmed to be loyal to their handlers but the girls have different ways of viewing them. Rico sees her Handler, Jean, like her master. I think, in my personal opinion, she has the highest level of 'conditioning' between the three of them. She has this blind trust to her Handler and she listens to him without question.
Fermi: If you were killed while fighting to protect Jean, would that make you happy?
Rico: I think I'd rather not die in the first place. But...
Jean: A cryborg exists for the sake of her handler. Dying to protect him is a matter of course.
Rico: If Signore Jean says so, then it must be true
Henrietta, on the other hand, acted purely on her emotions. She clearly loves her Handler Jose, either as older brother or in a romantic sense, I'm still not quite sure, but I don't think her love was due to the conditioning. Jose also avoided putting Henrietta in too much conditioning, as it exposed the girls to too much drugs and might turn them into less human, and more of a real cyborgs. In my opinion, he might be the most soft and empathizing Handlers out of those introduced. But Henrietta, this child, might be the scariest one when it comes to emotions, as it was shown in one of the chapters.
She might be like Elsa, one of the Cryborgs, who killed her Handler Lauro for not getting her feelings returned then killed herself. But getting her feelings returned or not, Jose clearly and sincerely cares for Henrietta.
Lastly, I think for now, Triela might be my most favorite among the three. I think she is one of the oldest and definitely the most mature. Just like Jose, her Handler Hilshire also avoids putting her in too much conditioning.
She's smart and rational. She's not as blindly loyal as Rico and not 'obsessively in love' like Henrietta, but she clearly cares for Hilshire as well, though she didn't show it openly. She sometimes acted like a rebel and have an occasional spat with him. I think Triela and Hilshire have the most 'fratello' relationship. They're like real siblings in many sense. I want to see more of their interactions, as well as the other 'fratello'.
I'm not sure if I remember correctly but most of what happened in the anime is already here in Volume 1, so I guess I would see more content from this series as it has up to 15 volumes. I'm quite thrilled to see more from this!
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 2
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 3
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 4
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 5
[ 2019-2020 READING SPREADSHEETS ]
[ NEW READING SPREADSHEETS ]
October 23, 2011
This is one of those series I feel bad loving as much as I do. On the surface, the story is very clear and easy to dismiss if one chooses to. It's about an agency that takes young girls (from 10 to 14, 16 at the oldest later on) and turns them into cyborgs who then learn how to fight like soldiers.
It's a little twisted, but it's right up my alley. Each girl has a sad story to tell. These girls were not normal little girls pulled off the street. The one we meet at the beginning, Henrietta, is the sole survivor of a vicious attack on her family that leaves the rest of her family dead and her gravely wounded.
What drives this manga for me are the characters. Everyone has a point of view in this story. The cyborg girls who are forced to love their "handlers" (also called "brothers" to make the relationship clear here), the men who train and partner with these cyborg girls, and even the bad guys who are terrorists. Nothing is simple, and no one is purely innocent. Not even the girls who have the dirtiest hands of all.
Most interesting to me, especially in the first season of the anime, is how much is said between the words. The anime (first season) is so quiet. A smile is never just a smile though. This is something that the manga handles so well. It's easy to overdo it in a story like this, but instead it sticks to simple imagery which says so much. When it does get gory, it's never done lightly.
It's a little twisted, but it's right up my alley. Each girl has a sad story to tell. These girls were not normal little girls pulled off the street. The one we meet at the beginning, Henrietta, is the sole survivor of a vicious attack on her family that leaves the rest of her family dead and her gravely wounded.
What drives this manga for me are the characters. Everyone has a point of view in this story. The cyborg girls who are forced to love their "handlers" (also called "brothers" to make the relationship clear here), the men who train and partner with these cyborg girls, and even the bad guys who are terrorists. Nothing is simple, and no one is purely innocent. Not even the girls who have the dirtiest hands of all.
Most interesting to me, especially in the first season of the anime, is how much is said between the words. The anime (first season) is so quiet. A smile is never just a smile though. This is something that the manga handles so well. It's easy to overdo it in a story like this, but instead it sticks to simple imagery which says so much. When it does get gory, it's never done lightly.
September 10, 2014
When a child is brought to the Agency, two things happen. They are given heavy physical modifications, and they undergo a brainwashing process called "conditioning". Fortunately for her, conditioning erases all of the child's memories of their previous life.
Wow..now I don't really know how to rate this manga. The art work is superb, and the concept original...it just feels so weird...no wrong that these children are taken from families that can't support them, abuse them or simply do not want them anymore.
This first book is more of a setup of what's to come..along with "missions" these children go on. We are introduced to a group of girls Henrietta, Rico, Triela. They each have a back story as to why and how they arrive at Social Welfare Agency. Each girl has a "handler", someone to look after them. This Handler teaches them different skills that will be useful in the field. These girls live together, fight together and stick together.
I already have the omnibus copy and will continue with this series AND I didn't know it was already an anime series. I'll have to look it up and watch it.
Wow..now I don't really know how to rate this manga. The art work is superb, and the concept original...it just feels so weird...no wrong that these children are taken from families that can't support them, abuse them or simply do not want them anymore.
This first book is more of a setup of what's to come..along with "missions" these children go on. We are introduced to a group of girls Henrietta, Rico, Triela. They each have a back story as to why and how they arrive at Social Welfare Agency. Each girl has a "handler", someone to look after them. This Handler teaches them different skills that will be useful in the field. These girls live together, fight together and stick together.
"Fratello
Brothers"
I already have the omnibus copy and will continue with this series AND I didn't know it was already an anime series. I'll have to look it up and watch it.
July 8, 2014
Gunslinger Girl follows the lives of 4 young girls who are recruited by the government after robotic enhancements that make them superior fighters and perfect soldiers. Each girl is paired with a handler who leads them on missions.
Gunslinger Girl is one of the most under appreciated manga I've had the pleasure of reading. It's got complicated characters and relationships, a straight forward plot, mystery, adventure, and a premise that will drag any reader into its depths.
Gunslinger Girl is one of the most under appreciated manga I've had the pleasure of reading. It's got complicated characters and relationships, a straight forward plot, mystery, adventure, and a premise that will drag any reader into its depths.
June 20, 2022
Surprising good! I really like all the characters
September 12, 2007
This is actually a re-read as I just acquired the 4th and 5th volumes of the series. Gunslinger Girl is definitely a cut above the average manga, perhaps because manga is its original format as opposed to being an adaptation. This first volume is mostly an introduction to the premise of the series - a new covert organization in Italy has been created which pairs handlers with adolescent girls who are part human, part cybernetic. Most of the girls come from tragic circumstances and the installation of the cybernetics has given them new physical abilites. The girls receive training in handling their new bodies and assasination techniques. They also receive "conditioning" through the use of drugs which wipe their previous memories (often making for happier results) and make them more malleable. The focus her is on three of the girls and their handlers (the pairings are called fratello): Henrietta and Guiseppe, Rico and Jean, and Triela and Hilshire. Melancholy in tone but full of action, this series also includes elements of mystery as facts about the girls' pasts and the purpose and structure of the organization are slowly revealed. Previously read September 1, 2007.
April 23, 2020
Title/Author/Artist: Gunslinger Girl vol. 1 by Yu Aida
Series/Standalone: vol. 1
Genre/sub-genre: Manga/Graphic Novel/Crime
Book Format: Paperback
Length: 177 pages
Violence: YES, while it is rated “T” for Teen, there is a lot of graphic violence here, and mentions of past violence and abuse toward the young girls who star in this series.
Well written/Editor Needed: well written!
Art/Illustrations: The artwork is great!
Would I Recommend?: YES!
Personal thoughts: This is one of my favorite mangas, and a second read of the first volume for me. There are only 15 volumes, so it’s easy to consume. But I love the unique story, the characters, and the art work. This first volume is mostly setup so the reader understands the world building and the basics of what’s going on. That said, it’s still a fascinating read, and is just as hard to put down as the rest of the series. I highly recommend it.
I didn't know there were 15 volumes for years! How did I miss the final volume?!?! This year I'm rereading the entire series and then finally reading volume 15.
Series/Standalone: vol. 1
Genre/sub-genre: Manga/Graphic Novel/Crime
Book Format: Paperback
Length: 177 pages
Violence: YES, while it is rated “T” for Teen, there is a lot of graphic violence here, and mentions of past violence and abuse toward the young girls who star in this series.
Well written/Editor Needed: well written!
Art/Illustrations: The artwork is great!
Would I Recommend?: YES!
Personal thoughts: This is one of my favorite mangas, and a second read of the first volume for me. There are only 15 volumes, so it’s easy to consume. But I love the unique story, the characters, and the art work. This first volume is mostly setup so the reader understands the world building and the basics of what’s going on. That said, it’s still a fascinating read, and is just as hard to put down as the rest of the series. I highly recommend it.
I didn't know there were 15 volumes for years! How did I miss the final volume?!?! This year I'm rereading the entire series and then finally reading volume 15.
November 25, 2016
I don't usually write about manga, but I'm writing about Gunslinger Girl because a chapter in this first book is a really well told, self contained story that hides surprising depth.
Gunslinger Girl is about an intelligence organization that turns injured girls into assassination bots; it gives them life at the cost of freedom.
The second chapter, titled "Love Thy Neighbor" tells the story of Riko, an awkward girl who meets a boy during a stakeout, and feels mixed emotions about it; on one side lies her responsibility to her work, and on the other the simple feelings she holds for the young boy.
The last two pages in this chapter are a wonderful build up of ideas that ends in such a way you have to pause to consider the weight of the choice Riko makes. It's a great example of beautiful, simple storytelling.
I won't spoil it, but if you have a chance, I recommend this chapter.
(Note: I read this in the original Japanese, so I can't speak for how well written the English translation is. I assume it's good.)
Gunslinger Girl is about an intelligence organization that turns injured girls into assassination bots; it gives them life at the cost of freedom.
The second chapter, titled "Love Thy Neighbor" tells the story of Riko, an awkward girl who meets a boy during a stakeout, and feels mixed emotions about it; on one side lies her responsibility to her work, and on the other the simple feelings she holds for the young boy.
The last two pages in this chapter are a wonderful build up of ideas that ends in such a way you have to pause to consider the weight of the choice Riko makes. It's a great example of beautiful, simple storytelling.
I won't spoil it, but if you have a chance, I recommend this chapter.
(Note: I read this in the original Japanese, so I can't speak for how well written the English translation is. I assume it's good.)
February 2, 2016
I really love this series. As far as anime and manga go this is top notch. The name is somewhat simple and a bit misleading. While this is an action themed story, the real things come in the implications of what innocence is. The story focuses on the Welfare Agency in Italy which has developed cybernetic implants that can take physically abused and damaged little girls and turn them into superhuman cyborgs that still look like the little girls that they are. Their personalities are slightly altered and they are given the inclination to fall in love with their handlers (a creepy idea if ever there was one). They are still little girls, they are still innocent, but they have become the perfect assassins.
The most poignant parts of the stories are the interactions with the children and their handlers, and with the other children. It has its dark moments and some great discussion points over where the gray line of morality really lies in such a situation.
The most poignant parts of the stories are the interactions with the children and their handlers, and with the other children. It has its dark moments and some great discussion points over where the gray line of morality really lies in such a situation.
August 25, 2016
Another rating: 9/10 (for whole series)
Three years ago I started with this manga and I thought it's interesting but it was kinda boring so I stopped. Then this year I really wanted to read all my not finished things so I picked this manga again and I couldn't belive myslef. It was soo good! How in the hell I thought it was boring? What actually had happend to me that a thing a didn't enjoyed back then, I love now? I don't know. Maybe I wasn't in a mood at that time but it's sad that it took me three years to finish it. Because this was very emotional ride. But I love it and what is more, characters in this are deep. Very deep and likeable.
So Gunslinger Girl is very astouding story with very bitterweet ending.
May I go cry over my favourite characters now?
Three years ago I started with this manga and I thought it's interesting but it was kinda boring so I stopped. Then this year I really wanted to read all my not finished things so I picked this manga again and I couldn't belive myslef. It was soo good! How in the hell I thought it was boring? What actually had happend to me that a thing a didn't enjoyed back then, I love now? I don't know. Maybe I wasn't in a mood at that time but it's sad that it took me three years to finish it. Because this was very emotional ride. But I love it and what is more, characters in this are deep. Very deep and likeable.
So Gunslinger Girl is very astouding story with very bitterweet ending.
May I go cry over my favourite characters now?
February 11, 2014
This manga series and the anime series of the same name are based on one of the saddest and creepiest premises of all time. Basically, young girls get the "Six Million Dollar Man" treatment to save their lives, with a simple proviso: these lives now belong to the state. They are trained as young cyborg assassins, supposedly targeting terrorists but in fact going after whoever the politicians in power want removed.
While the manga is good, the anime is even better, because of its excellent soundtrack. Still, the stories are thought-proviking, all about just how far a government agency will go in order to win its war on terrorism. Does a government agency inherently have an institutional morality? In thise case, perhaps not.
While the manga is good, the anime is even better, because of its excellent soundtrack. Still, the stories are thought-proviking, all about just how far a government agency will go in order to win its war on terrorism. Does a government agency inherently have an institutional morality? In thise case, perhaps not.
July 24, 2021
A story about child soldiers. Pretty similar with Gundam Wing but this one is pretty fucked up one. They picked unlucky children and made them powerful soldiers that had absolute loyalty and....robotic bodies.
Still one of my fav manga when I was in middle school. The grooming aspect probably went over my head when I was 13 year old but now I am not even sure if it's called grooming or not.
Back then this volume taught me about this cruel world and how I had to be grateful with life I had. I was in pretty angry with the world.
Still one of my fav manga when I was in middle school. The grooming aspect probably went over my head when I was 13 year old but now I am not even sure if it's called grooming or not.
Back then this volume taught me about this cruel world and how I had to be grateful with life I had. I was in pretty angry with the world.
February 14, 2022
Ottimo inizio per una bellissima storia. Ammetto che ero un fan dell’anime, ma non mi ricordo molto della trama essendo passato del tempo, quindi ho deciso di recuperare il manga. La storia a casi singoli che segue ciascuna ragazza, va a delineare non solo il carattere del personaggio e del suo addestratore, ma va a delineare una trama orizzontale che sicuramente prenderà piede nei prossimi volumi. I disegni sono puliti e chiari, totalmente in contrasto con il contenuto e le tematiche trattate. Per ora 4 stelle aspettando molto di più dal resto dell’opera.
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March 30, 2021my brother and i's favorite manga, when he was eight and I was 10--about prepubescent girls from traumatic backgrounds becoming assassins for the Italian government. my parents did not screen what media we consumed obviously.
uhhhhhh, this has been on my to read list for a while, cause I wanted to reread it, but just gonna put this one away forever. The Delgado's theme song for the anime is great though!
uhhhhhh, this has been on my to read list for a while, cause I wanted to reread it, but just gonna put this one away forever. The Delgado's theme song for the anime is great though!
May 21, 2021
Pretty good, in general, but a bit lacking. Some of the characters were hard to tell apart, and the reasoning for the existence of the cyborg girls is flimsy at best. I don't think I'll continue with the series.
(my copy had lot's of typo's and text changed font and size through-out as well as sometimes was printed outside the speech bubble)
(my copy had lot's of typo's and text changed font and size through-out as well as sometimes was printed outside the speech bubble)
May 4, 2017
From what I read seems like a dystopian manga book. It is also a anime as well but as the story goes, the book was better than the movie(or anime). I loved every part of volume 1 and 2 and as well volume 3.
August 7, 2017
I have entered the weird world of child assassins. i liked the art... the story is still kind of generic at this point. I already have vol 2-3, so I'm going to read them and decid if I like the series or not.
October 28, 2019
First manga that I read that involving cyborg. The fondness of the girls to their mentors are bordering underage love to older men. And that kind of disturb me a bit. Overall, the story is pretty solid. Will read next volume to determine whether to continue of abandon the series.
February 15, 2020
I think it was more like a 4.5 star read at thr moment. However I'm good with rounding up. There were only or two bits where I got characters confused or the panels mixed me up. However I could see this getting a full five star upon a re-read depending on how the rest of the series goes.
August 15, 2023
ciężko ocenić co o niej myślę, nie stało się tam zbyt wiele emocjonujacych rzeczy. co najwyżej mogłabym powiedzieć że to o czym to jest budzi niepokój w autorze haha.
ale chyba przeczytam następny tom
ale chyba przeczytam następny tom
July 3, 2024
Uhm weird.
I haven't read anything like this before in comic style, and I enjoyed that. The art was beautiful I also admit.
But the story is weird and a bit creepy.
Not reading anything like this again tho. Sorry.
I haven't read anything like this before in comic style, and I enjoyed that. The art was beautiful I also admit.
But the story is weird and a bit creepy.
Not reading anything like this again tho. Sorry.
January 16, 2019
A really good read. Don't know why it took me so long to start, now I want to know how it ends.
September 8, 2019
I can not get into this one.
November 2, 2019
Fascinating material. The final chapter was shocking.
August 4, 2020
The only manga series I really want to own and can't find. The first series of the anime is amazing and I still think about it even though it's been years since I have watched it.
August 5, 2020
A truly masterpiece. War, peace, hope... everything in 1 manga series. It's story and character development are great, no one was left behind.
June 4, 2021
Very daft. The Italian(!?) Government uses extremely unreliable, uncoordinated, forgetful orphans for hit jobs. Nothing to it.
May 10, 2022
Update: nevermind I read it wrong and didn’t read all of it (don’t ask) and I almost cried.
05-10-22: 3.5 stars..... I think I like it...? I gotta read more to see
05-10-22: 3.5 stars..... I think I like it...? I gotta read more to see
September 15, 2022
以義大利為背景的日漫好像不多見
(水星領航員的偽尼思算嗎?XD)
畫風有點吃不下，劇情有點虐
第一集還是單元劇
有待展開來看才能進一步評價~
(水星領航員的偽尼思算嗎?XD)
畫風有點吃不下，劇情有點虐
第一集還是單元劇
有待展開來看才能進一步評價~
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews