GANGSTA. 7

Gangsta. #7

by Kohske

囚われのコンスタンスを奪還すべく、約束の地へと向かうマルコ。かつての同胞との再会に、零れる記憶を――。生命が脈動する、粛清と訣別の第7巻。

Genres: Manga, Seinen, Comics, Graphic Novels, Urban Fantasy, Fiction, Crime

188 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 9, 2015

About the author

Associated Names:
コースケ
Ko-suke
Kosuke
Koosuke

Kohske made her manga debut in 2009 with the short story "Postman" in Shonen GanGan magazine. Her first ongoing serial, GANGSTA., began in 2010. Her second series, DOODLE, began serialization in 2013. She currently resides in Hokkaido and owns a pet java sparrow named Fumi.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this volume because I thought it and the next one would finish the series, as this was released in 2015, but alas, Kohske took a break from the series, as she had done once before for two years, and this is the last volume I can read. . This volume sort of ramps up the sex, drugs and violence, it's not kid stuff, but we get less of our favorite characters here, which is a little disappointing. What continues is the superb stylized artwork. It reminds me of a manga Sin City, though with deeper emphasis on relationships. I recommend it.

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly the best layout and paneling I’ve ever read is in this manga.
I’m going to be delusional about Worick actions until I’m dead.

[mandinmandin · Rating 3 out of 5]

So little Nicholas and Worrick in this volume. It made it a bit disappointing but the cliffhanger right at the last page got me hooked again. I have heard the author is returning to the story as of last year, after a long hiatus, so hopefully we'll get to find out how this story ends soon.

[Angela R. Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH???MY????GODJSKDJFBKG:HBDHKBHBDS???

Sorry. Look. I've read vol 8 but I read it before vol 7 and I knew what it ends like--but the series is still unfinished and I NEED CLOSURE.

AND DEATH.

ANYWAY 11/10, this series is a favorite. I need more. Blood. Guts. Epic characters. Angst. Gorgeous art. Loveee it.

[Misa Niranon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew that Striker was going to be ruthless but mannn. They really did a number on Connie. She's such a fighter. The love that she has for Marco. Their love is hard. Mannn... I know that I've put this before but Marco is one of my favorite characters. How he takes care of Loretta is so heart-warming, as well.

AWWW. I don't know how to explain it. Everybody's relationships in this series. Taking care of Loretta. Knowing the old Cristiano. Man.

I'm watching Jacksepticeye play an 'Attack on Titan' game and just saw the picture of Marco flying. Man.

The city is falling in itself. All of the normals are trying to kill off the Twilights. Man. It's civil war.

Ivan reminds me of Barry. Erika is totally Alex. Colt reminds me of Shino.

MORE PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO HELP GALAHAD. OOOOO. I see a girl that I don't recognize, too. Mannn. These people. I'm just so interested in getting to know all of them.

This volume was very short overall. I'm not sure if it's because Kohske-sensei is sick or if it's because of how heavy the fight scenes were. Anyway. I still love them. I don't see anywhere about any updates on getting more of the manga but I'll be waiting anyway. I'm glad that I was able to progress through the story even after the anime had ended. It's sort of like 'Bungou Stray Dogs'. I saw the commercial for it and instantly got hyped. 'Gangsta' really didn't disappoint.

I just hope for the manga-ka's health to be great.``

This volume covers chapters 35-40

[Illy · Rating 4 out of 5]

WORRICK. MY BABE. I NEED MORE. MY POOR HEART.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these characters too much to watch them go through this!

[toni ⊹ · Rating 3 out of 5]

so confused

[Joanna Acnt · Rating 5 out of 5]

UN TRUC DE DINGUE 😳😳😳
la fin ??????¿¿¿¿¿¿¿ waaaah j’étais sous le choque

ça commence à devenir très sombre la, je me demande comment cette guerre va terminée 💀

[typewriterdeluxe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can tell that Kohske was getting pumped for her spin-off series but "Gangsta" shifted gears too hard from Handymen to Destroyers in this volume.

I physically cringed when well-loved characters suddenly felt the need to introduce themselves to the audience or address their opponents by their full names like they were on some cheap children's superhero show. They didn't talk like that before.

This volume was full of out-of-character decisions and fragmented narratives that weren't used effectively. "Gangsta" normally switches easily between several characters' experiences but this time it felt like distractedly flipping through channels. There are many shallow cameos in too many choppy scenes to build tension (or occasionally relieve it).

While the other volumes felt rich with substance, this one fell very flat. This became particularly apparent to me as I read through pages of violence that should have shocked me. However, I was already jarred by the suddenly different writing style and I started to lose my suspended disbelief around page 60.

[Xilks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very good. Waiting on the next book to come out now.

[Bana · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart will always be with this manga <3 it's probably my favorite manga that I've read and the anime adaption is so good! I'm glad I read this.

[Olivia Thames · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like volume six, volume seven in the "Gangsta" series proved to be one of enlightenment of past origins, present troubles and changes of heart, and potentially disastrous future outcomes (depending on which side of the upcoming 'war' the reader favors). With Marco and Connie's bond being the center of the volume, and the alternative motives of the powers that be playing second for a change, it shows that the main and secondary plots in a book or series can take turns being front and center.

It can also show that the plots can also stand alone and/or serve the other.

While it was not the most thrilling of the volumes thus far in the series, it was still readable and revealed more information that will help the reader understand the world in and outside of Ergastulum. A place where survival is second to no other state of mind, but where moments like the relationships between characters bloom and spread an ounce of happiness, everything continues to remind me of the film "District B13", which despite the actions of those who live in and outside of it has an ending that works for the spectator.

Maybe volume 8+ of Gangsta will have the same effect.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rather than writing how great this series is on every book, I've decided to write it on the last one. I'm excited for the upcoming books as well and am glad that Kohske is feeling good enough to come off hiatus.

If you've watched the show, you'd severely benefit from reading the books. There's so much more explained, there's less confusion in parts that were somewhat confusing in the anime. Again, there's just MORE and I love it. I love the art, the plot, the shock I felt at some parts and the backstories. I love that I continuously have questions and have no clue what's going to happen next.

If you're good at predicting outcomes and want to read a story where you won't see what's coming, read this. I truly appreciate everything Kohske has put into this series. It's magnificent and fascinating and tugs on parts of my soul that even my favorite books (though this is now one of my favorites) haven't been able to stir.

[amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

So Kohske wasn't going to take her foot off my neck with this one, huh? I think the one word to sum up this volume of Gangsta. is devastating. We've got our beloved characters processing the aftermath of all the fuckery that happened in the last volume along with confrontations the narrative has been leading up to. I felt myself noticing and enjoying the pacing of the action and composition of the panels more in this particular volume, quite a few close up full/half body shots as well as excellent fighting. That last page tho? Kohske how dare. As of writing this review, the next volume is the last one to be published so I hope it answers enough questions.

[E.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vol 7 is all about power plays and leverage. Everyone is making their move (or explaining their move), and yet Kohske elegantly keeps multiple story lines and characters moving together and around each other. It may be the speed at which I'm devouring these, but I don't feel like any plots are being dropped. I'm captivated on every page by the way these characters succeed and fail to know and understand each other. Some have become different people, while others have hidden their true faces all along. Can't wait for the reckoning in the next and last volume.

[Lauren Lanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even when the plot gets confusing, I can't help loving this series. Kohske's art is gorgeous, and I just adore Worick, Nicolas, Alex and the main crew.
It sucks that the next volume is the last in this unfinished series (since I believe the author either dropped Gangsta or went on an pending hiatus). Either way, I've been having so much fun with these characters, and can only hope the Handymen are a big part of the finale.

[Michael Schmid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ich liebe Gansta einfach XD Aber langsam muss ich auch sagen, dass es sehr unübersichtlich wird an machen Stellen xD Aber ich liebe einfach das ganze Setting und freu mich schon auf den nächsten Band! :D

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've giving this five stars even though Nic was hardly in it at all, so you KNOW it was good. Going to have to read Cursed to hold me over; this series is amazing and I can't wait for it to come back.

[Chad Jordahl · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm losing interest in this series. Although the art is nice to look at, the layouts are often confusing. There are way too many characters, many of their relationships are unclear, the only characters I care about were on the sideline for most of this book, the story is going nowhere.

[piratesPencil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another intense volume... The ending is especially intriguing. Is Worick actually betraying the Twilights? His motivation and loyalties throughout the series have been nebulous and I feel like it really comes to a head in this volume.

[Maisie Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead. I have no words.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wished the anime had continued.

[Orione · Rating 4 out of 5]

WTF?

[emelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

only one more :((((

[Terkareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5*

[thyni]

WTF WTF DAS ENDE??? HALLO ICH LIEBE ES liebe loretta <3

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

L'histoire reste toujours intéressante mais j'aimerais bien qu'elle se concentre un peu plus sur Nicolas et Worick. Je trouve dommage que Kohshe est fait une pause pour se concentrer sur le spin-off dédié à Marco.

[FiliżankaFantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

32/45/2023

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

Gangsta continues to impress with intricate storytelling haunting graphics, continually evolving plotlines. By this point in the story, it has gone very hardcore, with the 'sex, drugs, violence' reaching an apex that enhances rather than crushes the underlying pathos. Make no mistake, there are emotionally devastating scenes in this volume that are perfectly punctuated by the superb visuals, making for a horrifying if heady mix.

Story: Marco realizes he must abandon his family to go after and get Connie. He knows who took her - and that surprise will be the most saddening one of all. At the same time, Worick has figured out the real mastermind behind the Hunters and their Twilight terrorism - and he realizes he can no longer be a neutral handyman. The fragile peace that had kept the simmering unrest at bay has completely broken. And the government is quite happy if the hunters and twilights destroy themselves in the process.

I can't say enough about how nuanced the story is - each character experiencing highs and lows right after each other in a dizzying mix. Reveals which tell characters' stories appear in so many ways: as flashbacks, as casually thrown away dialogue, or even as a small close up panels of one small object. I'll quickly read past and then stop and reread as I realize the impact and import of what was just shown/written. It is just so well played by author Kohske.

But beyond the storytelling, the illustrations/layouts are masterful. Anyone interesting in seeing how manga can be an artform need only to look at how this story is illustrated. Little things like a small black cat that weaves through the story at critical moments or cinematic pull ins and pull backs that reveal horror or delight. Even the small smiles that evince a bittersweet and fleeting moment of happiness.

This will always top my best list. And although I receive a digital copy from the publisher for review purposes, I always buy the hardcover and proudly display it on the front of my shelf. This really is still one of the best manga out there.