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- Basic information (media data)
- The core worldview of the work (plot/introduction)
- The charm of the characters
- Design and atmosphere: black areas, the smell of iron and smoke
- What does the icon Juzo Inui aim to achieve?
- Memorable scenes
- Highlights (This is what hits you!)
- Recommended for:
- Similar works/Works to read together
- About the anime version
- Q&A
- summary
- Purchase Link
- Related articles
Basic information (media data)
- Author: Karasuma Task
- Published in: Ultra Jump (Shueisha) / serialized from September 19, 2014 to September 18, 2021, completed in 13 volumes.
- Anime: Studio: Madhouse. The series will be divided into two seasons: Season 1 (October-December 2019) and Season 2 (July-September 2020).
The core worldview of the work (plot/introduction)
In a city where the embers of war still smolder, people have chosen to mechanize parts of their bodies and live as Extends. But the legacy of mass augmentation technology is not just convenience. It also brings crime, discrimination, companies turning them into private soldiers, and the cleanup of war profits. A disposal worker named Juzo Inui, who wears a giant revolver for his head, is tasked with cleaning up these distortions. One night, he is asked to protect a young boy named Tetsuro Arata. The boy is targeted by Veruehren, a giant corporation that controls augmentation technology. Juzo must rescue the boy and go head-to-head with the corporation.
Look, look for the romance in this work.
Throw away practicality, efficiency, and all that stuff.
Don't overthink, listen to what's important inside of you
The charm of the characters
Inui Juzo
“The protagonist is a man who pours the pride of classic hard-boiled fiction into the one-hit kill icon of a "gun head." His pride in not letting anyone pull the trigger on his head symbolizes his way of life - his resistance to "not becoming a useful tool." He takes on requests involving the Augmented Beings and will correct anything that doesn't make sense, even if it means using force. This attitude makes him a cool character that captures the hearts of readers. He's so cool that he's the image of a hard-boiled fiction writer that you're looking for. Those who like him will be hooked.
Tetsuro Arahabaki
CEO of VeruerenSoichiro ArataThe boy is the son of a man who has a device called "Harmonie" implanted in his throat, giving him the "key" to remotely control his augmented body. His past as a "product" for corporations highlights the themes of free will and dignity. It will be interesting to see how his will will change in this society.
Sister (orphanage)
On the surface, she is a nun who protects orphans, but in reality she has connections with corporations and has a dark side, supplying test subjects for expansion experiments. She is the embodiment of the city's "exploitation disguised as kindness."
Soichiro Arata / Veruehren
The head of a huge corporation. He has seized post-war dominance through augmented technology and continues to pursue the boy as his "property." What's cool about the story is that he doesn't categorically label the largest system in the story, the corporation, as "evil," but instead portrays it as a realistic monster driven by self-interest. He's a bastard who implants a device into his own son. His dark nature as an enemy makes him the perfect character for a dark story.
In addition, extension engineersMary, Reconstruction Agency EMSOlivier, Head of Security, VeruerenKronenThe story is enriched by a group of adults whose professions and beliefs clash.
The worse the enemy, the better
Characters with their own beliefs are more interesting than you might imagine.
Design and atmosphere: black areas, the smell of iron and smoke
The placement of black is excellent. The shadows have a sense of weight, the details are industrial, and the frames are rugged. The sound of creaking metal and the humidity of night rise from the screen. The action is "tactile violence" as flesh and machines collide, and the depiction of the points of impact rather than relying on excessive speed lines makes for a profound read.
The language is serious and there is a lot of technical jargon. However, rather than being pulled in by the terminology, the reader is drawn in by the simple and powerful motivation of "who lives and for what purpose." As a result, the story settles on being less difficult to understand than cool, so you can get sucked into the "swamp" in the first few chapters.
What does the icon Juzo Inui aim to achieve?
- Resistance to instrumentalization
Inui wants to remain a "human being" through and through. Even if your head is a gun, it's your own will that you pull the trigger. Veruehren and the government system convert individuals into protocols and products. Inui's attitude toward this pressure forms the backbone of the work. - Cleaning up postwar society
Augmentation technology is a legacy of war. Even after the war ends, the bodies and lives of former soldiers (Augmenteds) remain an extension of the battlefield. Who will pay the overdue interest from the war, which has resulted in crime, poverty, and discrimination? Inui works as a "clearancer" and shoulders the bills at the bottom of the city. - Whose body is it?
Tetsuro's "Harmonie" also gives him the power to take the body of another. The ethical issues surrounding the boundary between free will and ownership, and the gray area between medicine and weaponry, are directly linked to the current debate over cyborgs and AI.
They have ideas that relate to social significance and the very essence of humanity.
This is a really interesting piece.
Memorable scenes
In this scene, Veruehren shakes Inui by dangling a cigarette for Augmented Users (Inui's favorite brand). Inui says, "I smoke it not because it's medicine for the body, but because I like the taste," and he stands up, unrestrained. In the story, these cigarettes are treated as "pharmacological" cigarettes for Augmented Users, and are designed to reduce stress on the nervous system. It is clearly stated that Inui's favorite brand is "Tanegashima." He smokes not because it's medicine, but because he likes it -- this paradox is typical of Inui. He doesn't live for function, but chooses to live for will -- this is a famous scene that explains his way of life in one line.
Highlights (This is what hits you!)
- The equipment is chuunibyou, the ideology is Showa-era: the gadgets are cutting edge, but Inui's ethics are chivalry and detective work. A rare example of classic hard-boiled "pride," "duty," and "principle" driving cyberpunk.
- Action-packed dialogue: not just fists and metal, but also ideas and words. The negotiations, betrayal, and renegotiation are intense.
- The reality of business and government: organizations that are not completely evil, but are driven by rationality and self-interest. This is why Inui's "human selfishness" stands out.
Recommended for:
- People who want to immerse themselves in hard-boiled fiction(I like the humidity of "Blade Runner" style.)
- People who like elaborate worldviews and ensemble dramas(The stories about systems, companies, and government moving are very appealing.)
- People who like weapons and mechanical details(The depiction of firearms and machines is detailed)
Similar works/Works to read together
- Chainsaw Man: The metaphor of violence and the theme of free will go well together.
- GUNNM: Physical augmentation and urban hierarchy.
- Dorohedoro:An industrial atmosphere and ethical chaos.
- PSYCHO-PASS: The relationship between the system and the individual.
(This is a reference to the similarity of the directionality. The unique iconicity of "Juuto's Private Business" is unique to No Guns Life.)
About the anime version
The anime is produced by Madhouse and consists of 12 episodes in the first season and 12 episodes in the second season, for a total of 24 episodes. The visuals are rugged, and Kenji Kawai's deep bass music matches the worldview. The first season firstly captures the relationship between Inui, Tetsuro, and Beruhren and the atmosphere of the city, and the second season then delves deeper into their fate. It is a highly satisfying production for both fans of the original work and the anime.
Q&A
Q: Does it seem difficult? Is there a lot of technical terminology?
A: There are a lot of terms, but the motives are simple and clear (protect/steal/resist), so it's a "serious but not difficult" type of story. Even if you don't understand it, it's an interesting work just for the worldview you can understand. You can get the hang of it in chapters 1-3.
Q: Manga or anime?
A: If you want to be exposed to the humidity and sound pressure of the worldview, then watch the anime first, then the original to complement the depth, but if you want to follow the setting in detail, then I recommend the original, then the anime.
summary
“While the "man with a gun head" may seem like a one-liner, it's actually a story about protecting human dignity. In a society where augmentation technology has become commonplace, the meaning of pulling the trigger of one's own will is questioned. Inui is not morally perfect. He gets angry, hesitates, and sometimes breaks down. But he always remains true to his work (his line).
If you like the sophistication of hard-boiled fiction, this is a book that will definitely appeal to you. Whether you're into the anime or the manga, be sure to listen carefully to Inui's metallic sounds.
Did you get that from this article?
This is what makes this work hard-boiled.
If you want to see this piece, purchase it below.
References/Sources
- Work, serialization, volume number, and anime information: Wikipedia Japanese version, English version.Wikipedia
- Official website (character and work introduction): Official TV anime website.http://nogunslife.com/
Purchase Link
Related articles
Related article: "Chainsaw Man" - A chainsaw demon seeking freedom
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