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mrglasswontbreak 's review for:
GANGSTA. 1
by Kohske
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Review of the entire series.
Gangsta is a Dark action-packed crime drama that explores themes of racial hate and discrimination, drug use and its effects, sexual abuse, and betrayal.
Set in the city of Ergastulum—a containment camp turned city, created to house a race of powerful, physically enhanced mutants—Twilights, who are all descendants of soldiers involved in the testing of an experimental military drug called Cerebret during a big war long ago. Twilights are born with disabilities and require a steady dose of Cerebret to continue living and regulate their vital bodily functions, but due to its highly toxic nature, most twilights only live up to their thirties.
The city expanded and now has a population of both twilights and humans. Though there are many powerful Twilights, who are usually registered under an organization or master, most of them are poor, homeless, despised, and treated as less than human, unable to afford the drug that keeps them alive—a drug the government intentionally produces only in the city to keep them there. This makes most Twilights weak and vulnerable to the constant discrimination and physical abuse the human residents put them through.
The story follows two friends, Nickolas and Warrick, one a deaf and near dumb, high-ranking Twilight, and the other his master who is also a Gigolo (male sex worker). They make a living as handymen, doing dangerous jobs for the city Police, as well as the Crime bosses. After completing a job for the police—eradicating a rogue street gang leader and his crew, they take in Alex, the gang leader's sex worker, as their receptionist. As we see and get to know the Handymen through Alex’s eyes, we learn of a plot by a relentless unknown adversary who will stop at nothing to brutally eliminate all Twilights.
This book is extremely well-written, and the world-building is nearly flawless. Its plot is fully engaging, and it’s full of various interesting, well-developed, and relatable characters. The very creative setting instantly pulls you into the narrative, and the pacing is well-executed. There are lots of high-stakes fights in this book, and the action sequences are almost flawless, properly representing motion, speed, and strength brilliantly.
I loved the art as well, it has more than enough detail and perfectly complements the adult vibe and feel of the book. The character designs are expressive and unique, unlike any other manga I’ve read, and the representation of ethnicity and race is much appreciated and very refreshing for a manga. The art fully enhances the very emotional and drama-fueled story, and the Dark, adult-themed setting.
This is a must-read for manga fans of any genre, and I think anyone in general would enjoy this book. I should mention that there’s a sequel series—Gangsta: Cursed, that’s also a must-read.
Strongly Recommend.
Review of the entire series.
Gangsta is a Dark action-packed crime drama that explores themes of racial hate and discrimination, drug use and its effects, sexual abuse, and betrayal.
Set in the city of Ergastulum—a containment camp turned city, created to house a race of powerful, physically enhanced mutants—Twilights, who are all descendants of soldiers involved in the testing of an experimental military drug called Cerebret during a big war long ago. Twilights are born with disabilities and require a steady dose of Cerebret to continue living and regulate their vital bodily functions, but due to its highly toxic nature, most twilights only live up to their thirties.
The city expanded and now has a population of both twilights and humans. Though there are many powerful Twilights, who are usually registered under an organization or master, most of them are poor, homeless, despised, and treated as less than human, unable to afford the drug that keeps them alive—a drug the government intentionally produces only in the city to keep them there. This makes most Twilights weak and vulnerable to the constant discrimination and physical abuse the human residents put them through.
The story follows two friends, Nickolas and Warrick, one a deaf and near dumb, high-ranking Twilight, and the other his master who is also a Gigolo (male sex worker). They make a living as handymen, doing dangerous jobs for the city Police, as well as the Crime bosses. After completing a job for the police—eradicating a rogue street gang leader and his crew, they take in Alex, the gang leader's sex worker, as their receptionist. As we see and get to know the Handymen through Alex’s eyes, we learn of a plot by a relentless unknown adversary who will stop at nothing to brutally eliminate all Twilights.
This book is extremely well-written, and the world-building is nearly flawless. Its plot is fully engaging, and it’s full of various interesting, well-developed, and relatable characters. The very creative setting instantly pulls you into the narrative, and the pacing is well-executed. There are lots of high-stakes fights in this book, and the action sequences are almost flawless, properly representing motion, speed, and strength brilliantly.
I loved the art as well, it has more than enough detail and perfectly complements the adult vibe and feel of the book. The character designs are expressive and unique, unlike any other manga I’ve read, and the representation of ethnicity and race is much appreciated and very refreshing for a manga. The art fully enhances the very emotional and drama-fueled story, and the Dark, adult-themed setting.
This is a must-read for manga fans of any genre, and I think anyone in general would enjoy this book. I should mention that there’s a sequel series—Gangsta: Cursed, that’s also a must-read.
Strongly Recommend.