Gachiakuta: Where Trash, Class, and Humanity Collide
2025 is promising to be another year of amazing anime making either their return or debut . However, the anime to watch out for this year goes to Gachiakuta; written and illustrated by Kei Urana. The series, debuted in early 2022 and serialize in Weekly Shonen Jump with over 100 chapters is now out on Crunchyroll.
The story centers around Rudo, a young kid in his teens who comes from the sphere where society is divided into two classes: the ultra-wealthy, or the clean half, and the tribe folks who live in the gross, messy half of the sphere. The people who populate the messy half of the sphere are descendants of criminals. In addition, in the world of Gachiakuta, everything associated with cleanliness is considered rich, pure, and righteous, as the people who live there are law-abiding citizens obsessed with the law, while everything associated with the tribe folks is considered disgusting, and vile.
What I personally enjoy about Gachiakuta (besides the clever cleaning puns) is its strong messages about society and class warfare. Furthermore, it answers the question, “What is considered trash in a society?” In Gachiakuta, tribal folks who commit crimes are thrown into a pit, a dark abyss, which to the ultra-wealthy, is believed to be a death sentence. Rudo is thrown into this pit after being framed for the murder of his adopted father, and despite little evidence and no trial, he is convicted without anyone to help prove his innocence. As the residents cheer for his punishment, the story shows how society devalues human life when someone who doesn’t fit in is seen as a burden and, in a way, thrown away like trash.
SideNote: Rudo’s punishment demonstrates that society is also rigged; warning us not to blindly accept the laws of a corrupt system, especially one that is rigged against the less fortunate.
Once falling into the pit, Rudo discovers that not only do people live in there (which is called The Ground by the residents in safe zones) but there are also creatures called Trash Beasts which are monsters born from discarded waste (and emotions) thrown down from the sphere.
Seeking revenge on the people who threw him away, Rudo joins the Cleaners, an organization that specializes in fighting Trash Beasts using Vital Instruments, which are items treasured by their users and transformed into powerful weapons. The term given to individuals who can turn a vital Instrument into a weapon is Givers. In addition, the Cleaners are at war with the Raiders, a terrorist organization that also holds a grudge against the sphere. Their only goal shown so far is that their leader has an interest in Rudo since he comes from the sphere.
The Cleaners Symbol
In Gachiakuta, the Cleaners are basically badass exterminators (or garage people). A good comparison would be the Fire Soldiers from Fire Force, and in the same way that Fire Force highlights the importance firefighters play in a society, Gachiakuta does the same with garbage collectors and exterminators.
Characters
Rudo – Rudo, the main protagonist, is considered an outcast tribe folk known for his murder eyes. The son of criminals who were thrown into the pit when he was a young boy, his Vital Instrument are the gloves given to him by his adopted father, Regto.
SideNote: Regto gave him those gloves to cover the painful scars on his hands.
Despite his murderous eyes and hot-headed demeanor, he is, deep down, an exceedingly kind and caring person who cries whenever he sees an object discarded.
Here, Rudo’s journey represents that people can escape the labels and roles society places on them. His connection with the people of the underground, after being rejected by the sphere, demonstration that you can find connections where you least expect them. His unique power allows him to bring out the full potential of any item that’s been deemed trash and allows that item to show its worth before disintegrating to dust.
Regto- Rudo’s adopted father. Despite being killed in the first episode, he is still seen in many of Rudo’s flashbacks. Regto was shown to be a kind and loving father figure. The many life lessons he taught to Rudo is reflected in his mannerisms, problem solving abilities and his daily life..
Enjin- The first person Rudo meets after falling into the pit, is the person that saves Rudo from the Trash Beast and recruits him into the Cleaners. He acts as a big brother to Rudo. He’s laid-back and likes to spread positive vibes to everyone around him. His vital instrument, Umbreaker, is an umbrella that he uses to combat Trash Beasts. It can be used as a shield and summon powerful shock waves.
Jabber Wobbler- A raider, he is both a psycho and masochist. He’s the first major antagonist introduced in the series and is a typical villain that likes strong people, hates weak people and sets the tone of the series’ first major boss battle. His vital instrument are ten rings that turn into claws that contains various poisons with different effects. He’s also a plot device as he assists Rudo in discovering the true use of his powers during their battle.
Riyo
Riyo- The token best girl of the series, she is playful and likes to have a fun time whether its fighting trash beasts or partying with the Cleaners. Her vital instrument, The Ripper, is a pair of scissors that become powerful blades. She’s unconventional and unpredictable when she uses her vital instrument with her feet, highlighting the volatility of her character.
Zanka – Best described as a tsundere, he is the closest thing to a spoiled rich kid in the group. Despite his arrogant attitude, he is capable of being easygoing and polite when addressed properly. His vital instrument, Lovely Assistaff, is a powerful staff that is great for both long and short-ranged combat.
Sidenote: There are about 100 members in total, and all members of the Cleaners are either givers or support members (those without powers).
The importance of Gachiakuta is knowing the value of something (its soul) and taking care of one’s belongings while seeing the potential in everything, including people. Gachiakuta hammers this idea that objects have souls, and by nurturing and giving something the proper care, it can become a force of nature. Gachiakuta also teaches viewers that no person is worthless and that everyone has unique gifts that make them special. Rudo embodies that philosophy ever since his parents abandoned him (he’s carried the belief that he’s worthless ever since). However, being raised by Regto changes that. Since Rudo was an outcast in the Sphere and everyone there hated him, once entering the Ground, Rudo gets a lovely home, delicious food, and, more importantly, friends he can depend on, showing how friendship itself is a precious treasure and its own vital instrument.
Additionally, Gachiakuta gives each member a unique look, allowing Ken Urana’s work to really shine. I personally love the representation this series gives to Black people, especially Arkha Corvus (the leader of the Cleaners) and Semiu Grier, receptionist extraordinaire to the Cleaners. Watching the Cleaners go to work and help each other makes me believe they are a family rather than a band of diverse individuals with different backgrounds. The Cleaners, to me, are one of the best organizations introduced in recent years, as there is currently no animosity between the members.
Gachiakuta also answers the age-old saying that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. It has all the aspects of a hit shonen show, with action, comedy, and heartfelt lessons. My biggest hope for this anime is that it teaches people that taking care of the environment, combating environmental issues like climate change and overconsumption, teaching people the importance of recycling and, if one must throw something away, do it in a proper manner, is a good thing.
In the end, Gachiakuta is an anime with a message, reminding us that value isn’t determined by age, appearance, or past mistakes. Paralleling the power of trash in the series, people too, carry worth that shouldn’t be discarded. By respecting what might seem imperfect or old, this anime inspires us to see the potential and value in everything and everyone; even when we might least expect it.
