Gangsta., Vol. 2

Gangsta. #2

by Kohske

The Handymen, Nic and Worick, ply their trade in Ergastulum, a city run by the Mafia and ruled by violence. Recruited into a battle with a gang, they find themselves up against one of the "Twilights," mercenaries with superhuman abilities generated by dangerous drugs. Nic, who is also a Twilight, fights back with the same savagery and skill -- until Worick has to step in to save him from himself. Partners and equals now, in the past they were anything but, yet both men are bound together by the chains of a tragic past as they face an uncertain future.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) for mature audiences.

Genres: Manga, Seinen, Comics, Graphic Novels, Crime, Fiction, Action

210 pages, Paperback

First published January 7, 2012

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

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gangsta continues to be high action fun with...kind of a confusing and weak plot.

Gangsta is NEVER boring. That much I can say. This volume really focuses on the Twlights and what they are. However, we get real deep into a big brawl between to A class fighters. This ends in a pretty satisfying way. On the other hand we get a bigger look into the Mafia here and how it works. Last but not least our favorite female, use to be hooker, begins to have a mental break down. All in one volume, quite a lot huh?

Good: The fights are still over the top funness. I especially loved the brutal take downs some of this manga have to offer. Blood and gore are not held back. I also enjoy Al, she's pretty interesting character, and the banter between the 3 is great.

Bad: The plot itself is kind of run of the mil super warriors fighting each other. I also think the background and the way they're slowly showing the past isn't the best idea as it lacks a punch to the overall narrative.

This is a fun series for sure and I'll continue to read it but I'm hoping one volume really blows me away. I Feel it can if it focuses more on the characters and less on the action. A 3 out of 5.

[Lauren Lanz · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I love the Handymen (and Alex!!) to death, the plot of Gangsta has yet to really hook me. I’m a little confused by the different gangs and their alliances/power, but thoroughly entertained by the well-drawn fights and eccentric characters. Can’t wait for more backstory on Worick and Nicolas!

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Al is trying to get comfortable living with the guys, Nic and Worick help out the police with the dismembered bodies, and a new Twilight is introduced. We also learn about the rules Twilights are supposed to follow.

As I go back and try to find out what happened in this volume since I kept reading instead of stopping to write a review, I really feel like this series needs more than a single read to understand everything that's going on. There are so many people introduced and so many details about this world that I think it's difficult to catch it all the first time through—which is a shame because I don't often reread manga series.

[Angela R. Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me: this is my comfort series
My brother: whAT COMFORT

But FOR REAL FOR REAL THIS!!! MANGA!!! The anime is great too but THE MANGA --

- the aRT never DISAPPOINTS
- the PLOT!!!
- the flashbacks always got me ;-;
- also Worick and Nic are just... so so awful I adore them
- ALEX IS A QUEEN ALWAYS

I could talk nonstop about this series and the message and anyway, love it, as always.

[Lilivette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Askjjgfdaghj.

[Efsane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Benriya-san takımı bu bölümde de bizi delirtmeye devam etti. Özellikle Nic... Yavrum az sakin kalsana her zaman kılıçları çekiyorsun. Worick’e acıyanlar topluluğu kuruyorum herkesle o uğraşıyor. 😂 Bu seriye 5 yerine 50 yıldız veririm.

[Joe Carper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitivamente se está convirtiendo en uno de mis mangas favoritos. Deseando ya de que salga el tercer tomo.

[Eric Novello]

Simples, mas gosto tanto.

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

upon another reread I pretty much agree with what I’ve said before.

____

Great volume!

I love how well-balanced vol. 2 is! The beginning chapter gives us soft & domestic scenes, I love seeing Worick, Alex and Nic in their home, trying to get used to each other. Then the external plot picks up, with police investigation, mysterious dead bodies, fightings and turf wars. I love seeing the threads forming. As it's my reread I do remember some of what's about to happen, the author does a great job at introducing all the players to the board.

As always, I love Worick and Nic relationship (I can't wait to learn more about their past), I love seeing Alex and her dealing with her trauma. I love Nina, she's the sweetest smartest twelve year old.
One of the most fascinating parts is the fighting between Nic and Doug, the aftermath of it made a lasting impression.

I appreciate that trauma and struggles the characters have faced aren't brushed off. The story actually addresses those issues.

Gangsta is delightfully multilayered and complex story with amazing well-crafted characters and stunning art.

[E.A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's difficult to separate the manga from the anime, as I read the manga for the first time and re-watch the anime. The differences are interesting--the mysterious Veronica is shown more in the manga and is barely alluded-to in the anime, as though the show runners were teasing for a bigger reveal they never got the opportunity for. I like that thread in the manga--it brings Nico down to the level of everyone else, not quite so removed from their concerns: he has experienced this loss, but the exact shape of it is a mystery I'm intrigued to find out more about.

Vol 2 finally throws the reader some plot to hang on to--one of the Families is after another, and has to take out a third to get there. The motivations are still unknown, but that's to keep the readers going.

One of my favorite things about Nic and Warrick is how quickly they move between serious and playful. Their interactions are truly "friends since childhood" as they push each other's adolescent buttons and make jokes about their 17-year-old Wanted posters. They are very different from each other, and very different from the people around them. It's excellent character crafting.

[Illy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly one of the best series out there. I love worrick and nick so much.

[Rosa Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I was reading this I remembered a lot of the scenes from the anime, and it made me realize that yeah I love Doug, he’s adorable.
And I remember being like “what’s Alex’s deal anyways” she’s just mentally ill, and honestly same but like I don’t do drugs. I feel kind of bad for her, I honestly want to know if she’s going to stay with them or if she’s gonna leave. It feels like she just stays on the side, like not really a major character but also not really involved much but she’s there. I want to know if she’s going to be more involved in future Volumes. I do like her character but I feel like I don’t know shit about her besides she has ptsd.
Overall a good volume.

[Tesutamento · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seriyi takip etmek epey zor. Aşina olmadığım karakter ve örgüt isimleri havada uçuşurken olaylara bir de bunların karmaşık çatışmaları eklenince neler döndüğünü pek anlayabilmiş değilim. Üç karakterimiz ve alacakaranlık denen süper askerler dışında gerisi maalesef yok. İleride belki yerli yerine oturur ama şimdilik zor bir okuma.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars!

Fantastic continuation of the story! Not really much to say other than we got more character and plot development which is always a plus. Go check out my review of the first volume to get my more in depth thoughts on the series :)

[Isabelle (the Book Dutchesses) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars.
Love the art style, the characters are funny, like the diversity in it. However the plot is a bit confusing. Will still be continuing though, excited to find out what it’s all about.

[Francesca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everybody is so precious <3

[Chad Jordahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic art, good dialog. Plot is a bit slow to develop, and some panels are confusing. It's sometimes unclear what the art is depicting, and sometimes I wasn't sure which character was speaking or thinking.

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

If someone had tried to explain this series to me, I probably wouldn't have picked it up. On paper, this series doesn't sound like something I'd like.

And yet... I absolutely love this thing. It's the characters, mostly. I absolutely love the characters and how they interact with each other.

There's action, psychological aspects, and comedy, which is everything I love in a manga. This series so far is awesome.

[piratesPencil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume does a great job of continuing to expand on Nic and Worick's relationship, as well as their relationship with Alex... The relationship between these three characters is what makes this series so interesting, and the end of chapter 11 (Worick talking to Nic in the clinic, Worick snapping Alex out of her hallucinations) are poignant examples of this.

[Jess Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly love Warrick and Nico. Watched the anime first then dove into this part of the manga cause it was the only one my book store had.

It doesn’t really seem like Alex is necessary at all though.

[ceyda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anlamadığım bir şekilde kendimi woricke çekilirken buluyorum. Bilmiyorum böyle içinde çok farklı biri varmış gibi hissediyorum aynı şekilde nicolas da öyle hissettiriyor. Geçmişte ne yaşadılar şimdi ne olacak diye merak ediyorum. İyi ki devamı var şu an dayanamazdım

[Maisie Dickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as good at the last volume; I loved learning about twilights and Nic specifically. Great draMA and worldbuliding.

[Edric Unsane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good manga thus far, and I am definitely interested in seeing where the story will go.

[Kelly K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twig or berries? xD

[MangUA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Черговий робочий день Ніколаса і Воріка виявився вкрай невдалим — то з самого ранку в кайданки закували, то Нік спочатку нагло позичив найкращу сорочку Ріка, а потім ще й пошматував її, то Алекс знову кудись поділася. Але про все по порядку.

Не встиг Ворік повернутись від чергової клієнтки, та поласувати домашньою їжею, люб’язно приготованою Алекс, як до офісу різноробів зателефонував шеф Чад. На одному з покинутих складів знайшли цілу гору пошматованих гострим лезом трупів. Очевидно, першими під підозру потрапили Нік зі своєю катаною, та його напарник Ворік. Поки хлопці розважались, дивлячись на оголошення про їхній розшук, яке висіло ще з часів, коли їм було по сімнадцять, детективу Чаду надійшов дзвінок.

Виявилось, що на голову сім’ї Монро напали якісь недалекі люди, тож вони просять підтримки різноробів. Та ніхто не очікував, що до банди нападників доєднається ще один сутінковий з найвищим рівнем. І поки Ворік всіма доступними (але не дуже гуманними) методами вибивав інформацію, Ніколасу довелось зіштовхнутись з рівним по силі противником. Все ж, битва двох сутінкових — річ доволі ефектна.

Другий том «Ґенґсти» — такий же нуарно-похмурий, жорстокий та відвертий. З діалогів і вчинків персонажів усе чіткіше проступає справжня суть стосунків Ніка і Воріка. Поки різнороби сумлінно відновлюють крихкий баланс сил в Ергастулі, Алекс веде свою боротьбу. Трохи сумно, що в цьому томі її було не так багато, бо дівчина — один з найцікавіших персонажів тут. Поступово стає очевидно, що Алекс теж доводиться проходити своє пекло.

З кожним томом історія стає все глибшою, стосунки між мафіозними сім’ями заплутанішими, а історія взаємодії сутінкових зі світом все похмурішою та безнадійнішою.

Знов хочу похвалити видавничу роботу, бо дууууже стильно виглядають обкладинки томів. І попередня золота, і теперішня срібна — просто розкіш. Чекаю третій том, бо залишилось дуже багато питань, на які хочеться отримати відповідь.

Проте, в кінці другого тому ви таки отримаєте відповідь на одне важливе питання — для чого чоловікам соски?...

[Helena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation.

Art: 4 stars
-->Backgrounds: 3 stars
-->Characters: 5 stars
Story: 3.5 stars Just getting better! I'm glad it actually has a plotline.
Characters: 5 stars The new characters are AMAZING.

This second volume was really good, it was better than the first one since this has a plot so the more I read the less it gives me the Black Lagoon vibes. The same rotten environment but different focus. Kind of.

The new characters are okay, mainly the Guild's lady. Hardcore woman.

Still very intrigued with Worrick and Nicolas background!! The author is aware that's an important piece to keep the suspense, she does a good job showing up only a few frames with missing words.

I felt horrible when I read about Alex's fobia. The way her pimp treated her was disgusting. I'm happy Worrick tries to take her away from prostitution also I'm extremely happy that at least not in this two volumes there's not attempt to force a relationship between Worrick and Alex though I felt there's with Nic, the way Alex tries to be gentle with him and learn sign languages felt cute, genuine, real also they way Nic reacts to Alex presence is kind of cute too. If these to end up together I'll be the happiest!! Both need some love from the world!!

Another aspect that I would like the mangaka to clarify is Veronica. She's dying at a brothel and seems to had a very close relationship with Nico. Maybe that's why doesn't like 'being' nearby women. Maybe he still loving her (?).

[Olivia Thames · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the simplest joys in life is arriving at the library you work at or visit, and seeing the next installment of a series you are reading waiting for you! Extra points if it is a series that is solid, and entertaining to the mind.

Now the second volume of Kohske's "Gangsta" series was nothing to lose your head over, but it still sparks the interest of the reader since it is a volume that offers more of the back story of the Handymen and how their world and code of rules work. We also find out more about the families that run most of their area, and why Alex/Ally and Nico are experiencing certain side-effects from an increase or decrease in their medication (prescription or not).

I felt that Volume 2 could have given us more flavor in terms of the pacing and the material. While one was not starved for intensity, action, or answers it still felt like a tease from the author. Luckily Volume 3 is resting by my computer screen at this very minute, so that 'tease' might pay off sooner rather than later.

What will happen next for our antiheroes and their comrades? What about the new and old foes of the Handymen? Who will be trustworthy in the wake of a 'serial killer' Twilight, and more importantly who is safe from their blade? Start the series yourself and find out!

[Monika Kilijańska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Specom to nawet nie jest dane zjeść w spokoju lunchu. W pełni zasłużonego i darmowego nawet. Jako najemnicy ciągle są pod telefonem i tak się akurat składa, że z ich usług chcą skorzystać miejscy policjanci z Ergastulum. Imponujące zdolności Woricka są na wagę złota i choć są nadal poszukiwani listem gończym, to stróże prawa przymykają na to oko. O ile będą współpracować. Tym razem powodem jest znaleziona w jednym z magazynów pocięta masa trupów. Obrażenia są dość charakterystyczne, ale tylko Worick może powiedzieć coś naprawdę ciekawego na podstawie samych tylko zdjęć z miejsca przestępstwa.

Przesłuchanie nie trwa długo, bo praca wre. Kolejne zlecenie, też od policji, Spece dostają jeszcze na komisariacie. Okazuje się, że potrzebuje ochrony mafijna rodzina Monroe, która ma na pieńku z ludźmi Corsico. Wprawdzie mają w swoich szeregach jednego nieśmiertelnika i to o randze D/0, ale to za mało. Do akcji zostaje więc przydzielony Nick, by posprzątać bałagan i ochronić głowę rodziny, Dannyego. Są tak zajęci, że nie zauważają, że coś nie tak jest z Alex…

Więcej na https://www.monime.pl/gangsta-tom-2/

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

(translation of the "recommended for: discerning readers" description: I'd recommend this to readers with mature taste in manga, who appreciate a well-crafted tale with excellent characterization.)

The first volume was quite good, but it's normally difficult to judge a series by the first volume. While reading the second, I found that the plot thickens (seemed like a good thing), the action intensifies (usually to be expected in a second volume), and the complexity of the story increases (possibly less than ideal, as some of the characters' places in the story get more difficult to track). In general, there was some character development, but much of it was still in the vein of getting to know characters as opposed to seeing a lot of new developments.

. . . then, in the last pages of this second volume, some surprisingly significant addition to character development arose, and it became clear that a lot of what had already happened before that point was setting the context for this moment. It was very nearly enough to push me to rate this five stars, but I'm always reluctant to assign that fifth star to any book. The top possible rating must be jealously guarded, lest it lose its meaning as indicating something truly amazing.

I don't know that I won't come back and bump it up to five later, though. I'm going to have to let this sit in the back of my mind while I read more of the series.

[Lexyloowoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember watching the show a long time ago and thinking how extraordinary the story is. And not only other characters, interesting and somewhat relatable but also the way that the story is told in the art is drawn, draws me in every time. And it’s no different with the manga. It literally breaks my heart to know that the show never got finished and that bugs me. But I’m really hoping that the manga goes much further than the anime did. And all of my questions get answered. I will always love work and Nicholas I think they are great duo. And Alex/Ally adds another layer to their story.

I love the work is slightly feminine. And the sense of caring what his appearance is, but is also kind of soft hearted in the sense that he considers Nicholas’s friend. And I love that Nicholas is very straightforward, even if his formal communication isn’t. “ normal” per say. his actions say everything that needs to be known. And I’m so excited to continue the series.