Gunslinger Girl, Vol. 4

Gunslinger Girl #4

by Yu Aida

Kleine Mädchen, große Waffen! Italien - sonnige Tage, wunderschöne Landschaften, alte Städte … Nach außen hin sind die fünf Mädchen Triela, Henrietta, Angelica, Rico und Claes ganz normale junge Teenager, die in einem Wohnheim zusammen leben und ihr junges Leben genießen. Doch hinter der Fassade der Idylle versteckt sich ein Krieg. Terroristen, die sich "Republikaner" nennen, versuchen die Regierung zu stürzen. Bekämpft werden sie von der "Staatlichen Gesellschaft für soziale Wohlfahrt" und ihren Geheimagenten - junge Mädchen, die durch chirurgische Eingriffe zu Cyborgs umfunktioniert und an den unterschiedlichsten Waffen ausgebildet wurden: Scharfschützen- oder Maschinengewehr, Schrotflinte oder Revolver, alles kein Problem. Die Mädchen sind Killer, die für die schmutzigen Zwecke der Behörden missbraucht werden und denen das Töten wenig auszumachen scheint. Trotzdem sind sie keine wandelnden Kampfmaschinen, denn sie sind auch noch Kinder, die es nicht verlernt haben, sich wie solche zu benehmen. Hinter jedem dieser "unschuldigen Geschöpfe" steckt eine eigene, tragische Geschichte. Ganz nach dem Vorbild von Genre-Klassikern wie "Leon" und "Nikita" hat Yutaka Aida eine Serie geschaffen, die durch ihren ernüchternden Realismus und ihre unterkühlte Action besticht. Stilistisch erinnert die Serie stark an Anime-Klassiker wie "Ghost in the Shell" oder "Jin-Roh".

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

176 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2004

Reviews

[yel ᰔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars]

Feb 5, 2023

Chapters 18-22

I know it's not very appropriate to call this series 'relaxing' since this has a very serious and disturbing topics especially related to kids, but the slow moving pace of the plot has this relaxing feeling to it.

The transition from some glimpes of the past of every characters and the present time shows some parallel to each other but the present time is more like how every characters are coping up with their 'new' lives and how they're living it. Those glimpses of the past has shown us the true nature of each characters, who they were then and who they are now. Aside from having the terrorists as their enemies, they also have to fight the demons inside them and the past that sometimes still haunts them. I also appreciate that the focus is not only the cyborgs girls but also their handlers, as I saw some crumbs of Jose and Hilshire's past.

Despite having those tiny flashbacks, the plot is still moving, albeit slowly. But I wouldn't want it any other way. The pace is just perfect for me. I don't know if I should expect a happy ending for the protagonists but the poignant ambience is telling me to prepare myself.


**Gunslinger Girl Volume 1
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 2
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 3
**Gunslinger Girl Volume 5


[ 2019-2020 READING SPREADSHEETS ]
[ NEW READING SPREADSHEETS ]

[Kacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more like what is good in this series: small moments of humanity, then hitting readers in the face with the tragedy of the girls' situation. When I feel close to tears at the end of a chapter, I know the writing did its job.

[Eressea · Rating 4 out of 5]

好像沒那麼虐了
但從劇透看來只會越來越虐，怕

[Sydney W · Rating 5 out of 5]

;n;

[Hurricane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

This is my first CLAMP series, and it's been a bit up and down for me.

This volume features an absolutely devastating backstory and lore drop. I needed to mention it. 😭😭😭

An excellent entry.

[Veronica Ika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claes' Normal Day with Unforeseen Reactions
Claes experiences what seems like a typical day, yet finds herself reacting in unexpected ways to unfolding events, hinting at deeper complexities beneath the surface of her seemingly ordinary routine within the SWA.

Triela's Journey of Loss and Friendship
Triela grapples with the aftermath of her loss to Pinocchio, navigating the complexities of grief and resilience. Amidst her struggles, she forms an unlikely bond with a new friend in Naples, finding solace and companionship amidst the turmoil of her emotions.

Mission of Elimination and Collaboration
Beatrice, a first-generation cyborg, and her handler Bernardo embark on a mission to assist the SWA in eliminating a rogue military group smuggling weapons to terrorists, showcasing the collaborative efforts and resourcefulness of the agency's operatives in combating threats to national security.

[Andrea Ambroso · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ed ecco un altro volume ricco di introspezione ed azione: la parte che ho preferito è stato scoprire il passato di Triela, affrontare il tema della pedofilia e della violenza sui bambini, nonché il traffico di minori è stato molto pesante da leggere ma reso in maniera egregia con disegni e immagini non disturbanti ma d'impatto.
Ottimo volume per un'ottima serie.

[Book Tea 🫖 with Jai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great volume, it mainly focus on Triela. But it also makes the readers think that the girls finally have some kind of human fiber in them by falling in love for their instructors.

It was gives you a insight of there minds and hearts as the grow it the service.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The connections among the characters begin to become more clear. Previously read September 1, 2007.