Battle Angel Alita, Vol. 5: Angel of Redemption

銃夢 [Gunnm] #5

by Yukito Kishiro

After Daisuke Ido discovers the head of a cyborg in a trash dump, he reconstructs her body and names her Alita.

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

216 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1993

About the author

Yukito Kishiro (Japanese: 木城ゆきと) is a Japanese manga artist born in Tokyo in 1967 and raised in Chiba. As a teenager he was influenced by the mecha anime Armored Trooper Votoms and Mobile Suit Gundam, in particular the designs of Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, as well as the works of manga artist Rumiko Takahashi. He began his career at age 17, with his debut manga, Space Oddity, in the Weekly Shonen Sunday. He is best known for the cyberpunk series Battle Angel Alita.

Reviews

[Tawfek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was going to read this one chapter each day, but by the third chapter i was addicted, and couldn't leave it, so i read it all.
Ido dies.
Alita faces the anger of the masses, who then beg her to sacrifice herself for them!
Zapan is back with the true form of the berserker body, that wreaks havoc everywhere.
Shumira is as cute as ever.
Alita is back to being without a body, but this time there is no Ido to give her one.
I hope we let Zapan go now he overstayed his welcome.

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinocchio meets Frankenstein in another intense volume introducing a new storyline with dr. Desty Nova, the villain responsible for turning several characters into the major adversaries that Alita faces: Makaku, Jashugan and now Zapan, joined with Alita's former Berserker body.



Themes like lust for knowledge and karma are introduced too, characters gain more development and a beloved one is going to meet his end... for now.



And dr. Nova and his assistants are just a wonderful and hilarious reference to the Young Frankenstein (1974) movie.

[Juho Pohjalainen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shit gets real.

Honestly, it might have gotten a little less real if certain individuals at certain times had had some more sense to talk things through, rather than resorting to violence right from the start. I guess Desty Nova's just so hideously creepy that he provokes people by merely existing. I could see it.

You'd think they would also know better than to leave mostly intact brains lying around. Shred them into nothing. Burn them. Pretend they're vampires and that you have to be absurdly thorough with destroying them. In this setting, nothing rests easy.

[Himanshu Karmacharya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a damn good volume, especially because we're now past all the Moterball event and the plot is finally moving forward. It's packed with action and gore from start to finish, but will also hit you in the feels when it needs to.

[Victor The Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new beginning for Alita’s story is ghastly tarnished when a old enemy with a hideous new form is adamant on destroying her and maybe her loved ones. A (100%/Outstanding)

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point, we can see how James Cameron clearly read the entire series (at least the first one), but we've gotten farther from what's covered in the movie, though there are still elements he borrowed. For example, Murdock, the Hunter-Killer with a pack of cyborg dogs, played a small part in the movie, but doesn't appear in the manga until volume 5.

Our old friend Zapan (the pretty boy who got his face sliced off) has turned into a grief-ridden wandering psychopath. Meanwhile, Doc Ido wants to recover Alita's "berserker" body (the original ancient, super-advanced before-times technology she came with) from another mysterious former cloud-city dweller, Doctor Desty Nova. Nova is your typical mad scientist who wants to "master karma" - his scheme for doing this somehow winds up putting Zapan's crazed brain into Alita's berserker body, juiced up with nanobots, thus setting us up for the final battle, which is cinematically similar to the fight in the movie (complete with an almost-dismembered Alita nonetheless fighting the Big Bad with literally one arm), though the plot has now diverged quite far from it, as we've left the entire Motorball arc behind.

This is a typical manga of its time - violent, prolonged fight scenes, gore everywhere, and Alita managing to look hot in tight leather whenever the author can slip in some fanservice. But there is clearly a developing long-term arc and Alita is a hero worth rooting for, and I really wish we had a chance to see more of her on screen.

[Vikas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow this was just so much more better, wow we finally meet the villain, the mad scientist who was cause of the fighting and sorrow in first two issues and the even the champion what does he do this time well he revives Zapan with the Berserker body and naturally he destroys everything almost everything. Everything was bigger the stakes, the sadness, the action, the blasts everything so much better. Can't wait to read the next 4 issues and then it will be the movie time. IMAX here I come :)

I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.

[Carlex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tres estrellas y media.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating: A
Synopsis: Battle Angel Alita tells the story of an amnesiac female cyborg named Alita. Alita's head and upper torso are found in a state of suspended animation by cybermedic/bounty hunter Daisuke Ido while he is searching for useful scrap. After giving her a new body, Alita begins to learn how to live in the Scrapyard, the home of the poor and out-of-luck, who live in the shadow of the floating city of Tiphares, where the rich live. Although she has no memory, Alita soon realizes she knows the legendary Martian martial art, Panzer Kunst. The series follows Alita as she recovers her past and uncovers the secrets of Tiphares.

My only complaint about Battle Angel Alita is that the story can get a little slow over the 9 volumes. Aside from that, there is a lot to love. For a series that was written in 1991, Battle Angel Alita holds up surprisingly well as a science fiction story.

Set in a futuristic dystopian society, Alita shares the stage with some excellent supporting characters as well. Along with her father figure, Ido, there is Desty Nova, an insane nanotechnologist, and Kaos, Nova's son, a frail and troubled radio DJ with psychometric powers. These characters make Alita more interesting as a character as she struggles to retrieve her memory.

I definitely recommend checking the series out if you're into Science Fiction. It may not be as much fun if you aren't a sci-fi nerd like me, but give a shot and see what you think. Battle Angel Alita is a classic manga that's worth trying.

For more manga and anime reviews, please check out Hobotaku.

[John Collings · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have recently seen trailers for the movie coming out, and I can see that they are going to tell this story chronologically, and at first, I thought this would be a mistake because this first part of the story does not hold the depth that the second part of the story does, and I think the action in the second part is better than the first part. Then I read the fifth installment of this series, and I saw how all of the things that were written before started to come together in this part of the story which I think would be the perfect start for the third part of the story. Yukito Kishiro has really found his stride with this part of the story. All of the secret elements that were brought up in the earlier installments start to come into play here, and in beautiful fashion. The battles are bigger. The stakes are higher. The character development is more intriguing, and the story as a whole just reaches that level that gave this series the buzz that it has had for so many years. The story starts off three years after the end of the fourth installment in the series, and it is the perfect place to continue this story. Even though there was a logical conclusion that happens at the end of this installment, but the story is not quite complete as bad things have happened to some of my favorite characters, and I would love to see what happens to them next.

[Tesutamento · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gally yeni bir sayfa açmış ve mutlu mesut bir hayat sürerken tabii ki de bir aksilik çıkacak ve bütün hayatı altüst olacaktı. Herkesin sevgilisi Gally bir anda tüm halkın düşmanı oluyor. Önceki ciltte bahsi geçen Desty Nova da karşımıza bu ciltte çıkıyor. Eski bir düşmanın da dönmesini de beklemiyordum. Meğer nasıl bir travma yaratmış Gally. Önceki iki ciltte yer alan Motorball hikayesini başlarda epey sevmiş olsam da sonrasında biraz fazla uzatılmış bulmuştum. Bu yeni hikaye seriye adeta nefes aldırmış. Ayrıca serinin de ilk yarısını tamamlamışken kalan yarısında ne yönde gidebileceğine dair kafalarda biraz daha fikir oluşturuyor.

[Elessar · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not liking the "shonen" parts, to be honest. Other than that, it's good.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean, it's pretty clear Kishiro was making this up as he went along.

[Vikas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second re-read and this issue had so much to offer. There is a time jump and we see a new side of Alita as life moves on, and then the things happen, everything everywhere all at once. Last time I wasn't able to finish the series before watching the movie, but maybe this time I would be able to finish the series and then I would watch the movie again. So let's go and Keep on Reading.

I have always loved comics, and I can and I have. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more. You should also read what you love, and I hope you will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I just want to Keep on Reading.

[Jbb Lim · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be honest, I didn't know how to rate this volume. I was so struck by the fact that many lives have been taken innocently just because of a revenge. There are many uncertainties and I wonder how it goes on some more.

Then again, it haves me so much feels with so much anxiety. Off to Volume 6!!!

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trouble hits Alita's new family. A new villain is introduced. Lots of dismemberment.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tons of body horror in this one! One of the best in the series so far!

[Vladimir Veškovac · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dosadno, jedva je završih.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I enjoy the new villains, the plot really seems to have jumped the shark with this installment.

[Erick M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dios, que odioso se volvió Zapan!

Por lo demás, no me puedo creer cómo la emoción sube con cada tomo que termino!

[Karina Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Para poder entender por completo esta historia tuve que leer varías veces la obra, fue cansino pero me permitió darme cuenta de los fallos, errores y aciertos que tiene la obra, y cual fue la realidad por la que el mismo autor volvió a repasar los puntos débiles del mismo.
Aquí nos encontramos nuevamente con Gally, pareciera que la vida de sufrimiento y resiliencia hubiera quedado atrás, y actualmente construye una nueva vida, canta en el bar y se integra a las diversas dinámicas de vida de sus habitantes, suena esperanzador para cualquiera, sin embargo, el pasado no queda atrás, se necesita una explicación y a veces una rendición de actos que no podemos cambiar, como tampoco remediar.
Al igual que su obra anterior, nuevamente me choca lo mismo, una Gally volviendo a su vida como si nada de lo que ha pasado o vivido significará algo, es simplemente la Gally que vemos en el primer tomo, moralista, dueña de la verdad y quien se supone tiene el poder en sus manos, no es corrupción lo que existe en ella, simplemente una negación, como si faltarán lagrimas y explicaciones dentro de la historia, lo que afecta a su personalidad volviéndola menos creíble, pero el ingreso de Zappan trata de poner las cosas en su orden, él al igual que ella tenía una vida, y en medio de la desesperación por sus recuerdos, rompe lo único que tenía orden en ella, su amada, esto quiebra emocionalmente a Zapan, muchas cosas no tiene sentido, vive y muere por la venganza y eso esta claro en el desarrollo de su personaje, una vez que logre su venganza, sabe que morirá, será una máquina destructiva, pero no tendrá voluntad de ello, pero se niega a rendirse.
La trama de la misma historia es interesante, un nuevo rival se forma, sin embargo, no es solo un rival, es una persona profunda con miedos y carencias que no le encuentra sentido a su vida, mientras que en las sombras se yergue un científico llamado Desty Nova, el cual su único propósito es entender como juegan las piezas del ajedrez si le insertas un nuevo cambio.
Si es un gran cambio y giro para la historia, pero como digo la personalidad de Gally me impide ver la obra en su totalidad, con sus sombres y luces, y con ello la crítica que se esconde detrás de ella.

[Rolando Marono · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aunque al principio comenzó un poco flojo, dándole nuevamente, un giro a la trama y al género de la historia; mientras el maestro Kishiro va ensamblando el volumen, los tonos más profundos de la serie, que permanecían ocultos, comienzan a surgir, urdiendo una historia mucho más emotiva de lo que se percibía en el primer volumen, eso y más, convierten este volumen en mi favorito hasta ahora.
La historia tiene un salto temporal de dos años. Las cosas comienzan a relajarse en la vida de Gally, ahora se dedica a la música y estudia literatura. Pero un enemigo de su pasado, Zapan, regresa transformado en una máquina alimentada por venganza para hacer pagar a Gally.
Este volumen inicia una discusión muy interesante sobre el Karma. Tanto Zapan como Gally se enfrentan para tratar de vencer su karma, porque después de todo, lo que el maestro Kishiro nos dice es que este enfrentamiento se debe a las malas decisiones que ambos tomaron. No hay un culpable. Son dos personas que se equivocaron y que solo una podrá obtener su redención. Esto hace que el combate esperado sea mucho más interesante que solo una pelea de venganza. Además, la conclusión del enfrentamiento está protagonizada por una escena bastante emotiva que termina de amarrar la discusión que se generó en este volumen sobre el karma.
El volumen cuenta con unos giros interesantes en la trama, y nos presentan un personaje que nos habían mencionado en volúmenes anteriores pero no habíamos tenido la oportunidad de ver más allá de en un par de viñetas.
Lo que más me gustó del volumen es la manera en la que amarra conflictos y personajes que parecían resueltos en los primeros volúmenes. Son retomados aquí y se les da una conclusión real.
Esta historia es de lo mejor que se publica en México de manga seinen y de ciencia ficción sin duda.

[Ashley (Red-Haired Ash Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life after Motorball is peaceful for Alita, at least as peaceful as it can get in the Scrapyard. But that peace is shattered by the return of former hunter-warrior Zapan, who wants Alita dead.

This volume takes place two years after the motorball arc ends. Alita has changed a lot since then. She has grown into a more peaceful person. She plays music and sings, she teaches others how to fight, and she is back with Ido. Zapan’s return changes all of that, especially after the Zalemite scientist Desty Nova changes him.

This volume was very action packed and filled with a lot of sadness. People die and others shun Alita. I was surprised at some of the things that happened in this volume but I still really enjoyed it. I am also glad to see we finally get to meet the mysterious Desty Nova, especially since he has been a key player behind the scenes up till now.

I am moving straight into the next volume because I need to know what happens after that ending.

This review was originally posted at Red-Haired Ash Reads.

[Tomáš Kratochvíl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike many, from the story-point-of-view I see this one as weak. Yes, I understand a lot of actually important stuff is introduced (the villain, the karma, the danger of berserkers and Alita's difference). However, these important bits are covered in a dull package of a plot. Zapan's path of destruction and the functionality/motives of the berserker are lacking. The fight between Zapan and Alita seems like an overextension of their previous encounters. Especially, when you know Alita has to shoot and kill Zapan because there would be no Alita afterwards otherwise. (*spoiler* Even the part where Alita loses almost all her limbs is a callback to the previous fights where something similar had happened. *end of spoiler*)

To me, this installment seems almost like a prelude to the 6th volume. We need to know how Alita got where she stands in that book. And honestly, I don't like standalone stories that are actually just a prelude. Always seems to me like lazy writing. Therefore, I give the 3 stars.

[Ernesto I. Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I enjoyed the volumes about motorball I absolutely loved this turn of events for Gally, seeing her happy, turned from a fighter into a singer (even if I thought "Hipster" the moment I saw her with that hat).

But of course... life can't be all nice for Gally and an old enemy would come back to haunt her and destroy all that she had built.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

A person literally CAN NOT get attached to ANYONE in this series can they!? This was the first of these books to actually make me CRY!!! That’s all I’ll say. Anything else will be too much to give away. 😭

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite the death (?) of a major character, just more of the same.

[Bio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Same action packed manga with a beautiful storyline. Like the previous issues it too didn't disappoint a bit. Took about 1.5 hours to complete it and immediately started the next issue.

[Luciana · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great volumen