About “Gantz” in a few words:

Gantz is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Hiroya Oku. The story follows Kei Kurono, a high school student who, along with his childhood friend Masaru Kato, dies in a train accident but is mysteriously brought back to life by a mysterious black sphere called Gantz. Kei and Masaru, along with other individuals who have also recently died, are forced to participate in deadly games organized by Gantz to hunt down and kill alien beings. The series explores themes of mortality, morality, and the human condition in a thrilling and action-packed storyline.

Meet the characters from Gantz

Kei Kurono

Kei is basically the chaotic heart of Gantz — somewhere between a selfish slacker and a grim, accidental leader, and he’ll make you roll your eyes and cheer in the same breath. He starts off super cynical and kind of a jerk (like, classic teenage “me first”), but then he does these weirdly noble things that make you rethink him; growth isn’t neat with him, it’s messy and bruised. He’s sarcastic, a bit pervy, surprisingly brave when it counts, and somehow always manages to survive by making snap decisions nobody else would trust. Also he’s the kind of guy who might forget to call his mom but will carry someone out of a deathtrap — priorities, right?

Yoshino Uehara

Yoshino is that soft, heart-on-her-sleeve girl who somehow stays memorable even when you can’t quite pin down her vibe — gentle, a little dreamy, but not a pushover. She has this warm, almost nostalgic energy, like summer afternoons and unreliable confessions; she panics, she trembles, but she can be unexpectedly tough when pushed. There’s something vulnerable about her that makes you want to protect her, though she secretly surprises people by snapping back when needed. And yeah, she’ll probably hum the same tune all day and forget why she walked into a room, but she also remembers the tiniest promises.

Kei Kishimoto

Kei (yes, confusing) is this emotional whirl — bubbly, clingy, and totally unpredictable; she cries, laughs, flirts, and then disappears into her own head for a bit. She wears her feelings on her sleeve in the way that’s exhausting and adorable, and she’s strangely brave in a chaotic, impulsive way; don’t underestimate her because she looks fragile. She’s kinda obsessed with Kurono? Or maybe she just likes attention, it’s hard to tell, which is half the charm. Also she collects weird little trinkets and will sob over a broken balloon but then pick up a gun like it’s no big deal — emotional whiplash, 10/10.

Ryuji Kajiura

Kajiura is the loud, punch-first-ask-questions-later type — big on bravado, bigger on loyalty, and usually shirtless in your mental image. He’s got that rough-around-the-edges tough-guy energy but with a goofy side that peaks when he’s with friends; you can see him cooking something terrible and insisting it’s gourmet. He’s impulsive and proud, loves to fight, and hates being shown up, yet there’s this soft streak where he actually cares too much, which makes him kind of a cinnamon roll if cinnamon rolls had knives. Also suspiciously into baseball? Or was that another guy… either way, he’s loud.

Masaru Kato

Kato is the moral spine of the group — steady, decent, annoyingly noble in a way that makes you roll your eyes and then feel guilty for rolling them. He’s the one who tries to keep people together, the calm in the storm, but he’s not soft; he’s strong and principled and will do the right thing even when it hurts. People trust him without knowing why, and he has this very human warmth — makes terrible jokes, brings lunch for everyone, probably cries quietly at sunsets. Also he might have the world’s worst sense of direction but will somehow always find the right path when it matters.

Masanobu Hojou

Hojou is the big, gruff silent type who hides quirky habits — stoic on the surface, surprisingly sentimental underneath, like he reads poetry at 3 a.m. (maybe) and then punches a monster at noon. He’s competent and reliable, the kind who gets stuff done without fuss, but he’ll also throw in a dry joke that makes everyone stare. There’s a lingering sweetness to him that contradicts the whole “tough guy” exterior; he’s the sort who keeps an extra pair of socks for strangers. Also sometimes he seems indecisive about snacks, which is weird but humanizing.

Hajime Muroto

Muroto gives very calculated, cold strategist vibes — brains over brawn, the person who’ll map out three contingency plans while everyone else panics. He’s calm, a little eerie in his composure, and you get the feeling he’s seen too much; that said, he’s not a robot, he just masks things. There’s this odd little tenderness that slips out when he thinks no one’s watching — like feeding pigeons or keeping a dated postcard — which makes him more interesting than just “stoic genius.” Also he probably alphabetizes his books and forgets birthdays, but in a charming, awkward way.

Sei Sakuraoka

Sei is quietly intense — observant, distant, and weirdly magnetic; you notice her before you notice anything else, and then you realize she notices everything about you. She’s thoughtful in a way that’s almost clinical but then throws in a sly smile that ruins your concentration; very low-key dramatic when she wants to be. She seems fragile at first glance, but she’s got steel tucked under the surface and a knack for making surprising choices. Also she might collect vintage postcards and have a mysterious laugh that sounds like rain — or maybe that was someone else, but it fits her vibe.