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'{{short description|Japanese manga series}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{Infobox animanga/Header | image = Gunnm Mars Chronicle, volume 1.png | caption = First {{transl|ja|[[tankōbon]]}} volume cover | ja_kanji = 銃夢火星戦記 | ja_romaji = Ganmu Kasei Senki | genre = [[Cyberpunk]]<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Tual|first1=Morgane|last2=Croquet|first2=Pauline|date=19 February 2019|title=« Gunnm », un monument du manga cyberpunk, du Japon à Hollywood|url=https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2019/02/13/gunnm-un-monument-du-manga-cyberpunk-du-japon-a-hollywood_5423103_4408996.html|language=fr|website=[[Le Monde]]|accessdate=1 March 2023|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301062102/https://www.lemonde.fr/pixels/article/2019/02/13/gunnm-un-monument-du-manga-cyberpunk-du-japon-a-hollywood_5423103_4408996.html|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Note: Use and cite reliable sources to identify genre/s, not personal interpretation. Please don't include more than three genres (per [[MOS:A&M]]). --> }} {{Infobox animanga/Print | type = manga | author = [[Yukito Kishiro]] | publisher = [[Kodansha]] | publisher_en = {{English manga publisher | NA = [[Kodansha USA]]}} | demographic = {{transl|ja|[[Seinen manga|Seinen]]}} | imprint = | magazine = {{ubl|[[Evening (magazine)|Evening]] {{noitalic|(2014–2022)}}|Comic Days {{noitalic|(2024–)}}}} | magazine_en = | first = 28 October 2014 | last = | volumes = 10 | volume_list = List_of_Battle_Angel_Alita_chapters#Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle }} {{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}} {{Nihongo|'''''Gunnm: Mars Chronicle'''''|銃夢火星戦記|Ganmu Kasei Senki|{{lit}} "Gun Dream: Martian War Chronicles"}}, also known in its English translation as '''''Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle''''', is a Japanese [[Japanese science fiction|science fiction]] [[manga]] series written by [[Yukito Kishiro]] and the third installment of the ''[[Battle Angel Alita]]'' series. The sequel to ''[[Battle Angel Alita: Last Order]]'', the series is the "final chapter" in the ''Battle Angel Alita'' franchise. The story of ''Mars Chronicles'' alternates between two timelines: ES 594, three years directly after the event of ''Last Order'', when [[Alita (Battle Angel Alita)|Alita]] returns to her home planet [[Mars]] for the first time in centuries; and ES 373, during Alita's childhood as the young cyborg girl Yoko trying to survive in the war-torn Mars. ==Plot== The Mars Chronicle takes place on a colonized Mars. The story alternately tells about the events of the childhood of the main character (373-374 BC{{efn|In ''Last Order'', the system of reckoning used in the world of World of Battle Angel Alita becomes known - "satellite era" (e.s.). The starting point is the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kishiro|first=Yukito|title=Battle Angel Alita: Last Order|publisher=[[Shueisha]]|year=2006|isbn=978-4-08-877123-6|language=Japanese}}</ref>}}) and about her further adventures in 594 AD. Long before mastering the {{Nihongo|Panzer-Kunst|パ ンツァークンスト|Panza kunsuto}} technique, {{Nihongo|Yoko|陽 子}}, originally known as Galli, tried to survive in the conditions of post-war Mars along with another orphan, Erika. Thanks to Dr. Finch, a cyborg girl and her friend end up in an orphanage for girls in a small Martian settlement. However, Yoko and Erika do not find shelter there for a long time - the town is attacked by the military. After getting out of the environment, the two go in search of Erica's parents.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle GN 1|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita/mars-chronicle/gn-1/.127212|access-date=18 January 2023|website=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521153510/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita/mars-chronicle/gn-1/.127212|url-status=live}}</ref> Following the military, mercenaries arrive, whose mission is to find and kidnap Yoko. Three years after the [[Battle Angel Alita: Last Order|10th ZOTT]], Alita visits Mars to honor the slaughtered inhabitants of an orphanage she lived at during childhood. At the memorial site, she re-encounters her childhood friend and fellow Künstler [[List of Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle characters#Erica|Erica]] — the infamous assassin known as "Frau X" — and is immediately drawn into a Martian power struggle. The plot repeatedly shifts back to Alita's childhood memory after the young Yoko (Alita) and her sisterly companion Erica were saved at the minefield by Gerda and later left in the care of an elderly wandering medic Finch, and the adventures the pair had to endure in order to survive in the chaotic Martian civil conflicts leading up to the Terraforming Wars. Determined to save her childhood companion from the control of the Einherjar, Alita vows to unveil the truth and discover the cure of Necro-Soldiers. Two orphans, with the help of Dr. Finch, find Erica's house, which turns out to be burned down, and many of her memories of her parents are lies. Meanwhile, Finch finds a connection with Yoko's mother. The girls part ways at Yoko's mother's homestead in the province of Kydonia. The mercenaries chasing Yohko catch up with Finch's van, but are interrupted by a masked man claiming to be the villain Baron Muster. He becomes interested in Erika, believing she holds the key to one of Mars' greatest treasures, and decides to make her his apprentice.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/956692653|title=Ganmu kasei senki. 3.|date=2016|publisher=Kodansha|others=Yukito Kishiro, ゆきと 木城|isbn=978-4-06-377488-7|oclc=956692653}}</ref> Adopted by Erika, she demonstrates an inborn attraction to the bad, and her fresh look of a child allows her to reach the end in search of the Martian treasure.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brooke|first=David|date=28 August 2018|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle 4 Review • AIPT|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2018/08/28/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-4-review/|access-date=18 January 2023|website=aiptcomics.com|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118034648/https://aiptcomics.com/2018/08/28/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-4-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Publication and creation== {{external media | float = right | caption = Demonstration of the manga creation process | headerimage= | video1 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_AFQ_gomqA Characters ] (Japanese) | video2 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Te8EqVLgcf8 Elements of the environment] (Japanese) | video3 = [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7wyjDvu_Ao 3D modeling] (Japanese) }} [[Yukito Kishiro]] announced the series on 1 January 2014, with the premiere set for the second half of 2014.<ref name="ANN announcement">{{cite web|last=Loveridge|first=Lynzee|date=2 January 2014|title=New Battle Angel Alita/Gunnm Manga to Start in 2014|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-02/new-battle-angel-alita/gunnm-manga-to-start-in-2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102213843/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-01-02/new-battle-angel-alita/gunnm-manga-to-start-in-2014|archive-date=2 January 2014|accessdate=27 November 2015|website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref><ref name="CR announcement">{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/01/02/battle-angel-alita-manga-relaunch-planned|title="Battle Angel Alita" Manga Relaunch Planned|last=Green|first=Scott|date=2 January 2014|website=[[Crunchyroll]]|accessdate=27 November 2015|archive-date=18 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118022545/http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/01/02/battle-angel-alita-manga-relaunch-planned|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="FP announcement">{{cite web|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/01/02/yukito-kishiro-announces-the-martian-war-chronicles-manga/|title=Yukito Kishiro Announces 'The Martian War Chronicles' Manga|last=Beveridge|first=Chris|date=2 January 2015|website=The Fandom Post|accessdate=27 November 2015 }}</ref> The manga was launched in [[Kodansha]]'s ''[[Evening (magazine)|Evening]]'' magazine on 28 October 2014.<ref name="ANN launch">{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|date=19 September 2014|title=New Battle Angel Alita/Gunnm Manga to Launch in October|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-19/new-battle-angel-alita-gunnm-manga-to-launch-in-october/.78937|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140920033724/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2014-09-19/new-battle-angel-alita-gunnm-manga-to-launch-in-october/.78937|archive-date=20 September 2014|accessdate=27 November 2015|website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref><ref name="FP launch">{{cite web|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/09/19/new-battle-angel-alita-manga-slotted-for-october-debut/|title=New 'Battle Angel Alita' Manga Slotted For October Debut|last=Beveridge|first=Chris|date=19 September 2015|website=The Fandom Post|accessdate=27 November 2015|archive-date=11 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111205716/https://www.fandompost.com/2014/09/19/new-battle-angel-alita-manga-slotted-for-october-debut/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:イブニング 2014年22号|url=https://evening.kodansha.co.jp/evening/2014/22.html|website=[[Evening (magazine)|Evening]]|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|accessdate=17 November 2020|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603010642/https://evening.kodansha.co.jp/evening/2014/22.html|archivedate=3 June 2019|language=ja}}</ref> ''Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle'' is set to be the "final chapter" in the ''[[Battle Angel Alita]]'' series.<ref name="final chapter">{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/10/13/final-chapter-of-gunnmbattle-angel-alita-manga-to-start-on-october-28|title=Final Chapter of "Gunnm/Battle Angel Alita" Manga to Start on October 28|last=Komatsu|first=Mikikazu|date=13 October 2014|website=[[Crunchyroll]]|accessdate=27 November 2015|archive-date=27 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327024243/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/10/13/final-chapter-of-gunnmbattle-angel-alita-manga-to-start-on-october-28|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Evening'' ceased its publication on 28 February 2023 and the series resumed on the ''Comic Days'' website on 16 January 2024.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Kodansha's Evening Magazine Ends Publication in February After 22 Years|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-12-26/kodansha-evening-magazine-ends-publication-in-february-after-22-years/.193338|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=27 February 2023|date=26 December 2022|archive-date=26 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221226150236/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2022-12-26/kodansha-evening-magazine-ends-publication-in-february-after-22-years/.193338|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:イブニングが23年間の歴史に幕、最終号に「アザゼルさん。」「ギャングキング」読み切り|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/514631|website=[[Natalie (website)|Comic Natalie]]|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=1 March 2023|language=ja|date=28 February 2023|archive-date=28 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228032529/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/514631|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Pineda|first=Rafael|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle Manga's Return Delayed Until Summer|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-01/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-manga-return-delayed-until-summer/.195442|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=1 March 2023|date=1 March 2023|archive-date=1 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301214221/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-03-01/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-manga-return-delayed-until-summer/.195442|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|script-title=ja:ＬＯＧ：０４７　奥義（ゲハイムニス）（前編）|url=https://comic-days.com/episode/14079602755570179687|website=Comic Days|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|access-date=16 January 2024|language=ja|date=16 January 2024|archive-date=16 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116122446/https://comic-days.com/episode/14079602755570179687|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kodansha USA]] have licensed the manga for English release in North America.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sherman|first=Jennifer|date=3 July 2017|title=Kodansha Comics Announces Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle, Fairy Tail S, Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card in Print|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-07-03/kodansha-comics-announces-battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-fairy-tail-s-cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-in-print/.118330|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170704181942/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com:80/news/2017-07-03/kodansha-comics-announces-battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-fairy-tail-s-cardcaptor-sakura-clear-card-in-print/.118330|archive-date=4 July 2017|accessdate=3 July 2017|website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref> At the end of the second volume, Hibotaki Tobi's one-shot {{Nihongo|Mu-kai|霧界||lit. "foggy world"}} was published, the story of which won the award for the best science fiction story. The illustrations were done by Kishiro. The plot of the one-shot tells about a boy stuck in a world where time has stopped.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brooke|first=David|date=24 February 2018|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle 2 Review • AIPT|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2018/04/24/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-2-review/|access-date=18 January 2023|website=aiptcomics.com|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118172819/https://aiptcomics.com/2018/04/24/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-2-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> While working on illustrations for the manga, Kishiro uses both manual work and computer graphics. Background elements, dashed lines and various mechanisms are drawn by hand by Kishiro's assistant, his younger brother Tsutomu.<ref>{{Cite web|last=木城ゆきと|date=30 November 2017|script-title=ja:新･きまぐれゆきと帳: 仕事道具15_ペン入れ|url=http://yukitolog.blogspot.com/2017/11/15.html|access-date=18 January 2023|website=新･きまぐれゆきと帳|archive-date=7 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207195456/http://yukitolog.blogspot.com/2017/11/15.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Yukitopia|url=http://jajatom.moo.jp/E-top/frame.html|access-date=18 January 2023|website=jajatom.moo.jp|archive-date=7 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207043749/http://jajatom.moo.jp/E-top/frame.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Critical reception== [[File:Battle Angel Alita, Mars Chronicle.png|right|thumb|Manga fragment showing Yukito Kishiro's art style]] [[Anime News Network]] reviewer Theron Martin noted that ''Mars Chronicle'', in dealing with Gally's formerly mysterious past, is a self-contained story that does not require familiarity with previous works. Speaking about the plot, Martin noted Kishiro's creative style, which is characterized by a constant balancing act between "charmingly cute and incredibly ugly". The critic also praised the mangaka's attention to detail in the futuristic setting and action scene, which, like previous entries in the series, are full of violence and dynamism. Theron criticized minor characters, including the orphan Ninon and the antagonist who appears later, and also noted that part of the audience may find the existence of scenes of violence against children disturbing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Theron|date=4 February 2018|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita/mars-chronicle/gn-1/.127212|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=18 January 2023|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521153510/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita/mars-chronicle/gn-1/.127212|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Theron|date=15 July 2018|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle GNs 2-3|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita/mars-chronicle/gns-2-3/.132934|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=20 January 2023|archive-date=1 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601172607/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita/mars-chronicle/gns-2-3/.132934|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' magazine editor Toussaint Egan stated that this installment of the franchise is the least suitable for new readers, and Kishiro's aforementioned work on the setting and action scenes has become weaker according to Egan. Summing up, the critic expressed the opinion that the first chapters of the Mars Chronicle are aimed more at presenting the details of the universe already known to fans than at telling their own story.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Egan|first=Toussaint|date=24 January 2018|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle Vol.1 Lays the Groundwork for Better Things to Come|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/comics/yukito-kishiro/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-vol1-lays-the-gr/|website=[[Paste Magazine]]|access-date=20 January 2023|archive-date=20 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120041847/https://www.pastemagazine.com/comics/yukito-kishiro/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-vol1-lays-the-gr/|url-status=live}}</ref> In a review from Anime UK News, Yukito Kishiro's future Mars was called "an apocalyptic nightmare", while the German names and the theme of the resettlement of refugees, according to the critic, refer to the Second World War and some contemporary events. Mars Chronicle, the reviewer continues, shows Kishiro's experience as a mangaka. For example, his use of reversals to convey the significance of the moment, or the way he uses scale and the sharp contrast between shadows and light in action scenes.<ref>{{Cite web|date=6 March 2018|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle Volume 1 Review • Anime UK News|url=https://animeuknews.net/2018/03/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-volume-1-review/|access-date=20 January 2023|website=Anime UK News|archive-date=4 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204154041/https://animeuknews.net/2018/03/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-volume-1-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> AIPT critic David Brooke, describing the work as a whole, wrote that the Mars Chronicle carries an important message about the war, and also reveals the world of Gunnm from a new perspective, telling about life on Mars. David also noted that at the time of release, this part of the franchise is Kishiro's best work in technical terms. So, according to the critic, the artistic part is executed with attention to detail, and the moments of emotional intensity touch to the depths of the soul. In addition, the mangaka's environment work, David continues, makes clear the difference between colonized Mars and Earth.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brooke|first=David|date=23 January 2018|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle Vol. 1 Review • AIPT|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2018/01/23/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-vol-1-review/|access-date=20 January 2023|website=aiptcomics.com|archive-date=20 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120060523/https://aiptcomics.com/2018/01/23/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-vol-1-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> Speaking about the further development of the plot, Brook was indignant at the narrative jumping from the past to the future, and the excessive amount of exposition.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brooke|first=David|date=24 April 2018|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle 2 Review • AIPT|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2018/04/24/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-2-review/|access-date=20 January 2023|website=aiptcomics.com|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118174109/https://aiptcomics.com/2018/04/24/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-2-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the return of the story to the young Yoko and especially Erika in the fourth volume was received with interest by the critic, praising the adventure in search of the Martian treasure.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Brooke|first=David|date=28 August 2018|title=Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle 4 Review • AIPT|url=https://aiptcomics.com/2018/08/28/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-4-review/|access-date=20 January 2023|website=aiptcomics.com|archive-date=18 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230118034651/https://aiptcomics.com/2018/08/28/battle-angel-alita-mars-chronicle-4-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> ==Notes== {{reflist|group=lower-alpha}} ==References== ===Trade references=== # {{cite book | title = Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle, Volume 1 | isbn = 978-1632366153 | date=23 January 2018 | first = Yukito | last =Kishiro | publisher = Kodansha }} # {{cite book | title = Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle, Volume 2 | isbn = 978-1632366160 | date = 24 April 2018 | first =Yukito | last = Kishiro | publisher = Kodansha }} # {{cite book | title = Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle, Volume 3 | isbn = 978-1632366177 | date = 5 June 2018 | first = Yukito | last = Kishiro | publisher = Kodansha }} # {{cite book | title = Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle, Volume 4 | isbn = 978-1632366184 | date = 28 August 2018 | first = Yukito | last = Kishiro | publisher = Kodansha }} # {{cite book | title = Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle, Volume 5 | isbn = 978-1632366580 | date = 18 December 2018 | first = Yukito | last = Kishiro | publisher = Kodansha }} # {{cite book | title = Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle, Volume 6 | isbn = 978-1632367181 | date = 30 April 2019 | first = Yukito | last = Kishiro | publisher = Kodansha }} # {{cite book | title = Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle, Volume 7 | isbn = 978-1632367846 | date = 20 July 2021 | first = Yukito | last = Kishiro | publisher = Kodansha }} # {{cite book | title = Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle, Volume 8 | isbn = 978-1632369031 | date = 5 June 2022 | first = Yukito | last = Kishiro | publisher = Kodansha }} # {{Cite book | title = Battle Angel Alita Mars Chronicle, Volume 9 | isbn = 978-1646519378 | date = 12 September 2023 | first = Yukito | last = Kishiro | publisher= Kodansha }} ===Other references=== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * {{Official website|https://evening.kodansha.co.jp/c/gunnm_marschronicle.html|''Gunnm: Mars Chronicle''}} at ''[[Evening (magazine)|Evening]]'' {{in lang|ja}} * {{Anime News Network|manga|17399|noparen=true}} {{Battle Angel Alita}} {{Series in Evening}} [[Category:Battle Angel]] [[Category:Cyberpunk anime and manga]] [[Category:Exploratory engineering]] [[Category:Fiction about brain–computer interface]] [[Category:Fiction about cyborgs]] [[Category:Fiction about genetic engineering]] [[Category:Fiction about megastructures]] [[Category:Fiction about nanotechnology]] [[Category:Fiction about prosthetics]] [[Category:Fiction about robots]] [[Category:Fiction about terraforming]] [[Category:Fiction set on Mars]] [[Category:Kodansha manga]] [[Category:Seinen manga]]'