Gantz Omnibus at a Glance — 12 Volumes, 37 Singles, One Complete Story
Here’s the short version: the Gantz omnibus is a 12-volume collected edition from Dark Horse Comics that packages the entire 37-volume manga by Hiroya Oku into thick, roughly 600–850-page books at $24.99 MSRP each. If you’re not familiar with the term, an omnibus is a reprint that bundles multiple original volumes into one book — so instead of buying 37 separate books, you get 12 larger ones containing the same content. All 12 volumes have been published — the final omnibus came out in July 2023. The series is done. You can read the whole thing from start to finish right now.
This matters because the original individual volumes (sometimes called “singles” by collectors — meaning each volume sold separately) are largely out of print. Later volumes in particular command high prices on resale sites like eBay and Amazon third-party sellers. If you want to read Gantz in English at a reasonable price, the omnibus is basically your only practical option.
And if you’ve never heard of Gantz before — it’s a brutal, unrelenting sci-fi action-horror manga about people who die and wake up in a room with a mysterious black sphere that sends them on missions to kill aliens. It’s wild. It’s violent. It’s not for everyone. But if it clicks with you, it really clicks.
Here’s a quick-reference overview:
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Omnibus Volumes | 12 |
| Total Singles Collected | 37 |
| Author | Hiroya Oku |
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
| MSRP per Volume | $24.99 |
| Page Range | ~636–848 pages per omnibus |
| Genre | Seinen — a Japanese category meaning the manga is aimed at adult men — with sci-fi, action, and horror elements |
| Content Rating | Mature / 18+ |
| Series Status | Complete |
What Each Omnibus Collects — Full Volume Breakdown
This is the table you’re probably here for. Each omnibus collects three of the original individual volumes — except for Volume 12, which collects four to wrap up the series.
| Omnibus | Singles Collected | Approx. Pages | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vol. 1 | Vols. 1–3 | ~672 pp | August/September 2018 |
| Vol. 2 | Vols. 4–6 | ~636 pp | February 2019 |
| Vol. 3 | Vols. 7–9 | ~636 pp | June 2019 |
| Vol. 4 | Vols. 10–12 | ~636 pp | October 2019 |
| Vol. 5 | Vols. 13–15 | ~636 pp | February 2020 |
| Vol. 6 | Vols. 16–18 | ~636 pp | June 2020 |
| Vol. 7 | Vols. 19–21 | ~636 pp | October 2020 |
| Vol. 8 | Vols. 22–24 | ~636 pp | February 2021 |
| Vol. 9 | Vols. 25–27 | ~636 pp | June 2021 |
| Vol. 10 | Vols. 28–30 | ~636 pp | February 2022 |
| Vol. 11 | Vols. 31–33 | ~636 pp | September 2022 |
| Vol. 12 | Vols. 34–37 | ~848 pp | July 2023 |
Already own some individual volumes? This table should help you figure out exactly where to jump into the omnibus edition. For example, if you own volumes 1–9, you’re covered through Omnibus Vol. 3 and can pick up at Omnibus Vol. 4.
Note that Omnibus Vol. 12 is noticeably thicker than the others because it packs in four volumes instead of three. It’s a hefty book.
Omnibus vs. Singles — Which Edition Should You Buy?
Let’s be real: for most people reading this in 2024 or beyond, the omnibus is the only realistic option. But here’s the full comparison if you’re weighing your choices.
Availability
The original 37 individual English editions from Dark Horse are out of print, meaning the publisher is no longer printing new copies. You might find early volumes at reasonable used prices, but later volumes — especially anything past Vol. 20 — can get expensive on resale sites. Completing a full set at fair prices takes serious patience and hunting.
The omnibus volumes are currently in print and widely available at major retailers. Individual omnibus volumes may occasionally go temporarily out of stock at specific stores, but because the edition is actively in print, restocks happen regularly.
Cost
Here’s the math:
| Edition | Total Cost (MSRP/Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Omnibus (12 vols × $24.99) | ~$300 |
| Individual volumes (37 vols, resale prices) | $500+ for a full set, often much more |
The omnibus saves you a significant amount of money, and that’s before accounting for the time and hassle of tracking down out-of-print individual volumes.
Print Quality
The omnibus volumes use similar physical dimensions to the individual volumes. The main difference is the spine thickness — these are 600+ page books, and the thickest (Vol. 12) pushes past 800 pages. Some readers have noted minor binding tightness near the center fold, meaning artwork near the middle of illustrations that span two facing pages can get slightly swallowed by the binding. It’s not a dealbreaker for most people, but it’s worth mentioning because Hiroya Oku uses a lot of detailed illustrations that stretch across two pages.
The Verdict
The omnibus is the clear choice for new readers. It’s cheaper, it’s in print, and it gives you the complete story. Collectors who specifically want the individual volumes for shelf aesthetics or nostalgia will pay a premium for it, but there’s no content difference — the story is the same.
Reading Order and Major Story Arcs by Omnibus Volume
Gantz is a linear story — you read it from Omnibus Vol. 1 through Vol. 12, in order. No spin-offs or side stories to worry about. But it helps to know roughly what you’re getting into with each chunk, especially if you’re coming from the anime (Japanese animated TV series) or the Gantz:O film and want to know where those adaptations fit.
A quick note on how Gantz is structured: the story is divided into what fans call “arcs” — self-contained plot sequences within the larger series, each focused on a particular mission or conflict. The arcs flow into each other, but each has its own set of enemies and challenges. Below is a spoiler-free arc map. No plot details, just the general structure so you know what’s ahead.
Because arcs don’t always break neatly at omnibus boundaries, some omnibus volumes appear in more than one section below. This is normal — it just means an arc starts partway through one omnibus and continues into the next.
Omnibus Volumes 1–2 (Singles 1–6): The Early Missions
This is where everything begins. The Onion Alien mission, the Tanaka Alien mission, and the Buddhist Temple mission introduce the core cast, the rules of the Gantz game, and the tone of the series. These early volumes are raw and chaotic. Characters die. The violence hits hard. The series is establishing that nobody is safe and nothing is sacred.
If you watched the 2004 Gantz anime (26 episodes) — it covers roughly this section and into the next one. The anime diverges significantly with its own original ending, so the manga goes in a very different direction from around the midpoint of the anime’s coverage.
Omnibus Volumes 3–4 (Singles 7–12): Escalation
The Shorty Alien and Dinosaur Alien missions ramp up the stakes considerably. Missions get harder. The alien designs get more creative and terrifying. Character dynamics deepen. This is where a lot of readers go from “this is interesting” to “I can’t stop reading.”
The anime covers material up to roughly this stretch before going its own way. If you finished the anime and want to continue in the manga, starting from Omnibus Vol. 1 is still recommended — the anime changes and omits enough that you’ll want the full picture. But if you absolutely want to skip ahead, Omnibus Vol. 4 is approximately where you’d be entering uncharted territory.
Omnibus Volumes 5–6 (Singles 13–18): The Midpoint Shift
The Ring Alien mission and the beginning of the Oni Alien mission mark a turning point. The series starts expanding its scope beyond the initial formula. New characters enter. The power dynamics shift. Things get more complex.
Omnibus Volumes 6–8 (Singles 16–24): The Osaka Mission (Fan Favorite)
This is the stretch many Gantz fans consider the peak of the series. The Oni Alien mission concludes and flows into the Osaka mission — a massive, multi-chapter battle that pits Gantz teams against incredibly powerful enemies in Osaka.
The 2016 CGI film Gantz:O adapts the Osaka arc (Vols. 20–25), covering material from roughly Omnibus Vols. 7–8. If you loved the film and want to read the source material, those are your volumes. But again, the full context from earlier volumes makes the Osaka mission hit much harder.
Omnibus Volumes 9–10 (Singles 25–30): Going Global
The Italian Mission and the Katastrophe sequence blow the scale of Gantz wide open. What was a series about small groups fighting aliens in Tokyo becomes something much, much bigger. The scope goes international. The stakes go existential.
This section is polarizing — some readers love the escalation, others feel the series changes too much. Either way, it’s a wild ride.
Omnibus Volumes 10–12 (Singles 28–37): The Invasion and Finale
The final stretch. The Invasion sequence brings the entire story to its conclusion. Everything builds toward a massive, city-destroying endgame. The story does reach a definitive ending — it’s one of the more debated conclusions in manga, with fans split on whether it sticks the landing, but the narrative wraps up and resolves its central conflict. The journey to get there is unforgettable.
Quick Reference: Adaptations by Omnibus Volume
| Adaptation | Approximate Omnibus Coverage |
|---|---|
| Anime (2004, 26 episodes) | Omnibus Vols. 1–4 (with anime-original ending) |
| Gantz:O film (2016) | Omnibus Vols. 7–8 |
Content Warnings for New Readers
This needs its own section because Gantz is one of the most graphically intense manga you can buy in English. Dark Horse rates it Mature / 18+, and they mean it.
Here’s what to expect:
- Extreme graphic violence and gore — Throughout the entire series. Characters are dismembered, crushed, torn apart, and worse. The violence is detailed and often shocking. This is not stylized action-movie violence — it’s visceral and sometimes stomach-turning.
- Nudity and explicit sexual content — Especially prominent in the early volumes. The series includes nudity, sex scenes, and sexual situations. Some of this content involves characters who appear young or whose ages are ambiguous, which is worth knowing before you buy. This is more toned down in later stretches of the story but never disappears entirely.
- Strong language — Consistent throughout.
- Dark themes — Death, nihilism, dehumanization, cruelty. Gantz does not treat its characters gently. The series can be genuinely bleak.
If you’re new to manga and not sure about your tolerance for this kind of content, Omnibus Vol. 1 is your test run. The first volume gives you a very accurate preview of the series’ tone. If you can handle Volume 1, you can handle the rest. If Volume 1 is too much, the series doesn’t get gentler.
This isn’t a judgment call — some readers thrive on this kind of intensity, others don’t enjoy it, and both reactions are completely valid. Just know what you’re signing up for.
Where to Buy the Gantz Omnibus
All 12 omnibus volumes are currently in print and available through major retailers. Here’s a good starting point — Omnibus Vol. 1 covers the first three volumes of the original series and gives you a clear sense of whether Gantz is for you:
Gantz Omnibus Volume 1
Gantz Omnibus Vol.1
- Amazon — Usually the easiest option for individual purchases. Omnibus Vol. 1 is a great test-buy if you’re not sure about committing to the full series.
- Barnes & Noble — Available both online and sometimes in physical stores.
- Crunchyroll Store — A major online manga and anime retailer (it was previously known as RightStuf before being acquired by Crunchyroll). A solid option, especially during manga sales events.
- Local bookstores — Many independent and chain bookstores can order these if they don’t have them in stock.
Buying Tips
- Start with Volume 1. This is a 12-volume, $300 commitment at full MSRP. There’s no shame in buying one volume to see if the series is for you before going all-in.
- Watch for sales. Manga omnibus volumes are frequently discounted during major sale events at major retailers. Getting 20–30% off across 12 volumes adds up fast.
- Volumes 1–5 are available as a bundle set from some sellers, which can sometimes save a few dollars over buying individually.
- Check your local library. Many library systems carry the Gantz omnibus. If you’re not sure about buying, borrowing Volume 1 costs nothing and lets you make an informed decision.
A Note on Digital
If physical books aren’t your thing, Gantz is also available digitally. Amazon Kindle is the most accessible digital option — you can buy and read individual volumes directly through the Kindle app or any web browser. The digital editions follow the original individual-volume numbering (37 volumes), not the omnibus format, but the content is the same. Digital volumes also tend to go on sale periodically, and the total cost for the full series digitally is typically lower than the physical omnibus at MSRP.
Wrapping Up
The Gantz omnibus is a clean, affordable, complete way to read one of the most intense manga series ever published. Twelve volumes, 37 volumes’ worth of content, start to finish. The individual editions are out of print and expensive. The omnibus is right there on the shelf. If you’ve been curious about Gantz, grab Volume 1 and see for yourself — you’ll know pretty quickly whether this series is for you.