Manga that began in 2000 has inspired anime, 2 live-action films

In the 14th issue of Shueisha's Miracle Jump magazine on Tuesday, Gantz manga creator Hiroya Oku wrote that he will be ending the manga very soon. Oku wrote the comment in the authors' notes section for his illustrated column Origin of Gantz - A Story of Hiroya Oku & Sci-Fi Movies :

Gantz will also reach its final chapter very soon. I'll give it my all until the very end!

The manga follows a young Tokyo man who is reanimated after a deadly subway accident. Kei and other resurrected people go on violent, seemingly endless missions at the behest of an unseen host.

Oku launched the manga in Shueisha's Young Jump magazine in 2000, and Shueisha published the 36th compiled book volume in Japan in March. The "Final Phase" of the manga began in 2009. Oku had previously written that he had wanted to finish the manga in 2012.

The manga inspired a television anime series animated by Gonzo (and released by ADV Films in North America) and two live-action films (released by New People Entertainment). Dark Horse Comics released the 26th English volume of the manga in North America in February.

[Via Manga News ]