Seinen manga by Hiroya Oku (2000–2013), adapted into an anime (2004) and movies. Kurono and Kato die in the Tokyo subway and are resurrected by a black sphere that forces them to hunt aliens. The author uses real photographs of Tokyo and Osaka as backgrounds, making the locations highly recognizable.
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Gantz Apartment — Ebisu/Minato-ku, Tokyothe Gantz room
The empty apartment where the black sphere Gantz teleports players between missions. The windows show Tokyo Tower a few kilometers away, placing the building in the Minato-ku/Ebisu area. The manga notes confirm the building is based on a real construction in Ebisu, Shibuya.
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Subway Station — Opening Scene (Kurono and Kato)opening scene
Kurono and Kato are hit and killed by a subway train while trying to save a drunk homeless man. The opening scene of the manga takes place at a station resembling Yamanote Line or Marunouchi Line platforms. The manga does not identify the exact station, but the atmosphere matches central Tokyo subway stations.
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Ichinomiya Shrine — Onion Alien Mission (1st Mission)1st mission
The first Gantz mission takes place in the gardens of a shrine called Ichinomiya in Tama, Tokyo. The Onion Alien and his family live hidden here. The real Ichinomiya Shrine in Tama corresponds closely to the Okunitama Shrine in Fuchū, the most probable visual reference.
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Chiba / Makuhari — Kappa Alien MissionKappa mission
The mission involving the Kappa aliens and their dinosaur-like creatures takes place in the Makuhari area of Chiba, as confirmed in the manga's trivia notes. Makuhari is a major business and exhibition district next to Tokyo Bay.
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Shinjuku West Gate — Shion Izumi MassacreIzumi massacre
Shion Izumi, one of the most lethal Gantz players, unleashes a tragic massacre wounding or killing hundreds. The scene takes place in the shopping corridors of Shinjuku's west gate, the busiest transportation hub in the world. The west gate connects to Kabukicho and surrounding areas.
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Ikebukuro — Battle against Oni AliensOni arc
The Oni Alien arc concludes in Ikebukuro when the battles become visible to ordinary civilians, causing mass panic. Ikebukuro is the second largest commercial hub in Tokyo, with its own busy shopping and underground passages.
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Shibuya — Daily Scenes of Kuronodaily life
Shibuya is the district where Kurono and Tae spend their free time between missions. The famous Shibuya Crossing (the busiest in the world) appears in several manga panels as a backdrop to the characters' 'normal' lives.
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Dōtonbori — Osaka Arc (Nurarihyon Mission)Osaka arc
The Tokyo team is teleported to Osaka for a joint mission against the powerful Nurarihyon alien. The battle takes place around the Dōtonbori canal and Ebisu-bashi bridge, the tourist heart of Osaka, featuring the famous glowing Glico sign in the background. Extremely photo-realistic.
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Shinsekai — Chibi Alien Visual Referencevisual reference
The Chibi Alien (the small one) has spirals on its cheeks reminiscent of the Billiken deity statues in Osaka's Shinsekai district, a visual reference confirmed in the manga's author notes. Shinsekai is a retro 1930s district dominated by Tsutenkaku Tower.
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Rome / Vatican City — Italy ArcItaly arc
In the final volumes, several Gantz teams are sent to Rome for a massive scale mission. Vatican City and highly recognizable landmarks of Rome are featured in Oku's signature photorealistic style. The biggest international arc of the series.
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Gokokuji Temple, Tokyo — Possible Kappa Mission SiteKappa mission
Fan analysis suggests the temple from the Kappa Alien mission might be Gokokuji Temple in Bunkyo, Tokyo. Lacks official confirmation, as the verified location is Makuhari (Chiba). Included as an alternative fan theory.