Editing Battle Angel Alita

{{Short description|Japanese cyberpunk manga series and its adaptations}}
{{Redirect|Battle Angel|the 1993 original video animation|Battle Angel (OVA)|the 2019 live-action film|Alita: Battle Angel}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image           = Battle Angel Alita vol01.jpg
| caption         = First volume cover
| ja_kanji        = 銃夢
| ja_romaji       = Ganmu
| genre           = {{ubl|[[Action fiction|Action]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Battle Angel Alita: Deluxe Edition - The Fall 2017 Manga Guide|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2017-11-09/the-fall-2017-manga-guide/battle-angel-alita-deluxe-edition/.123819|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 4, 2019|date=November 9, 2017|archive-date=June 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604223302/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2017-11-09/the-fall-2017-manga-guide/battle-angel-alita-deluxe-edition/.123819|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Volk|first=Adam|title=Battle Angel Alita v1: Rusty Angel|url=http://www.mangalife.com/reviews/BattleAngelAlitav1RustyAng.htm|website=Manga Life|access-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219052023/http://www.mangalife.com/reviews/BattleAngelAlitav1RustyAng.htm|archive-date=February 19, 2006}}</ref>|[[Cyberpunk]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Announcing an All New Translation of the Iconic Battle Angel Alita Manga from Kodansha Comics and ComiXology Originals|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2017-05-25/announcing-an-all-new-translation-of-the-iconic-battle-angel-alita-manga-from-kodansha-comics-and-comixology-originals/.116583|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=May 29, 2018|date=May 25, 2017|archive-date=December 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181208030215/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2017-05-25/announcing-an-all-new-translation-of-the-iconic-battle-angel-alita-manga-from-kodansha-comics-and-comixology-originals/.116583|url-status=live}}</ref>|[[Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction|Post-apocalyptic]]<ref>{{cite book|title=Battle Angel Alita|work=Kodansha Comics|url=https://kodanshacomics.com/series/battle-angel-alita/|publisher=[[Kodansha Comics]]|access-date=May 29, 2018|archive-date=April 26, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190426041959/https://kodanshacomics.com/series/battle-angel-alita/|url-status=live}}</ref>}}<!-- Genres should be based on what reliable sources list them as and not on personal interpretations. Limit of the three most relevant genres in accordance with [[MOS:A&M]]. -->
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type            = manga
| author          = [[Yukito Kishiro]]
| publisher       = [[Shueisha]]
| publisher_en    = {{English manga publisher
 | NA = {{ubl|[[Viz Media]] (former)|[[Kodansha USA]] (current)}}
}}
| demographic     = {{Transliteration|ja|[[Seinen manga|Seinen]]}}
| magazine        = [[Business Jump]]
| first           = 1990
| last            = 1995
| volumes         = 9
| volume_list     = List of Battle Angel Alita chapters
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title           = Original video animation
| content         =
* ''[[Battle Angel (OVA)|Battle Angel]]''
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
| title           = Spin-offs and sequels
| content         =
* ''[[Ashen Victor]]''
* ''[[Battle Angel Alita: Last Order]]''
* ''[[Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle]]''
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
|title           = Video game
|content         =
* ''[[Gunnm: Martian Memory]]''
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Other
|title           = Live-action film
|content         =
* ''[[Alita: Battle Angel]]'' (2019)
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}
'''''Battle Angel Alita''''', known in Japan as {{Nihongo|'''''Gunnm'''''|銃夢|Ganmu|{{lit|gun dream}}}},{{efn|The kanji [[wikt:銃|銃]] will normally be read as "jū", but here it is read by the English meaning for the kanji, gun.}} is a [[Japanese cyberpunk]] [[manga]] series created by [[Yukito Kishiro]] and originally published in [[Shueisha]]'s ''[[Business Jump]]'' magazine from 1990 to 1995. The second of the comic's nine volumes was adapted in 1993 into a two-part [[anime]] [[original video animation]] titled ''[[Battle Angel (OVA)|Battle Angel]]'' for North American release by [[ADV Films]] and the UK and Australian release by [[Manga Entertainment]]. Manga Entertainment also dubbed ''Battle Angel Alita'' into English. A [[live-action]] [[film adaptation]] titled ''[[Alita: Battle Angel]]'' was released on February 14, 2019.

The series is set in the [[post-apocalyptic]] future and focuses on [[Alita (Battle Angel Alita)|Alita]] ("Gally" in the Japanese version, and several other countries), a female [[cyborg]] who has lost all memories and is found in a junkyard by a cybernetics doctor who rebuilds and takes care of her. She discovers that there is one thing she remembers, the legendary cyborg [[martial art]] Panzer Kunst, which leads to her becoming a Hunter Warrior, or [[bounty hunter]]. The story traces Alita's attempts to rediscover her past and the characters whose lives she impacts on her journey. The manga series continued with ''[[Battle Angel Alita: Last Order]]'' and ''[[Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle]]''.

==Plot==
''Battle Angel Alita'' tells the story of [[Alita (Battle Angel Alita)|Alita]], an [[amnesia]]c female [[cyborg]]. Her intact head and chest, in [[suspended animation]], are found by cyber medic expert Daisuke Ido in the local garbage dump. Ido manages to revive her, and finding she has lost her memory, names her Alita after his recently deceased cat. The rebuilt Alita soon discovers that she instinctively remembers the legendary martial art, Panzer Kunst, although she does not recall anything else. Alita uses her Panzer Kunst to first become a [[bounty hunter]], killing cyborg criminals in the Scrapyard, and then as a star player in the brutal gladiator sport of Motorball. While in combat, Alita awakens memories of her earlier life on Mars. She becomes involved with the floating city of Zalem (Tiphares in some older translations) as one of their agents and is sent to hunt down criminals. Foremost is the mad genius Desty Nova, who has a complex, ever-changing relationship with Alita.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tieryas|first=Peter|date=18 February 2019|title=The Battle Angel Alita Manga Is An Essential Read|url=https://kotaku.com/the-battle-angel-alita-manga-is-an-essential-read-1832627887|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190218232815/https://kotaku.com/the-battle-angel-alita-manga-is-an-essential-read-1832627887|archive-date=2019-02-18|access-date=2021-02-03|website=Kotaku|language=en-us}}</ref>

The futuristic [[dystopian]] world of ''Battle Angel Alita'' revolves around the city of Scrapyard (Kuzutetsu in the Japanese and various other versions), which has grown up around a massive scrap heap that rains down from Zalem. Ground dwellers have no access to Zalem and are forced to make a living in the sprawl below. Many are heavily modified by cybernetics to better cope with their hard life.

Zalem exploits the Scrapyard and surrounding farms, paying bounty hunters (called Hunter-Warriors) to hunt criminals and arranging violent sports to keep the population entertained. Massive tubes connect the Scrapyard to Zalem, and the city uses robots for carrying out errands and providing security on the ground. Occasionally, Zalemites (such as Daisuke Ido and Desty Nova) are exiled and sent to the ground. Aside from the robots and exiles, there is little contact between the two cities.

The story takes place in the former United States. According to a map, printed in the eighth volume, Scrapyard/Zalem is near [[Kansas City, Missouri]], and the Necropolis is [[Colorado Springs, Colorado]]. Radio KAOS is at [[Dallas, Texas]]. Figure's coastal hometown is [[Alhambra, California]]. Desty Nova's Granite Inn is built out of a military base—[[NORAD]] at [[Cheyenne Mountain Complex]], [[Colorado]].<ref name="kudoslist">{{cite web|url=http://www.nick15.com/kudos.html|title=The KUDOS! List – Culture References Within Battle Angel Alita|publisher=Nick15.com|access-date=2012-09-20|archive-date=2018-02-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210160906/http://www.nick15.com/kudos.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Battle Angel Alita'' is eventually revealed to take place in the 26th century. The sequel ''Battle Angel Alita: Last Order'' introduces a [[calendar era]] called "Era [[Sputnik 1|Sputnik]]" which has an [[epoch (reference date)|epoch]] of AD 1957. The original ''Battle Angel Alita'' series begins in ES 577 (AD 2533) and ends in ES 590 (AD 2546), ''Battle Angel Alita: Last Order'' is mostly set roughly in ES 591 (AD 2547), and ''Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle'' alternates between ES 373–374 (AD 2329–2330) and ES 594 (AD 2550).

==Characters==
{{Main|List of Battle Angel Alita characters}}
''Battle Angel Alita'' features a diverse cast of characters, many of whom shift in and out of focus as the story progresses. Some are never to be seen again following the conclusion of a story arc, while others make recurring appearances. The one character who remains a constant throughout is [[Alita (Battle Angel Alita)|Alita]], the [[protagonist]] and title character, a young cyborg with amnesia struggling to uncover her forgotten past through the only thing she remembers from it: by fighting. Early on in the story, [[List of Battle Angel Alita characters#Daisuke Ido|Daisuke Ido]], a [[bounty hunter|bounty-hunting]] cybernetic doctor who finds and revives Alita, plays a major role as well, but midway the focus begins to increasingly shift to [[Desty Nova]], an eccentric [[nanotechnology]] scientist who has fled from Zalem. Desty Nova is the mastermind behind many of the enemies and trials that Alita faces, but does not make an actual appearance until more than two years into the story, although he is alluded to early on. Finally, [[List of Battle Angel Alita characters#Kaos|Kaos]], Desty Nova's son, a frail and troubled radio DJ with [[Psychometry (paranormal)|psychometric]] powers, also begins to play a crucial role after he comes in contact with Alita. He broadcasts his popular radio show from the wastelands outside the Scrapyard, staying away from the increasing conflict between Zalem and the rebel army [[Barjack]].

==Production==
Alita was originally a female cyborg police officer named Gally in an unpublished comic called ''Rainmaker''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jajatom.moo.jp/y-shosai/cn8/chronicle_1980_32.html|title=ゆきとクロニクル 絵コンテ「RAINMAKER」(2)〜1989年|access-date=28 August 2021|archive-date=28 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828121734/http://jajatom.moo.jp/y-shosai/cn8/chronicle_1980_32.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Publishers at [[Shueisha]] liked her and asked Kishiro to make a new story with her as the main character. After he had come up with the plot for a storyline he was commissioned to make it a long-running series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.star2.com/culture/2019/02/12/who-is-alita-battle-angel-manga/|title=Who is Alita? The Manga Origins Of A Cyberpunk Icon|date=12 February 2019|access-date=22 February 2019|archive-date=22 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190222204755/https://www.star2.com/culture/2019/02/12/who-is-alita-battle-angel-manga/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Besides renaming ''Gally'' to ''Alita'', older North American versions of the manga also changed the city of ''Zalem'' (from Biblical Hebrew שָׁלֵם ''šālēm'', "peace") to ''Tiphares'' (after ''[[Tiferet (Kabbalah)|Tiferet]]''). Since Kishiro also used the name ''Jeru'' (after ''[[Jerusalem]]'') for the facility atop ''Zalem'', ''Jeru'' was renamed ''Ketheres'' in the translation (after ''[[Keter]]''). More recent versions reverted the cities' names back to Zalem and Jeru. To further develop the [[Jewish bible|Biblical]] theme in the original series, ''Zalem''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s main computer was named ''[[Melchizedek]]'', "the king of Salem" and "priest to the Most High God".<ref>[[Bible|Genesis 14:18]]; Melchizedek was renamed "''David''" in the first North American release of ''Battle Angel Alita''. Subsequent releases retain the original name.</ref>

==Media==

===Manga===
{{Main|List of Battle Angel Alita chapters}}

The manga was first published in [[Shueisha]]'s ''[[Business Jump]]'' magazine. It was then serialized from 1990 to 1995 in nine {{Transliteration|ja|[[tankōbon]]}}. [[Yukito Kishiro]] moved from Shueisha to [[Kodansha]] in August 2010. The company acquired the license rights to ''Battle Angel Alita''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Battle Angel Alita/Gunnm: LO Manga's Return Planned|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-18/battle-angel-alita/gunnm/lo-manga-return-planned|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 4, 2019|date=August 18, 2010|archive-date=March 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326121254/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-18/battle-angel-alita/gunnm/lo-manga-return-planned|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Loo|first=Egan|title=Battle Angel Alita/Gunnm: LO Manga to Resume in March|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-08/battle-angel-alita/gunnm/lo-manga-to-resume-in-march|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=June 4, 2019|date=February 8, 2011|archive-date=September 23, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923074746/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-08/battle-angel-alita/gunnm/lo-manga-to-resume-in-march|url-status=live}}</ref> A 6-volume special edition titled ''Gunnm: Complete Edition'' was released in Japan on December 23, 1998. The series was released in [[Japanese B-series variant|B5]] format and contains the original story. Also included are rough sketches, a timeline and the first three ''Battle Angel Alita: Holy Night & Other Stories'' short stories. From October 5 to November 16, 2016, [[Kodansha]] republished ''Gunnm'' in [[Paper size#Japanese B-series variant|B5 format]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000034366|title=銃夢 錆びた天使|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|access-date=2019-03-13|archive-date=2020-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202005958/https://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000034366|url-status=live}}</ref> It was later reprinted in [[Paper size#A series|A5 format]] starting on November 21, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000319166|title=新装版銃夢（１）錆びた天使|publisher=[[Kodansha]]|access-date=2019-03-13|archive-date=2019-03-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190325053543/http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/product?item=0000319166|url-status=live}}</ref>

A spin-off series titled {{nihongo|''[[Ashen Victor]]''|灰者|Haisha}} was published in ''[[Ultra Jump]]'' from September 1995 to July 1996 issues. It was released in a single volume on June 24, 1998.

A spin-off series titled {{nihongo|''Battle Angel Alita: Holy Night & Other Stories''|銃夢外伝|Ganmu Gaiden}} was published in ''[[Ultra Jump]]'' from January 24, 1997, to December 19, 2006. It was released in a single volume on December 19, 2007. It is composed of four short [[side story|side stories]]: "Holy Night", "Sonic Finger", "Hometown" and "Barjack Rhapsody".

In North America, [[Viz Media]] originally released the story in a 25-page comic book, after which it followed the same volume format as its Japanese counterpart. Viz also released the ''Ashen Victor'' spin-off series. Along with the rest of the series, Kishiro's original ''Battle Angel Alita'' manga has been licensed for North American publication through [[Kodansha USA]],<ref name="animenewsnetwork">{{cite news|title=Kodansha Comics to Publish Battle Angel Alita, Full-Color Attack on Titan: No Regrets Manga|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-04-21/kodansha-comics-to-publish-battle-angel-alita-full-color-attack-on-titan-no-regrets-manga/.115099|work=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=August 4, 2018|date=April 21, 2017|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128182538/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2017-04-21/kodansha-comics-to-publish-battle-angel-alita-full-color-attack-on-titan-no-regrets-manga/.115099|url-status=live}}</ref> who republished it the five-volume omnibus format in 2017 and 2018, with the last volume including ''Ashen Victor''.<ref>{{cite book|title=Battle Angel Alita Deluxe 5 (Contains Vol. 9 & Ashen Victor)|isbn=978-1632366023|last1=Kishiro|first1=Yukito|date=16 October 2018|publisher=National Geographic Books}}</ref> ''Holy Night & Other Stories'' has also been licensed by Kodansha USA, who published it digitally on October 30, 2018, and as hardcover on November 20.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/597615/battle-angel-alita-holy-night-and-other-stories-by-yukito-kishiro/9781632367105/|title=Battle Angel Alita: Holy Night and Other Stories|website=[[Penguin Random House]]|access-date=November 13, 2018|archive-date=June 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610022808/https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/597615/battle-angel-alita-holy-night-and-other-stories-by-yukito-kishiro/9781632367105|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Battle Angel Alita'' has also been licensed for international release in a number of languages and regions. It was published in Spain by [[Planeta DeAgostini]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Gunnm (Alita, ángel de combate)|url=http://www.planetadeagostinicomics.com/Vistas/detalle_comic.aspx?Seccion=catalogo&CPadre=&Tipo=Atra&Cat=&id=1653|publisher=Planeta DeAgostini|access-date=15 April 2021|language=es|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001155821/http://www.planetadeagostinicomics.com/Vistas/detalle_comic.aspx?Seccion=catalogo&CPadre=&Tipo=Atra&Cat=&id=1653}}</ref> in Brazil by [[Editora JBC]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Battle Angel Alita|url=https://mangasjbc.com.br/titulos/battle-angel-alita/|publisher=JB Communication do Brasil|access-date=13 August 2011|language=pt|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110726101544/http://mangasjbc.uol.com.br/titulos/gunnm/|archive-date= 26 July 2011|url-status= live}}</ref> in France and Netherlands by [[Glénat (publisher)|Glenat]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Gunnm #01|url=http://www.glenatmanga.com/gunnm-01-9782723419000.htm|publisher=Groupe Glénat|access-date=13 August 2011|language=fr|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100910042816/http://www.glenatmanga.com/gunnm-01-9782723419000.htm|archive-date=10 September 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Battle Angel Alita|url=http://www.glenat.be/dyn/glenat/pagesasp/18benelux/184bibli/serie.asp?SERIE_ID=110|publisher=Groupe Glénat|access-date=13 August 2011|language=nl|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814044447/http://www.glenat.be/dyn/glenat/pagesasp/18benelux/184bibli/serie.asp?SERIE_ID=110|archive-date=14 August 2011}}</ref> in Poland by [[Japonica Polonica Fantastica|JPF]],<ref>{{cite journal|author=Abigail|title=Battle Angel Alita|journal=Tanuki.pl|date=29 September 2006|volume=496|url=http://manga.tanuki.pl/strony/manga/11-battle-angel-alita/rec/9|access-date=13 August 2011|language=pl|publisher=Małgorzata Kaczarowska|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514011007/https://manga.tanuki.pl/strony/manga/11-battle-angel-alita/rec/9|url-status=live}}</ref> in Germany by [[Carlsen Verlag|Carlsen]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Battle Angel Alita|url=http://www.carlsen.de/web/manga/serie?id=30369|publisher=CARLSEN Verlag|access-date=15 April 2021|language=de|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120321224151/https://www.carlsen.de/web/manga/serie?id=30369|archive-date=21 March 2012}}</ref> in Taiwan by [[Tong Li Publishing]],<ref>{{cite web|script-title=zh:銃夢|url=http://www.tongli.com.tw/BooksList.aspx?B=JC006|publisher=Tong Li Publishing|access-date=15 April 2021|language=zh|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119161234/http://www.tongli.com.tw/BooksList.aspx?B=JC006|archive-date=19 January 2012}}</ref> in Argentina by [[Editorial Ivrea]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Battle Angel Alita|url=http://www.ivreality.com.ar/2017/08/ivrea-publicara-gunnm-battle-angel-alita-en-edicion-argentina/|publisher=Ivreality|access-date=18 August 2017|language=es|archive-date=18 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210418115046/http://www.ivreality.com.ar/2017/08/ivrea-publicara-gunnm-battle-angel-alita-en-edicion-argentina/|url-status=dead}}</ref> and in Russia by Xl Media.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GUNNM|url=https://xlm.ru/manga/istocnik-gunnm|access-date=2023-05-10|website=xlm.ru|language=ru|archive-date=2023-02-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206162637/https://xlm.ru/manga/istocnik-gunnm|url-status=live}}</ref>

===OVA===
{{Main|Battle Angel (OVA)}}

A two-episode [[OVA]] was released in 1993, incorporating elements from the second volume of the manga with changes to the characters and storyline. According to Kishiro, only two episodes were originally planned. At the time, he was too busy with the manga "to review the plan coolly" and was not serious about an anime adaptation. It remains the only anime adaptation of ''Battle Angel Alita'' to date and there are no plans to revive it.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsservice.com/archives/yukito.htm|title=MNS Exclusive Interview: Battle Angel (GUNNM) Creator Yukito Kishiro|publisher=Anime News Service|access-date=2007-12-14|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071117045332/http://www.animenewsservice.com/archives/yukito.htm|archive-date= 17 November 2007|url-status= live}}</ref>

[[Image:GUNNMCG Alita.jpg|thumb|Alita as depicted in the 2000 CG movie clip]]
A 3-minute 3D-[[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]] rendered movie clip is included in volume 6 of the Japanese ''Gunnm: Complete Edition'' (1998–2000). It showcases Alita in a Third League Motorball race with players from two of her races such as "Armor" Togo, Degchalev, and Valdicci, and depicts events from both of those races.

===Film===
{{Main|Alita: Battle Angel}}

[[20th Century Fox]] and Director [[James Cameron]] acquired the film rights to ''Battle Angel''.<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/feature/movie-talk-avatar-trilogy.html|title=James Cameron Planning 'Avatar' Trilogy|author=Lindsay Robertson|publisher=Yahoo!|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100118112439/http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/movie-talk-avatar-trilogy.html|archive-date=2010-01-18}}</ref> It was originally brought to Cameron's attention by filmmaker [[Guillermo del Toro]].<ref name="Landau MTV">{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2596073/avatar-producer-says-battle-angel-alita-has-a-new-name-will-follow-avatar-2/|title='Avatar' Producer Says 'Battle Angel Alita' Has A New Name, Will Follow 'Avatar 2'|last=Carroll|first=Larry|date=February 18, 2010|website=[[MTV News]]|access-date=May 3, 2016|archive-date=February 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204132206/http://www.mtv.com/news/2596073/avatar-producer-says-battle-angel-alita-has-a-new-name-will-follow-avatar-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cameron is said to be a big fan of the manga, and he was waiting until [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI technology]] was sufficiently advanced to make a live-action 3D film with effects comparable to ''[[Avatar (2009 film)|Avatar]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/12/14/avatar-director-offers-update-on-battle-angel-alita-adaptation/|title='Avatar' Director Offers Update on Battle Angel Alita Adaptation|date=2009-12-14|publisher=[[MTV]]|last=Marshall|first=Rick|access-date=2013-03-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221091252/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/12/14/avatar-director-offers-update-on-battle-angel-alita-adaptation/|archive-date=2013-12-21|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The film would be a [[live-action]] adaptation of the first four volumes of the manga series; "What I’m going to do is take the spine story and use elements from the first four books. So, the Motorball from books three and four, and parts of the story of one and two will all be in the movie."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collider.com/battle-angel-james-cameron/73916/|title=BATTLE ANGEL Update from James Cameron|publisher=Collider.com|access-date=2011-01-31|archive-date=2013-12-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203192553/http://collider.com/battle-angel-james-cameron/73916/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''Alita'' was originally scheduled to be his next production after the TV series ''[[Dark Angel (2000 TV series)|Dark Angel]]'',<ref>{{cite news|title=Live-Action "Alita: Battle Angel" Finally Shows Its Hand|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/12/08-1/live-action-alita-battle-angel-finally-shows-its-hand|work=[[Crunchyroll]]|date=December 8, 2017|access-date=August 27, 2018|archive-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116063802/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/12/08-1/live-action-alita-battle-angel-finally-shows-its-hand|url-status=dead}}</ref> which was influenced by ''Battle Angel Alita''.<ref>{{cite news|title=James Cameron Hasn't Forgotten About 'Battle Angel'|url=https://screenrant.com/james-cameron-battle-angel/|work=[[Screen Rant]]|date=August 20, 2010|access-date=August 27, 2018|archive-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116063745/https://screenrant.com/james-cameron-battle-angel/|url-status=live}}</ref> After ''Avatar'', he stated he would work on ''Avatar'' sequels before starting ''Alita''.<ref name="«Alita: Battle Angel after Avatar 2">{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/16902.html|title=Alita: Battle Angel after Avatar 2|publisher=ICv2|date=2010-02-19|access-date=2012-09-20|archive-date=2011-06-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611033821/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/16902.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cameron's producer [[Jon Landau (film producer)|Jon Landau]] said, "I am sure you will get to see ''Battle Angel''. It is one of my favourite stories, a great story about a young woman's journey to self-discovery. It is a film that asks the question: What does it mean to be human? Are you human if you have a heart, a brain or a soul? I look forward to giving the audience the film."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35136|title=Cameron Reveals More On Avatar 4 - Movie News - Empire|work=empireonline.com|access-date=13 April 2015|archive-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025143203/http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35136|url-status=live}}</ref> Landau half-jokingly stated that the project may be titled ''Alita: The Battle Angel'', because of Cameron's tradition in naming his films with either an "A" or a "T".<ref name="«Alita: Battle Angel after Avatar 2"/>

In October 2015, it was reported that [[Robert Rodriguez]] would direct the film with Cameron and Landau producing.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/james-cameron-alite-battle-angel-robert-rodriguez-1201618035/|title=James Cameron Producing 'Alite: Battle Angel' with Robert Rodriguez Directing|magazine=Variety|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=October 14, 2015|access-date=December 10, 2017|archive-date=July 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230702053801/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/james-cameron-alita-battle-angel-robert-rodriguez-1201618035/|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 26, 2016, both ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' and ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that [[Maika Monroe]], [[Rosa Salazar]], [[Zendaya]] and [[Bella Thorne]] were in the running for the lead role.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zendaya-finalists-james-camerons-battle-887797|title=Zendaya Among Finalists for James Cameron's 'Battle Angel' Movie (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=April 26, 2016|access-date=April 27, 2016|archive-date=April 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430050141/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/zendaya-finalists-james-camerons-battle-887797|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/krolljvar/status/725089284517187584|title=Also hearing Bella Thorne as a finalist for BATTLE ANGEL|first=Justin|last=Kroll|date=26 April 2016}}</ref> Near the end of May 2016, Salazar was cast as Alita,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://collider.com/battle-angel-alita-rosa-salazar/|title=Exclusive: Rosa Salazar to Lead 'Battle Angel Alita'|website=Collider|last=Foutch|first=Haleigh|date=May 26, 2016|access-date=May 27, 2016|archive-date=May 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528192936/http://collider.com/battle-angel-alita-rosa-salazar/|url-status=live}}</ref> and on February 7, 2017, ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' reported that [[Jennifer Connelly]] would be joining the cast as one of the villains.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jennifer-connelly-joins-james-camerons-alita-battle-angel-972646|title=Zendaya Among Finalists for James Cameron's 'Battle Angel' Movie (Exclusive)|work=The Hollywood Reporter|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|last2=Porreca|first2=Brian|date=February 7, 2017|access-date=February 8, 2017|archive-date=February 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207195359/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/jennifer-connelly-joins-james-camerons-alita-battle-angel-972646|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 8, 2017, the first trailer for ''Battle Angel'' was released to the public,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.joblo.com/movie-news/fox-pushes-back-the-predator-alita-battle-angel-release-dates-661|title=Fox pushes back The Predator & Alita: Battle Angel release dates|access-date=2018-02-13|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504105534/https://www.joblo.com/movie-news/fox-pushes-back-the-predator-alita-battle-angel-release-dates-661|url-status=live}}</ref> and the film, titled ''[[Alita: Battle Angel]]'' and directed by [[Robert Rodriguez]], came out in 2019.

===Novels===

A novelization of the manga by Yasuhisa Kawamura was released on April 4, 1997, by  Shueisha's JUMP j-BOOKS label.

In November 2018, Titan Books published ''Alita: Battle Angel—Iron City'', a prequel novel for the film. The novel was written by [[Pat Cadigan]], a notable science fiction author.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ompBDwAAQBAJ|title = Alita: Battle Angel - Iron City|isbn = 9781785658365|last1 = Cadigan|first1 = Pat|date = 20 November 2018| publisher=Titan Books (US, CA)}}</ref>

===Video game===
{{Main|Gunnm: Martian Memory}}

''[[Gunnm: Martian Memory]]'' is an action [[Role-playing game|RPG]] video game for the [[PlayStation]] by [[Banpresto]]. It is an adaptation of the manga, following Alita (Gally) from her discovery in the Zalem dump heap by Daisuke Ido up through and beyond her career as a TUNED agent. The story includes additional elements that Kishiro had conceived when he ended the original manga in 1995, but was unable to implement at the time, which involved Alita going into outer space. He then expanded the story, which formed the basis for the manga ''[[Battle Angel Alita: Last Order]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://jajatom.moo.jp/E-top/Egunnm/Egunnm%20LO.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030716215734/http://jajatom.moo.jp/E-top/Egunnm/Egunnm%20LO.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-07-16|title="GUNNM Last Order" notice by Yukito Kishiro.|work=Jajatom.moo.jp (English version of Yukito Kishiro's official website)|access-date=2007-08-15}}</ref>

===Related works===
* ''[[Ashen Victor]]'', a story set six years before the beginning of ''Battle Angel Alita'', published in ''[[Ultra Jump]]''. It primarily tells the story of a Motorball player and it sets the evolution of the game into what it becomes in the ''Battle Angel Alita'' series.
* ''[[Battle Angel Alita: Last Order|Last Order]]'', a continuation of ''Battle Angel Alita'', published monthly in ''Ultra Jump'' and later in ''[[Evening (magazine)|Evening]]''.
* ''[[Battle Angel Alita: Mars Chronicle|Mars Chronicle]]'', a continuation of ''Last Order'', published in ''Evening'' and later in ''Comic Days''.

==Reception==
During ''Gunnm''{{'}}s initial run in ''[[Business Jump]]'' [[manga magazine]] between 1990 and 1995,<ref name="animenewsnetwork"/> the magazine's circulation reached a record 760,000 monthly sales, the highest in its history.<ref>{{cite web|title=コミック誌の部数水準|url=http://www.geocities.jp/wj_log/rank/hokan/zassi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306085534/http://www.geocities.jp/wj_log/rank/hokan/zassi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 6, 2007|website=[[Yahoo! Japan]]|access-date=March 6, 2007}}</ref> Between 1990 and 1995, ''Business Jump'' magazine had a total circulation of over 50{{nbsp}}million copies, with a total estimated revenue of approximately {{JPY|10.74 billion}} ({{US$|{{To USD|10740|JPN|year=2012|round=yes}} million|long=no}}).{{efn|See {{Section link|Business Jump|Circulation|display=''Business Jump''}}.}}

=== Reviews and criticism ===
The fantasy world created by Yukito Kishiro has received positive reviews from many websites. '''MangaLife.com'' reviewer Adam Volk calls the Gunnm universe "complex and stunningly compelling". He writes that after reading the first volume, it becomes clear why the author of the manga is known as a master of the genre. The work combines a large amount of action with believable and independent characters, which the reviewer said is rare in films, comics and TV shows. In the end, the reviewer called the original manga a classic example of a beautiful story about life.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Volk|first=Adam|title=Battle Angel Alita v1: Rusty Angel|url=http://www.mangalife.com/reviews/BattleAngelAlitav1RustyAng.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071022133606/http://www.mangalife.com/reviews/BattleAngelAlitav1RustyAng.htm|archive-date=October 22, 2007|access-date=January 20, 2023|website=MangaLife}}</ref>

Patrick King, a reviewer for the online anime and manga magazine, ''Animefringe'', praises the "magnificence of Kishiro's creation" and "a living, breathing, frightening, incredibly plausible, perhaps even prophetic look at the future of mankind." He considered that the main themes that Kishiro touches on in his work are human nature and sincerity. King also noted that, unlike Kishiro's other work, Aqua Knight, the style of the original work is more realistic. The violence present in the manga, according to the reviewer, makes the work unsuitable for children, but helps the reader understand what exactly the main character is fighting.<ref>{{Cite web|last=King|first=Patrick|title=Battle Angel Alita - Last Order Vol.1: Angel Reborn|url=http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2003/08/reviews/09/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310042307/http://www.animefringe.com/magazine/2003/08/reviews/09/|archive-date=March 10, 2016|access-date=January 20, 2003|website=Animefringe}}</ref>

Raphael See of ''THEM Anime Reviews'', opined that Battle Angel is "probably the best cyborg anime" he has seen. And although it does not stand out with something special, due to its high quality it leaves an overall positive viewing experience. He's writing: "A nice feature of this work is the display of cybernetics and technology in the context of the surrounding world, without focusing on the plot itself." The only downside, according to critics, is the brevity of the series, giving the impression that the anime is part of something bigger.<ref>{{Cite web|last=See|first=Raphael|title=Battle Angel|url=https://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=52|access-date=January 20, 2023|website=THEM Amine Reviews|archive-date=January 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120212006/https://www.themanime.org/viewreview.php?id=52|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Anime News Network'' critic, Theron Martin praises the author's meticulous background work and emphasizes that Kishiro has not lost his artistic skills over time.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Theron|date=September 19, 2007|title=Battle Angel Alita: Last Order GN 9|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita-last-order/gn-9|website=Amine News Network|access-date=January 20, 2023|archive-date=January 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120212005/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita-last-order/gn-9|url-status=live}}</ref>  The reviewer also noted that "the reader will always be able to understand what is happening, even in moments of stunning action".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Theron|date=December 19, 2005|title=Battle Angel Alita: Last Order G.novel 6|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita-last-order-gn-6|website=Anime News Network|access-date=January 20, 2023|archive-date=January 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230120212005/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/battle-angel-alita-last-order-gn-6|url-status=live}}</ref> JapanVisitor.com notes the influence on Kishiro of writers such as [[Philip Dick]] ("[[Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?]]") and [[Isaac Asimov]] ("[[I, Robot]]").<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-08-18|title=Battle Angel Alita - Manga Review :: Japan Visitor|url=https://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=354&pID=1472|access-date=2023-01-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110818103219/https://www.japanvisitor.com/index.php?cID=354&pID=1472|archive-date=2011-08-18}}</ref>

== See also ==
* ''[[Aelita (novel)|Aelita]]'', also known as ''Aelita, or The Decline of Mars''
* ''[[Armitage III]]''
* ''[[Genocyber]]''

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* {{cite book|editor-last1=Cholodenko|editor-first1=Alan|editor-link=Alan Cholodenko|title=The Illusion of Life II: More Essays on Animation|date=2007|publisher=Power Publications|location=Sydney|isbn=9780909952341}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Battle Angel Alita}}
* {{Official website|http://jajatom.moo.jp/E-top/Egunnm/gunnmtop.html}}
* [http://kc.kodansha.co.jp/title?code=1000005514 Official website at Kodansha] {{in lang|ja}}
* {{Anime News Network|manga|2427}}
<!-- No fan sites, no Wikia, no illegal scanlations. Thanks. -->

{{Battle Angel Alita}}
{{Business Jump}}
{{Portalbar|Film|Science Fiction|1990s}}

[[Category:Battle Angel]]
[[Category:1990s science fiction novels]]
[[Category:Action anime and manga]]
[[Category:Biorobotics in fiction]]
[[Category:Comics about genetic engineering]]
[[Category:Cyberpunk anime and manga]]
[[Category:Cyborgs in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Dystopian fiction]]
[[Category:Exploratory engineering]]
[[Category:Fiction about artificial intelligence]]
[[Category:Fiction about brain–computer interface]]
[[Category:Fiction about consciousness transfer]]
[[Category:Fiction about cyborgs]]
[[Category:Fiction about immortality]]
[[Category:Fiction about megastructures]]
[[Category:Fiction about prosthetics]]
[[Category:Fiction about robots]]
[[Category:Fiction about terraforming]]
[[Category:Fiction about the Solar System]]
[[Category:Fiction about wormholes]]
[[Category:Fictional bounty hunters]]
[[Category:Jump J-Books]]
[[Category:Manga adapted into films]]
[[Category:Nanopunk]]
[[Category:Post-apocalyptic anime and manga]]
[[Category:Seinen manga]]
[[Category:Shueisha franchises]]
[[Category:Shueisha manga]]
[[Category:Transhumanism in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Viz Media manga]]