Kentaro Miura decided to write this one-shot during the hiatus of his best-known manga Bersek, probably to clear his mind, since Bersek is being written since 1989! The story itself mixture Greek mythology with something like a futuristic mode and post-apocalyptic - or as stated in the manga: after the Great Extinction. And if giants are already successful, imagine mythological giants in a post-apocalyptic backdrop!
To explain this better before entering the manga storyline, here's a brief description: In Greek mythology, the Giants were a race of great strength and aggression - though not necessarily large - known as Gigantomachia or Giganto Makhia and their battles with the Olympian gods. According to Hesiod, the Giants were the children of Gaia (Earth), born of the blood that fell when Uranus (Heaven) was castrated by Titan son of Cronus.
The story begins with the following words:
" In the distant future, far beyond the present, when the familiar story ends ... And a myth resurfaces. A monstrous legend. And also ... Giant."
Humanity is divided and taken new forms. Then there were humans, who are known as "Hus", and a strange new species that are called "Mus", mutant creatures better adapted to live in isolated places like deserts. Some of them are human crossings ... With insects, for example. Ew, strange, I know... But Miura makes even things like that to have a specific meaning and he also make the art become strangely peculiar.
After the dramatic opening, Miura starts the story in a desert, with the two protagonists interacting suddenly. At first it seems a rather confusing approach, but it does not take long until you can feel relate to both of them and already feel a certain familiarity, even if there is not much explanation about who they are, where they came from and so on. They are Delos, a small, silly, strong, good-hearted man, and Prome, a mysterious girl with supernatural powers that does not seem to fit very well in the definitions of the existing forms of life.
One thing I think is needed to warn you at this point is that in the same way that the story doesn't contain many detailed explanations, names also do not have. So don't get too stressed with names, just keep reading that it will gradually make sense and the direction is then shown.
Continuing: The two wandered in search of a desert tribe, known as "Scraves", men who are half beetles and can control huge insects. Delos and Prome end up being found by Scraves first. Then, the pair are mistaken for spies of the human empire called Olympus and are taken captive to prove innocence through a struggle of Delos with the strongest warrior of the tribe... Prome is tied to die after the supposed defeat of Delos, however, the fight endures quite a lot: that little Hus clashes with the powerful Mus in a interestingly way of fighting, kinda unusual for manga: wrestling style.
The plot that follows from there is good enough to keep the attention at reading. Wouldn't be fun to tell all the details, mainly because it is a one-shot. So, try to give it a chance!
What I feel that is relevant to comment is: In general, the manga is very well done, well designed (Miura is mainly known for his mastery of the art of drawing), well thought out even for a one-shot, where the plot is always fast. But it was exciting to read some parts of the story like the way that Delos reacted in front of confrontational situations, making him kinda like the perfect and typical example of a true hero. Not the "perfect" hero that often is used, and that means that perfection is not always free of flaws or even aesthetic perfection. There is a logical explanation for kinda everything in the manga, including Delos's way of act, so it's nice to see that there is a deconstruction of the completely-perfect-heroism that we often see in mangas, comic books and even movies. Interestingly, Delos would be the classic Japanese hero style: strong, pure and honorable.
The development of the plot in the manga will always be surprising enough and always giving a positive and impactful shot at the reader, as is the custom of the Miura. Giganto Makhia has however a much lighter and less dense plot that Bersek and even reaches funny parts that are always given by the pair of protagonists. Still, we can not help but notice the social discussion between the lines and of course, the struggles that are at least energizing.
My criticism with the manga is that it has ecchi/loli content... Honestly...I don't like it. But... Wel... What can I do? Manga's creators can be strange people in the end anyway... Many times the key to this problem is to simply ignore. For some people this is not really important, for some this is only funny and for some this is kinda sick. It's up to you to decide.
Finally, I think it is really easy to buy and read Giganto Makhia, since it is a one-shot. I highly recommend this reading to Bersek fans, even if, somehow, the climate is quite different. Still, the influences of previous Miura's work are visible, especially in monsters in battle and the satisfaction of seeing a manga that is a pleasure to read! And it's great that he can also join many readers who have not heard of the author yet to know his amazing style and narrative feature.
My conclusion is that Giganto Makhia is really a manga who worth. The work makes you reflect on many things and has really great characters and a nice art.
So, going to rating:
Story is great, but not very my style. Still, I must admit that deserves a 9. I had a great time reading it.
Art also deserves a 9. Miura like strong traits and sometimes it get scary... I prefer lighter shades. But even being a bit "rough", I think he knows how to work. Prome were sooooo cute I couldn't resist.
Characters definitely deserve 10. I just loved the personality of Delos and I think he ended up becoming one of my favorite heros.
Had a nice enjoyment, but again, it was a bit scary and I like cuter things when reading manga. So, 9.
Overall, couldn't give nothing but Great! (:
