Gachiakuta Episode 5 Story & Scene Previews Released: Featuring Official Interviews with the Four Main Cast Members

The story and preview images for Episode 5 of the TV anime Gachiakuta have been revealed. The episode is set to air in Japan on Sunday, August 10 at 11:30 PM (JST), with global streaming to follow shortly afterward. Alongside the episode announcement, an official interview with the main voice cast—Aoi Ichikawa (Rudo), Katsuyuki Konishi (Enjin), Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Zanka), and Yumiri Hanamori (Riyo)—has also been released.

In Episode 4, Riyo (voiced by Yumiri Hanamori) takes center stage with a jaw-dropping display of power, unleashing her Vital Instrument, “The Ripper,” to utterly obliterate a massive Trash Beast.

Fast forward to Episode 5, and the focus shifts to Rudo, who’s sent out on his very first mission. But instead of triumph, what he finds is frustration—he’s starkly reminded of how weak he still is. Thinking back to his time in the Heavenly Realm, he can’t help but dwell on his current helplessness. So when a new job request comes into the Cleaners' HQ, he hesitates. Can he really handle it? Still, he decides to go along, driven by the hope that this mission might hold a clue—something, anything—that could help him get back to the Heavenly Realm.

By the end of the episode, the Cleaners come face to face with a group of “Raiders,” and that’s where things really get intense. One standout scene features Zanka (voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) wielding his Vital Instrument with such fluidity, it’s like an extension of his own body—a moment that leaves a strong impression.

Episode 5 Story

Rudo loses confidence after being completely useless on his first field mission. The next day, the Cleaners receive a request: "Retrieve a living person who fell from the Heavenly Realm." Though Rudo hesitates, fearing he might be a burden again, he decides to join the mission in hopes of finding a lead back home.

Main Cast Interview Now Available

As of Episode 4, the main characters Rudo, Enjin, Zanka, and Riyo have each begun to show their individuality and strengths. Now, a full official interview with the star-studded voice cast has been released. They discuss their impressions of the original manga, what they find compelling about their characters, and what kinds of objects they wish could come to life.

■Interviewees
Aoi Ichikawa (Rudo)
Katsuyuki Konishi (Enjin)
Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Zanka)
Yumiri Hanamori (Riyo)

The full translated interview continues in the next message due to length limits.

—What were your first impressions after reading the original manga?

■Aoi Ichikawa (Rudo)
I first picked up the manga when I was preparing my audition tape, and what immediately stood out to me was the artwork—especially the eyes. There’s such raw intensity in their gaze that it feels like you can see the character’s fury, even without dialogue. That fierce look really stuck with me. The way the characters are drawn is so expressive and vivid; they just feel real. You can really sense their individuality shining through on the page.

■Katsuyuki Konishi (Enjin)
I’ve actually been following the series since the first volume came out. Like Ichikawa said, the characters are fascinating and the story really pulls you in. But above all, Kei Urana’s artwork is just incredible. Even though it’s still images, there’s this amazing sense of movement—it almost feels like the panels are alive. The cast is full of bold, unpredictable personalities, and the language used is super compelling too. The story starts off with this descent from the Heavenly Realm to the lower world, and at first, you’re not quite sure where it’s headed… but by the time I finished volume one, I was completely hooked.

■Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Zanka)
The only word I could think of was, “This is incredible.” Honestly, I wanted to crack open the author’s head just to figure out how they came up with all this. I’ve been collecting every volume since, and each one leaves me thinking, “What’s going to happen next?” I seriously don’t know how people handle reading this week-to-week—I’d go crazy from the suspense. That’s why I wait for the compiled volumes. The story just sticks with you. I have a huge amount of respect for Urana-sensei.

■Yumiri Hanamori (Riyo)
I read up to volume 4 when I was auditioning. The art is so fast-paced and detailed—it’s powerful in a way that really stood out. Right from the start, it felt like I was watching a movie unfold in my head. Since Rudo falls into the Abyss, he doesn’t know anything about the Heavenly Realm. So as he learns about this world, the reader discovers it alongside him. It keeps your curiosity constantly sparked. You find yourself wondering, “What’s really going on in these characters’ minds?” And just when you think you’ve figured them out, you realize you haven’t. That mix of intrigue and mystery really pulled me in. I kept thinking about how to bring that atmosphere into the anime. Even now, during the recording sessions, each new script catches me off guard. The twists hit with the same punch as a weekly manga. That speed and unpredictability—that’s a big part of what makes this anime so exciting.

――What’s appealing about your own character?
■Ichikawa
Rudo is incredibly straightforward. He’s not great at communication at first, but he’s not afraid to confront others with his emotions. That boldness is part of his charm. He’s stubborn, but not in a way that pushes people away. As he interacts with the other Cleaners, he softens. He starts to want to help others, to absorb what they offer. Learning to rely on others is very Rudo. Instead of saying “Let me help,” you want to just stand by and watch how he lives. That’s his appeal.

――Rudo seems pretty awkward though.
■Ichikawa:
Yeah, he is. But that awkwardness is what makes him endearing. As adults, we learn to play social roles, but Rudo hasn’t figured that out yet. That makes you want to keep watching to see how he’ll grow. His clumsy sincerity can really resonate with people.

――What do you find appealing about Enjin?
■Katsuyuki Konishi
Enjin is a member of the Cleaners and the one responsible for recruiting Rudo into the group. At first glance, he seems hard to pin down, but in truth, he’s extremely observant and cares deeply for those around him. He even pairs Zanka with Rudo to look after him. This hasn’t been shown in the anime yet, but as we go on, we’ll learn why Enjin is with the Cleaners, what he hopes to accomplish, and what kind of future he envisions within the organization. That mystery makes him a really compelling character. He may seem like he’s just drifting through life, but when it’s time to act, he takes charge. He always gets the coolest moments. From an outsider’s perspective, he’s probably the most enviable character—he can do comedy, but he can also anchor a serious scene. He has many faces, and I still wonder which one is his true self. There are moments when he’s joking around, but then he suddenly gives you this serious look. I’d like to pick up on those moments little by little as I continue voicing him.

――Enjin bursts out laughing when he hears about Rudo and Zanka’s shocking first meeting.
■Konishi
He’s probably the type who just throws himself into enjoying life. After all, this isn’t a world where you can take anything for granted. It’s polluted, and there are so many limits on where you can go. But in a way, people here aren’t repressed. They live every day like it might be their last—and that’s exactly why they can live so freely and enjoy life to the fullest. When you live that way, the people you connect with naturally become important to you. You discover what really matters and pursue it with everything you’ve got. I think the people living in the Abyss are like that. And that’s what makes them so cool.

■Ichikawa
In both good and bad ways, everyone in that world lives as equals. That’s why each person’s way of life feels authentic and admirable—it’s their freedom made visible.

■Konishi
That’s probably why Rudo was so shocked at first. The world of the Abyss is nothing like the Heavenly Realm he came from.

――What’s your take on Zanka?
■Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
My first impression of Zanka was that he was a rough and reckless guy. But as I read more of the manga, I started to notice little things—like the way he chooses his words—that hinted there was more beneath the surface. At first, even when I read the script, something in my head kept saying, “This isn’t right!” His tone, his phrasing... it all felt off. I usually believe that even if I don’t know what’s coming in a story, I can still grow alongside my character if I understand the original work. But Gachiakuta wasn’t like that. The more I read, the more everything clicked into place—and once it did, it was like the engine finally roared to life. Even though Zanka seems careless on the outside, I really wanted to make sure his core beliefs would come through. That was always in the back of my mind while I performed.

――Zanka’s relationship with Rudo is also one of the show’s highlights.
■Matsuoka
Their first meeting is completely absurd. It's the worst-case scenario of worst-case scenarios. And yet, no matter what happened between them, Zanka can’t help but keep his eye on Rudo. If that incident had never occurred, and Rudo had just quietly joined the Cleaners, I doubt Zanka would have felt such a strong connection to him. Ironically, it’s because of that terrible encounter that things turned out for the better. The moment Zanka saw Rudo, that memory instantly resurfaced.

■Hanamori
It really was the worst! (laughs)

■Matsuoka
Yeah, it was one of those “You little punk…” situations. (laughs)

――What about Riyo? How do you view your character?
■Yumiri Hanamori (Riyo)
Going back to the audition, I felt it was important to portray Riyo as someone elusive. During the actual recording, I was told, “Don’t add too much expression to your voice, but make sure the emotions still come through.” So I worked to internalize that. I wanted Riyo to be like a black cat—someone who snuggles into others’ hearts but never truly lets anyone into her own. If you try to reach out, she slips away before you can touch her. She’s mysterious, almost dangerous, but with an irresistible charm. That’s the kind of girl I wanted to portray, and I’m still exploring her as I go.

Even after reading the manga, I still feel like I know nothing about her. And yet, I want to know more. I hope the viewers—and Rudo, too—share that feeling. I also try to avoid making her seem “scary” when I play with that femme fatale energy. Honestly, I think I’ve fallen under Riyo’s spell myself.

――Riyo’s combat abilities are also quite impressive.
■Hanamori
Definitely. And I think her strength becomes a key point later on. But at the same time, there’s a future scene that will completely shake that perception—we’ll be hit with the realization that we really didn’t know anything about her. That’s why I feel a responsibility, as an actor, to portray her in a way that makes viewers appreciate her charm now. I want people to genuinely like her. That emotional investment will make the impact of that future moment even stronger. I’m doing my best to bring that out.

――Is there anything in real life you wish had a soul?
■Ichikawa
My smartphone, honestly. I forget things so easily—appointments, schedules, you name it. I always need someone to remind me, “Hey, remember you have something tomorrow.” I want something that’ll manage everything for me.

■Hanamori
That sounds more like a secretary.

■Ichikawa
Exactly, like a personal assistant.

■Hanamori
Like, “Reminder: you’ve got a Gachiakuta interview at 10 a.m. tomorrow.”

■Ichikawa
Yes, I want it to tell me everything!

■Matsuoka
For me, I think it would be my house. If it had a soul, I feel like I’d be kinder to everything in it.

■Hanamori
Like you’re being nurtured from the inside.

■Ichikawa
But if you made it mad, it might melt you or something.

■Konishi
Like, “Ugh, today’s bath is a little prickly…”

■Hanamori
As for me, it’s been a dream since I was a kid—I want dolls to have souls. Like in Toy Story. I used to wonder if they moved around while I was asleep. Or like the elves in The Elves and the Shoemaker, working on little things for me. I want to believe they’re real.

■Matsuoka
So you’d wake up and find your script already checked?

■Hanamori
Exactly! With all the important parts highlighted!

■Ichikawa
If they left notes too, that’d be perfect.

■Hanamori
In the end, maybe we all just want a secretary. (laughs)

■Konishi
I’d want my fridge to have a soul. Like, it would thaw frozen food on its own, warn me when something’s about to expire, and automatically make ice cubes.

■Hanamori
So in the end, yeah—we all want a secretary. (laughs)

■Ichikawa
We must just want to be taken care of.

――Lastly, any messages you’d like to share with the audience?
■Aoi Ichikawa (Rudo)
This series isn't just visually powerful—the movement, the music, everything has been elevated into a true work of art. It blends seamlessly into the world of Gachiakuta. Every time you watch, you’ll notice something new. One viewing won’t be enough—you’ll want to rewatch it and pick up on different elements each time. The characters are all bursting with individuality. There are so many wild personalities in this story that you can’t possibly absorb them all in a single viewing. So I hope everyone enjoys watching it over and over. Thank you for your support.

■Katsuyuki Konishi (Enjin)
I’m a huge fan of the original manga, and I truly think this anime will live up to the expectations of fans like me. If you’ve seen the PV, you’ll get it right away—when Gachiakuta starts moving and takes on color, it’s like, “This is Gachiakuta.” Even if you already love the manga, the anime will exceed your expectations. And even if this is your first time encountering the series, the quality alone will draw you in. I really hope everyone gives it a watch.

■Yumiri Hanamori (Riyo)
Even when it was just a manga, it felt like the artwork and backgrounds had motion. Now, in animated form, those visuals haven’t just been preserved—they’ve been transformed. I can feel the staff’s passion to make this a Gachiakuta anime worth seeing. You can feel it in the recording booth, and you can feel it in every frame of the animation. I’m so excited for everyone to experience it. Once you take a bite, you won’t be able to stop—it’s that addictive. I hope everyone gets hooked, and as a voice actor, I’ll keep giving it my all to help make that happen. Please, take a bite of Gachiakuta and get addicted.

■Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Zanka):
The original manga is incredibly powerful, so this anime adaptation feels like something that was always meant to happen. That said, there are moments in the story that might be emotionally tough for some viewers. But overcoming those moments only makes you more desperate to see what happens next. It’s a work that draws you in, no matter how heavy it gets. I hope this series reaches a wide audience and that people all over will dive into Gachiakuta together. Thank you for watching.

Introduction

Gachiakuta is a battle action series featuring an orphan boy named Rudo, born in a slum where the descendants of criminals live.
People in the slums are looked down upon and discriminated against as “tribesfolk” by those who live beyond its walls.
Rudo lives together with Regto, the man who raised him, and makes ends meet using his extraordinary physical abilities, despite being called a “trash raider.”
Then one day, he’s falsely accused of a crime and dropped into a fearsome abyss known as the Pit.

Source : Gachiakuta Official