Gachiakuta Volume 1
Ground Wanderer Arc - The Journey Begins
Chapters 1-4 | Story Arc: Ground Wanderer Arc (Beginning)
Volume Overview
Volume 1 introduces readers to the dystopian world of Gachiakuta, where society is divided between the privileged residents of The Sphere—a floating city above the clouds—and the stigmatized Tribesfolk living in the slums below. This opening volume establishes the series' core themes of value, discarded objects, and social injustice through protagonist Rudo's tragic fall from grace.
The story follows Rudo Surebrec, a teenage scavenger who makes a living repurposing discarded items from The Sphere. Taught by his foster father Regto that cherished objects can be imbued with souls, Rudo sees value where others see trash. This philosophy becomes both his defining characteristic and the foundation for his supernatural abilities.
When Rudo is falsely accused of murdering Regto, he's condemned to The Pit—a supposed underground prison that's actually the surface world, transformed into a toxic wasteland by The Sphere's endless refuse. This volume chronicles Rudo's shocking discovery of the truth, his awakening as a Giver, and his recruitment into the Cleaners organization.
Chapters
Chapter 1: "The Boy Who Collects Trash"
The series opens in The Sphere's slums, introducing Rudo as he scavenges through discarded items from the upper city. Despite being ostracized as the son of a perceived murderer, Rudo maintains his optimistic philosophy about finding value in trash. His relationship with foster father Regto is established through flashbacks, showing how Regto taught him that objects gain souls when cherished. The chapter establishes the stark class divide between The Sphere's wealthy residents and the Tribesfolk, setting up the social commentary that permeates the series. The peaceful life is shattered when Rudo returns home to find Regto murdered, and he's immediately accused of the crime.
Chapter 2: "Exile to The Pit"
Despite his desperate protests of innocence, Rudo is convicted and sentenced to The Pit—described as an underground prison from which no one returns. The chapter explores the brutal justice system that treats exile as capital punishment. As Rudo is thrown into the abyss, the shocking truth is revealed: The Pit isn't underground at all—it's the actual surface world, a vast toxic wasteland created by centuries of The Sphere's refuse. The revelation that what people call "Heaven" (The Sphere) floats above while the real world drowns in its garbage establishes the series' environmental and social critique. Rudo's terrifying fall and landing among mountains of trash creates a visceral introduction to his new reality.
Chapter 3: "The Cleaners"
Rudo encounters his first Trash Beast—gigantic monsters formed from accumulated refuse and negative emotions. Just as he faces certain death, he's rescued by Enjin, a mysterious figure who reveals the truth about The Pit and The Sphere's relationship. Enjin introduces the concept of Givers—individuals who can imbue objects with enhanced abilities called Vital Instruments. When human traffickers attack, Rudo unconsciously awakens his latent Giver abilities, transforming his cherished gloves into the Vital Instrument "3R." This awakening proves Regto's philosophy correct: objects truly can gain power through emotional connection. Enjin recruits Rudo into the Cleaners, an organization that fights Trash Beasts and protects communities in The Pit.
Chapter 4: "New Purpose"
Rudo joins the Cleaners, motivated by dual purposes: gathering information to prove his innocence and seeking revenge against those who framed him. The chapter introduces the Cleaners' operational structure and their mission to exterminate Trash Beasts that threaten settlements. Rudo begins learning about his unique ability—unlike typical Givers who bond with one permanent object, he can temporarily imbue any discarded item with power, literally finding worth in what others throw away. This ability makes him exceptionally valuable but also dangerous, as it requires constant emotional investment. The volume concludes with Rudo's determination to survive in The Pit, uncover the truth about Regto's murder, and eventually return to The Sphere to clear his name.
Key Themes & Development
Value and Worth
The central theme of Volume 1 is the question of value. Rudo's philosophy that objects gain souls when cherished directly challenges The Sphere's hyper-consumerist culture that discards anything imperfect. His Giver ability—finding worth in trash—literalizes this theme, showing that value isn't inherent but created through care and attention. This extends to people as well; just as The Sphere discards objects, it discards people like Rudo and the Tribesfolk, deeming them worthless.
Class Divide and Social Injustice
The stark division between The Sphere and The Pit serves as a powerful metaphor for class inequality. The wealthy literally live above everyone else, dumping their waste on those below without consequence or awareness. The Tribesfolk suffer inherited stigma for their ancestors' crimes, showing how social systems perpetuate injustice across generations. Rudo's false conviction demonstrates how the powerless have no recourse against systemic injustice.
Environmental Destruction
The revelation that The Pit is the actual surface world—transformed into a wasteland by The Sphere's refuse—provides environmental commentary. The Trash Beasts represent nature corrupted by human waste, becoming hostile and dangerous. The series asks: what happens when we treat the world as a dumping ground? The answer is a literal hell created by unchecked consumption.
Found Family and Purpose
Despite losing Regto, Rudo finds new purpose through the Cleaners. The volume establishes that family isn't just blood—it's chosen connections and shared purpose. Enjin's recruitment offers Rudo not just survival but meaning, transforming his exile from a death sentence into an opportunity for a new life.
Characters Introduced
Rudo Surebrec
Protagonist | Giver
A teenage scavenger falsely accused of murder and exiled to The Pit. His unique ability to imbue any discarded object with power makes him a valuable asset to the Cleaners. Driven by desire for revenge and truth.
Enjin
Cleaners Leader | Mentor
The mysterious leader of Team Akuta who rescues Rudo and recruits him into the Cleaners. Wields the powerful Vital Instrument "Umbreaker." His calm demeanor hides deep knowledge of The Pit's secrets.
Regto
Foster Father | Deceased
Rudo's foster father who taught him that cherished objects gain souls. His murder and the false accusation against Rudo sets the entire story in motion. His philosophy becomes the foundation for Rudo's powers.
Eishia
Cleaners Healer | Support
A kind-hearted healer who treats Rudo's injuries. Her Vital Instrument "Type: Heal" demonstrates that Giver abilities aren't limited to combat, showing the diversity of powers in this world.
World-Building Established
The Sphere (Heaven)
A floating city above the clouds where the wealthy live in luxury, completely unaware that their discarded waste creates the wasteland below.
The Pit (The Ground)
The actual surface world, transformed into a toxic wasteland by centuries of The Sphere's refuse. Home to Trash Beasts and exiled criminals.
Vital Instruments (Jinki)
Objects imbued with supernatural power through a Giver's emotional connection. They're essential for fighting Trash Beasts, as normal weapons are ineffective.
Trash Beasts
Gigantic monsters formed from accumulated trash and negative emotions. They threaten settlements in The Pit and can only be defeated by Vital Instruments.
Givers
Individuals capable of channeling Anima (thought energy) into objects, creating Vital Instruments. Essential for survival in The Pit.
The Cleaners
An organization dedicated to exterminating Trash Beasts and protecting communities in The Pit. They recruit and train Givers for this dangerous work.
Impact on the Series
Volume 1 establishes the foundation for everything that follows in Gachiakuta. The world-building introduced here—the relationship between The Sphere and The Pit, the Vital Instrument system, the Cleaners organization—creates a rich framework that supports increasingly complex narratives.
Rudo's dual motivation—proving his innocence and seeking revenge—drives the early story arcs. His unique ability to imbue any object with power makes him both valuable and dangerous, setting up conflicts and opportunities that will define his journey.
The volume's themes of value, class divide, and environmental destruction resonate throughout the series. Every subsequent arc explores these ideas from different angles, deepening the social commentary and philosophical questions raised in these opening chapters.
Most importantly, Volume 1 establishes the emotional core of the series: Rudo's journey from victim to hero, from someone discarded by society to someone who finds worth in what others throw away. This transformation mirrors the series' central message—nothing and no one is truly worthless.