Dark Horse Comics is set to delight fans of high-octane manga with the announcement that Kenichi Sonoda’s Gunsmith Cats Burst is being reprinted in two omnibus volumes. This exciting news means that fans old and new will have the chance to experience the thrilling sequel to the classic Gunsmith Cats series in a fresh, accessible format. With updated translation, lettering, and retouching by Studio Cutie, these omnibus editions promise to deliver the definitive Gunsmith Cats Burst experience.
What to Expect in the Gunsmith Cats Burst Omnibus
The Gunsmith Cats Burst omnibus editions collect the entire sequel manga series into two comprehensive volumes. Here’s a breakdown of what readers can expect:
- Complete Story: Each omnibus contains a significant portion of the Gunsmith Cats Burst storyline, ensuring a deep dive into the adventures of Rally Vincent, Minnie-May Hopkins, and Bean Bandit. Volume One collects chapters 1-22.
- Right-to-Left Reading: The omnibus editions will preserve the original Japanese reading style, allowing readers to experience the manga as it was intended.
- Updated Presentation: Studio Cutie is handling the translation, lettering, and retouching, ensuring a polished and modern reading experience.
Volume One: Texas Mayhem and Detroit’s Finest
In Gunsmith Cats Burst Omnibus Volume One, Rally and Bean find themselves far from the familiar streets of Chicago. The official description teases a wild ride:
Rally and ace transporter Bean Bandit find themselves well outside city limits—and deep in the heart of Texas. After Bean’s vehicle is swiped, Rally hires Bean to get her and her bounty back to Chicago in a rental car, but the car only has half a tank of gas. Pretty soon, Bean’s got to get out and push! The desperate situation gets worse when they seek sanctuary at a remote motel far off the interstate with mob hitmen on their trail.
Adding to the chaos is the introduction of a new character: Inspector Percy Bacharach.
Meanwhile, there’s a new cop in Chicago: the mustachioed, Mustang Mach 1-driving Inspector Percy Bacharach, late of the Detroit P.D. Bean Bandit has wrecked a few too many squad cars in the Motor City, so Percy is transferred to Chicagoland to pursue Bean. He isn’t here to bring Bean under arrest, either—Percy is on a collision course with Bean in a duel to the death on the highway!
Volume Two: V8 Freaks and Old Grudges
Gunsmith Cats Burst Omnibus Volume Two continues the high-octane action with illegal road races and returning adversaries:
An illegal road race exclusively for V8 freaks is underway. While big-money bets from the audience fly fast and furious online, Rally’s behind the wheel of her new Mustang II King Cobra to keep a tail on Bean Bandit. Bean’s the favorite to win the race, but his obsessed nemesis Detective Percy is in the contest, too. And Percy’s not what you’d call a clean cop—in fact he’s so dirty, he’s taking a 10% cut of the bets…plus he plans to throw the odds by having Bean wrecked by hired mercenaries! The chaos continues in Chicago, where old grudges and assumed dead arch-enemies return to put Rally in the crosshairs of some dangerous people. Mob boss Goldie has lost her memory and her crew wants Rally to do whatever it takes to bring her back.
Who is Kenichi Sonoda?
Kenichi Sonoda is a highly respected manga artist and character designer known for his dynamic action sequences and appealing character designs. Besides Gunsmith Cats and Gunsmith Cats Burst, Sonoda is also the creator of Cannon God Exaxxion and has worked as a character designer on several anime series, including Bubblegum Crisis and SoltyRei.
Release Date and Availability
Gunsmith Cats Burst Omnibus Volume 1 is scheduled for release on January 6, 2026. Pre-orders are available through various online retailers, including PenguinRandomHouse.com.
The Enduring Appeal of Gunsmith Cats
Gunsmith Cats, and now Gunsmith Cats Burst, has maintained a dedicated following for several reasons:
- Strong Female Characters: Rally Vincent is a capable and independent woman who can hold her own in a male-dominated world. Her partnership with Minnie-May adds another layer of complexity and charm to the series.
- Realistic Gun Action: Sonoda’s attention to detail regarding firearms and tactical situations lends the series a sense of authenticity that appeals to gun enthusiasts.
- High-Octane Action: The series is filled with thrilling car chases, gunfights, and explosions, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
- Engaging Storylines: The plots are well-crafted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep readers guessing.
Why This Reprint Matters
The reprint of Gunsmith Cats Burst in omnibus format is significant for several reasons:
- Accessibility: The omnibus editions make the series more accessible to new readers who may have been intimidated by tracking down individual volumes.
- Preservation: By reprinting the series, Dark Horse is ensuring that Gunsmith Cats Burst remains available for future generations of manga fans.
- Enhanced Experience: The updated translation, lettering, and retouching promise to deliver the best possible reading experience.
More About Gunsmith Cats
Gunsmith Cats is a manga series created by Kenichi Sonoda. The series follows Rally Vincent, a gun shop owner and expert marksman, and Minnie-May Hopkins, a demolitions expert, as they work together as bounty hunters in Chicago. The original Gunsmith Cats manga ran from 1991 to 1997, followed by the sequel series, Gunsmith Cats Burst, from 2004 to 2008.
