Gunslinger Girl

The Italian manga-inspired series Gunslinger Girl (2005–2013), published by Egmont Ehapa, follows a covert Italian government agency that rescues and brainwashes young, physically broken girls into cyborg assassins. Each girl is paired with a male handler, creating tense, often tragic relationships as they carry out black ops missions across Europe. Written and illustrated by Yu Aida, the series is known for its melancholic tone, meticulous action sequences, and unflinching exploration of agency, trauma, and the cost of violence. Its 15-issue run became a defining work of European manga-influenced comics, praised for its emotional depth and stark visual storytelling.