What is "abara"

is a manga series by Tsutomu Nihei. It was serialized in Shueisha's Ultra Jump seinen manga magazine. Abara means "ribs" in Japanese. Abara is set in a dystopian world, filled with large structures. The story revolves around creatures known as Gaunas, those who can shape bone like armor and weaponry around themselves by transforming. The transformation begins around the spine and then shapes layered armor. The story focuses on one such Gauna known as Kudou Denji, though he uses Itou Denji as a fake name earlier. The work was collected and published by Shueisha on May 19, 2006 in two volumes. It is licensed for French release by Glénat and Polish by JPF.