Is this a direct sequel to GUNNM or what?...

The picture of Tiphares on the picture I see of v16 and the first chapter makes it look like this is a retelling....

It has been a while since I read the first series, but if I remember correctly this is the real continuation of the manga since the first ending was written only because the manga was being axed or something like that. After some time the author got to continue the manga and restarted at the moment of alita awekening in Tiphares after the explosion in Nova's laboratory.

Thank you