A method for manufacturing a glass panel unit includes a working step, an assembling step, a bonding step, and a gas exhausting step. The working step includes a getter material making step including obtaining a getter material containing a zeolite and a cerium compound. The assembling step includes preparing an assembly. The bonding step includes melting a peripheral wall to hermetically bond a first glass pane and a second glass pane. The gas exhausting step includes exhausting a gas from an internal space through an exhaust port to turn the internal space into a vacuum space.