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Longform community posts about this title
Heavenly Delusion. The Mystery Of Two Worlds.@aikay163d
Hi Anime Fans, today let’s talk about Heavenly Delusion (Tengoku Daimakyo) because this one is weird in the best way possible.
Heavenly Delusion is one of those anime that doesn’t explain itself fully, and somehow that makes it even more interesting,from the very first episode, you already know you are stepping into a broken world, the atmosphere feels empty, dangerous, and quiet in a scary way, no loud chaos, just this constant feeling that something is wrong and always about to get worse.
The story basically follows two sides -
On one side, we have Maru and Kiruko traveling across a ruined Japan, searching for a place called “Heaven.” and on the other side, we see children living inside a highly advanced facility that looks safe, clean, and almost perfect, the anime keeps switching between these two perspectives, and at first you might be confused, but slowly you start seeing connections between both stories.
Maru and Kiruko’s journey is the heart of the anime for me, they are moving through abandoned cities, empty roads, and dangerous areas, meeting strange people and even stranger creatures, their dynamic is fun but also emotional, they argue, tease each other, protect each other, and slowly build trust, it doesn’t feel forced, It feels natural, like two people trying to survive in a world that doesn’t care about them.
What I really love about Heavenly Delusion is how it handles mystery, it does not spoon feed you answers, It gives hints, small clues, background details, and lets you piece things together yourself, sometimes you will finish an episode and just sit there thinking, “Wait… what did I just watch?” but in a good way, not a frustrating way.
The world building is amazing, You can tell a lot of thought went into designing this broken society, you see the aftermath of disasters, collapsed buildings, strange technology, and people trying to live normal lives despite everything, It feels realistic and unsettling at the same time, like a future that could almost happen.
The children inside the facility are another big part of the story,their world looks like paradise compared to the outside, but there is an eerie feeling to it, everyone smiles a bit too much, everything is a bit too perfect, you start to realize that safety doesn’t always mean freedom.
Emotionally, heavenly Delusion hits harder than you expect, soome episodes feel light and adventurous, while others suddenly drop heavy topics, It deals with loss, identity, trauma, and what it means to be human, and it doesn’t shy away from showing uncomfortable situations.
Animation wise, the anime looks really good, the character designs are very simple but expressive, 5he environments feel detailed and alive, even when they are showing decay, the action scenes aren’t constant, but when they happen, they are intense and well done.
This isn’t an anime you watch while distracted, yu need to pay serious attention,small details matter, conversations matter, background visuals matter, and that is part of what makes it special.
And overall, (Heavenly Delusion) is not your typical kind of anime, It is so slow, mysterious, dark, and also thoughtful, so if you enjoy post apocalyptic stories, deep mysteries, and anime that makes you want to think deep, then this one is absolutely worth watching, it is uncomfortable, beautiful, and unforgettable in its own strange way.
›“Tengoku Daimakyou: Buscar el paraíso en un mundo que se cae a pedazos (ESP/ENG)”@zeyneralejandro364d
¡Hola amigos de esta maravillosa comunidad!
Hoy quise hacer este post porque, para mi sorpresa, no he visto casi publicaciones en la comunidad sobre un anime que me marcó profundamente: Tengoku Daimakyou (Heavenly Delusion). Es una serie que me atrapó desde el primer episodio y que, honestamente, se ha convertido en uno de mis animes favoritos.
Este anime lo tiene todo: una animación excelente, una historia compleja y envolvente, personajes bien desarrollados y una ambientación que mezcla lo apocalíptico con lo humano de una forma impactante. No puedo creer que tan pocos hayan hablado de él aquí… así que decidí ser quien lo recomiende con todo el corazón.
Para quienes no lo conocen, Tengoku Daimakyou cuenta con solo 13 episodios, pero ninguno de ellos se siente de relleno o aburrido. Los protagonistas son Maru, un chico con la habilidad de eliminar unas misteriosas criaturas llamadas “devoradores de hombres”, y Kiruko (no Haruko), una joven valiente y muy especial que lo acompaña en una misión peligrosa: encontrar un lugar llamado el Paraíso.
La trama avanza entre líneas temporales del presente y del pasado, con escenas que al principio pueden parecer confusas, pero que poco a poco ayudan a entender el trasfondo de este mundo devastado y lleno de secretos. Es un anime que te hace pensar, dudar y sentir.
Quisiera detenerme especialmente en los episodios 7 y 8, que fueron los más emotivos y fuertes para mí. En esos capítulos conocen a un doctor que, al principio, parece un hombre cruel, incluso capaz de cosas terribles. Pero al descubrir sus verdaderas intenciones, nos damos cuenta de que no todo es blanco o negro. En medio de una situación desesperada, este doctor le pide a Maru un favor que me dejó helado: le pide que acabe con la vida de la persona que más ama... porque ella se está transformando en una de esas criaturas devoradoras de hombres.
Ese momento fue tan triste y humano, que no pude evitar llorar. Me dejó reflexionando por largo rato. No esperaba que un anime como este tuviera una carga emocional tan fuerte ni que me hiciera conectar así con sus personajes.
Si con todo esto que les he contado no logré despertar su interés, entonces no sé qué más podría hacerlo. 😅
Pero de verdad, si te gustan las historias complejas, misteriosas, cargadas de emoción y con un mundo bien construido, Tengoku Daimakyou vale cada segundo.
Gracias por leerme hasta aquí.
Nos vemos en el próximo post, si así lo desean.
¡Que Dios los bendiga y sigan disfrutando del anime tanto como yo!
English
Hello friends from this amazing community!
Today I wanted to share this post because, to my surprise, I haven't seen many people here talk about one of the most beautiful and powerful anime I’ve seen: Tengoku Daimakyou (Heavenly Delusion). It completely captured me, and honestly, it has become one of my all-time favorites.
This anime has everything: excellent animation, a mysterious and engaging plot, well-developed characters, and a post-apocalyptic world full of emotion and humanity. I can’t believe I haven’t seen more posts about it here… so I decided to be the one to recommend it with all my heart.
For those who haven't seen it, Tengoku Daimakyou has 13 episodes, and not a single one feels boring or like filler. The main characters are Maru, a boy with the ability to kill strange man-eating creatures, and Kiruko (not Haruko), a brave and unique young woman. Together, they are on a mission to find a mysterious place known as Paradise.
The story shifts between the present and flashbacks from the past, which may seem confusing at first, but eventually everything connects. Those past moments help explain the strange and tragic world the characters live in. It’s a show full of suspense, emotion, and unexpected turns.
I want to focus for a moment on episodes 7 and 8, which were the most emotional and impactful for me. In those episodes, they meet a doctor who, at first, seems like a cold and dangerous man. But as we get to know him better, we realize things are not so simple. In a moment of deep desperation, he asks Maru for something unthinkable: to end the life of the person he loves most, because she is slowly turning into one of those monstrous creatures.
That moment was heartbreaking. I didn’t expect something so emotional in this kind of anime—it truly made me cry and reflect on everything I had just watched.
If none of this sparked your interest… then I honestly don’t know what will. 😅
But if you enjoy deep, mysterious, emotionally intense stories with great animation and strong world-building, Tengoku Daimakyou is absolutely worth your time.
Thank you so much for reading this post.
I hope to see you again in the next one.
May God bless you—and may we all keep enjoying the beauty of anime!
›Heavenly Delusion: Cracking Open a Wild Anime Odyssey@dlmmqb453d
This image of Heavenly Delusion is used under fair use for commentary and discussion under Section 107 of Copyright Act, Image SOURCE
Hello everyone. As promised, I’m back with another mind-blowing anime review. Unlike my last one about robots and androids, this one’s even more gripping, sharing the post-apocalyptic vibe but with a unique twist. You guessed it. It’s Heavenly Delusion, or Tengoku Daimakyou in Japanese.
Where to Start?
I recently finished Heavenly Delusion, and my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, trying to piece it all together. This anime reels you in with its mysterious adventure, centered on the main characters and two distinct settings that keep you curious, eagerly anticipating how they’ll intersect. Even with all these emotions swirling, sitting down to write this review feels daunting. Where do I even begin?
The Beginning of the Journey
The story unfolds across two settings. First, we see kids living in a confined, almost idyllic academy with all the amenities, enjoying their daily lives. For a moment, it feels like a slice-of-life anime.
Then there’s the second setting, my favorite, the post-apocalyptic world. We meet the main characters: Maru, a blonde, quirky-haired kid, and his tomboyish older companion, Kiruko, whom he calls Nee-chan (Japanese for big sister). They scavenge through abandoned buildings for supplies, mostly food, in a world where humanity is barely hanging on after a major disaster. It’s your classic end-of-the-world setup, but it’s anything but predictable.
Life Goes On, Alongside Monsters
Maru and Kiruko’s routine involves scavenging for necessities until they stumble upon a cozy inn with baths and beds, a refreshing break. But the owner seems shady, and their peace is short-lived. Soon, they confront a man-eating monster called a Hiruko. Surprisingly, they handle it with confidence, hinting they’ve faced these creatures before. This is when the anime introduces Hiruko as a threat, suggesting they’re tied to humanity’s downfall. Maru and Kiruko dispatch the monster swiftly using Maru’s unique ability, blending suspense and action seamlessly.
Find Your Twin, Inject the Shot
Early on, the anime raises questions. What caused this apocalypse? Where do Maru and Kiruko come from? We learn Kiruko is Maru’s bodyguard, but their backstory is vague. Maru carries a syringe he must inject into someone who looks identical to him, his twin. Initially, I assumed this would tie to Tokio, a student at the academy, and their paths would cross later. But Heavenly Delusion loves to subvert expectations, and let’s just say my guesses were way off, thanks to its brilliant plot twists.
Plot Twists That Hit Hard
As Maru and Kiruko journey to find Maru’s twin and a place called Heaven, I thought the academy might be this heavenly destination. Nope, wrong again. The anime dismantles your assumptions one by one, weaving connections in shocking ways. We get glimpses of Kiruko’s backstory and her admiration for a character named Robin, leading to revelations that flip the narrative upside down. Since this is a spoiler-free review, I won’t dive into the whoa, what just happened moments, but trust me, the twists are wild. Watch it to experience them yourself.
Recommendation Specifics
Heavenly Delusion is captivating, with its plot and the characters’ adventures keeping you hooked, driven by curiosity about how it all ties together. However, the ending doesn’t fully resolve everything, which left me a bit disappointed. After 13 episodes, I craved clearer answers. The anime also touches on disturbing themes that might not suit everyone, especially if you’re sensitive to dark or heavy concepts. If you’re like me and enjoy a compelling story regardless of its intensity, dive in. Otherwise, proceed with caution.
Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and drop any recommendations for what I should watch next.
›Tengoku Daimakyou --- I need S2 now!!! XD@tegoshei486d
I was a bit busy this week, but I finally finished watching the anime I'm watching. I was supposed to write this blog earlier today, but I got pretty distracted with other stuff like work, pets, and life. *haha*
Anyway, the anime that I'm going to share this time is called ***Tengoku Daimakyou*** or *Heavenly Delusion* in English.
> ***NOTE: Photos are screenshots from the series.***
Fifteen years before the actual setting of the series, the world faced a huge disaster. Of course, some people survived it, but the dangerous man-eating monsters suddenly appeared and became a massive threat for the survivors.
Despite the chaos, there's one isolated facility that raises children. They're living peacefully, but some are starting to be curious about the world beyond the walls, if it actually existed.
In the world outside the facility, two young survivors, Kiruko and Maru, are wandering around searching for a certain place called "Heaven". They both have their own reasons for doing so.
The world outside isn't safe at all. They have to tread in places with the utmost care. They also have to face the man-eating monsters from time to time in order to move forward. For some reason, Maru has the ability to actually get rid of it.
Will the two find what they're looking for? Let's watch their adventure as we slowly unravel their past.
Above is the trailer of the said animated series. :)
There are a lot of things I want to know, so I need season 2 so badly. Because of this, I decided to read the manga... XD
I guess my curiosity is a good sign as to how interesting this anime is. I like how complicated it is and how stuff in the facility and the outside world are somewhat connected. I can put two and two together, but I need confirmations for my theories. haha But all in all, I enjoyed it, and I can't wait to know what happens next.
The kids in the facility are giving "Yakusoku no Neverland" vibes, except that it's more high-tech, and some of the kids are a bit questionable. There are a lot of interesting characters there that I want to dig deeper into.
It's also interesting how people try to live their everyday life after the calamity. It made me wonder what Senku from Dr. Stone would have done if he's in this world. I wonder how or what he'll make with the power of science to get rid of the man-eating monsters.
Enough of these references and questions... the anime was fun and entertaining in its own way. Some scenes might make you question (as I did), but overall, for this first season, I was satisfied enough. BUT... I certainly need a continuation. Well, there's the manga for that.
When it comes to the art style and animation style, I kind of like it. The art style might not be my favorite, but it has a certain charm to it as well. The soundtrack is also great!
The series might have been under the adventure, mystery, and Sci-Fi genres, but some scenes made me cry my heart out. There were also some really comical ones that I couldn't stop laughing at. There's just one scene that I didn't understand the necessity of... I wonder if there's a connection to something that will be explained as the story unfolds, but we'll see.
I'll end my post here. Thanks a lot for reading! See you around! (^^,)/
Hello friends anime lovers, recently I saw here a news from one of the members of the community, that the anime that I am talking about won an award. While researching I realized that it did not win 1, but 5, although.... it won the most important one (the one that everyone wants to win) "Anime of the year 2023", awarded by a platform called Anime trending, in its 10th edition (I must admit, I don't know how important this platform is in the world of anime). But let's get down to the serious stuff, what is this anime about and why did it win so many awards?
To begin with, this anime has 2 simultaneous stories, the first one, are 2 boys who travel through a world devastated by the invasion of some extra creatures, man-eating, one of them is a girl named Haruki, this girl keeps a big secret, because his body is not hers, or better him. The other boy is called Maru, this is also someone peculiar, as he has a unique power, which helps them on their way, a path that will lead them to reveal one of the mysteries that unites them to the other boys.
While Maru and Haruki are on their long journey, in another place, there is a kind of orphanage that is isolated from the outside world, here, as in all the anime, there are more strange happenings, since when we think that all the children who live in there are normal, the truth is that each one has a different talent, so much so that you could say that they are superhuman.
There are so many things that are in the anime that if I say anything too much it might be a spoiler. When I first started watching the anime I watched it because I thought its main character was pretty, which? was weird much later (I'm still going through the trauma). Then I was hooked in its first chapters, since its mystery and secrets took over my attention every week, also because of the fact of seeing 2 plots simultaneously and waiting for that moment where the 2 meet (which has not happened yet and I have no idea if it will happen, when I say that the anime is a little strange it is).
Back to the awards, each one in my opinion is well deserved, which are: (The order of the awards does not influence the order in which I win them).
1 Anime of the year.
2 Best episode and storyboard direction: "Their Choices" (Heavenly Delusion E8).
3 Best sets and visuals.
4 Mystery or psychological anime of the year.
5 Supernatural anime of the year.
summarizing the awards, if it won the anime of the year, it was logical that it won in its categories, as are the last 3 awards I describe. the one for best scenery and visuals, I totally agree, their animation studio did a beautiful job detailing each scenery and throughout its 13 episodes. The anime of the year award, you should watch it on your own if you haven't done it yet and realize this great work that is just beginning.
I don't want to keep talking, because later I will tell you something important, so... I recommend the anime 100%, for me it is a 10/10, with a story that for me is out of the ordinary in the world of anime.
Tell me if you have already seen it, how did you like it in the comments.
A Big Hug In The Distance.
I N G L E S -- I N G L E S
Hola amigos amantes del anime, hace poco vi aquí una noticia de uno de los miembros de la comunidad, que el anime que les vengo hablar gano un premio. Investigando me di cuenta de que no gano 1, sino 5, aunque... gano el más importante (El que todos quieren ganar) "Anime del año 2023" que lo otorgo una plataforma llamada Anime trending, en su 10th edición (Debo reconocer, que no sé, qué tan importan es esta plataforma en el mundo del anime). Pero vamos a lo más serio, de que trata este anime y ¿por qué gano tantos premios?
Para comenzar este anime lleva 2 historias en simultáneo, la primera, son 2 chicos que viajan por un mundo desbastado, por la invasión de unas extras criaturas, come hombres, uno de ellos es una chica llamada Haruki, esta chica guarda un gran secreto, ya que su cuerpo no es de ella, o mejor él. El otro chico se llama Maru, este también es alguien peculiar, ya que tiene un poder único, que los ayuda en su camino, camino que los va llevando a revelar uno de los misterios que los une a los otros chicos.
Mientras Maru y Haruki están en su largo viaje, en otro lugar, hay una especie de orfanato que está aislado del mundo exterior, aquí, como en todo el anime, hay más acontecimientos extraños, ya que cuando pensamos que todos los niños que viven ahí dentro son normales, la verdad es que cada uno tiene un talento diferente, tanto que se podría decir que son sobrehumanos.
Hay tantas cosas que hay en el anime que si digo algo de más puede ser un espóiler. Cuando comencé a ver el anime lo vi porque me pareció bonita su protagonista, cosa que... fue raro mucho después (aún paso el trauma). Luego quede enganchado en sus primeros capítulos, ya que su misterio y secretos se apoderaban cada semana de mi atención, también por el hecho de ver 2 tramas en simultáneos y esperar ese momento donde las 2 se encuentran (cosa que aun no ha pasado y no tengo idea si pasara, cuando digo que el anime es un poco extraño lo es).
Volviendo al tema de los premios, cada uno a mi criterio esta bien merecido, los cuales son: (El orden de los premios, no influye en el orden en que los gano).
1 Anime del año.
2 Mejor dirección de episodio y storyboard: “Their Choices” (Heavenly Delusion E8).
3 Mejores escenarios y visuales.
4 Anime de misterio o psicológico del año.
5 Anime sobrenatural del año.
resumiendo los premios, si gano el anime del año, era lógico que ganara en sus categorías, como lo son los últimos 3 premios que describo. el de mejores escenarios y visuales, estoy totalmente de acuerdo, su estudio de animación hizo un hermoso trabajo detallando cada paisaje y a lo largo de sus 13 episodios. El del anime del año deben de verlo por su cuenta si aún no lo han hecho y darse cuenta de esta gran obra que apenas inicia.
No quiero seguir hablando, porque luego les cuento algo importante, asi que... les recomiendo el anime al 100%, para mí es un 10/10, con una historia que para mí sale de lo común dentro del mundo de los animes.
Cuéntame si ya lo viste, que tal te pareció en los comentarios.
›REFLEXIÓN DE TENGOKU DAIMAKYOU/REFLECTION OF TENGOKU DAIMAKYOU [ESP/ENG]@yasmarit933d
Hola querida comunidad de AnimeRealm, por acá un gusto escribir este nuevo post y hablarles sobre un anime que bueno me hizo verlo dos veces para entender jeje, pero me gustó mucho y me hizo reflexionar varios puntos y quiero compartirlos con ustedes, se trata de Tengoku Daimakyou o conocido como Ilusión Celestial, es un anime que apenas tiene su primera temporada este año pero ciertamente ha dejado mucho de qué hablar ya que por su controversia sobre ciertos temas sobre todo del apocalipsis deja a pensar que se vendrá o si verdaderamente las consecuencias que se vienen por culpa de la propia humanidad serán tan eminentes que ya la vida en la tierra no será de solo humanos si no de humanos transformados en unas especies monstruosas que intentaran acabar con todos.
La historia se basa en dos jóvenes Maru y Kiriko que comienzan a viajar buscando el llamado paraíso luego de 15 años de haber ocurrido la gran catástrofe la cual trajo consigo escases de alimentos, agua, destrucción de ciudades y aparición de unos monstruos que se comen todo lo que tengan al frente, aparentemente son estos la causa de apocalipsis en el planeta, sin embargo, a medida que avanza el anime se darán cuenta que no es tan cierto, hay varias hipótesis al respecto pero no se concreta aun todavía cual es, la idea es avanzar y recolectar todo lo que se pueda para llegar al llamado paraíso, a medida que eso ocurre se descubren varios aspectos que harán la historia más interesante.
Mi idea no es dejar un spoiler, para que puedan verlo y se animen a ello, pero si le diré que Kiriko la jovencita que acompaña a Maru, el chico que debe proteger y que es capaz de matar a los cazahumanos, así llamado a los monstruos que se ven humanos y bueno luego se transforman, esta chica es más de lo que parece y se relaciona con su hermano Haruki, va referente a lo que hemos escuchado de operaciones con trasplantes que son capaces de sentir lo que el anterior huésped sentía, es algo que científicamente se puede lograr pero acá lo veremos con algo más irreal pero significativo.
El anime también a medida que transcurre la historia nos va presentando el pasado, quizás el comienzo de todo, donde niños aparentemente niños normales están en una escuela encerrados, llevando clases y viviendo su vida, pero comienzan a sentir emociones que no les han enseñado y eso trae consigo que tengan relaciones hasta el punto de queda Tokio la mamá de Maru embarazado con apenas 15 años, lo cual le dará un sentido a como es este chico.
Así también veremos como el destino va demostrando como en realidad son las personas, no se pueden confiar a simple vista, no todo lo que brilla es oro y eso le pasará a Kiriko, creyendo en un amigo que simplemente quería algo mal con ella, pero que sin importar lo que pase debe continuar por cumplir su sueño y el de Maru, y entender lo que realmente paso y porque aún siguen apareciendo los cazahumanos y qué sentido tiene el que ellos sean diferentes.
Muchas gracias por leerlo. Espero sea de su agrado. Cualquier comentario con gusto estaré para responder y si quieren saber más de mi les dejo mis:
REDES SOCIALES
Facebook: Yasmarit Pérez
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ENGLISH
Hello dear community of AnimeRealm, here a pleasure to write this new post and tell you about an anime that well made me watch it twice to understand hehe, but I really liked it and made me reflect on several points and I want to share them with you, it is Tengoku Daimakyou or known as Celestial Illusion, is an anime that just has its first season this year but certainly has left much to talk about because of its controversy on certain issues especially the apocalypse leaves you to think that it will come or if truly the consequences that are coming because of humanity itself will be so eminent that life on earth will no longer be only humans but humans transformed into a monstrous species that will try to kill everyone.
The story is based on two young Maru and Kiriko who begin to travel looking for the so-called paradise after 15 years of the great catastrophe which brought food shortages, water, destruction of cities and appearance of monsters that eat everything in front of them, apparently these are the cause of apocalypse on the planet, However, as the anime progresses you will realize that it is not so true, there are several hypotheses about it but it is not yet clear which one it is, the idea is to move forward and collect everything you can to reach the so-called paradise, as that happens several aspects are discovered that will make the story more interesting.
My idea is not to leave a spoiler, so you can see it and be encouraged to it, but if I tell you that Kiriko the young girl who accompanies Maru, the boy who must protect and who is able to kill the human hunters, so called the monsters that look human and well then transform, this girl is more than what she seems and is related to her brother Haruki, it refers to what we have heard of operations with transplants that are able to feel what the previous host felt, it is something that scientifically can be achieved but here we will see it with something more unreal but significant.
The anime also as the story progresses we are introduced to the past, perhaps the beginning of everything, where seemingly normal children are in a school locked up, taking classes and living their lives, but begin to feel emotions that have not been taught and that brings with it that they have relationships to the point of Tokio is pregnant Maru's mother with just 15 years, which will give a sense of how this boy is.
So we will also see how fate will show how people really are, they can not be trusted at first glance, not everything that glitters is gold and that will happen to Kiriko, believing in a friend who simply wanted something wrong with her, but no matter what happens she must continue to fulfill her dream and Maru's, and understand what really happened and why still continue to appear the human hunters and what sense it makes that they are different.
Thank you very much for reading it. I hope you like it. If you have any comments I'll be glad to answer and if you want to know more about me I leave you my:
In the last few months I feel really lucky, because I am having the good fortune to read new and surprising comics, with a plot that doesn't taste like 'already read' and above all doesn't bore me after a few chapters. Heavenly Delusion is the perfect example of this because with just the first volume it managed to convince me. All thanks to a plot full of mystery, surprising twists and turns (in this first volume alone) and hundreds of puzzles tied around the different characters (a truly diverse cast).
Imagine an unspecified future, a Tokyo hit by a disastrous apocalypse that destroyed everything and halved a large part of the population. A catastrophe that still remains shrouded in mystery but around which everything is moving, starting with the inhabitants of this disastrous future themselves. In this unfortunate scenario, the protagonists move their steps: on the one hand, a group of children who live and study inside a mysterious and protected institute that seems to be hiding something, something that is linked precisely to the presence of the very special students who seem to possess 'powers'. On the other side, in a Tokyo now destroyed and desolate, move Maru and Kiruko, two young people who travel in search of 'Paradise', Maru's ultimate goal, where the boy will be able to find a person with his own face to whom he will then have to administer an unknown drug. Two different faces to describe the same world, suspended between destruction and growth, two interconnected realities that seem destined to collide.
The first element to jump to the eye is the narrative structure, which develops along two different lines. The first takes place inside a mysterious building, a sort of special school, where boys and girls live who know nothing about what is outside that place nor what really happens inside (experiments?). The breath here is polyphonic: there is no protagonist but a large number of characters who make up the backbone of this storyline.
This storyline is the weakest for several reasons. Empathy towards the protagonists is hardly generated due to the high number of characters. Moreover, it is the fictional universe that is somewhat stale, containing references to more emblazoned works such as The Promised Neverland or Attack of the Titans. It is also true that this narrative section is functional to the second, more engaging one. Here we find Maru and Tokio, a boy and girl wandering in a semi-destroyed Japan, intent on slaying man-eating monsters thanks to Tokio's power and searching for a place known as 'Paradise'.
Both in terms of plot (as far as the post-apocalyptic genre is concerned) and various shots, this comic reminded me of that great work of Akira, with which Masakazu Ishiguro's story has several points of interconnection. Indeed, the airs of devastation and the desire for revenge and survival are very much alive in this story, and the consequences generated by these very disasters set the stage for a great mystery adventure.
But the affinities with Otomo stop here: Ishiguro's soft line is quite different from the more realistic one of Akira's father, just as the spasmodic attention to the details of the decadent architectures that form the backdrop of the story are a prerogative of Otomo's masterpiece, while in Heavenly Delusion the backgrounds, however fascinating, are devoid of that precision and epic breath.
On the other hand, the concept of survival and the subsequent 'rebirth' of society are in some ways reminiscent of The Walking Dead, especially considering the population outside the institution.
Yet, despite these references, the story lives by its own light and manages to generate great curiosity and amazement in the reader. Already from this first volume, in fact, sensei Ishiguro's design work is clear, especially at the level of world building, in which he confronts a future reality in disaster. The underlying theme of the comic seems to all intents and purposes to be that of mystery, and in fact every major turning point and every twist, at least for this first volume, is tied precisely around the various enigmas that the mangaka scatters here and there, also to tie in the two different scenarios in which the story unfolds.
Among the themes of the manga, there is one particularly interesting one: the gender discourse. Without giving too many spoilers, some characters struggle to define their sexuality, and Heavenly Delusion thus becomes the necessary path by which they become aware of the detachment between their body and their sexual gender, all framed in a genre story (post-apocalyptic dystopian science fiction) that often finds the courage to dare, proposing daring, dramatic and unconciliatory narrative solutions.
Although, therefore, Heavenly Delusion is an agglomeration of things that a manga reader already knows, it is equally true that the beauty of some plates and the reader's involvement are guaranteed by an impeccable attention to narration, rhythm, and storytelling. Author Masakazu Ishiguro succeeds perfectly in dictating the rhythms of the story, placing cliffhangers and twists at just the right points, and dampening the tension with moments of relaxation that are never annoying.
Taking advantage of the constant mystery-thriller, the author brings to life a varied and interesting cast of characters, each of whom hides an equally mysterious and dark background in the shadows. From the very first pages, although inside the institute, it is clear that the story and above all the characters live in the shadow of hardship, in a devastated world where anything can happen, starting with the appearance of strange bird-like beings that feed on humans. Fear, terror and despair thus creep into the souls of the protagonists, which the characters somehow conceal at all costs, even though it is clear to the reader that something (or perhaps more than something) is wrong.
Not to be outdone are the drawings. Heavenly Delusion offers plates with a strong impact, enhanced by the unconventional format (larger than the classic tankobon), alternating dynamism and suspension.
The stroke in itself has nothing new or surprising about it, but, especially when accompanied by the colours, it shows a mature and at times even courageous author. The line is soft and rounded, a choice that completely contrasts with the plot of the work itself, which, however, lives with it without any problem.
In short, a manga that I strongly recommend reading before watching the anime, which will be available on Disney+ from 1 April (below is the official anime trailer).
Ces derniers mois, je me sens vraiment chanceux, car j'ai la chance de lire des bandes dessinées nouvelles et surprenantes, avec une intrigue qui n'a pas le goût du " déjà lu " et surtout qui ne me lasse pas après quelques chapitres. Heavenly Delusion (la version française du manga est éditée par Pika sous le nom "A Journey beyond Heaven") en est le parfait exemple car avec seulement le premier tome, il a su me convaincre. Tout cela grâce à une intrigue pleine de mystère, de rebondissements surprenants (rien que dans ce premier tome) et de centaines d'énigmes liées aux différents personnages (un casting vraiment diversifié).
Imaginez un futur indéterminé, un Tokyo frappé par une apocalypse désastreuse qui a tout détruit et réduit de moitié la plupart de la population. Une catastrophe qui reste encore entourée de mystère mais autour de laquelle tout s'agite, à commencer par les habitants de ce futur funeste eux-mêmes. Dans ce scénario malheureux, les protagonistes avancent leurs pas : d'un côté, un groupe d'enfants qui vivent et étudient à l'intérieur d'un institut mystérieux et protégé qui semble cacher quelque chose, quelque chose qui est lié précisément à la présence d'étudiants très spéciaux qui semblent posséder des "pouvoirs". De l'autre côté, dans un Tokyo désormais détruit et désolé, évoluent Maru et Kiruko, deux jeunes gens qui voyagent à la recherche du "Paradis", le but ultime de Maru, où le garçon pourra trouver une personne ayant son propre visage à qui il devra ensuite administrer une drogue inconnue. Deux visages différents pour décrire le même monde, suspendu entre destruction et croissance, deux réalités interconnectées qui semblent destinées à entrer en collision.
Le premier élément qui saute aux yeux est la structure narrative, qui se développe selon deux axes différents. La première se déroule à l'intérieur d'un bâtiment mystérieux, une sorte d'école spéciale, où vivent des garçons et des filles qui ne savent rien de ce qui se trouve à l'extérieur de ce lieu ni de ce qui se passe réellement à l'intérieur (expériences ?). Le souffle est ici polyphonique : il n'y a pas de protagoniste mais un grand nombre de personnages qui constituent l'épine dorsale de cette intrigue.
Cette intrigue est la plus faible pour plusieurs raisons. L'empathie envers les protagonistes est difficilement générée en raison du nombre élevé de personnages. De plus, c'est l'univers fictionnel qui est quelque peu éculé, contenant des références à des œuvres plus emblématiques comme Le Pays Imaginaire Promis ou L'Attaque des Titans. Il est vrai aussi que cette partie narrative est fonctionnelle à la seconde, plus engageante. On y retrouve Maru et Tokio, un garçon et une fille errant dans un Japon semi-détruit, décidés à tuer des monstres mangeurs d'hommes grâce au pouvoir de Tokio et à la recherche d'un lieu appelé " Paradis ".
Tant au niveau de l'intrigue (en ce qui concerne le genre post-apocalyptique) que des différents plans, cette bande dessinée m'a rappelé cette grande œuvre qu'est Akira, avec laquelle l'histoire de Masakazu Ishiguro a plusieurs points d'interconnexion. En effet, les airs de dévastation et le désir de vengeance et de survie sont bien présents dans cette histoire, et les conséquences engendrées par ces mêmes désastres posent le décor d'une grande aventure mystérieuse.
Mais les affinités avec Otomo s'arrêtent là : la ligne douce d'Ishiguro est bien différente de celle, plus réaliste, du père d'Akira, de même que l'attention spasmodique portée aux détails des architectures décadentes qui forment la toile de fond du récit sont l'apanage du chef-d'œuvre d'Otomo, alors que dans Heavenly Delusion les décors, aussi fascinants soient-ils, sont dépourvus de cette précision et de ce souffle épique.
D'autre part, le concept de survie et la " renaissance " de la société qui s'ensuit rappellent à certains égards The Walking Dead, surtout si l'on considère la population à l'extérieur de l'établissement.
Pourtant, malgré ces références, le récit vit de sa propre lumière et parvient à susciter une grande curiosité et un grand étonnement chez le lecteur. Dès ce premier tome, en effet, le travail de conception de sensei Ishiguro est évident, notamment au niveau du world building, dans lequel il confronte une réalité future en catastrophe. Le thème sous-jacent de la bande dessinée semble à toutes fins utiles être celui du mystère, et en fait chaque tournant majeur et chaque rebondissement, du moins pour ce premier volume, se noue précisément autour des différentes énigmes que le mangaka dissémine ici et là, également pour lier les deux scénarios différents dans lesquels l'histoire se déroule.
Parmi les thèmes du manga, il en est un particulièrement intéressant : le discours sur le genre. Sans donner trop de spoilers, certains personnages luttent pour définir leur sexualité, et Heavenly Delusion devient ainsi le chemin nécessaire par lequel ils prennent conscience du détachement entre leur corps et leur genre sexuel, le tout encadré dans un récit de genre (science-fiction dystopique post-apocalyptique) qui trouve souvent le courage d'oser, en proposant des solutions narratives audacieuses, dramatiques et non conciliantes.
Si, par conséquent, Heavenly Delusion est un agglomérat de choses qu'un lecteur de manga connaît déjà, il est tout aussi vrai que la beauté de certaines planches et l'implication du lecteur sont garanties par une attention impeccable portée à la narration, au rythme et à la narration. L'auteur Masakazu Ishiguro réussit parfaitement à dicter les rythmes de l'histoire, en plaçant les cliffhangers et les rebondissements aux bons endroits et en atténuant la tension par des moments de détente qui ne sont jamais ennuyeux.
Utilisant la constante du mystery-thriller, l'auteur donne vie à une galerie de personnages variés et intéressants, dont chacun cache dans l'ombre un fond tout aussi mystérieux et sombre. Dès les premières pages, bien qu'à l'intérieur de l'institut, il est clair que l'histoire et surtout les personnages vivent dans l'ombre de la misère, dans un monde dévasté où tout peut arriver, à commencer par l'apparition d'étranges êtres semblables à des oiseaux qui se nourrissent d'humains. La peur, la terreur et le désespoir s'insinuent ainsi dans l'âme des protagonistes, qu'ils dissimulent à tout prix, même s'il est clair pour le lecteur que quelque chose (ou peut-être plus que quelque chose) ne va pas.
Les dessins ne sont pas en reste. Heavenly Delusion propose des planches à l'impact fort, renforcé par le format non conventionnel (plus grand que le tankobon classique), alternant dynamisme et suspension.
Le trait en lui-même n'a rien de nouveau ou de surprenant, mais, surtout lorsqu'il est accompagné des couleurs, il montre un auteur mature et parfois même courageux. Le trait est doux et arrondi, un choix qui contraste complètement avec la trame de l'œuvre elle-même, qui s'en accommode pourtant sans problème.
En bref, un manga que je recommande vivement de lire avant de regarder l'anime, qui sera disponible sur Disney+ à partir du 1er avril (ci-dessous, la bande-annonce officielle de l'anime).
