There’s the idea that you’re always the hero in your own story, and that feels exceptionally true for the Taizan 5 manga Takopi’s Original Sin. There are these layers and depths here as we gradually grow to know each character, and that insight keeps changing the reader’s perspective.
Editor’s Note: There will be no spoilers for the Takopi’s Origin Sin manga below.
Takopi’s Original Sin revolves around the relationship between three characters. One is a Happian alien who comes to Earth. Upon landing, he meets a school girl named Shizuka. You get the idea that something is off upon this initial meeting. At best, she’s depressed and bullied by a classmate named Marina and her friends. But as Takopi and Shizuka meet more often, we get a better idea of her exact situation. We see the relationship that develops.
It’s then that Takopi decides upon a mission. He decides he is going to make her smile. He’ll use every gadget and item he has. Even though he’s suffering from an odd case of amnesia, he’s determined to make things right. And in so doing, he’s sort of deciding he’s the hero who, in a way, is going to attempt to save Shizuka. But maybe it’s also a bit selfish? After all, he’s deciding this on his own. He isn’t consulting Shizuka and her feelings.
From there, we have Shizuka herself. She’s this bullied, put upon child. We get to walk in her shoes, thanks to the perspective and Takopi’s gadgets. We see her kindness toward this strange little alien. We watch the love she has for her dog. But we also have to consider the effect these experiences had on her. This trauma affected her in ways that cause her to make certain decisions over the course of the story that also make someone wonder. She’s clearly set up to be the heroine, but is there something more?
And then there’s Marina. This is the bully herself. When we’re introduced to her and first encountering the young woman, she’s displaying such hatred and cruelty. We see her abusing Shizuka and showing no remorse. She shows off rage, cunning, and behavior I’d even consider sociopathic. But then throughout the course of the volume, we see the motivations and factors driving and influencing her. We get a chance to understand her. It might even show how in her mind, she’d consider herself to be the heroine.
I feel like this all shows what an exceptional story Takopi’s Original Sin is, and the depths the manga explores. The nature of the characterizations and their evolving roles ensures the story remains fascinating. There’s a complexity I didn’t expect and greatly appreciate from this one-volume story.
People can find the Takopi’s Original Sin manga via Viz Media now.
