This manga is a brilliant little masterpiece. Whilst the theme of the plot may seem overdrawn for some - a post apocalyptic world with only a single human survivor trying to regain knowledge of their old human civilisation - I can guarantee this work does it's due diligence to this trope and enacts it beautifully through in depth character and relationship development; a simple but effective world-building; and thought provoking and memorable chapters. It is bittersweet, it is hopeful, it is naive and comforting and yet unrelenting and chilling.
FORMATTING AND STORY TELLING STYLE COMPOUNDING THEMATIC CONTENT - I am personally a fan of show
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rather than tell story-telling as I find it more engaging, but Rojica to Rakkasei's world development is mostly pushed through the verbal teachings of Isaac, one of the main cast. Despite this incongruence to my personal tastes, I still found this world quite enjoyable and well thought out, and could feel that the teachings of Isaac were properly reflected in the world in following chapters consistently. Sometimes there are stories that simply have to be told, and I feel the simple and straightforward explanations of the world are stylistically fitting to this manga as a whole, capturing the simple curiosity and naivety of the characters quite perfectly.
The same as mentioned above can also be said for the art and its style itself, as I've given it a 10 despite the obvious lack of complexity it holds. This is due to the way the story and characters are represented - I feel any other art style would simply not have the same effect and as such the art style is perfectly chosen - a ten in my eyes. The whole tone and thematic execution of this story would be vastly different and less approachable if it were to be drawn in a more detailed style - or even just in a darker or more brutal style with more gruesome content. Rather than deeply unsettling or 'scary', Rakkasei is bittersweet (to me at least) and so I very much enjoy this easy to read and fun art style in relation to the tone it is trying to evoke, and the story and characters which it depicts.
It's also important for a manga with so few chapters as this that it is able to hook the reader as soon as possible and to not waste any of the limited pages it has with 'pointless' or out of character interactions or chapters. Rakkasei manages this very well, introducing readers to a curious and intriguing world from the get-go in chapter one and quickly compounding on this initial world creation with the evocation of the tone of the series in the content of chapter two. These alternating chapters of optimism and bleak nihilism continue throughout in quite a metaphorical way that is very enjoyable to read and interpret.
MEMORABLE AND MOVING CHARACTERS - There are so many loveable and deeply memorable characters within this manga. From the main cast to the side characters, even the one off characters or background characters - everyone is given a simple, fun, and unique design befitting their personal characteristics. Characters that aren't among the main cast also get their own development, as the manga often gives these side or background characters specific chapters to shine - two of the most major of these being Cain and Abel, and Grace and Nana - both pairs who moved me quite deeply by the end of the series.
I was dubious as to how attached I could become to these characters being such a simply formatted and told story and yet within only 25 chapters I was enthralled and moved beyond my expectations. Non-human characters expressing or attempting to replicate human values or actions is always something very intriguing to me and characters who struggle with these concepts are always the most appealing characters to me from any and all forms of media. As such, C3 was probably able to climb my ladder of favourite characters fairly quickly. Although it may be somewhat different to this character archetype, I still feel he reflects this trope with his lonely longing (that is further explored as the series develops) and determination to fulfil his role in the saviour of humanity, despite the objective futility of it.
SUBVERSION OF EXPECTATIONS FROM CUTE ART STYLE SHOWCASING THE NAIVETY OF OPTIMISM IN AN UNFORGIVING WORLD - I have always been a fan of manga that subvert your initial expectations - ones that shock you once you find the actual content inside of them behind their cutesy covers and art styles (for example series such as Made in Abyss or Puella Magi Madoka Magica). The cute yet dark and startling trope has been done before certainly, but not quite like how Kinome has pulled it off with Rojica. Rojica to Rakkasei retains its childish naivety until the end - unlike others of this trope, the art style doesn't gradually get darker or deal with heavier content - it is thorough and consistent which I believe sets it apart from the others of a similar thematic trope or execution.
Overall, Rojica to Rakkasei very quickly gained a spot in my top manga, or even media in general. It invites the curious and those piqued by human emotions or moral ambiguities with a simple and yet chilling, bittersweet story of a modern and yet long lost Earthen civilisation. I believe this manga is accessible to those of many ages unlike similar themed stories - the simplistic discussion of the inhumane invites the nihilistic adult whilst the optimistic characters and themes invite the kind-hearted child or preteen. It is very re-readable - short and to the point, although I still yearn to see more of these characters in the future. Definitely a deeply impactful series deserving of the praise it receives.
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Jun 9, 2021
Rojica to Rakkasei
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This manga is a brilliant little masterpiece. Whilst the theme of the plot may seem overdrawn for some - a post apocalyptic world with only a single human survivor trying to regain knowledge of their old human civilisation - I can guarantee this work does it's due diligence to this trope and enacts it beautifully through in depth character and relationship development; a simple but effective world-building; and thought provoking and memorable chapters. It is bittersweet, it is hopeful, it is naive and comforting and yet unrelenting and chilling.
FORMATTING AND STORY TELLING STYLE COMPOUNDING THEMATIC CONTENT - I am personally a fan of show ... |
