Kamishina Fuuto wishes he could live an ordinary life, but fate has other plans. He is the reincarnation of the High Priest of Darashaal, a small Asian nation that recently welcomed its new spiritual leader. With two individuals claiming this sacred title, it's clear only one can be the genuine article. Sadly for Fuuto, destiny chose him. As celestial guardians arrive to deal with what they believe to be an impostor, their leader Naga realizes Fuuto is no fake.
Desiring nothing more than a simple existence, Fuuto finds himself repeatedly entangled in supernatural affairs. His acute spiritual awareness and unique ability to calm restless spirits continuously pull him back into extraordinary circumstances. Despite his best efforts to blend in with the rest of the world, Fuuto's inherent gifts ensure that normalcy remains just out of reach.
(Source: Tokyopop)
This manga is seriously underrated. It's by the same author as Petshop of Horrors, and the art style closely resembles it, but the narrative takes a completely different path.
The protagonist initially appears to be your typical "boy with special powers," yet the character development is far more intricate than that.
What stands out is the exceptional writing quality from Petshop of Horrors now being applied to a coherent, linear storyline. The plot is both unique and captivating.
The only drawback lies in the artwork. While undeniably excellent, it doesn't quite reach the level needed to fully support such a compelling story. This wasn't an issue in Petshop, where the setting was inherently otherworldly, but here, it feels slightly less fitting.
Nonetheless, this minor flaw does little to detract from the overall experience.
I highly recommend Genju no Seiza to anyone who appreciates supernatural manga.
Genjuu no Seiza is indeed good, even great when it comes to the story. However, the characters could use some improvement.
The backstory is notable mainly due to its author, who also wrote and illustrated Petshop of Horrors. The art remains rich and consistent, though not particularly distinctive. Some chapters feature the main character from Petshop of Horrors as an episodic character, which evokes a sense of nostalgia.
The story by Matsuri Akino is impressive. The premise is intriguing, especially since this time it's linear, showcasing her storytelling skills effectively. While the last few chapters felt like filler, the synopsis doesn't do justice to the complexity of the tale. It's unclear who the 'true' High Priest is; Fuuto is mentioned in the synopsis, but chapter 41 leaves uncertainty about who the 'fake' is between him and the current High Priest.
The mangaka's ideas are interesting, with cultural and religious undertones adding originality. As someone new to Hindu religion, learning about their gods (celestial beasts) and beliefs made for an exciting and educational read.
Now for the downside: the characters. There are numerous people, celestial beasts, and spirits, handled impressively by the author—except for one critical failure: the main character. He's present in every chapter, most panels, and practically everything that happens. His reckless behavior, changing history without thinking, becomes unbearable. I understand his kindness and sense of obligation, but his personality is that of a troublemaking kid—he shouts a lot, doesn't think much, and ignores those who know better. At 15 years old, he's inexperienced and ignorant of the new religion's beliefs. The biggest issue is zero character development after 41 long chapters, which is frustrating.
I could rant more about my disappointment with this character, but I'll stop here. It's a shame this manga was marred by one character despite its grand tale and many good parts. If you can handle the main character, I highly recommend picking it up. Even if you find him annoying, give it a try—you might not mind as much as I did. Overall, I still recommend it!
Ratings:
- Story: 8
- Art: 7
- Characters: 6
- Enjoyment: 7
- Overall: 7