RahXephon

Very different in tone and direction compared to the Anime & Movie, if you're expecting the same depth and artistic flavor that the original anime has, you will be disappointed. However, this Manga is simply fun. It's an enjoyable read, seeing the various takes on the characters and a divergent plot was fascinating.

Haruka Shitow doesn't possess the same level of depth as in the anime but comes across as much funnier.

One aspect I found irritating about this Manga is the substantial amount of "fan service" included. But honestly, I feel that way about many Anime/Manga these days; it's not for me, but some straight male weeb out there will likely enjoy it, so whatever.

The best way to describe this Manga is that it's essentially lighthearted fun with some intriguing plot points. It may not leave you stunned like Evangelion, but if I'm having a better time reading this than struggling through the initial episodes of Demon Slayer (Seriously? When does it get good?), then I genuinely can't complain.

I found this manga completely baffling, to the extent that it became impossible to engage because I simply couldn't grasp what was happening. There were numerous beautifully illustrated scenes of mecha combat, but at no point did I ever figure out who was piloting which mech, whom I should be cheering for, what was transpiring in the battles, or even who was winning and who was losing. It might partly be due to my younger age when I first read the series, making it harder to pick up on the implicit rules and stylistic choices common in manga. However, even revisiting it now, it remains barely understandable. It certainly seems like a work that would only appeal to someone who has seen the anime it's based on. Although, honestly, I can't imagine what additional value someone would gain from the manga that they wouldn't already get from the show, having not seen it myself. For anyone lacking the context provided by the anime, this series offers very little beyond some well-drawn panels.

This manga is quite brief, and I think it could have benefited from an additional couple of volumes to flesh out the plot. It progresses rather swiftly, which detracts from the impact that certain scenes should have had.

All in all, though, it's a good read, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The artwork is really nice, and all the characters are likable, although some come off as somewhat two-dimensional.

The fan service is very blatant and appears frequently throughout the manga, so if that’s not your cup of tea, this might not be the right manga for you.

The ending felt odd to me and didn't sit well with me; if you read it, you'll understand what I mean. I can’t elaborate further without venturing into spoiler territory.

The first time I saw the anime version of Rahxephon, I found it quite appealing. It boasted remarkable art direction, stunning character designs, and a decent exploration of its characters that made it feel satisfying. A true masterpiece in tone. However, the manga version fails to capture any of the elements that made the anime special, ending up as pointless drivel barely connected to the original's quality.

Story- 4

The story in the manga significantly diverges from the anime, particularly in its latter half. The alterations to the storyline are devastating; there is insufficient time given to properly develop the characters—most remain enigmatic unless you've watched the anime. Only the final three chapters show some improvement, carrying slight emotional weight.

Characters- 3

The main protagonist Ayato comes off as a stereotypical anime hero with basic motivations—essentially, he fights in the mecha for his girlfriend Reika Mishima. This aspect is jarring in the manga version since her design and personality differ drastically from the anime, making her just another pretty, submissive female character. Other characters are merely faces spouting dialogue with minimal depth.

Art- 3

A few characters look great, mostly because they resemble their anime counterparts. Designs that deviate from the anime are very poor—Reika, who had one of the best character designs in the anime, looks cliché here. Additionally, the manga includes pointless fanservice like upskirt shots or tight outfits that serve no purpose and often appear at inappropriate moments. The mechas resemble those in the anime and are generally okay.

Enjoyment- 3

I struggled to stay engaged since I lost interest in the characters and questioned if the manga deserved my attention. In contrast to the anime, which I binge-watched in a week, it took me three weeks to finish the manga due to its boring or intellectually insulting nature. Only the last couple of chapters held my interest but were barely worth it.

Overall- 3

This manga is a stark anomaly that barely resembles the fantastic anime it’s based on (or vice versa—I found conflicting information). Overall, I do not recommend it to anyone. Watch the Rahxephon anime instead and avoid the manga. It’s a waste of trees.

In short—screw the manga version of Rahxephon.