Takopi’s Original Sin is by far one of the most disturbing anime to air this year, and many fans find it really appealing for many reasons. This anime has also gotten IMDb scores higher than One Piece and Solo Leveling episodes have gotten, and it also found itself at the top of the viewship rankings in Japan. Quite shocking, right, considering how the anime is about aliens and suicide?
Regardless of whether you’ve read the manga or not, this anime just lingers in your head, leaving disturbing thoughts when the end credits roll. With just a few episodes out, its already become the most controversial anime of the season. Let’s see why.
Why Is Takopi’s Original Sin So Appealing?
The anime, Takopi’s Original Sin, has very cunningly given views a good amount of cuteness to make us feel comfortable, but also slaps the viewers in the face with disturbing themes like suicide and depression almost immediately. The very first episode featured the alien Takopi befriending Shizuka, who was very obviously getting bullied at school.
Most viewers would’ve expected Shizuka’s encounter with Takopi to improve her life, but the exact opposite happened, and Takopi’s intervention seemed to have backfired. Shizuka died, and it was way too dark. The very idea of getting to see Shizuka smile became too appealing, which is enough reason for anyone to keep watching the anime.
Hidden behind the cuteness of the anime is the grim reality of life. It isn’t something that’s absent in normal human lives either: Marina’s family is in shambles because her father isn’t faithful. Azuma is being crushed by the expectations his family has put on him, and Shizuka’s life at school is simply terrible because her mother does not care for her. The children in the story clearly aren’t growing up in the best environment, and their personalities attest to this.
Takopi’s Original Sin: Manga Or Anime? Which One Should You Watch?
Takopi’s Original Sin is animated by a studio named ENISHIYA, which hasn’t released any other popular anime to date. This doesn’t matter, though, because they have beautifully expressed everything the manga has tried to convey, and more. The contrast between the sparkle and grimness in the anime is blatant, and this is exactly what makes the anime more appealing.
Don’t get me wrong: the manga is great. One of the best of its kind, too. If you’re a manga enthusiast, then maybe you might prefer the manga over the anime. If you don’t have any particular preference, then why not go for both? The anime is listed for 6 episodes, and the manga is only 16 chapters long. The one difference is, you’d be missing out on the amazing ending theme, Glass Lines, by Tele.
Is Takopi’s Original Sin Better Than One Piece and Solo Leveling?
Takopi’s Original Sin has definitely gotten better IMDb ratings compared to One Piece and Solo Leveling, considering how it’s only been a few weeks since it aired. Takopi’s Original Sin is clearly on a class of its own in the horror genre (not very far behind The Summer Hikaru Died, though). One Piece and Solo Leveling belong to very different genres, though, and they too are fan favourites.
Finding a suitable rank between Solo Leveling, One Piece, and Takopi’s Original Sin is a meaningless exercise. Both fill fans with different feelings, and neither necessarily appeals to every kind of audience. All these anime do pack a punch, but it has to be said: neither party is clearly above the other.
About Takopi’s Original Sin
Takopi’s Original Sin is a Japanese web manga series written and illustrated by Taizan 5, published on Shonen Jump+ from December 2021 to March 2022.
In 2016, Nnu-Anu-Kf, an alien hailing from the Happy Planet, crash-lands on Earth in order to spread happiness to others. After escaping federal authorities, he comes across Shizuka, a 9-year-old girl who is bullied relentlessly by her classmate Marina and only finds solace with her dog Chappy. Shizuka, noting that he resembles an octopus, names the alien Takopi.
Takopi decides to use his planet’s Happy Gadgets to help Shizuka, but after Marina intentionally gets bitten by Chappy in order for him to be taken in by animal control, Shizuka uses one of Takopi’s gadgets to commit suicide. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Takopi uses another gadget to travel back in time, hoping that he can improve Shizuka’s life.
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