Takopi’s Original Sin タコピーの原罪

Takopi’s Original Sin (Rating: 4/ 5)

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Overview

Takopi’s Original Sin is a Japanese manga series created by Taizan5, serialized on the web platform Shōnen Jump+ from 2021 to 2022.
Although it consists of only two volumes, it sparked intense discussion and left a strong impression on many readers.
(Reference: Wikipedia (English))

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Synopsis

The story begins when Takopi, an alien from the Happy Planet, arrives on Earth and meets a fourth-grade girl named Shizuka.
Takopi knows nothing about human emotions or social norms, and simply wants to “make Shizuka smile.”
However, Shizuka is suffering from bullying at school and a deeply troubled home life, and Takopi’s well-meaning actions only make things worse.
When tragedy strikes, Takopi uses a “Happy Gadget” that allows him to travel back in time, trying repeatedly to save Shizuka.
Yet no matter how many times he rewinds time, the fundamental problems never disappear, forcing him to confront the concepts of guilt, responsibility, and loss.

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Characters

• Takopi: An alien from the Happy Planet. He lacks understanding of human emotions and ethics, and purely wishes to make Shizuka smile. Over the course of the story, he gradually learns about guilt and remorse.

• Shizuka: A fourth-grade girl suffering from neglect at home and bullying at school. Takopi’s intervention disrupts her life and sets off a series of dramatic events.

• Marina: A classmate who bullies Shizuka. She has a troubled home life of her own, which shapes her actions and motivations.

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Story Development

At first, Takopi tries desperately to entertain Shizuka, but each attempt backfires, pushing her further into despair.
After a devastating event occurs, he begins to reset time to change the outcome.
However, the root causes—abuse, neglect, and the emotional wounds both Shizuka and Marina carry—remain unresolved, and tragedy keeps repeating.
The story gradually expands into parallel worlds and future timelines, blending multiple worldlines together.
Ultimately, it explores the intersection of Takopi’s innocence and the harsh realities that the children are forced to endure.

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Notable Features

Takopi’s Original Sin stands out for its striking contrast between its cute, childlike art style and its dark, weighty themes.
It tackles serious issues such as bullying, abuse, death, and guilt, yet it goes beyond tragedy to examine questions of choice, responsibility, and redemption.
Although short in length, the story is tightly constructed, weaving science-fiction elements like parallel universes and branching timelines into an emotionally driven narrative.
Each page demands careful reading, as the story challenges the reader to understand both the world’s structure and the characters’ inner struggles.

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Personal Impressions

This manga felt refreshingly original to me.
Although its tone is quite dark overall, it concludes in a way that could be considered a happy ending.
From the perspective of a child, the story is strange yet engaging, but from the perspective of a parent, it can be painful to watch these children suffer.
Themes like parallel worlds and branching futures may be common, yet the way this work presents them is uniquely striking.
The title’s use of the word “Original Sin” also invites multiple interpretations, prompting deep reflection on the actions and choices of each character.

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Conclusion

Takopi’s Original Sin is a short but powerful work that combines a cute art style with heavy subject matter and complex storytelling.
It leaves a lasting impact by exploring universal themes such as guilt, responsibility, and the consequences of one’s choices.
Although it may shock those who expect a lighthearted read, its brief length makes it easy to immerse yourself in its world from start to finish.
Depending on your age and perspective, it can evoke completely different emotions — which is what makes it such a fascinating read.