MANGA REVIEW | "Gokurakugai" - Volume Two
Why does the second volume of Gokurakugai feel like a whole lot of nothing? Is it because it’s only three chapters long? Maybe it’s because it goes nowhere with its main plot? Perhaps it’s due to the characters feeling like cardboard cutouts of your run-of-the-mill shonen heroes? Whatever the reason is, it left me feeling bored all throughout my reading time.
What exactly happens in this volume? Well… that’s the problem. Tao and Alma seem to be out of jobs for the time being, no thanks to their rival Nei. So Tao sits around smoking butts and eating, whilst Alma goes about talking to random strangers. Although these strangers wind up not being the most normal of humans, their presence and addition to the narrative is…erm…let’s see here…
Is it a bad sign when a manga leaves nary a single impression? Because that’s exactly what Gokurakugai has done for me while reading Volume Two. I know the art looks good, but plot-wise, I couldn’t tell you what exactly happens here. And to be frank, I honestly don’t think anything of eye-opening importance happens in the nearly 200 pages of this volume. For a Jump series (monthly, not weekly) to bring about these sorts of feelings is not just bad for the brand; it’s bad for the genre, as well!
There are two bonus chapters after the main three. One is filled with more nothing, where characters sit around talking about nothing and cook takoyaki. The other bonus is the original pilot for Gokurakugai, which has more excitement in its pages than what the main narrative currently has. From the animal people and the mermaid girls to the high-octane action, the one-shot showcases what could’ve been with this series, before Yuto Sano decided to make some very bad changes.
Gokurakugai’s second volume is as fulfilling as a void in the deepest part of outer space. There’s nary a lively soul to be found, nor does it give readers a puff of air to breathe within the world it resides. Yes, the art looks nice, but Sano couldn’t write a proper narrative if he had a katana pressed to his neck. In fact, I don’t think all the troubleshooting you could pay for can fix the issues this manga has. Sorry Gokurakugai, but consider your contract terminated. Don’t let the door hit you on the ass on your way out.
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
