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| Tsugumi Project Volume 1 cover @ KODANSHA / Ippatu |
A bit of context :
We are exposed to a world where Japan has unfortunately been destroyed due to a nuclear weapon(s). No one has visited Japan in this story for over 200 years. However, world governments have caught wind of some information that there exists a weapon in Japan that is more powerful than nuclear power. What or who is this weapon ?
How is the story ?
I have enjoyed both volumes that I have read for multiple reasons. We are initially introduced to a some interesting characters namely, Leon and Doudou (this is a such a fantastic name). Both French nationals have for some suspicious reason been arrested and sent on an expedition to the now supposedly desolate Japan to find some information about this secret weapon. They have been given 1 year to gather this information and if they are successful they could be pardoned.
There is another character who for spoiler reasons I will henceforth call “super girl” whom they encounter on this mission. As far as interesting characters filled with a suspenseful backstory go, this super girl definitely takes the cake. We get very little information about her. Yet through the beautiful artwork combined with depictions of undeniable strength and strange child like behavior we continue to pay attention and look for her throughout the story.
The characters are well thought out. Their interactions with the environment surrounding them continues to keep you at the edge of your seat as we meet new living things. Yes, I know I said desolate Japan and that is why encountering some living beings in this land makes this story extremely interesting and thrilling. We are introduced to these strange and interesting (because of their design) things as our main characters come across them whether they want to or not.
Conclusion :
Along with the character development, the sense of adventure is very much alive as the story progresses. As for where the story is heading ? It is definitely going in the right direction. We clearly understand right from the start what Leon and Doudou want. We still need more time to understand why they are in this situation.
We also need some more time to understand what the super girl wants and what is she doing in Japan in the first place. But we do have a destination, which is great for the overall story as this seems like the start of a really good arc. But will our characters get there ? We have to wait and enjoy each volume as they continue being published in the upcoming months and years. I am very much looking forward to it.