WARNING: SPOILERS

Thoughts on the Two-Volume Story

I finally read Takopi’s Original Sin (タコピーの原罪) from start to finish. It’s certainly the dark, viral story it was billed as for most of its run, but I have mixed feelings about the execution, particularly the ending.

Where It Works: The Concept and the Tension

For the first half, this manga is genuinely engaging. The initial concept—a cheerful, naive alien (Takopii) trying to bring happiness to an elementary school girl living through genuine misery—was a great hook. The setup, which feels like a dark, twisted mix of Doraemon and Assassination Classroom, makes for an emotional story.

The story’s consistent bleakness and the way Shizuka and Marina's complex trauma are portrayed keep the pace intense and make it a page-turner. You constantly want to know what happens next. The author effectively depicts the cruelty of childhood and the weight of adult problems being forced onto kids. I never got bored; every chapter pulled me further into their desperate situation. The visual descriptions and panel work used to convey these feelings were effective, though the art style is not necessarily for everyone.

The Shift and the Cop-Out

However, there is a distinct point in the story where the narrative makes a sharp turn, and that's where my appreciation started to slip. I had that moment where you realize, "Ah, that’s what’s going on," but instead of feeling satisfied, I felt annoyed.

The issue isn't the plot twist itself, but what the author does with the emotional and thematic consequences. The story was so deeply rooted in hopelessness and tragedy, and to take a tale that was that emotionally raw and decide to neatly wrap it up in a clean, happy ending felt like the author was spoiling what he had set up.

It felt like the author copped out. Trying to engineer a conventional "happy" resolution for a story this fundamentally sad and cruel just came across as unconvincing and, frankly, like the writer was running away from the hard reality they had so brilliantly established. It was a wasted opportunity for a truly brutal, impactful conclusion.

Final Takeaway

So, was it worth the read? Yes, with reservations. It keeps you hooked until the very last page, and the fundamental ideas and character work are fascinating. I don't feel like I wasted my time.

The short length—just two volumes—is what ultimately saves it. If this had been a sprawling 20-volume epic with that kind of timid, tidy ending, I would have been genuinely annoyed and felt cheated out of my investment. As a short, sharp burst of dark drama, it’s a success, even if the final conclusion feels disappointingly polished for such a messy story. Read it for the journey, but don't expect the resolution to match the preceding tragedy.