Heavenly Delusion: Cracking Open a Wild Anime Odyssey

Hello everyone. As promised, I’m back with another mind-blowing anime review. Unlike my last one about robots and androids, this one’s even more gripping, sharing the post-apocalyptic vibe but with a unique twist. You guessed it. It’s Heavenly Delusion, or Tengoku Daimakyou in Japanese.

Where to Start?

I recently finished Heavenly Delusion, and my mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, trying to piece it all together. This anime reels you in with its mysterious adventure, centered on the main characters and two distinct settings that keep you curious, eagerly anticipating how they’ll intersect. Even with all these emotions swirling, sitting down to write this review feels daunting. Where do I even begin?

The Beginning of the Journey

The story unfolds across two settings. First, we see kids living in a confined, almost idyllic academy with all the amenities, enjoying their daily lives. For a moment, it feels like a slice-of-life anime.

Then there’s the second setting, my favorite, the post-apocalyptic world. We meet the main characters: Maru, a blonde, quirky-haired kid, and his tomboyish older companion, Kiruko, whom he calls Nee-chan (Japanese for big sister). They scavenge through abandoned buildings for supplies, mostly food, in a world where humanity is barely hanging on after a major disaster. It’s your classic end-of-the-world setup, but it’s anything but predictable.

Life Goes On, Alongside Monsters

Maru and Kiruko’s routine involves scavenging for necessities until they stumble upon a cozy inn with baths and beds, a refreshing break. But the owner seems shady, and their peace is short-lived. Soon, they confront a man-eating monster called a Hiruko. Surprisingly, they handle it with confidence, hinting they’ve faced these creatures before. This is when the anime introduces Hiruko as a threat, suggesting they’re tied to humanity’s downfall. Maru and Kiruko dispatch the monster swiftly using Maru’s unique ability, blending suspense and action seamlessly.

Find Your Twin, Inject the Shot

Early on, the anime raises questions. What caused this apocalypse? Where do Maru and Kiruko come from? We learn Kiruko is Maru’s bodyguard, but their backstory is vague. Maru carries a syringe he must inject into someone who looks identical to him, his twin. Initially, I assumed this would tie to Tokio, a student at the academy, and their paths would cross later. But Heavenly Delusion loves to subvert expectations, and let’s just say my guesses were way off, thanks to its brilliant plot twists.

Plot Twists That Hit Hard

As Maru and Kiruko journey to find Maru’s twin and a place called Heaven, I thought the academy might be this heavenly destination. Nope, wrong again. The anime dismantles your assumptions one by one, weaving connections in shocking ways. We get glimpses of Kiruko’s backstory and her admiration for a character named Robin, leading to revelations that flip the narrative upside down. Since this is a spoiler-free review, I won’t dive into the whoa, what just happened moments, but trust me, the twists are wild. Watch it to experience them yourself.

Recommendation Specifics

Heavenly Delusion is captivating, with its plot and the characters’ adventures keeping you hooked, driven by curiosity about how it all ties together. However, the ending doesn’t fully resolve everything, which left me a bit disappointed. After 13 episodes, I craved clearer answers. The anime also touches on disturbing themes that might not suit everyone, especially if you’re sensitive to dark or heavy concepts. If you’re like me and enjoy a compelling story regardless of its intensity, dive in. Otherwise, proceed with caution.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, and drop any recommendations for what I should watch next.