Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Within the safety of the walls, youths are raised in a nursery-style setting by robots. While life there may appear stale on the surface, the children are full of potential and curiosity. In many ways it is like a slice of heaven. The outside world is a hell-scape. It is almost entirely void of anything mechanical and is now inhabited by bizarre, yet powerful super-natural beings.

Maru, with the aid of Kiruko, is out there crisscrossing what was once Tokyo for heaven. But after searching for so long, maybe heaven is more of an untenable dream than a potential reality.

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 23, 2018

About the author

Masakazu Ishiguro

30 books15 followers
Born in Fukui, Japan in 1977, Masakazu Ishiguro (Japanese name: 石黒正数) is an award-winning comic artist who made his debut in 2000 with the Afternoon Magazine Four Seasons Award winning short "HERO".

While Ishiguro initially cut his teeth within the science-fiction realm he is possibly best known for his comedies; particularly the Japan Media Arts Award winning And Yet the Town Moves (Shonen Gahosha). Whismical, stylish and often surreal, Ishiguro's works are often put into their own SF genre (slightly fantastical).

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
253 (32%)
4 stars
341 (44%)
3 stars
144 (18%)
2 stars
23 (2%)
1 star
7 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
Profile Image for Starch.
198 reviews33 followers
July 11, 2023
Review up to chapter 55 (ongoing):

An interesting, strange story. Parts of it feel very creative and original, but others are too messy or too heavily inspired by other works.

We follow two narratives: the first is about two teenagers making their way across a post-apocalyptic Japan, fighting other people as well as monstrous creatures called "man-eaters". Both teenagers have mysterious backstories, which are revealed over time. The second narrative takes place in an isolated sci-fi school full of genetically engineered teenagers, and follows them as they discover more and more about what the school really is. Naturally, the two narratives eventually come together, and though their relation to each other is not the obvious it still wasn't original.

The story is full of all sorts of strangeness: from brain transplants to advanced technology to what comes close to magic. But its a bit too all over the place, with the different elements not always working well together. Too many times a plot point comes which seems to only be there because it's "weird", and not because it fits the story. some of the technology doesn't make sense, and similarly feels like it's there simply because it's strange or cool.

The character writing isn't good enough. Some character actions feel forced or make no sense. For example: two teenagers in the isolated school start having sex, and when the adults in change discover it they are all extremely shocked, because "how could they figure out sex if no one told them about it?"... Seriously?

It gets a bit too horny for my taste (meaning, the horniness feels like fanservice instead of a part of the story).

It borrows a bit too heavily from other works, such as Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Still, it's one of the more creative worlds I've read about recently, and so far it's worth the read.
Profile Image for   Monica ✧♬•*.
140 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2021
wow.. biopunk!!

What a find we have here. I picked up the first chapter just to get a sense of the story... thirty minutes later I realized I had finished the whole volume. Tengoku daimakyo is promising.

I like to be immersed in questions when reading a post-apocalyptic story so It felt a little rushed for my taste, but that's okay cuz this manga got me trigged.. I have so many questions! 7 chapters in and I already have three different theories on what may have happened on earth, who's the protagonist, and wth is that monster that looks like Vandermeer's Borne!

what a find, indeed.
Profile Image for Isla.whimsybooks.
156 reviews10 followers
July 16, 2023
4,5 Sterne
Das hat richtig viel Spaß gemacht. Und es gab auch schon ein paar überraschende Wendungen. 🤌🏼
Profile Image for Kadi P.
816 reviews133 followers
July 2, 2023
A very bizarrely uncanny yet comedic manga set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop. It hardly made sense, but it laid enough foundations to eventually make more sense later on in future vols. And to tide you over until then there’s some good chemistry between the two protagonists and the formation of an odd doppelgänger-type mystery in the background.
Profile Image for Muffinsandbooks.
1,404 reviews1,046 followers
October 23, 2020
J’ai été un peu déstabilisée au début mais une fois que j’étais rentrée dans l’histoire, j’ai beaucoup aimé ! C’est original, on a pas beaucoup d’explications sur certaines choses mais j’ai bien accroché !
Profile Image for Scythe Rowan.
593 reviews5 followers
November 23, 2022
Ich muss sagen, dass ich den Teil außerhalb des Himmels spannender fand als den anderen Teil. Irgendwie verbrachten Tokio und seine Freunde meiner Meinung nach etwas zu viel Zeit damit, im Garten herumzulungern und über die Außenwelt nachzudenken. Da fand ich die Reise von Maru und Kiruko schon spannender.
Profile Image for Jalyssa.
14 reviews
May 2, 2023
could REALLY do without the inc*st but....i'm enjoying the rest of the story 🤡
1 review
June 10, 2023
When I first heard about this title, I found it similar to "The Last of Us," which I recently watched. To be honest, I initially started with watching the anime, not reading the manga. The show is still airing, so after finishing one episode, I had to wait for the next week to get another one. I was literally craving for more, so I just bought a few volumes of the manga and started reading.

I have a great appreciation for this manga storyline; it truly stands out to me as one of the most unconventional post-apocalyptic tales. Typically, post-apocalyptic stories adhere to a familiar pattern: a world devastated by catastrophe, battles against monsters, encounters with some survivors, involvement in leadership or political matters, and conflicts among humans.

What bothers me the most about post-apocalyptic narratives is the emphasis on politics and constant human conflict, as if they are necessary components to drive the story forward. However, in this manga, those elements are not as prominent and don't weigh heavily on the plot. Instead, I hope the story continues to prioritize monster battles rather than delving into politics or leadership issues.

Since this manga is an adventure-focused series, I particularly enjoy how the characters encounter new individuals, face different types of enemies, utilize vehicles, manage resources, and engage in other exciting aspects. I am also really amazed by how the author shows us the backstory of all the characters and allows us to think and develop our own theories.

While the artwork of this manga may not be incredibly stunning, if you're seeking a breath of fresh air in the realm of post-apocalyptic manga stories, I highly recommend it. It deviates from the usual conventions of post-apocalyptic narratives by minimizing the presence of politics and interpersonal conflicts, allowing for a unique and refreshing experience.
Profile Image for Litwithlove.
277 reviews1 follower
July 29, 2023
Do you want to go outside of what's outside? Is the question that kicks off a really interesting post apocalyptic journey for our two protagonists , Maru a young teen boy , and Kiruko his hired guard. There are hints of incest here, but they aren't a story ending taboo for me. Their journey involves finding supplies and avoiding starving in a devastated wasteland, very reminiscent to me of Girls Last Tour. There are sweet hints of hope hidden within the people , although their surrounding seems determined to snuff them out. Settings and environments that have a recurring "big bad" creature , a multi creature killing machine composed of pure body horror that make me think of another GOAT , Parasyte. The killings seem to be quick and merciless, and although our heroes are forced to move on quickly, there are clearly lasting effects on their psyche and well being. They reflect to the best of their abilities and then once they have answered as many unanswerable questions as possible, it is time to move again.
I am so curious about the boy with Marus face.
Profile Image for Nelson.
369 reviews17 followers
July 21, 2020
Very solid first volume. The two main plotlines of this manga are fairly generic, but the characters and worldbuilding are really well written. Ishiguro is quite good at sprinkling hints along with the mysteries and making the reader start theorizing where the story is going. I was also pleasantly surprised by the great non-binary representation.
Profile Image for Chiara (booksandtravels_clem) .
499 reviews28 followers
June 22, 2021
3.5⭐

Premesse molto interessanti: le due storyline mi sono piaciute (non sono un capolavoro di originalità ma le ho trovate interessanti e ben strutturate) e non vedo l'ora di sapere cosa succederà nei seguiti!
Profile Image for Dan.
389 reviews
July 8, 2023
Well drawn, interesting world building. The man eaters are a cool enemy/monster. I don’t know what to think of the last few pages though. I’ll read another volume to see what the author means.
Profile Image for Paulina ෂ.
621 reviews
August 17, 2023
Es un Japón post-apocalíptico con monstruos come humanos, lo cual me tiene dentro. Pero no tengo ni la menor idea de qué se trata la historia.
Profile Image for Enairolf.
2,051 reviews18 followers
March 11, 2021
J’avais plutôt hâte de découvrir et lire ce premier tome. Alors pour tout vous dire suite à ma lecture, je suis très perplexe suite à ce premier tome. Mais perplexe dans le bon sens on va dire. Je n’ai rien de négatif à dire sur ce premier opus mais c’est vraiment une histoire assez spéciale pour le coup!

J’ai tout de même vraiment beaucoup apprécié ce premier tome. L’histoire est tout de même très originale et comme ce n’est que le premier tome, on a évidemment pas toutes les réponses à nos questions. Il faut bien en garder pour la suite mais j’ai vraiment hâte d’avoir des réponses à mes questions parce que j’en ai un million en tête après ma lecture.

L’histoire se divise en deux « temps ». On alterne entre deux mondes. Dans le premier, on retrouve plusieurs personnages dans une sorte d’école, complètement coupé du monde. Il y a des murs si grand qu’on ne peut rien voir au dehors. Ils ont une vie plutôt paisible, ils sont dans un grand jardin où tout à l’air d’aller pour le mieux. Ils sont protégé par des scientifiques. Le monde extérieur est complétement inconnu pour eux mais certains personnages commencent fortement à se poser des questions… Le deuxième monde on découvre Maru et Kiruko dans un Japon dévasté par un cataclysme. On suit donc les deux adolescents dans un paysage apocalyptique où ils essayent tant bien que mal de survivre. Ils ont pour objectif d’atteindre le fameux « paradis ». Mais sur leur chemin, ils doivent parfois affronter des monstres dévoreurs d’humains…

L’univers est vraiment particulier et soulève tout un tas d’interrogations. Je me demande vraiment le secret qui se cache derrière ce jardin paradisiaque où les enfants semblent vivre leur meilleure vie. C’est vraiment la chose qui me turlupine le plus dans ce premier tome. Je me demande également quel paradis Maru et Kiruko recherche. Même si j’ai ma petite idée et que je pense qu’il s’agit du jardin coupé du monde. Plusieurs indices tout le long du manga nous laisse entendre que justement il s’agit de cet endroit. Mais je n’en dis pas plus!

J’ai trouvé que ce premier tome est finalement un tome assez introductif malgré tout. Mais au vue de l’univers et de l’intrigue, je pense que c’est terriblement nécessaire pour que l’on puisse bien tout comprendre par la suite. Mais c’est un premier tome vraiment très plaisant qui donne envie de découvrir la suite!
Profile Image for Fabio.
383 reviews5 followers
February 23, 2021
Originale, interessante, coinvolgente, intrigante. Un’ottima scoperta.
Profile Image for Justin.
729 reviews12 followers
November 15, 2022
Heavenly Delusion is an interesting post-apocalyptic story told in two parts. The first is actually the one we see the least of: A high-tech orphanage seemingly designed to keep the children it houses safe from the horrors lurking outside. The second takes place in that wasteland, centered around Maru, and his bodyguard Hiruko, who's trying to escort him to "Heaven." The only problem is, neither of them knows where--or what--Heaven even is. Or exactly what will happen when Maru gets there.

There's a lot of mystery in Heavenly Delusion already, and ultimately the quality of the series will hinge on how well the questions it raises get answered. What happened to the world 15 years ago? How is the orphanage keeping all its super-tech running when the electrical grid seems all but wiped out? Where did the man-eaters come from? What connection do Maru and Hiruko have to the orphanage? I have no idea about most of this, but the world is engaging enough that I'm on board to find out.

One other thing I feel I should mention, because of how well it's done: I've read a lot of manga in my time, but I think Heavenly Delusion is the first series I've seen that includes an actual transgender character in anything but a joke role. And they don't feel like they exist in the story just to mark off a box on a checklist, either. Their story so far feels believable, and it raises a lot of thought-provoking questions about what life in an apocalyptic setting would be like for someone whose brain is at odds with their body. But unlike what you'd likely see in an American comic, their story isn't the story; they're important to the plot, but they're just one of a variety of people struggling to survive in a harsh world, and they feel more like a real person than some sort of showpiece (i.e. Look how inclusive we are!), because of it.

All in all, this volume is a great introduction to a mysterious world full of danger, both human and otherwise, with some interesting characters and real potential. I don't quite know where the story is going from here, but I look forward to finding out.
Profile Image for Solara300.
1,493 reviews43 followers
July 8, 2021
Auf der Suche nach dem Paradies …

Genau auf dieser Suche befinden sich Marun und Kiruko, die durch das zerstörte Japan streifen.
Kiruko, ist der Bodyguard von Maru und soll ihn unbeschadet ins Paradies bringen, denn der Junge hat eine wichtige Aufgabe. Um was es sich dabei handelt wissen beide nicht so genau und machen sich auf die Suche.
Dabei ist der tägliche Feind ums Überleben, die Menschenfresser, der Hunger und Durst der sie begleitet.
Szenewechsel ins Paradies, wie Tokio mit anderen Kindern in die Schule geht und ein friedliches Leben lebt, ohne Hunger oder Durst zu vermissen.
Alle Annehmlichkeiten scheinen hier die Schüler zu umsorgen.
Nur was ist hinter der Mauer und gibt es wirklich ein dahinter?
Zwei Welten, die unterschiedlicher nicht sein könnten.

Meine Meinung

Sehr cooler Auftakt dieser Endzeit- Reihe.
Hier lernt man zwei Welten kennen.
Eine, die völlig zerstört ist und die Menschen wenn sie überlebt haben, ums nackte Überleben kämpfen, oder vor den Menschenfressern auf der Flucht sind.
Dann eine Welt, die friedvoll vor sich hin existiert und keiner von der Apokalypse der anderen Welt weiß.

Ich liebe diese verschiedenen Sichtweisen und das die friedvolle Welt so langsam ahnt, dass mehr hinter den Mauern schlummern könnte als sie wissen.

Dann das Geheimnis das mich neugierig macht.
Wer war die Frau, die Maru in die Hände des Bodyguards Kiruko gab und vor allem weshalb soll er zum Paradies?
Nicht zur Sicherheit .. oder!?
Und dann der Cliffhanger beim Ende Band eins.
Ich bin sowas von gespannt wie es weitergeht und liebe die bildhaften Zeichnungen und die Umsetztung und freu mich das Rätsel Stück für Stück, in dem Fall Band für Band, näher zu kommen.
Profile Image for Lada.
179 reviews11 followers
August 3, 2023
I watched the first two episodes of the anime and then decided I want to read the manga first. I liked the vibe of this (tho it changes as the story goes on, and I would say for the worse). The dystopian setting, the threat of the weird creatures always looming over, their mission to find what they are both looking for... it all felt intriguing.
The artstyle is fine I guess, but my eyes get tired looking over crumbled cities over and over and I quickly move on, but I do like the design of the two main characters.

I liked Maru and Kiruko right away. Their teamwork felt very natural, and there was just something about their personalities that simply clicked and endeared them to me quickly. I like watching them work together so much, seeing they had each other's backs.
Tho the confession at the end of this volume felt like it came out of nowhere, idk. Also I get Maru is only 15 and nobody tought him much about romance, but I really do not get why he would not stop immediately trying to kiss Kiruko after she screams for him to stop and is pushing him away. Idk about all that, it felt icky.

Also about Kiruko boiling the weeds for their meal: if they are scavenging things why would they/people not try to get their hands on books about herbology etc.? There is plenty of food in the nature if you only know what to look for. It would be more practical than always rely on finding some canned food.
Profile Image for Yue.
2,344 reviews30 followers
June 21, 2023
I like the story, it is engaging and makes me wonder what is going to happen next. The manga style is also different... most of the faces are child-like but everything else is much mature. The "inside" is like The Promise Neverland: children locked in a kind of orphanage/school, with some dubious adults supervising them. But we also get to live the "outside": the clones (?) of the children inside.

Both sides are very interesting: the inside shows us that these children are special, every one of them seem to have some kind of talent/power? The outside is more apocalyptic and dystopian, trying to survive alone in the world, there are monsters, etc (when that innkeeper died, wow, call me surprise O_O)

BUT, there is no doubt this manga is written by a man. There are tons of fanservice: naked FEMALE bodies not once, not twice, but several times; there is a scene where 2 girls (literally, little girls) are kissing; tight suit body or barely there clothes for the main female lead, while the ML is dressed with big clothes, etc.

So yeah, I am fed up with the DISservice for female characters. Not the 1st good manga that gets ruined (for me) for this kind of fetish most male mangaka have.
Profile Image for Martin R.
74 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2021
I'm intrigued and that is the most important job (as far as I'm concerned) when it comes to a first volume.

What is Heavenly Delusion then?
It is a dystopian sci-fi set in a post-apocalyptic Japan told from two perspectives: A group of kids and teenagers living in a walled-off so called "heaven", kept by secretive teachers of exploring the mysterious "outside" - whatever that is. And the second group is a duo of late teenagers searching for "heaven" and facing a myriad of challenges on their way.
We actually get to kinds of stories here: First something reminding me of early "The Promised Neverlands". Second a survival trip through a destroyed world, with a focus on dealing with the people and the monsters in it. That creates plenty of situations to explore from an almost slice of life-ish school day to a brutal fight against a crostesque bird monster. And a lot in-between.

The first volume lets us get a glimpse of its hand towards the end, dropping some hints and clues that are meant to intrigue the reader into grabbing the second volume. I'd say it works.
1 review
January 15, 2024
Après la lecture du premier tome, j'ai trouvé beaucoup de ressemblances avec The Promised Neverland, une référence dans le domaine ! Je suis un peu déçue de ce premier tome, quelques points me chagrinent : trop inspiré de The Promised Neverland (?), la révélation à la fin du premier tome ne semble pas avoir de rapport avec la trame principale (bien plus intéressante qu'une histoire de sentiments entre deux protagonistes qui se nomment frangins/frangines.... Ce point me dérange fortement !). Malgré tout, on se prend à l'histoire et beaucoup d'interrogations naissent au cours de ce premier tome ! Je laisse une chance à la série avec les deux autres tomes.
Profile Image for John.
899 reviews
September 23, 2020
I almost thought we were in for a retread of The Promised Neverland as this one begins, but fortunately, we jump to a new perspective on the road. This is a good start that had me engaged throughout, and the twist at the end is entirely unexpected. There is an interesting post-apocalyptic Japan taking form. With pockets of humanity with different agendas and motivations. There is some mystery as to what caused the calamity as it is called, but I’m looking forward to the intrigue behind the monsters, the technology, and the collapse of civilization.
30 reviews1 follower
July 26, 2023
Read this after having watched the anime (the one season that's out as of now), which is a first for me (I mean I watched Hunter x Hunter too, but I picked off where the anime left off, I didn't read the content I've already watched). Perhaps that's why this was such a breeze to read. Definitely not a perfect work and the handling of certain things that happen later is questionable, but the characterization, world-building, and mystery is all just very compelling. Hard to put down and I really like the art style.
Profile Image for Kris Ritchie.
1,538 reviews15 followers
April 11, 2020
It was an interesting opening, but left me wanting a few more answers than were given.

Without those, we still have an interesting post-apocalypse (maybe?) world with two characters with the same face. One outside in the dark gritty world, the other locked up in a pristine facility with otehr children with no awareness of the life outside. Also, some happens toward the end.


Looking forward to see where it goes. But could do without the random nudity.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.