“One mysterious day, over twenty thousand otherworldly spaceships settle into stable orbit around Earth. Six months later, in a certain Asian village, a young girl named Zhihan discovers an old man who fell from the sky…but the strangeness doesn't end there. Soon, many more elderly drifters in peculiar outfits begin descending all over the world, claiming they created human civilization. Now it's humanity's turn to take care of their Progenitors—but as Zhihan will soon learn, accepting God into your home isn't such a simple matter…” (Yen Press)
“Taking Care of God” presents a slightly odd rabbit hole, with the manga based on the works of somewhat contentious Hugo Award Winning Chinese sci-fi author Liu Cixin, who has been quoted as supporting the one-child policy and speaking out against the idea of democracy in China. In addition, the adaptation is overseen by the “Future Affairs Administration,” which is a collective of sci-fi writers with a distinct goal of establishing China as a powerhouse in the sci-fi genre on a global scale.
The manga adaptation does not necessarily come across as a subversion of any particular ideology. However, there is a slight lingering feeling that some of the themes explored are more intentional in messaging than artistic expression, mainly if one looks a bit more into the quoted words of creator Liu Cixin and the oddly corporate approach to art from the Future Affairs Administration to strengthen the country's hold on the genre.
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Despite reservations about its background, it is undeniable that “Taking Care of God” offers a fascinating reflection on many societal issues that perfectly position it to be a manga adaptation. Behind a relatively innocent story of childhood fascination surrounding a global invasion, the title addresses the problems of a population with an overwhelming number of seniors with insufficient youth to care for them. In particular, the manga presents a booming industry that is certain to fold at the inevitable passing of the ancient aliens. Moreover, the story's conclusion, which will remain vague to be spoiler-free, expresses the importance of kindness and respect for elders from children; the adult population as a whole plays a vague antagonist in the story.
The narrative of “Taking Care of God” is utterly fascinating and with great depth for those looking to dig a bit deeper. The fact that the manga addresses many themes within a single volume is impressive. The writing feels concise and purposeful, and the book flows masterfully. In addition, the comedic and dramatic elements work quite well, with the humor and heartfelt moments between the kids and aliens adding an endearing element to the book that keeps it from feeling too bogged down by its grander themes.
For not having much manga experience, Jun Yokoyama has a striking visual approach with a classic aesthetic. The character design has a certain softness, with rounded figures, fashion, and backdrops instead of angular lines. However, where the art most succeeds is in how it captures the energy and vitality of youth, with the children depicted being overly emotional in the way one would expect when dealing with extreme circumstances.
“Taking Care of God” is a peculiar project in origin and conception and those conspiratorial-minded will find elements to pick apart. Still, I found my experience with the book overwhelmingly positive, with a story perfectly outlined and executed in a single volume. Those not concerned about those behind the project will find a touching story of childhood wonderment in strange times that entertains while touting the importance of taking care of the older generation. An important message that deserves more focus in the medium.
