“Middle schooler Kon lives in a world with periodic exceptional phenomena, more commonly known as bugs. He works as the unofficial assistant to his landlady Kasane Himesaki, a leading researcher in the field, and they study the effects and impact of these mysterious abnormalities. Some of the bugs bring fun, others intrigue, and still others cause inconveniences to their daily lives. In their ever-changing world, there's only one thing that's certain—the most ordinary moments can be the most extraordinary of all!” (Yen Press)
Mangaka Nakatani Nio has built an impressive body of work since her standout yuri series “Bloom Into You” and her collection of short stories, “Farewell to My Alter,” marking one of the more impressive LGBTQ+ anthologies published by Yen Press. However, yuri will always remain niche, with not all manga fans interested in delving into the genre. Not everyone will have had the chance to experience the wonderfully thoughtful and introspective writing of Nakatani Nio. “God Bless the Mistaken” offers that opportunity, as the mangaka presents a fantastical slice of life that enchants in its inaugural volume.
Follow us on Twitter by clicking on the image below
The execution of the concept behind “God Bless the Mistaken” is deceptive in how the ever-changing environment (bugs) takes central focus, but it is character development that makes up the backbone of the story. For example, one ‘bug' that causes the entire world to be able to walk upward in the air gives Kon the chance to see the world from above and offers a rather picturesque view of childhood wonderment. Still, his compassion brings him back down to spend the evening watching the sunset with Kasane instead, showing his empathy for her being able to tap into the phenomenon, overriding his own desires.
The absence of romance favors the series as Kon and Kasane build mutual respect through their views of the anomalies that constantly change their small town, as in the above scenario. This leads to humorous and heartfelt interactions without that looming sense of needing to entwine the two romantically, giving the series an endearing, wholesome edge. This also extends to the other characters who find themselves in the home of Kasane, with each having unique and often conflicting personalities used to show the strength of creating bonds with others instead of building tension. “God Bless the Mistaken” offers such a perfect balance of fantasy, drama, and comedy that it is near impossible not to become enamored with the various personas; exactly what you want from a slice-of-life title.
Writing has always been the strength of Nakatani Nio's work, but this does not mean that the art itself is lacking. While it may seem unfair to call it ‘slightly above serviceable,' a certain simplicity and lack of flair manage to keep the work consistently visually engaging without impressing. However, much like the writing, there is a subversive sincerity to every interaction that Nio crafts, and the personalities of her characters always seem to unwind and build that sense of connection through visuals gradually.
Additionally, the light-fantasy elements allow Nio to show more of her skillset, with the chapter “To Capture a Tsuchinoko” being humorous in both story and visuals as the mythical creature evolves as the kids take chase. With the work published in 2021, it is obvious that Nio continues to develop as an artist when comparing this work to her debut “Bloom Into You.”
Nakatani Nio is a masterful storyteller who crafts deceptively complex characters and explores emotions with charming sincerity. It is an exciting prospect for her work to be introduced to a broader audience by stepping out of the more niche yuri genre, and (hopefully) “God Bless the Mistaken” will bring her name to the forefront of all manga fans in the West. The series has already been completed in four volumes in its native Japan, making it an easy yet highly cherishable series to collect for slice-of-life fans.
