365 Days of Manga, Day 257: Kamisama Kazoku

KAMISAMA KAZOKU • Yoshikazu Kuwashima (original story), Tapari (art) • Go! Comi • 16+
An adaptation of a Japanese light novel series drawn by Korean artist Tapari (whose style is indistinguishable from a typical manga), Kamisama Kazoku (”The God Family”) is about the Son of God: specifically, Samataro Kamiyama, who must live as an ordinary high school student until he can take over for his father. Actually, there’s no Christian element; his whole family are nonspecific gods and goddesses, from his incompetent dad to his excessively affectionate mother to an assortment of sisters and guardian angels. (”The Kamiyama household, bursting with love and crazies.”) The joke is that Samataro’s loving father automatically gives him anything he wants, using the power of miracles, so Samataro is jaded with life, until he encounters Kumiko, the first girl he ever fell in love with. But can he actually date her without his godly relatives interfering? “I’m omnipotent but I still can’t get what I want” isn’t really a great basis for drama, and with almighty powers at every character’s beck and call, the result is a silly, slapstick series whose jokes seem mostly at random–men wearing panties, incest humor, and the gods using an “emotional roulette” to make Kumiko act weird. It’s occasionally funny in an over-the-top way, but it misses the mark as often as it hits. (Jason Thompson) (Review by Jason Thompson – originally printed in Otaku USA magazine.)
** (two stars)
Today’s winner is Brandon M. of Illinois! Congratulations, Brandon! Incidentally, if you’re interested in hearing my thoughts on the state of the manga industry, check out my podcast with Ed Chavez and Brad Rice at Japanator: Serious Business with Brad Rice.