Spoilers ahead. Skip to the end for a short spoilerfree review. 620https://i.ur.com/srR2wuf.png Whats yours is mine and whats mine is mine Its a bit astonishing how universally known Doraemon is even if one hasnt actually watched or read the series. Certainly one doesnt need to watch Star Wars to recognize the famous scenehttps://www..com/watch?v=bv20ZoBcdO8 but in case of Doraremon its been parodied and referencedhttps://doraemon.fandom.com/wiki/References/CameosinDoraemonandothermedia so much in this medium that one can instantly recognize the Doraemon artstyle gags even comedicallycensored characters. And in lieu of Takopi it seems quite inspired by the cult series fashioning the lighthearted story into its own grimy agenda. Admittedly though Takopi himself is the only resemblance of Doraemon. Carrying the series lightheartedness and an array of deus ex machina only to be met with a setting that couldnt be further of a dichotomy from him. Appearance never absent with blood bruises and dull eyes Shizuka is the embodiment of grief that negates Takopis embodiment of optimism and naivety. Spitting out cheerfulness and curiosity Takopis first meeting with Shizuka abruptly ends with her suicide via bullying and neglect. And begins reiterations and the exploration of happiness. 520https://i.ur.com/Dp6R91K.jpeg The pursuit of happiness Time manipulation is a homestay trope in works regarding the loss of innocence and Takopi utilizes it well. Takopi essentially an organic husk with a default nature of extreme optimism the reiterations of his meetings and rescue of Shizuka give chance to his development. Repeating the same actions for the initial reiterations Takopi soon questions his and Shizukas values of happiness. One key point being Marinas murder via deus ex machina. To this point Shizukas meek submissive nature coupled with her kindness to a foreign creature like Takopi suggested a universal kindness to others. However shes nothing but elated at the fact of her tormenters death. Even to a nave Takopi murder is a taboo creating an internal conflict situated between his desire to give Shizuka happiness his repulsion to murder and Shizukas glee at it. Out of good intent Takopi opened a Pandoras Box with further ramifications. Marinas death the turning point in the story Takopi begins to explore the other cast further developing the theme of subjective happiness. Marinas characterization follows the pattern of a relentless bully later saturated by a sympathetic background story unfortunately doing nothing for me besides stifling yawns. However its rather how Marinas postmortem reveal contributes to Takopis development. A deus ex machina tool allowing him to take Marinas appearance and consequentially filling in for her after her death Takopi turns from observer to actor allowing him to experience the queerness and irrationality of human pathos than to continue questioning it. Parallel to Shizuka Marinas life is as thorny with family tension child abuse psychological trauma the works. Rather than trying to redeem Marina as another victim this subplot moreso solidifies Takopis value of happiness as an exercise in futility. Where Shizukas reiterated suicides couldnt cure his naivety its firsthand experience that lulls him into contemplating and doubting his planets values of happiness as universal. Joyous pii chants nor deus ex machina proved to be answers to the chaos leaving Takopi at a loss. 520https://i.ur.com/yHSGpML.jpg Sheeps skin Takopis development aside Shizuka shares the spotlight with subversive writing. As if her initial meek kind demeanor hadnt existed to begin with Shizukas emotional manipulation and cynicism quickly bubble up with Marinas death as a catalyst. Regard of Takopi and her bespectacled classmate Azuma as friends changes to devices for her own happiness. Seeing Takopis tools as convenience and Azuma as an easilymanipulated servant Shizuka has no regard for others in pursuing her happiness being reunited with her dog at her fathers home. I did mention that Marina being redeemed as a victim would be dull but conversely Shizukas transgression was a welcomed surprise. In fact giving richer flavor to the thematic storytelling. Had she gone down the bullied characters yellowbrick road of selflessly forgiving those who wronged never wronging others for others itd go against the grain of the story. Given how Takopi already fulfilled that role with his ridiculous character seamlessly fitting the bill of an optimistic moralist a justasextreme juxtaposition was necessitated. Marina perhaps couldve fulfilled that role with her initial characterization but her Stockholms syndrome with her abusive mentallyill mother ruined her chance in the spotlight. Thus without present family friends or her dog Shizuka took up the other end of the spectrum wonderfully. In the midst of Shizukas transgression and Takopis development though Azuma shines quietly. Meandering somewhere between the ends of the spectrum defined by Takopi and Shizuka Azumas characterization concerning subjective happiness is the most downtoearth. Chronicling his desperation to earn his doctor mothers approval and bitterness towards his highachieving caring older brother Azumas backstory like the others isnt so much important as it is the presence of others in his life. High off insecurity Azuma differs from his fellow human cast in how he measures his happiness from the values of others happiness. Thus making for easy emotional manipulation pickings for Shizuka Azuma unknowingly trudges deeper in the mud too mesmerized by Shizukas reliance and trust in him. In this way Azuma parallels Takopi in their endeavors to fulfill their happiness through others to unhealthy extents. 520https://i.ur.com/6epVTMt.jpg Whos right? Takopis Marina doppelganger stint lasts temporarily soon giving deep layer to his internal conflict. The second turningpoint arrives at the reveal that Takopi originally came from the future where he had befriended an older Marina. Again Ive remarked that Marinas postmortem characterization would come off as dull had it fully exploited her backstory as tragic but it functions smoothly at this point in the story. With Shizukas initial victimization and consequential manipulative behavior explored sufficiently the second round of Marinas characterization acts parallel delivering her character more than a faulty bully caricature. Moreso however this second stage depicts Marinas distress in light of not her but Takopis internal conflict. Thus far Takopis internal conflict was defined by growing selfdoubt of his values conflicting with the whiplashing realities of Shizukas suicides and Marinas abuse. His Shizuka rescue mission seemed less of a moralist one rather moreso a pursuit to satiate his befuddlement at Shizukas actions denying his beliefs. His goodwill is certainly intact yet Takopis actions lacked clear consciousness until his firsthand experience as Marinas doppelganger stirred regret and despair over her death. The reiteration of Marinas characterization solidifies this foundational development as Takopi remembers that his nonchalant promise to Marina to kill Shizuka. Upon this realization Takopi internalizes a new conflict that perhaps best defines the overarching narrative. You cant make everybody happy. 520https://i.ur.com/L7rMLEC.jpg Happily ever after With grasp on the dismaying ramifications of his actions Takopi refuses to help Shizukas cynicism both now at a loss at what course of action to take. Though his once nave reassurance turns to wistful hope as Takopi uses one final reverse timeleap deus ex machina at the cost of his own existence. This final reiteration sees its narrative to its end. True to Takopis internal conflict and character it plays out veristic and hopeful. I felt an irk in Azumas previous monologue entailing his resolve and wish to help Takopi and Shizuka yet the Azuma in this last reiteration never takes initiative in helping the still bullied Shizuka. Of course memories of their time together arent intact but itd be thematically sound and true to Azumas development had something different happened. Perhaps Taizan intended to portray the potential futilityinexercise had Azuma interacted with Shizuka reiterating Takopis internal conflict and overarching theme of ones inability to satiate everyones happiness. Going by the latter then Azuma was a brilliant thematic vehicle. Compared to Azumas melancholic thematic contribution Shizuka and Marinas felt more sincere. While Takopis bouncy naivety may have been irksome to many in the course of the story it dissipates to feelings of hope. In the end the twos sour relationship finally mellows out due to his guaranteed onehitkill method to resolving bad blood talking. About the blobby octopus himself of course. Perhaps their ending is nave and callow but its sincere in blatantly going against the grain from the rest of the story. While everyone thus far found themselves lost in their pursuit of happiness the most elementary trivial things may pave the road to it. 520https://i.ur.com/gjUp4xi.jpg Fragile as glass Often story and art neednt be in conjunction to bring out a series appeal but Taizan 5https://anilist.co/staff/207846/Taizan5s artstyle superbly fleshes out every aspect of the series. Masquerading the grim undertones with chibi designs with massive eyes Taizan surprisingly works in detail to their rather blobby moe characters. Speaking mostly of the eyes and fragile appearances reminiscent of Mengo Yokoyarihttps://anilist.co/staff/108173/MengoYokoyari and Natsujikei Miyazakihttps://anilist.co/staff/118988/NatsujikeiMiyazaki. 90 of internal thoughts and emotions are conveyed through the detailed eye shading and supplemental background effects. Of course the bruises often present on the characters are the most transparent conveyors but Taizan utilizes facial expressions sometimes a lack of them rather with commendable skill in the oft traumatic dark scenes and dialogue. Designs aside Taizan additionally executes dark scenes well. While gore isnt a prevalent element in the art the suicide and abuse scenes are whiplashing in effect. Perhaps my favorite aspect in this regard is Taizans employment of untainted white backgrounds in some of these chilling scenes rather than opting for an easy heavilyshaded black. The series in general meanders between feelsgood goofy moments complementing its young cast and grimy undertones elevated by the contrast with its young cast and these particular panels feel like a bitter reminder of their lost innocence with the white backgrounds almost ironic against the swirling abyss they find themselves in. A simple artistic choice yet effective. Taizan works with not the most diverse set of artistic repertoire but knows how to skillfully exploit all of their cards to bring the full potential out of the story and characters. 520https://i.ur.com/uBFVKdS.jpg Conclusion Takopi masquerades its dim story with bouncy character designs but it offers much more than the novelty of its subversive bit. 16 chapters short the series serves a wealth of fleshedout characterization character and plot development all generously contributing to the thematic ceiling of subjective happiness. Depicting heavyhanded topics including child abuse psychological trauma and murder scenes frequent with them are far from novel shockfactor and keep the audience engrossed in the abyss the characters find themselves deeper in and darkening plot. Where some points of the plot are easytostepin trope sinkholes Taizan 5 tactfully keeps writing fresh and sensible. Dont allow the bully tag to deter you away as the mangaka executes such a redundantly dull narrative in an engaging manner. Despite its young cast of characters Takopi is sincere and genuine in its themes. Thanks to the range and welldone exploration of internal conflicts imposed on its cast of 4 characters the same overarching theme is explored and contemplated in 4 different lights. With a carefullywritten tone that complements the tragedy of the story yet abstains from delving into blatant edge the themes live up to their potential. Writingaside Taizan 5s art is perhaps the connector of all these writing elements. Narrative and nuance can be greatly reinforced by mindful art. The dichotomy of the blobby moe and giant eyes of the designs and dark writing never ceases to feel jarring to the audience never failing to garner their attention at their actions and dialogue. Fragility and tension are common traits among its characters best portrayed by the attentiontodetail in their eyes. For such a characterdriven narrative Taizan 5 plays their artistic cards right with simple art supplemented by subtle detail. You know more oft than not these depressing comingofage stories including Oyasumi Punpunhttps://anilist.co/manga/34632/GoodnightPunpun/ The Horizonhttps://anilist.co/manga/100568/TheHorizon/ and Neon Genesis Evangelionhttps://anilist.co/manga/30698/NeonGenesisEvangelion/ convey more hope and optimism than a 4koma sliceoflife comedy. The depressing course of events only underline the final message of potential hope. Rather than complying with the somber depressive tone its been built up on Takopi leaves off a small trace of hope.