Takopi’s Original Sin: The Manga That Broke Me in Just 16 Chapters

I Wasn’t Ready for This

I’ll be honest with you — when I picked up Takopi’s Original Sin, I expected something light. Cute alien. Bright art. A little sadness, maybe some introspection.

What I didn’t expect? Was to be emotionally wrecked within 16 chapters.

I’ve read manga my whole life. One Piece is my GOAT. I’ve survived the deaths of Ace, Maes Hughes, and Nina Tucker. But Takopi’s Original Sin managed to crush me — quietly. No big shonen speeches. No epic fights. Just raw emotion, trauma, and the question of whether kindness is always good.

This story hurt me. And I loved it for that.

What Is Takopi’s Original Sin?

Takopi’s Original Sin (タコピーの原罪) is a psychological sci-fi drama by Taizan 5, published in 2022 on Shonen Jump+.

The story follows Takopi, a happy-go-lucky alien from Planet Happy who travels to Earth to spread happiness. He quickly meets Shizuka, a deeply troubled elementary school girl who’s being bullied and neglected.

Takopi tries to help… but everything starts spiraling.

Without spoiling too much (yet), what starts as a wholesome alien-meets-girl story becomes a dark, gut-wrenching dive into grief, abuse, and the unintended consequences of trying to “fix” people.

This ain’t E.T.

The Premise: Happiness Isn’t Always a Gift

Takopi is armed with gadgets from Planet Happy — little tools that erase memories, teleport, or freeze time. But he doesn’t understand human emotions. He doesn’t understand trauma. He just wants everyone to smile.

That’s where the heartbreak starts.

Shizuka is suffering. Her home life is cold. She’s bullied mercilessly by classmates. And Takopi, despite his good intentions, keeps trying to erase pain instead of facing it.

And when something irreversible happens… the manga takes a turn I absolutely didn’t see coming.

Themes That Cut Deep

Takopi’s Original Sin explores some unusually heavy topics for a Jump title:

• Emotional neglect and child abuse
• Bullying and generational trauma
• Responsibility vs innocence
• The morality of erasing pain
• Redemption, guilt, and irreversible choices

What makes it powerful is how quiet the story is. There are no villains with evil plans. Just broken kids, a confused alien, and a world that keeps hurting them.

The “original sin” isn’t some cosmic evil. It’s not understanding that good intentions can still cause harm.

The Characters: Flawed, Raw, and Too Real

Takopi

At first glance, he’s adorable — a big-eyed alien that says “Happy!” a lot. But underneath that innocence is a dangerous level of naïveté. His inability to grasp human complexity is what drives the tragedy.

Shizuka

She’s the heart of the manga. Stoic, quiet, and drowning in pain, Shizuka is one of the most realistic depictions of childhood trauma I’ve seen in manga. She doesn’t cry for help. She endures. Until she can’t.

Marina

At first, you’ll hate her. But then you’ll understand. Her role in the story is essential, and her arc is possibly the most haunting. She’s the proof that pain spreads — and cycles repeat — unless we face them head-on.

The Art Style: Contrasts That Hurt

One of the things that makes Takopi’s Original Sin so jarring is the art style. It’s bright, clean, and even a little cute. Takopi himself looks like he belongs in a plush toy line.

But that’s exactly why the dark scenes hit so hard. The contrast is unnerving. You expect a slice-of-life story — and instead, you get existential dread wrapped in kindergarten smiles.

It’s genius. And brutal.

It’s Only 16 Chapters — And That’s the Point

I finished it in one sitting. Then I sat in silence.

It’s hard to explain how much Takopi’s Original Sin packs into 16 chapters. There’s more emotional development here than in some 300-chapter series. Every panel counts. Every choice matters.

And when it ends… it stays with you. It haunts you.

There’s no long-winded epilogue. No easy answers. Just a final question:

“Was it really happiness if it was forced?”

Why This Isn’t Just Another Sad Manga

There’s a difference between being sad for shock value — and being sad with purpose.

Takopi’s Original Sin isn’t trauma porn. It’s not trying to manipulate you. It’s warning you. About the danger of avoidance. About what happens when you don’t listen, or try to erase someone’s past instead of helping them carry it.

It’s a tragic story. But it’s also one of hope, buried beneath the pain. Because in the end, Takopi learns something real — and so do we.

If You Liked Takopi’s Original Sin…

You might also want to read my take on reverse isekai anime with different heroes, because some of those series challenge genre expectations in a similar way — flipping cute setups into deep emotional gut-punches.

And honestly? The way Takopi flips alien-comes-to-Earth into pure psychological chaos is exactly what more creators need to do.

Final Thoughts: A Short Manga With Long-Term Damage (In the Best Way)

Takopi’s Original Sin is a masterclass in minimalist storytelling. It’s one of those manga that sneaks up on you. You blink, and suddenly you’re crying over a cartoon alien and a girl who never asked for help.

I don’t usually say this, but: you owe it to yourself to read it. It won’t take much time — but it might stay in your chest for a long, long while.

FAQ: Takopi’s Original Sin

Q: Is Takopi’s Original Sin worth reading?
Absolutely. It’s only 16 chapters and delivers one of the most emotionally impactful stories in recent manga.

Q: Is Takopi’s Original Sin sad?
Yes. Deeply. But it’s also meaningful, thought-provoking, and beautifully told.

Q: Who is the author of Takopi’s Original Sin?
Taizan 5, who later also worked on “The Ichinose Family’s Deadly Sins.”

Q: Is there an anime adaptation of Takopi’s Original Sin?
As of now, no. But fans are begging for one — and with good reason.