“Tenkoku Daimakyo” Story Explanation with Spoilers! Ratings, Synopsis, and Characters?

“Tenkoku Daimakyo” is a science fiction fantasy manga written by Masakazu Ishiguro, serialized since 2018. In this story, the characters live in the same world, but their living conditions vary significantly, described as either “heaven” or “hell” depending on their location. In this article, we will provide a spoiler-filled explanation of the manga’s storyline, as well as introduce its ratings and information about the characters. Feel free to read on while keeping the spoilers in mind.

・What is “Tenkoku Daimakyo”?

• Overview of “Tenkoku Daimakyo”

“Tenkoku Daimakyo” is a science fiction manga written by Masakazu Ishiguro and serialized in the monthly magazine “Afternoon.” It portrays the mysteries surrounding the lives of boys and girls in post-apocalyptic Japan. The manga was highly acclaimed and ranked first in the men’s category in the “Kono Manga ga Sugoi! 2019” rankings. It has been serialized since January 25, 2018, and as of May 2020, there are four volumes available.

• The author of “Tenkoku Daimakyo”

The author of the manga “Tenkoku Daimakyo,” Masakazu Ishiguro, attended the Design Department of Osaka University of Arts while writing the manga “Hero” and won the “Afternoon Shiki Sho Autumn Four Seasons Award.” This marked the beginning of his career as a manga artist. He later received the Grand Prize at the “17th Japan Media Arts Festival Manga Division” and the “49th Seiun Award Comic Division” for his manga “Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru” (And Yet the Town Keeps Turning).

• Here is the spoiler-filled explanation of the manga “Tenkoku Daimakyo”:

The story is set in a post-apocalyptic Japan, devastated by a great disaster. The protagonist, Maru, was born in this desolate world. He embarks on a journey to find “Tenkoku” (Heaven) while battling against the man-eating monstrous creatures known as “Hiruko.”

On the other hand, Tokio lives in a certain facility and discovers a mysterious question in a surprise test: “Do you want to go to the outside world?” This question sparks Tokio’s curiosity about the outside world.

The narrative unfolds with two parallel storylines: one focusing on the “Devastated Japan” where Maru fights the Hiruko and seeks Tenkoku, and the other on the “Heaven Enclosed by Walls,” where Tokio starts to become interested in the outside world.

As the story progresses, the two worlds and their characters’ paths intertwine, creating an engaging tale of adventure and discovery.

【Spoiler Summary of “Tenkoku Daimakyo”】

Summary Part 1: Children Living in the Facility

The story begins in a facility where children live under the supervision of a robot teacher. They are subjected to surprise tests, and during one such test, Tokio discovers a mysterious question that reads, “Do you want to go outside?” Curious about the outside world, Tokio shares this discovery with Mimi Hime, who cryptically mentions that someone who looks like Tokio came to help. Intrigued, Tokio becomes interested in the outside world, but the facility’s director warns that the outside world is hell. The reason for confining the children within the facility remains a mystery.

Summary Part 2: Maru and Kiruko’s Journey

While the children in the facility grow curious about the outside world, Maru and Kiruko venture on their journey to find “Tenkoku” (Heaven). They survive by hunting and seeking refuge in an inn. Unfortunately, the innkeeper serves them drugged food, and while they are asleep, a bird-like man-eating monstrous creature attacks them. They manage to defeat the creature, but they encounter a drawing made by a facility resident that resembles the creature, raising new mysteries.

Summary Part 3: Towards “Tomato Tenkoku”

Maru and Kiruko eventually arrive at “Tomato Tenkoku,” hoping to find the promised heaven. However, they discover that “Tomato Tenkoku” is a settlement where people self-sustain while smoking marijuana. Disappointed, they learn that Tenkoku might be found in Asakusa, and they board a ferry to get there. On the ferry, they encounter a fish-like man-eating monstrous creature that they successfully defeat, but its appearance matches a drawing made by a facility resident, creating more questions.

Summary Part 4: Kiruko’s Past and the Truth of Brain Transplantation

The story delves into Kiruko’s past and the truth behind a brain transplantation. Kiruko was once a boy named Haruki, who suffered a near-fatal attack by man-eating monstrous creatures. His brain was transplanted into Kiruko’s body, causing Haruki’s memories and personality to disappear. Kiruko later reveals that she is actually male, causing a revelation in the group.

Summary Part 5: The Faceless Baby

Tokio’s story takes the spotlight as he ventures into a restricted area of the facility with Kuku’s invitation. They encounter a faceless baby but are soon detected by security measures, preventing them from further investigating the baby’s situation. Mina, the AI in charge of the facility, behaves oddly, adding to the mystery.

Summary Part 6: Tarao’s Remains

The story explores Tarao’s death, and the facility’s children become worried about the death toll increasing. The children realize that Tarao’s death leads to only two deaths in the facility. The headmaster is distressed by this revelation but cryptically mentions that the day of a particular ceremony cannot be changed.

Summary Part 7: Self-Defense Force Attacked by Bears

Maru and Kiruko encounter a trap set up by the Map House and the Self-Defense Force to lure people into being attacked by man-eating creatures. They manage to escape the trap and continue their journey.

Summary Part 8: Tokio’s Anxieties

Tokio’s health continues to deteriorate after Tarao’s death, and he begins to suspect that he might suffer from the same illness. He becomes anxious about his own fate.

Summary Part 9: The Immortal Cult

Maru and Kiruko encounter the Immortal Cult, an organization that implants body parts of man-eating creatures into people to make them immortal. They are tricked by a group that opposes the Immortal Cult, and a battle ensues.

Summary Part 10: Dr. Usami’s Wish

Maru encounters Dr. Usami, a person who transplants body parts of man-eating creatures into others. Dr. Usami asks Maru to kill someone to help a terminally ill girl. Maru agrees, and the girl’s dying wish is fulfilled. However, Dr. Usami commits suicide, leaving behind a button with a bird-like symbol.

Summary Part 11: Tokio’s Pregnancy

It is revealed that Tokio’s poor health is not due to stress but rather because he is pregnant. Tokio’s real name is revealed as Shino Uenaka, and she is isolated from the other children in the facility. The facility’s name is also revealed to be “Kogen Academy,” the same place where Maru and Kiruko encountered the Immortal Cult. The story continues with more mysteries to be unraveled.

List of characters appearing in Tenkoku Daimakyo

• Tokio
  The first character in “Tenkoku Daimakyou” is Tokio, who lives in the walled-off heavenly world. He is a protagonist-like character and is affectionately called “Tokio-kun” by the children in the facility. In the synopsis of “Tenkoku Daimakyou,” it may be difficult to tell, but his first-person pronoun is “boku,” which led others to believe he was a boy until the pregnancy was revealed.
  
  In truth, Tokio is a girl and is pregnant with the baby of Kon, who is older than her. Is there any connection between this fact and the discovery of the faceless baby? Tokio’s existence is expected to be crucial in the future development of the manga “Tenkoku Daimakyou.”

• Kilco
  The second character in “Tenkoku Daimakyou” is Kilco, who runs a handyman service. Estimated to be 18 years old as referred to as “onee-chan” (big sister) by Maru. Her real name is Takahaya Kiriko. Until she arrived in heaven, Kilco was asked to be Maru’s escort.
  
  Kilco is a skilled character, adept at handling Mikura’s ray gun. However, the one moving her body is not Kiriko herself but her younger brother, Takahaya Haruki. As Kilco arrives in heaven while being Maru’s escort, she searches for the doctor who performed her brain transplant, Inazaki Toshitoshi. If the truth about Kilco’s brain transplant is revealed in the future, it will likely shed light on the mysteries of “Tenkoku Daimakyou.”

• Mimi Hime
  The third character in “Tenkoku Daimakyou” is Mimi Hime, who is Tokio’s classmate. She is estimated to be around 14 years old, making her a young character. However, she possesses sharp intuition, which could be described as precognitive ability.
  
  Mimi Hime has a mysterious personality and sometimes exhibits a mischievous side, like sending her nude photos to Shiro, who has a crush on her. She can be seen as a mischievous character. As mentioned in the synopsis of “Tenkoku Daimakyou,” she also leaves cryptic remarks, saying that someone who looks like Tokio once helped her.

• Maru
  The fourth character in “Tenkoku Daimakyou” is Maru, who bears a striking resemblance to Tokio. He was born in Japan after a major disaster and embarks on a journey to find “Heaven” in the “ruined Japan.” While Kilco refers to the humanoid monsters as “Hitokui” (cannibals), Maru calls them “Hiruko.” He possesses a special ability called “Fatal Dive,” which allows him to crush the weak point of the Hiruko, known as “Hitokui no Niku” (cannibal’s flesh), by acquiring the Hiruko’s body and hand.

Highlights of Tenkoku Daimakyo

• Highlight 1: Post-Disaster Setting, 15 years after the Collapse of Civilization in Japan
  One of the key attractions of the manga “Tenkoku Daimakyou” by the author Masakazu Ishiguro is the setting, taking place in Japan after a major disaster, where civilization has collapsed. The contrast between the “ruined Japan” filled with humanoid monsters and deteriorated buildings, and the safe facility known as “Heaven” creates an intriguing and interesting backdrop. The coexistence of these two worlds, the hellish outside infested with cannibalistic creatures and the seemingly safe facility, raises questions about how the story will unfold and captivates readers with anticipation.
• Highlight 2: Two Types of Humans
  Another notable aspect of “Tenkoku Daimakyou” by Masakazu Ishiguro is the existence of two distinct types of humans in the story. The first type comprises those who survived before the disaster, possessing knowledge and wisdom from pre-collapse times, allowing them to engage in self-sufficient activities like farming. On the other hand, the second type consists of individuals like Maru and Kilco, who were born after the disaster, and lack the knowledge of pre-disaster civilization. They rely on scavenging and acquiring resources as a regular part of their lives. This moral and ethical difference between the two types of humans adds depth to the story and becomes a captivating and evaluated aspect of the manga.
• Highlight 3: The Mysterious Story
  One of the notable aspects of the manga “Tengoku Daimakyō” by the author Masakazu Ishiguro is its abundance of mysteries in the story. The synopsis of “Tengoku Daimakyō” reveals many enigmas, particularly the striking resemblance between Maru and Tokio, who lead separate lives in two different worlds.
  Interestingly, the author has stated that Maru is not a clone of Tokio. Moreover, there are other mysteries yet to be unveiled, such as the existence of the man-eating creatures roaming the outside world and the reasons behind the catastrophic disaster. These mysteries are sure to be gradually unraveled as the story unfolds. The cause of the calamity is said not to be a nuclear war, adding a sense of depth to the unfolding disaster.
• Highlight 4: Immersive Experience
  Another captivating aspect and point of praise for Masakazu Ishiguro’s manga “Tengoku Daimakyō” is its immersive experience, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the world of the story. Before the catastrophic disaster, the story mentions several shops that used to sell “everything,” which can be thought of as familiar convenience stores. Furthermore, the manga skillfully omits excessive explanatory text commonly found in science fiction works, allowing readers to appreciate this aspect as well.

A Spoiler-Free Discussion of the Tenkoku Daimakyo

・ Spoiler Analysis ①: The Reason for the World’s Desolation
The first spoiler analysis revolves around the reason for the desolation in the world of “Tengoku Daimakyō.” It is revealed that the catastrophic disaster occurred 15 years ago in the story. However, whether this disaster was a natural calamity or a result of war remains undisclosed. Nevertheless, in volume 2 of “Tengoku Daimakyō,” when Kilko’s past is unveiled, a signboard mentions “10 years after the great disaster,” hinting at the possibility that the world’s devastation resulted from a natural calamity.

・ Spoiler Analysis ②: Maru’s Ability to Defeat the Man-Eating Creatures
The second spoiler analysis focuses on the reason why Maru in “Tengoku Daimakyō” can defeat the man-eating creatures. Maru is the only character who possesses the ability to defeat the invincible man-eating creatures. This raises the question of why Tokio, who shares the same face as Maru, has not been shown using any special abilities.

Mimihime, with her precognitive ability, leaves a significant clue, saying, “A person with the same face as Tokio will come from the outside.” It is likely that this statement refers to Maru. The encounter between Maru, who has abilities, and Tokio, who likely lacks them, might give rise to new hope for humanity.

・ Spoiler Analysis ③: The Facility within the Walls and the Children
The third spoiler analysis centers around the facility within the walls and the children in “Tengoku Daimakyō.” It is highly likely that the children living within the walls were born shortly after the great disaster, judging from their appearances. They are at the age of adolescence, and the adults in the facility are depicted observing them closely.

Furthermore, there are newly cultivated babies within the facility. It is possible that these children are being raised to counteract the disaster, and the facility serves as an experimental ground to create a new breed of humanity.

Reviews and Ratings on Tengoku Daimakyō

・ Thoughts and Evaluation of “Tengoku Daimakyō”: Start with Volume 1
One tweet mentions comparing the manga “Tengoku Daimakyō” by the author Masakazu Ishiguro with another work called “Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru.” It implies that it is challenging to explain the plot, and it is evident that both works by the author are highly praised.

・ Thoughts and Evaluation of “Tengoku Daimakyō”: Is the Author the Same as “Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru”?
Another tweet expresses that learning the fact that Masakazu Ishiguro is the author of both “Soredemo Machi wa Mawatteiru” and “Tengoku Daimakyō” adds an interesting reason to appreciate the latter. Considering the captivating plot development and character dynamics, it is recommended to give “Tengoku Daimakyō” a chance.

・ Thoughts and Evaluation of “Tengoku Daimakyō”: The Author’s Intent Becoming Clear
In another tweet, the user mentions that they feel like they are starting to see the author’s intent in “Tengoku Daimakyō.” Though the specific expectations are not mentioned, it is clear that the story’s development and character dynamics have piqued their curiosity. With the manga’s many mysteries, it is no wonder that many readers are eager to see how the story unfolds.

The description and analysis of the manga “Tengoku Daimakyō” by the author Masakazu Ishiguro, including plot spoilers, evaluations, and information about the characters, have been provided. The story unfolds in two worlds: the “Ravaged Japan” and the “Heavenly Facility” enclosed by walls, with both settings raising numerous mysteries that pique one’s curiosity about the future developments. The summary has covered the plot up to a certain point, so while you continue to use this article as a reference, please enjoy reading “Tengoku Daimakyō” while being cautious about spoilers.