PART 45 of 52 ONESHOTS in 52 WEEKS
有坂あこの『ライトアゲイン』 “Light Again” by ARISAKA Ako
Ako Arisaka began her career in the early 2010s, teaming up with different writers to provide artwork for light novels and manga. The author penned several of her own original stories during this time, which included self-published and anthology pieces, working up to release her most ambitious oneshot in 2021, titled Light Again.
Light Again marked author Arisaka’s debut on Shounen Jump Plus, the manga platform which has become very renowned for its selection of original oneshots. It is set following a catastrophe which sees the moon destroyed by an asteroid. The earth is thrown into chaos and conditions on the surface become harsh, forcing humanity underground. Amidst all this, a new disease begins to emerge, with luminescent crystals appearing on people’s skin.
The action takes place in a research facility dedicated to harnessing a new source of light and energy, which is derived from the crystals of the ‘luminescent’ people. Under the pretence of a cure, the afflicted are experimented on and ultimately killed for the unique particles their crystal bodies produce. Working at the facility is the glum and sullen Mitsumi, son of the chief of research. He is assigned as the caretaker of Luna, a young luminescent girl whose crystals are particularly potent. Steadily, the cheerful and innocent Luna begins to draw out the humanity and love sealed deep within Mitsumi.
There are a lot of interesting concepts whirling around in Light Again—a post-apocalyptic earth, subterranean communities, new emerging diseases, and organically grown energies—set amongst themes of trauma and redemption. Yet the manga feels decidedly lax on detail, with a cursory set-up and lapses in some of the science and theory, which is described in rather broad strokes. Despite spanning almost 80 pages, the backdrop and many of the manga’s components prove unwieldy in this format, making the whole thing feel somewhat sloppy and chaotic.
Looking past the cumber exposition and clunky ideas, there is some decent character drama, which has a steady and well-plotted reveal, with well utilised flashbacks. Mitsumi is the most detailed character; curious and vibrant in his youth, he loved learning about the past, but was looked down upon by his father, who says he should be looking toward the future. Mitsumi eventually follows in his fathers footsteps as a research associate, but is traumatised when his father begins experimenting on his mother. Mitsumi finds himself unable to step in and stop the atrocities, instead adopting a nonchalant demeanour through which he represses his regrets and inaction. The past, which he once looked to with wonder, becomes one filled with deep remorse.
There’s a solid backstory and a decent arc here, but in contrast to the complicated Mitsumi, the ruthless father character and the guiltless Luna lack a lot of depth and variance; the father is essentially a cartoon villain and Luna is a bit twee, as is the ending, which would been more provocative with some ambiguity.
Light Again boasts many compelling ideas, but their implementation lacks finesse and refinement, leaving the whole scenario feeling ungainly and largely forgettable. However, it is redeemed quite well by the artwork, which is by and large the manga’s best attribute, with author Arisaka displaying well her decades long artistic prowess. It is expertly detailed and boasts all the technical skill of a seasoned mangaka, with several dramatic and arresting page spreads.
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Morning, Roo 