For fans of an end-of-the-world, post-apocalypse anime with superpowered monsters of mysterious and unknown origins, look no further than Heavenly Delusion (Tengoku Daimakyo), a suitably nihilistic title for people who feel just a bit too happy today. The trailer, released before the planned April 1st premiere date, depicts a secret facility where talented youth are raised by robots and a city in ruins where horrific monsters can end a person in an instant.
The legendary anime studio Production I.G, known for animating some of the best anime series around, is heading up this series, so fans can get suitably hyped. They set up an official Twitter account and a home page dedicated to keeping fans and potential viewers up-to-date with Heavenly Delusion. Behind-the-scenes information and bonuses, such as the key visuals below, can be found there.
For those curious about the link using the letters “TDM,” this is likely taken from the Japanese title: Tengoku Daimakyo.
Surviving the End, Searching for Heaven
Heavenly Delusion depicts a world that is barely hanging on by a thread. Fifteen years ago, an unprecedented disaster brought everything to ruin. People try to get by any way they can, but it’s clear that there’s little hope left. People like Maru and Kiruko travel through what’s left of Japan, searching for “Heaven” (a place considered a sanctuary) while avoiding nightmarishly powerful monsters. Thankfully, they seem to be well-prepared and able to survive attacks.
“Heaven,” as they put it, seems to be a secret facility where gifted youths are raised and protected by robots in relative peace and happiness. A girl named Tokio, who looks very similar to Maru, receives a strange message inviting her outside, bidding her to leave “Heaven” to see the ruins of Japan. Mimihime, a friend of Tokio’s, tells her about a person who looks similar to her, and this person will save her. Though the facility director warns them it is dangerous outside, Tokio is curious.
Heavenly Delusion Origins
Heavenly Delusion first ended the world with monsters and mayhem as a manga series written and illustrated by Masakazu Ishiguro. Kodansha began publishing the series on January 25th, 2018, and eight volumes have been released thus far. It’s an ongoing series, so potential fans can get in before it’s over.
Are you looking forward to Heavenly Delusion? How do you think it’ll rank against other post-apocalypse anime series? Let us know in the comments below.