WORKING FOR GOD IN A GODLESS WORLD, VOL. 1 / Story by AOI AKASHIRO / Art by SONSHO HANGETSUBAN / Published by TITAN MANGA

Like many young people, Yukito Urabe had little use for his father’s religion. This was something of a problem, as his father was the leader of a cult devoted to the all-powerful Mitama. When Yukito was sacrificed, he ironically prayed to be reborn in a world without religion. Shockingly, this wish was granted.

Yukito was happy enough until he learned the village that adopted him was populated by outcasts condemned to death by a corrupt empire. In a desperate attempt to save the cute innkeepers who gave him free booze, Yukito prayed to Mitama and the god manifested. Granted, it was in the form of a hyperactive young girl, but it was still a miracle.

Unfortunately, Mitama spent what power she had to travel between worlds to get to Yukito. Now, to save his new home, Yukito must introduce religion to a land with no conception of gods or magic and build a base of believers to make Mitama into a force to be reckoned with. The irony is not lost upon him.

Working For God In a Godless World is a novel twist on the Isekai genre. Author Aoi Akarshiro has a great concept and plays against the usual tropes beautifully. Yukito is more con artist than champion, but his heart is ultimately in the right place. The best sequences of the comic involve his issues with trying to win over the villagers with schemes like turning Mitama into an idol-style singer. There’s also an amusing subplot with an imperial knight, transformed into a woman by Mitama’s power, who becomes the first paladin of the new religion.

Unfortunately, while the base concept of this book is gripping, the illustrations do not equal it. The artwork of Sonsho Hangetsuban is erratic and inconsistent. Some pages are lightly sketched and simple. Others are full of so much complicated line work that the details are obscured by other details. There is also a poor story flow between panels and the action is hard to follow at times.

The writing redeems the artwork, but Working For God In a Godless World is still a rough read. Fans of the Isekai genre may appreciate it for the novel twist on the classic formula. General audiences, however, may have a hard time getting through it.

Working For God In a Godless World Vol. 1 arrives in stores on December 17, 2024.