Despite lacking promotion and mainstream recognition, Hulu's Heavenly Delusion, adapted from Masakazi Ishiguro's manga of the same name, stands out as the best anime of 2023 so far. Titled Tengoku Daimakyou for its promotion, Hirotaka Mori's masterpiece is a split-story featuring Kiruko and Maru's thrilling journey through a post-apocalyptic Japan in search of a hidden sanctuary called "Heaven". Surprisingly, Heaven is the residence of Tokio, a look-alike of Maru, who resides in the secluded Takahara Academy. This walled-off school, situated in a devastated urban landscape, offers its students a paradisiacal existence with all their needs fulfilled.
Heavenly Delusion's Plot Is Jam Packed With Cool Storylines
The plot of the series is the most impressive element. Kiruko, an orphan with a passion for go-carts, experiences a life-changing accident. Maru, a younger orphan, has a remarkable fighting ability. The two meet when Kiruko is asked to escort Maru to "Heaven" without knowing why. Meanwhile, the story also introduces Tokio, a sheltered teenager who receives a message offering a glimpse of the outside world. These three characters embark on a quest to meet each other, despite being strangers.
What sets this anime apart is its skillful integration of various genres, including slice-of-life, fantasy, horror, sci-fi, romance, and battle manga. While the post-apocalypse serves as the backdrop, it does not overshadow the character-driven story. The plot captivates viewers with intriguing mysteries, such as the connection between Kiruko, Maru, and the Tokio who looks like them. Kiruko's mysterious backstory adds to the depth, hinting at a connection to the events in Heaven. Additionally, strange occurrences at Takahara Academy, including Tokio's interactions with superpowered students like Kona, further add to the intrigue.
Heaven Delusion Is The Ultimate Anime Theme Mash-Up
The anime Heavenly Delusion creatively addresses real-life social issues such as gender norms, artificial intelligence, environmental sustainability, governmental malfeasance, and classism. These issues are skillfully integrated into the story, allowing for further discussions about the anime beyond its own context. However, the marketing of Heavenly Delusion is lacking, with an unknown Japanese title and minimal promotion, despite being available on Disney's Hulu anime streaming service. Nevertheless, fans who discover and watch Heavenly Delusion will surely appreciate it as one of the top anime of 2023. You can now stream it on Hulu under the title Tengoku Daimakyo.