When it comes to hit manga, some are crafted by creatively combining existing popular themes, much like creating a new business model. Others, however, are accepted by readers because they offer a completely new perspective.

The manga "Versus," which I am about to introduce, falls within the isekai genre but stands out for its fresh take on storytelling. Although it may seem like a traditional fantasy tale of humanity versus demons, its setting and plot will surprise you with their originality.

The story takes place in a world where humanity faces extinction due to an invasion by demonic forces. With 47 Demon Lords threatening their existence, 47 heroes are gathered, each tasked with defeating a different Demon Lord. The adventure begins as these heroes set out on their quests.

Each hero is distinctly designed with unique personalities, making readers eager to see how they will grow and fight. However, the story immediately takes an unexpected turn when they are swiftly and utterly defeated. Humanity loses in a manner so complete that it leaves no hope.

The concept that "you cannot defeat your natural enemy" drives this shocking narrative, which I hope you'll enjoy.

Notably, this work is written by ONE, the creator of "One Punch Man," with Kyotaro Azuma handling the artwork and Bose overseeing the structure. The story portrays humanity's desperate battle against the demonic invasion that threatens their very survival. It’s a manga that is bound to captivate many fans.

Versus (Manga) Synopsis

The story begins with humanity on the brink of extinction due to an invasion by demonic forces.

This world is ruled by a Great Demon Lord and 47 Demon Lords under his command. To fight back, people from all over the world choose 47 individuals to become heroes and confront the demon army. However, early in the story, most of these heroes are defeated by the demons, plunging humanity into despair.

One of the heroes, Haro, uses a summoning spell created by his brother, Xavi, to call for reinforcements from another world...

Versus (Manga) Review

"Versus" is a story that revolves around the themes of isekai (another world) and natural enemies, progressing with an innovative setting and shocking developments.

In the first chapter, the story gives the impression that it might be a typical JRPG-like narrative, complete with heroes, mages, priests, and warriors—a setup devoid of any real freshness. When we talk about freshness, for instance, "Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End" surprised manga fans by depicting the world after the hero defeats the Demon King, offering a novel concept. However, the beginning of this manga lacks that kind of innovative start.

But…

Just when you think it’s going to be another "generic fantasy manga," the story takes a turn, not once but three times in the first chapter.

First, the setup of "47 Demon Lords vs. 47 Heroes" is shattered as soon as you turn the page, with humanity suffering a total defeat. Next, in a seemingly typical fantasy twist, they summon a powerful helper from another world, but just when they think they've succeeded, the natural enemies from that world also appear.

You might think, "Ah, so two worlds have fused together," only to be thrown off again when a total of 13 different worlds merge. In each world, humanity faces extinction due to their respective natural enemies, just like Haro's world, and they also seek to rely on the power of another world.

The key to this manga is the concept that "you can't win against your natural enemy," but in each world, humanity holds the power to fight against the natural enemies of another world.

Thus, a new battle between humanity and their natural enemies begins.
Below is a summary of the different worlds and their natural enemies.

Versus (Manga) World Description

Mazei-kai
Demons Ruled by the Great Demon Lord and 47 Demon Lords

Kiritsu-kai
Robots AI robots that have gone rogue and aim to eradicate humanity

Kisei-kai
Parasites Parasites that take over human bodies

Kyojin-kai
Giants Giants that enslave humanity

Daikyou-kai
Kaiju A giant monster that wreaks havoc across the world

Tengu-kai
Aliens High-intelligence aliens that invade

Boryoku-kai
Nature Rampant plants and animals that have taken over human habitats

Shingyaku-kai
New Humans Evolved humans who dominate the old human race

Doshin-kai
Gods Gods who deliver judgment?

Jumetsu-kai
Curses Curses that rot the earth and pollute the seas

Yugoku-kai
Games Humanity's thoughts are controlled by games

Muhou-kai
Humans A lawless world resulting from the collapse of civilization

Daiju-kai
World Tree A giant tree that drains the life force of the planet

How do you feel? Just reading about these 13 worlds and their natural enemies should make you eager to see what kind of story will unfold next.
As you continue reading, you'll find that the story maintains a constant climax, ensuring readers never get bored.

This manga is currently serialized on Monthly Shonen Sirius.

Author

Original Story: ONE
ONE gained recognition by publishing "One Punch Man" on the web manga site Shintosha. The series has since been remade with art by Yusuke Murata and has become popular worldwide. ONE is also known for serializing "Mob Psycho 100."

Drawing: Kyotaro Azuma
Kyotaro Azuma made his manga debut by illustrating the anime "Sacred Seven," produced by Sunrise.

Plotting: Bose
Bose has previously published several manga in magazines such as Miracle Jump.