I don't normally write reviews, as I normally get tired of it and find it to be dull or lacking, so I give up. But I decided to write a review on a piece coming from one of my favorite authors of all time, Muneyuki Kaneshiro. As the gods will was relased into two parts separetally and I'll say that the first part is lackluster, even though it complements well with the second season, specially when some characters get re-integrated into the story, it is pretty much a dull wannabe-edgy shock piece. Nevertheless, if you are interested in reading season two you should at least make the effort to finish part one, even if its art is also a little bit worse.

The story depicts a typical battle royale system where teenagers are set to fight for godhood agaisnt their wills, as they're forced into the competetion. It focus mostly on our main characters, which I consider to be Akashi and Ushimitsu, even if Ushimitsu is introduced a bit later. They're both pretty unique in their own ways, but what always makes me like Muneyuki's characters is that they're never a good guy. Even if they are set to be kind and with the goal of aiding others, they always have conflicting ideals within not only themselfs, but also with characters that oppose and emphasize the conflict within the character themselves. Akashi is a great example who's always trying to get the best outcome for everyone, and wants to help as much as he can, but there are times where he sees himself doubting his decisions, which means he is not inherently good like many characters are set to be (cough cough, Tanjiro...). It reminds me highly of Jagasaki from Jagaaaaan (same author), who is my favorite character of all time, after all both have to fight their desires and ego, conflicting both of them, to create an outcome where they satisfyingly decide their future actions.

The challenges that go all the way to the end are always creative and fun, and most are based off on games that we either played as a child (all around the world) or japanese culture specific. It is always interesting the outcome of every game and in both seasons they're mostly intriguing, even if some are a little duller than others. I'd say my favorite (not much of a spoiler) is based on hopscotch (I hope that's the correct term in english), where I won't get too deep but not only are they "suspended" in the air but also has adittional rules such as creating certain words to be able to pass the level. What also makes me enjoy the game more is the main "antagonist" of said game, who's a literal genius and conflicts with our main character, one being the epitome of egoism only thinking of himself and the other being a person who wants to save the most people he can, and their clash brings an intense and exciting game to its maximum level of entertainement.

I just want to say that regarding the art, on the first season it is pretty bleak and bland, pretty generic style for mangas that really just want to be edgy for the sake of it (like scumbag loser and such), but even though it starts a little weak this season, it gets better and better as it goes, and I think that at some point the art really does become powerful in a way. Akeji's evolution is also notable in Grashros, which I've started reading, and I believe they found their own beautiful style.
Season 1/late season 2

In conclusion, I just really decided to write a review because I thought harder and harder about this manga, and how it made me feel, and wanted to blurt out this information somewhere. I intially gave this a 9,5, because I found something to be missing, but no matter how hard I thought I couldn't point out what. The more I thought, the more I understood that I wouldn't change anything. It is brilliantly done (as many of Muneyuki's works, yes I'm a dickrider), and I absolutely recommend everyone to give it a go, even if it's not your style or even if the first season puts you off, try to endure it, it's only 21 chapters and the edgyness is reduced as you start reading season 2! Good luck and enjoy!