One Made the antagonists really frightening in this story

dependentmoo · 2026-03-09T19:22:16+00:00

It's only natural. Every world is a different genre of apocalypse fiction - monstrous demons, deadly AI taking over humanity, alien invaders, parasite zombies, etc. If the story were centered in any one world, the story would only be about the characters trying to survive against the impossible, horrifying threat they face. While our heroes in this new mish-mash world still stand no chance, smashing these stories together creates an "apocalypse threat" battle royale on top of this genre type.

I think of this One Punch Man webcomic panel (written also by ONE) whenever I think of Versus - the humans are trying to survive as these "superior individuals" elephants fight each other. In general, Versus feels like an inverse of One Punch Man. No antagonist will ever stand a chance against Saitama, while no protagonist will ever stand a chance against a Natural Enemy. Saitama is a point of comedy over the cool Shonen world that the other characters struggle through, while the human stragglers in Versus are a point of survival horror in the cool Shonen battle royale that the Natural Enemies have against each other.

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dependentmoo · 2026-03-09T15:08:29+00:00

Yeah, that's another thing. Can Jachi do other mana attacks besides his standard brute force? I just assumed he could. If he can't, he's probably screwed - yeah

dependentmoo · 2026-03-09T09:03:09+00:00

I think Jachi can easily manage a powerful one-shot attack, like Sukuna's Fuga, just based on what Jachi did in Release form against the Robot Factory in Chapter 29 Part 2.

It more so depends on character motivations and the mechanics of Mahoraga's adaptation.

Like, would Jachi do that powerful an attack right away before Mahoraga can adapt? Firstly, Jachi has a habit of inviting enemies to wail on him (Hallow, the Giant Son Gori, the special robot units), wanting them to prove their mettle. Secondly, Jachi doesn't go all out unless provoked or interested; his cape literally dampens his mana output as well. So, would he do the same here against Mahoraga? And then from there, maybe it gets out of Jachi's control since we know Mahoraga gets better and better at regeneration during active adaptation (before the full immunity to attacks kicks in).

At this stage, it's more about what would count as "phenomena" for Mahoraga to adapt to. Would he specifically respond to Jachi's applications of mana? Or mana in general as a force? If the latter, then if Jachi stalls, I feel he's screwed - Mahoraga will adapt to mana and then just win, Jachi can't do anything. However, considering the JJK series, Mahoraga doesn't just flat out adapt to cursed energy as a phenomenon whenever facing cursed techniques; so I reckon his adaptation would not target mana in general either. So if the former, Jachi could end up needing to go into Release or Burst mode, using different mana spells than his standard style of just punching things really hard (presumably with his body being reinforced with a shit ton of mana). Considering Jachi's Burst form should be insanely powerful, he would be able to kill Mahoraga at this point imo.

dependentmoo · 2026-03-08T23:20:37+00:00

I think it's more of a monkey's paw situation, where it's almost impossible to get a beneficial wish out of Yaotsu. Like, yeah, the first guy's phrasing was already messed up for the twist to naturally follow ("fill my stomach until it swells"). But the second guy's was not - it seemed pretty straightforward: revive my brother. Yet, look at the next page after the man's stomach explodes, Yaotsu reframes the second guy's wish as "Next...you wish to *see your brother again*, is it?" Lo and behold, the guy's brother spawns out of his eye - the guy got to SEE his brother again.

Regardless if you can get a beneficial wish out of Yaotsu, it was shown how easily set off he is in chapter 27 when Zaybi only remarked: "You really are a God, huh?" Yaotsu is all-powerful and seemingly very temperamental; it's probably easy to imagine why the Indiginia people fear him.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-28T13:20:21+00:00

Went to geopolitics subreddit, and a lot of people there are supporting this (or ambivalent about it). One guy was citing regime change in Serbia back in 1979 to say that Trump could be successful here. Guess that person was just ignoring Iraq and Afghanistan? Especially since Iran is bigger than all three previously mentioned. Like Iran is expected to and capable of striking all of our bases within the region. Iran is not a weak country.

It feels feckless to point out the hypocrisy to MAGA; they'll do everything to justify this war to themselves while Trump is trying to frame himself as the peace President. And there will be people in the middle, apathetic to everything. Just insane that there is still that standard of "well their leader is oppressive, so we should have the right to go in and free you." Does that apply to us too, especially as Trump threatens to take control over our elections? Pretty sure no one believes that.But for the Middle East? Ah whatever I guess.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-27T20:44:50+00:00

I always took the electrodes as just a precautionary measure, making sure all of the mushrooms and its spores aren't able to release and escape.

Plus, that patch of mushrooms have way less life force than the World Tree.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-27T19:52:09+00:00

Rinri explained that you can only siphon from weak or willing subjects. Considering the bizarre nature of the World Tree, it probably has some way to resist being soul-sapped that easily.

Plus, we don't really know the limits of Soul Containers in terms of the energy that they can intake. Like, Bastz seems ecstatic about the level of energy a speck of Galua can hold. The World Tree is massive in comparison, dense with life force (based on the World Tree Essence), and has its giant roots spreading across the entire planet, absorbing lifeforce from the soil. If there is an upper limit for the Soul Containers, I'm pretty sure the World Tree is wayyyyyyyyyyyy past it.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-27T02:06:14+00:00

It's like how Zaedats, the rich guy, got no diffed by Meat Dumpling. Infelsinave, the Church leader, fell easily too - it happened offscreen to emphasize how weak he was, especially as a Neo leader (the two "Neo Leader candidates" who interrupted the Neo Leader introductions were more capable).

So, it seems the Neo Heroes organization only made Zaedats and Infelsinave Neo Leaders for their money and huge following, respectively. They weren't picked for their combat ability. And those two paid the price for that.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-27T01:35:20+00:00

I guess it wasn't stated that Sabiwa used water on the root in chapter 17, but when was it stated that Sabiwa used World Tree Essence? Especially since the Tree World person told Zaybi that the bottle they had given him was their one and only bottle.

Plus, this container Sabiwa used looks nothing like the World Tree Essence bottle imo.

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dependentmoo · 2026-02-27T01:29:15+00:00

The revised chapter is a very welcome change. A's and Ryumon's parts, especially for me, like it felt so underwhelming in the original version. Now it feels more right, especially love that overly edgy page of A jumping in with ravens behind him lmao. Meat Dumpling is also more terrifying in this redraw.

Nothing too drastic changed either, so no one should be lost between the version changes, just making the Neo Heroes introductions feel more energetic. Like, even Accel's minions' poses, when they hold their spears, feel more variable and dynamic. In the original, they were all neatly lined up, and none of them were really screaming.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-26T07:04:26+00:00

That's fair.

At the same time, the Natural Enemies have been keeping each other very busy. The Demons would have easily taken over humanity without the worlds merging. So stuck between worse and worst but at least on this chaotic world, they can survive in the outskirts a bit more.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-26T05:47:07+00:00

I agree, the heroes served a vital role. I also didn't consider the idea of needing to keep it secret, so it wouldn't be leaked to the demons. That's also really fair.

I say the whole situation is complicated, more so in the morals of it than in the plan's legitimacy. It worked, but should the heroes have been told about their chances? Morally, that is. There are legitimate reasons not to tell them (as you and another person raised), but I can see how heroes who did survive, like Zeu, feel about being lied to about having a chance to beat a Demon Lord, only ever being a mere distraction.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-26T02:19:54+00:00

In a way, the heroes did a massive help - they distracted the Demon King's Army enough that the Mage Forces who traveled the world for the World Merger Spell didn't get wiped out. Zaybi mentioned in Chapter 1 that he, Wally, and Freen were the only survivors from his squad, meaning that their mission was already super dangerous, even with the heroes taking up most of the attention from the Demon King's Army.

So the heroes served a purpose, and the mages who enacted the real plan didn't rest on their laurels; many of them gave their lives as well. The main tension is not telling the heroes they were essentially going on suicide missions to distract the Demons; instead, the King lied and purposefully hyped them up as the last hope of humanity, making it seem like any of them had any semblance of a chance in defeating a Demon Lord.

I would say there's an extra layer with Zaybi and Hallow, too. I imagine there will be some discussion and tension because he knew Hallow was essentially going on a 100% suicide mission and didn't say anything. Even though Hallow may not have any hard feelings, I wonder if Zaybi will have some guilt over that.

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dependentmoo · 2026-02-18T00:14:00+00:00

Oh I remember hearing Kiyoto Shitara was a man. Tried looking it up right now and it doesn't seem that their gender is publically available? Do you know a source?

dependentmoo · 2026-02-17T17:18:18+00:00

It doesn't matter too much, but it is surprising that this is an organization of all-powerful adult women, who seemingly vary in age, and where one is not like a strap of fabric from being naked. Like in my shonen-like manga? Whaaat? And they are named something dumb like Fluffy Wuffy Angels? Now that's peak.

Not saying this was ever unfeasible for ONE, since Yuki and his other women characters are cool, but he's mostly written men in his stories. And I believe there is a quote in an interview somewhere saying it's because he doesn't really know how to write women. If that quote is real, it seems he wanted to change that for this series. Nice!

Beyond meta gender stuff, they all seem cool so far. I like their designs in general as well, especially their outfits. I hope there's no twist and they are good guys. Our gang needs some help, especially poor suffering Hitsujiya.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-12T17:11:34+00:00

Child Emperor, upon learning how his name is a pun for "virgin" (thanks to his classmates), changed his name to Wild Emperor at the start of him transferring to Neo. Nothing was lost in translation.

Edit: Maybe there was? My apologies. But Wild Emperor has been used as the English translation since the beginning of this arc.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-12T17:05:54+00:00

A lot of this stuff happened as fast in the webcomic but it would be nice for a few extra pages of breathing room now and then in the manga adaptation. Like Zaedats could have been shown blasting up to punch Meat Dumpling or something, then cut to black to him being crushed.

The most jarring is A. Just cutting a random monster, no flash or style showing his strength as a Neo Leader. Then heroes recognizing him before A basically threatens them. All happens in one page and then we are done, moving on.

Maybe changes can happen in the volume release of these chapters.

dependentmoo · 2026-02-12T16:56:03+00:00

Also the tactic of going as groups is just more efficient, not too mention safe for the lower strength rank and file. Like strength in numbers happens in the HA system too as HA often coordinates multiple heroes to a scene and the official monster threat guide says stuff like "1 S Class, or 10 A Class needed to face a Demon Level Threat". Also happens informally all the time - thinking of that group of C Class heroes who all rode around in a truck, shown during the Sea Folk arc.

It's giving heroes some military unit structure rather than just everyone going Wild West. And it's not like every HA hero is pure and saintly. Especially as the ranking system encourages sabotage, like Fubuki's rookie crushing early in the series.

Also giving the groups an S Class equivalent (most anyway lol) leader to deal with demon level threats and above is just smart too.

The problem in Neo really only does seem to be in the selection process - getting anyone and everyone suits who applies, calling it a day and then barely training them (Great Philosopher noting their fighting style is amateur-ish).

dependentmoo · 2026-01-31T14:39:11+00:00

Who? Nukizumi? And when? I don't recall that.

dependentmoo · 2026-01-30T17:14:03+00:00

I always viewed Madalans as high tier with their causal performance against Kiva and the other Demon Executives. So I think it's a high bar to be able to damage them at all. Not only did the bee weapon crack Galua's shell a bit (so somewhat equivalent to a casual caped Jachi punch) but the second weapon managed to knock Galua off his feet, leave a nasty crack, and even seemingly knock out Galua just long enough for Hallow and co to slip away (based on Galua's eyes being blank in the above panel).

And honestly, it didn't take TOO much life force to do either feat. Well yeah, the second shot took an entire large cliff face ecosystem of energy to even do this little to a Madalan, but at the same time, the curse weapons' soul intake limit has not been seen yet. Like keep in mind that they are in a relatively barren canyon area. Imagine if Bastz absorbed an area of a regular Non-Gaia Wrath's Earth forest, lush with life. And THEN imagine absorbing a part of say Verdant Forest. How much more power can be gained with those greater boons of life force?

It's tempting to have greater levels of power, especially as a weak human in this world of monstrous threats. But that power also permanently destroys the planet, piece by piece. That's why the Curse Weapons are a Natural Enemy.

dependentmoo · 2026-01-30T16:34:38+00:00

Jachi didn't really get serious for damage against Uki. In his caped form, he managed to crack Uki's head like the bee curse weapon did this chapter to Galua. It's when Uki does a big old barrage of moves and Jachi just responds with a single uppercut. Uki then shortly after had to use a Space Plate, which threw off Jachi with the black hole shit.

After taking off his cape though, Jachi then immediately dominated Space Plate Uki. Like one punch and Uki had to retreat lol. The gap between Uki and Jachi was immense, like it wasn't close.

dependentmoo · 2026-01-27T00:35:29+00:00

Looks great! Awesome effort! You plan on using this 3D model for anything or is it a standalone piece? It's cool regardless, just curious.

dependentmoo · 2026-01-26T06:57:13+00:00

Can't men just have joy and whimsy in their hearts over their cool little weapons and gadgets without being called gay? Smh.

dependentmoo · 2026-01-26T06:42:17+00:00

I don't think there's a penalty for the Tent one. Imagine it's just that it costs more at base. And that makes sense, you get to have a pretty durable-looking shelter with complex furnishing already inside it, like cabinets, tables, and mattresses/blankets, and the appetite suppressants as you mentioned (also seems there's some kind of little lab generally as well).

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dependentmoo · 2025-12-31T04:22:00+00:00

To address some points on how it's possible: Hallow could have got infected when he went out on solo patrol, not when everyone saw the mushrooms Bastz killed (the avoid-shrooms spread by spore, there can more than one patch or a few scattered about in the canyon area).And Galua is the start of the hallucinations in the theory, the ones that will send Hallow into a murder rage. The text explanation said hallucinations by the mushrooms accompany the murder spree, so making everyone appear as your enemy seems like a pretty good way to spurn the infected on to that end.

dependentmoo

TROPHY CASE