One common trope in manga and anime series, particularly those in the fantasy genre, is the use of healing spells or abilities. These magical powers are often portrayed as essential tools for characters to mend physical injuries and restore health. However, an issue that arises in many manga is the inaccurate implementation of healing spells. Inaccurate implementation refers to instances where the portrayal of healing spells deviates from their traditional meaning or purpose. For instance, healing spells are commonly depicted as being able to restore a character's health instantly or even resurrect the dead. While this might make for dramatic storytelling, it often stretches the boundaries of believability and undermines the consistency of the story world.
Moreover, Kugayama wisely trims some of the boring redundancy from the original prose novel, allowing the manga’s storytelling to feel more purposeful. However, the manga can’t entirely escape the weaknesses of its source. The 195-page first manga volume adapts the first three-quarters of the original light novel, so this fantasy adventure manga contains only one action scene. The manga includes references such as Rose saying, “I was gonna let you leave on the seventh day until I saw ya doin’ cool sh*t,” except Usato didn’t actually do anything whatsoever, cool or otherwise. Similarly, Usato says, “Maybe I leveled up after all those fights in the forest,” although he didn’t fight multiple times in the forest, or anywhere else, for that matter. And moreover, supporting characters Kazuki and Suzune get relegated to such marginal status that the reader can be forgiven for forgetting that they even exist.
The author clearly had a type of story in mind and went about creating a world and powerset with that story in mind and with the subtlety of a fucking brick to the face. The first volume of Kugayama Reki s manga introduces the story s initial set of primary characters and introduces the initial scenario but does little more.
While this might make for dramatic storytelling, it often stretches the boundaries of believability and undermines the consistency of the story world. **One of the main issues with inaccurate implementation of healing spells is the lack of consequences or limitations**. In many manga, healing spells are shown to work effortlessly and without any negative side effects.
Inaccurate implementation of healing spells manga
Kurokata’s quirky isekai light novel series The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic began coming out in August, and the manga adaptation by Kugayama Reki will hit shelves this November. Both series are published by One Peace Books, and Kurokata and Kugayama Reki spoke to Otaku USA about their work, how they got started, and what they’d like Western fans to know about them.
Kurokata Interview
Where did the idea for using healing magic the “wrong” way come from?
Most people think of recovery magic as a kind of background support used to heal the injuries of allies. The idea for this series came from a desire to make a character that turns that on its head.
Is your personal life ever reflected in the story?
My personal life is not reflected in the outline of the story. But the main character, Usato, is determined not to give up, not to be broken, and to continue no matter what happens. That’s something that I hope to accomplish in my own life.
How do you go about creating your characters, deciding on what personality they will have?
When I think about a character, something that I am conscious of is the impression they will make on readers. For example, for main characters like Usato and Suzune, for them to have a personality, but making sure their personalities don’t fall apart, I have them say and do weird things. Then other characters comically rebuke them for saying and doing those weird things. I write lines like that to leave an impression on readers.
What are your strongest artistic influences? How do they influence your work?
The worldview in The Wrong Way to Use Healing was influenced by the series Deltora Quest. Kingdoms, monsters, quests, and other fantasy elements that appear in Deltora Quest had a strong influence on me when I was young and probably influenced root elements in The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic.
How did you first get started writing light novels?
When I was young, I liked reading novels. So, when I started living on my own, I took advantage of the opportunity and decided to write my own story. Even though it was clumsy in the beginning, gradually more and more people began to read my work and send me feedback. Writing novels became fun and I’ve just continued doing it until this day.
Is there anything that you’d like to tell your English-speaking fans?
Having my work read abroad makes me very happy. To have even more people enjoy The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic I will try to work even harder in the future.
Kugayama Reki Interview
What steps do you take to adapt The Wrong Way to Use Healing Magic into a manga?
First, I read the original novel many times. As I read it, I pictured a kind of movie in my mind and imagined each scene in detail. As I thought about who and what to draw, I thought carefully about what kind of drawings would communicate those scenes best.
How did you get started as an artist?
After entering and not winning a lot of magazine contests for new artists, I was given the opportunity to work on a replacement series for a magazine’s regular series that was going on hiatus.
Do you have a favorite character to draw?
I love all the characters in Healing Magic, but I especially like Rose and Halpha. Although they both seem very aloof, I like them because they hold on strongly to their values and beliefs. I also like the villains.
What would you like Western fans to know about you?
I hope that my adaptation accurately conveys the comical nature of the story and characters in the original work. If readers enjoy the manga as much as the original novels, it will make me happy!
This undermines the value of these abilities and makes them feel overpowered. In reality, healing processes usually take time and can have their own challenges. By neglecting these aspects, authors miss an opportunity to create depth and tension within their story. Another problem with inaccurate implementation is the **inconsistency in the portrayal of healing spells**. Sometimes, healing abilities are shown to have varying degrees of effectiveness depending on the circumstances or the user's skill level. This lack of consistency can be confusing for readers, as it creates a sense of unpredictability that undermines the rules established within the story world. Furthermore, inaccurate implementation can **downplay the importance of non-magical healing methods**. In many manga, characters with healing spells often overshadow other characters who specialize in non-magical medical practices or techniques. This sends the misleading message that magic is superior to science or traditional healing methods. By ignoring the expertise and efforts of non-magical healers, the story fails to acknowledge the complexity and significance of healthcare beyond the realm of magic. To address these issues, **authors and artists should strive for more accurate and consistent representation of healing spells**. This can be achieved by establishing clear limitations and consequences for using these abilities, as well as grounding them in the established rules of the story world. Additionally, giving non-magical healing methods their due recognition can add depth and realism to the narrative. Inaccurate implementation of healing spells in manga can undermine the believability, consistency, and depth of the story. By addressing these issues, authors can create a more immersive and engaging reading experience for their audience..
Reviews for "Inaccurate Healing Spells and Reader Dissatisfaction in Manga"
1. Jane - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Inaccurate implementation of healing spells manga". The story was confusing and the artwork was not very appealing. The healing spells were portrayed incorrectly, which was frustrating for someone like me who enjoys fantasy and magic. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this manga to others who are looking for an accurate and engaging depiction of healing spells.
2. Mark - 1 star - "Inaccurate implementation of healing spells manga" was a complete letdown. The character development was lacking, and the plot felt disjointed and poorly executed. The healing spells, which should have been a central part of the story, were completely off and didn't make sense in the context of the world the manga built. It felt like the author didn't put enough thought and research into creating a believable magical system. I would not recommend this manga to anyone looking for a well-crafted and accurate representation of healing spells.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really hoping that "Inaccurate implementation of healing spells manga" would provide a unique and interesting twist on healing magic, but sadly, it fell flat. The story lacked depth and failed to explore the potential that healing spells could bring to the narrative. I was hoping for a more sophisticated and well-developed portrayal of healing magic, but instead, I found it to be inaccurate and uninteresting. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend this manga to others.