Review by Frank Plowright

Yukito Urabe has been brought up in a religious sect where it’s intended he become leader. In order to fully fulfil the functions he needs to survive an ordeal. It seems, though, that the process has instead transported Yukito to another world. This is fine with him as he’s never been that committed to his father’s religion, and would prefer to enjoy himself in the manner of other teenagers. This new world provides the opportunity.

All the above takes some working out, as Aio Akashiro’s storytelling methods and the art of Hangetsubansonsyo don’t make for a clear reading experience. Too much over the first half of this opening volume comes across as rather random, and after the fact explanations in the next volume are unsatisfactory. At one point a character is revived from the dead, but without explanation is now a woman. The probability is this is some kind of joke that’s way funnier in Japan, but to readers in English it’s a head-scratcher.

It’s a shame because the frequent WTF moments undermine the imaginative aspects of Working for God in a Godless World. On arriving on the new world Yukito fully indulges himself before discovering some aspects are less than desirable, such as occasional orders from the government that people kill themselves. The only way Yukito can save new friends is to call on Mitama, the god he always thought had been fabricated by his father. When she manifests in this world she appears as a little girl. That’s not the entire story either. A great victory is achieved, but in order to continue repelling the forces of the emperor Mitima needs more power, and the way it accumulates is via worshippers, so Yukito has to start spreading religion after all.

Hangetsubansonsyo’s art is energetic, but focuses almost entirely on figures, so there’s little variety and not much of distinction, although the personalities transmit. You’ll either accept that as a by-product of the comedy drama or not.

It takes a while to get to the crux of things, and once the situation has been explained Akashiro’s plot has some interesting ideas about religion. There’s a predictability about Yukito beginning by wanting to con people, yet growing into his role, but he’s a charming rogue with an interesting supporting cast. By the end of this opener Akashiro has revealed an impending crisis to be followed up in Working for God in a Godless World 2.