Webtoon Spotlight

Spotlight#137: Undead Unluck

Have you ever wanted to see something wickedly sick? If so, then I'm proud to announce the debut of Yoshifumi Totsuka's Undead Unluck! So let's go and see what may be my favorite shonen in a while.

Summary

Since the world's been turning, rules have governed how we humans have lived. And as you go through your day-to-day, with their oppressive thumb, have you ever wondered if you can bend them just a little? Unfortunately, for Fuuko Izumo and several others, that's not only a reality but a dangerous curse.

From age 8 to 18, anyone who touches the kind girl has been plagued with misfortune, an ability she's coined as UnLuck, after causing the deaths of her parents and two hundred others in a plane crash. Unable to bear the guilt, she initially hoped to end it until she met Andy. Like her, Andy was also given a curse that defied a natural law; however, unlike her, his was a near-unstoppable regeneration power called Undead.

Realizing Fuuko may be what leads him towards his final rest, the unlikely pair find hope within one another. Thus starting an unforgettable journey where they try to find the greatest death known to man.

Characters

Andy: Born an amnesic since the 1860's Andy's Undead has made his life a continual hell of constant friendships and goodbyes on the battlefield. Spending numerous lifetimes in the said cycle has made Andy a rather recklessly determined thug who can be crass, forward, and annoying to some. However, as his fascination with Fuuko turns towards affection, Andy shows a gentler and honorable side paired with unparalleled ingenuity.

Fuuko: On the utter flipside, however, Fukko's lifetime of fear of her ability has left her kind heart frail and timid. Her mindset changes wildly after meeting Andy and other Negators like them, those who can bend the world's rules. Her second chance at exploring the world has left her an incredibly empathetic person willing to do whatever it takes to save people. As a fan of romance manga and video games, Fuuko later develops a crush on Andy.

Overview

Like Sakomoto Days, Undead Unluck was a story I heard several times regarding up-and-coming shonen. What those videos failed to tell me, though, was how I needed to be emotionally ready to read UTTER FUCKING PEAK. I'm not even joking right now when I say that Undead Unluck has the potential to be the next big series and goes down as one of the most refreshing shonen I've seen in a while.

The genre is no stranger to great pairings, but Andy and Fuuko are a different breed. The two feel inseparable and completely equal in their screen time, meaning we get an actual relevant romantic couple and a female protagonist who's not pushed to the side. Tropes that I acknowledge have gotten better, but definitely on the scale of Undead Unluck yet.

While our main character's introductions started somewhat rocky, at their core, they are two souls who miraculously found a chance of freedom within each other from an oppressive fate. It is a feeling that is capable of changing their abilities and mindsets and the world around them.

And good on them for it because despite the positively inspiring tone of the series Undead Unluck is fundamentally a tragedy. Like our dynamic duo, the many Negators we meet are also individuals trapped by their unlucky destinies. Whether they're cursed with remaining untouchable to anyone or so unstoppable, they can't ever slow down their abilities. They have led to diverse designs that shine every second of screen time.

These aspects meshed alongside the series' many mystical artifacts and creatures representing the rules themselves, and we get the host to some incredible fights. The limited toolkits all the characters display mean that battles rely on more quick thinking and creative loopholes for some fun as fuck moments.

I guess that summarizes why I like Undead Unluck so much. Take away the fancy superpowers and funny moments; this series is fundamentally one of rebellion. Nothing is certain, not even the shitty cards you've dealt with. And if you can scrap those pieces together, you'll be more capable of building something beautiful.

Epilogue

Overall, Undead Unluck is a series that must be on your radar. It's a fun and inventive story of interestingly defying rules and expectations the world has for you. Right now, the story is entering a new ball game, and an anime has been slated for 2022, meaning years of hard work will pay off big time. So until we can talk about it again, let's see where the spotlight will end up for 2022.