Is this the Most Evil Manga Ever Released?

Summary

Aum Shinrikyo was a notorious doomsday cult involved in criminal activities, including a sarin gas attack.
There are other infamous Japanese cults like Ho No Hana Sanpogyo and Pana-Wave Laboratory.
Underground manga challenges societal norms and can be used for advertising, political campaigns, and recruitment.

All kinds of manga are released every year. Shounen, shoujo, joishi, etc.... The Japanese manga industry is diverse with all sorts of different stories out there. While these genres often get talked about the most in media, there are some truly unique manga that go under the radar.

Some of these titles exist for noble causes. With the Light by Keiko Tobe, for example, follows the lives of a family who have an autistic child, and the manga has been praised for raising awareness of what a family life living with autistic children may look like. However, there's one manga worth pointing out that was not written with the best of intentions. Its social influence was entirely meant to be negative. What's more, considering the purpose behind it, it may just be the most evil manga ever committed to paper.

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What is the Aum Shinrikyo Cult?

Although this is unusual territory for this site, we must begin the article by discussing Aum Shinrikyo, known later as Aleph. Aum Shinrikyo was a notorious Japanese doomsday cult founded in 1984, originally named Chizuo Matsumoto. The cult blended elements of Buddhism, Hinduism, and apocalyptic visions, drawing followers who fervently believed in Asahara's teachings.

At the core of the cult's belief was the messianic figure of Shoko Asahara, who claimed to possess supernatural powers and promised salvation to his followers. The cult engaged in various activities, ranging from seemingly innocuous pursuits like yoga classes and meditation to the production of pharmaceuticals. However, beneath the surface, Aum Shinrikyo harbored a darker side, involving brainwashing, illegal activities, and the production of chemical weapons.

The cult gained international attention in 1995 when it orchestrated a horrific sarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway system. The attack resulted in the death of 13 people and left over a thousand others injured. The aftermath of the Tokyo subway attack saw swift action by Japanese authorities. Shoko Asahara and numerous cult members were arrested, subsequently facing trials for their involvement in the criminal activities orchestrated by the cult. Asahara, found guilty of orchestrating the subway attack and other charges, was executed by hanging years later in 2018.

Now...that might be an interesting story, but what does it have to do with manga? Well, it turns out the most successful cults out there are great at advertising and finding clever ways to reach out to new members.

What are Some Other Notable Japanese Cults?

While Aum Shinrikyo (Aleph) is one of the most infamous cults in Japanese history, there have been other notable cults that have garnered attention for their activities. Here are a few examples:

Ho No Hana Sanpogyo (Hikari no Wa): Led by Hogen Fukunaga, this cult believed in the imminent apocalypse and encouraged its members to undergo a process called "foot reading" to determine their spiritual condition. They gained notoriety when members were involved in a mass suicide in 1995.
Pana-Wave Laboratory: Led by Yuko Chino, this cult believed in UFOs and extraterrestrial invasions. Members of Pana-Wave Laboratory claimed to have supernatural powers to repel aliens.
Life Space: Founded by Fumihiro Joyu, a former Aum Shinrikyo member, Life Space emerged after the dissolution of Aum. Joyu attempted to distance his new group from the violent actions of Aum Shinrikyo. The cult, however, faced scrutiny from authorities.
Kofuku no Kagaku (Happy Science): Founded by Ryuho Okawa, this religious organization blends elements of Buddhism, Christianity, and New Age philosophy.

Happy Science in particular has a lot to do with our story here, as they have produced some of their own unique marketing content. It should be noted though that while some of these groups are classified as cults due to their unorthodox beliefs and practices, not all religious or spiritual organizations in Japan are considered cults

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What is Underground Manga?

Feature image for best isekai slice of life manga

Underground manga refers to a subculture of manga that emerged outside mainstream publications and often challenged societal norms. The history of underground manga is closely tied to the socio-political climate of post-war Japan, where artists sought alternative outlets for self-expression and social commentary. Underground manga reflects a constant push against artistic and societal boundaries, with creators seeking spaces to express their unique perspectives. While not as prominent as mainstream manga, underground manga has played a crucial role in shaping the medium's diversity and challenging the status quo.

Different organizations have used the underground manga scene to advertise their business, political campaigns...really, all sorts of things. Underground manga is so prevalent in Japan that it's not even that difficult to find a publisher to print it. Over the years, these manga can wind up in used book stores or simply go in the trash, never be read again. It is with this delivery method system that Aum Shinrikyo decided to try and recruit members from the very prominent (and, in some cases, lonely) otaku culture.

What is the Difference Between Underground Manga and Doujinshi

Underground manga and doujinshi are related terms in the context of non-mainstream or independent manga, but they refer to different aspects of the manga subculture. Underground manga is usually produced by amateur artists and writers (as opposed to professionals), the work is typically published through alternative means (as well as distribution), and most are underground because they tend to delve into social and political issues.

Doujinshi shares many of these themes. However, the big difference is that doujinshi tends to be fan-created works based on popular IP that already exists. Much like fan fiction exists in the west for fans to give their own personal stories of characters they have a fond attachment to. Sometimes the work on doujinshi comics is so impressive that artists can be hired to work on official projects of the franchise down the road (though this is rare). Doujinshi is technically not legal, but is largely allowed since almost none of it is made for profit and remains personal fan projects.

What is the Chouetsu Jin Manga?

Chouetsu Jin was a ten-episode anime that was produced by Aum Shinrikyo under their production company MAT (Manga, Animation, and Team). The anime mostly revolved around Aum Shinrikyo's leader, Shoko Asahara being a Christ figure, a man who has the keys to eternity and wisdom that the Japanese government does not possess. This anime is available on YouTube through the cults YouTube channel, and thus has been stumbled upon here and there by curious anime fans. Curiously, many fans did not think that the cult would have a manga (despite the M in MAT standing for manga). Thanks to an investigative discovery by YouTuber Aki Dearest, we now have a view of a very rare copy of the Chouetsu Jin manga, in which a Japanese man is sensing he has a purpose in life he must fulfill.

Not wanting their son to throw his life away due to delusions, they lock him up in his room. Asahara - being a Christ figure and all that - senses that the young man is in trouble, and orders his members to free the man so that his life's purpose with them can be achieved. The manga ends with information on how readers can contact the cult to inquire about joining their mission. The purpose of the manga (as with the anime) is clear: Shoko Asahara has enlightened answers, he can sense your pain, and he will do everything within his power to free you from your prison. Considering the fact that contact information was provided at the end of the manga, it is not inconceivable to imagine some troubled people reaching out to a cult for help in their lives.

Help would come by joining a cult that would ultimately carry out one of the biggest local terrorist attacks on Japanese soil (a country that is not known for terrorism). Chouetsu Jin is propaganda. That much is clear. It would not be the only propaganda that would be printed in manga form. However, considering that it was used as a tool to lure down-on-their-luck people into joining what would ultimately be deemed a terrorist cult, one can't help but look at Chouetsu Jin as nothing else but pure evil. Thankfully, neither the cult nor the manga are widely circulated anymore (if they ever were), but it is still good to study things like that so that discerning readers can spot the next piece of propaganda with evil intentions behind it. If you want to be a manga artist though, hopefully you will write something that improves the world.

Sources: Aki Dearest, MyAnimeList