Now what?

If you were told that death would take you at the age of twenty, would you give away all your possession and aim to change this prediction, or would you carry on with life as if it was any other ordinary day, or would you try to live to the fullest until the time comes for your last breath? Ann Cassandra is a manga by Hifumishi Gorou and illustrated by Amashi Gumi, a series which started this year and has so far only released four chapters (three of which have been scanlated by Boredom and dkk). It is a beautiful and fun-loving tale of two youngsters who join hands in order to ‘break down predictions.’ Bekku Nanaki is the female protagonist who has the ability to see the calamities of the future by staring into her reflection, while Banjou Kizaki analyzes several photographs from a notebook and figures things out from there.

Unfortunately, Kizaki knows that by twenty he will definitely fall to death, so by destroying predictions and saving countless lives, he hopes that these skills he develops will be enough power to eventually change his own fate. However, by changing what the future has already decided, in return other people get hurt and injured, and sacrifices are made. Although there is no introduction of the main plot as of yet, besides a hidden figure identifying Kizaki and Bekku as enemies because they think they can change people’s fate, the story of destroying predictions alone is interesting enough to consider checking the manga out.

Although the beginning doesn’t grip you entirely, nor the ending leave you hanging, everything moves at such a rapid pace that it feels almost as if the mangaka is leaving some parts out, or that there is not enough time for you to feel or think anything until the chapter has ended. In any case, the artwork is superb and the characters are lovable, and their belief that the future is decided by yourself is inspiring. Ranka from Macross Frontier mentioned in one of the latest episodes that it is better to do things if you know you will regret doing nothing. Bekku is in the same place, trying to break down predictions in order to not feel guilt and to repent for the loss of her friend, whose death she saw but whose life she couldn’t save. Meanwhile, Kizaki is in a different situation where he’s determined to break all predictions and save his own life.

I’m really enjoying this series right now because it’s not that hard to understand, and everything is great besides the fact that it moves way to fast. I think the main plot is beginning to show itself at the end of chapter three, and each chapter is 40MB, so that’s also another down-side. The chapters are quite long (no doubt), but it’s really fun and enjoyable, and has a nice sense of humour.