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Akihito Tomi is likely known to some of you from the seinen fantasy series Stravaganza. Compared to that, A Sinner of the Deep Sea is significantly shorter. The series began its serialization in 2020 in Harta magazine, published by Enterbrain. It ran for three volumes and concluded in February 2023.
In the U.S. market, Yen Press acquired the license for the work.
How is it?
A Sinner of the Deep Sea by Akihito Tomi takes readers into the world of the deep sea, where a society of mermaids exists, deliberately isolated from humans. The story revolves around Jo, a free-spirited and independent mermaid whose peaceful life is upended when her best friend Ryuu, a famous dancer, is arrested for her relationship with a human. The strict laws of the mermaid world forbid any contact with humans, and Ryuu’s violation poses a serious threat to their community.
From the very first pages, the manga impresses with its atmospheric depiction of the underwater world. Akihito Tomi's illustrations are rich in detail, creating an immersive atmosphere that draws readers into the mysterious depths of the ocean. Particularly impressive is the way the mermaids' movements in the water are captured—their flowing hair gliding elegantly through the water and their luminous scales sparkling in the light. At the center of the story is Jo, a freedom-loving mermaid with a strong, independent personality. She spends her days drifting between the depths of the ocean and the surface, enjoying the simple life, amusing herself with whales, and occasionally interacting with other sea creatures. But her peaceful life is disrupted when her best friend Ryuu, a famous dancer and also a mermaid, is arrested. Ryuu is accused of falling in love with a human and thereby breaking the most important law of their society: strictly avoiding contact with humans.
A Sinner of the Deep Sea shows clear parallels to Hans Christian Andersen's *The Little Mermaid*, but offers a fresh perspective by telling the story from the viewpoint of Jo, the mermaid's best friend. This perspective gives the familiar story new depth. Instead of following the classic tale of a love story between a mermaid and a human, the manga focuses on the friendship and loyalty between Jo and Ryuu. Jo is willing to risk everything to help her friend, even if it means going against her own people and putting her own safety at risk.
Despite the severity of the crime, Jo decides not to abandon her friend. The relationship between Jo and Ryuu forms the emotional core of the manga. While Jo is strong and determined, Ryuu displays a complex mix of superficiality and genuine longing for love.
Some critics may argue that A Sinner of the Deep Sea takes few risks in terms of plot and revisits familiar themes. However, this familiarity can also be seen as a strength, as it provides readers with a comfortable foundation on which Tomi builds his own interpretation and nuances. The manga addresses themes such as the preservation of the marine world and the conflicts between different cultures and societies, skillfully drawing parallels between the underwater world and the human world.
Another strong point of the manga is its subtle but effective thematic engagement with environmental issues. Tomi succeeds in raising awareness for the protection of the seas without resorting to a preachy tone.
Is it worth reading
In conclusion, A Sinner of the Deep Sea offers a fascinating reading experience, distinguished by its strong visual design and carefully crafted character development. While the manga may not be a revolutionary reinvention of the "Little Mermaid" myth, it provides a refreshing perspective on a familiar story, combined with a captivating underwater world.
