Ningyo Rhapsody

Actually, I'm just writing this just to brag that I'm the 90th person that has read and added this One-shot to my list (also maybe just to get myself to strictly score a work since there aren't that many manga/one-shot/anime/light novel that I particularly dislike.)

I doubt people are going to read this anyway so spoilers ahead!

STORY: 5/10
They established that the characters live in a place close to the mountains and the sea, and that mermaids that eat humans exist in the sea. And our protagonist's parents are a human father and a mermaid mother. Toshihide (the protag) goes to the sea to play an underwater piano that mermaids had made in the past and not many mermaids can play at present. Toshihide meets a mermaid as he started to drown and was saved by said mermaid. The mermaid's name was Shijyu. Shijyu and Toshihide got along with Shijyu really well and had spent time together by teaching Shijyu how to play the piano. One day, a shark had attacked Toshihide and Shijyu bit his ear off during the confusion because of Toshihide's blood that spilt in the sea. Both mermaids and humans had decided that it was the fault of the other party, but because Toshihide's father told him about why he loved her mother, Toshihide comes to an understanding that feelings are more important than anything. He then goes back to the ocean to play the piano once more, and while this was happening Shijyu also rushed to where the piano was, accompanied by mermaids that tried to stop her. Upon hearing Toshihide playing the piano, the melodic sounds that traversed the sea was nothing short of beautiful, and from then on, the relationship of humans and mermaids started to get better. Nothing unheard of so it's pretty average.

ART: 9/10
It really was great Nothing much to say but that.

CHARACTER: 5/10
Like I said, the story and the characters are very closely tied together and that's why I also rated this 5. Average.

ENJOYMENT: 6/10
There were cute moments and the art was simply gorgeous. I don't really mind a lackluster story since this is a one-shot, so there's nothing much to expect.

OVERALL: 6.25/10 -> 6/10
I only recently decided to read other Fujimoto works since I'm curious of what else he has written aside from Fire Punch and Chainsaw Man.

This is by far one of the most moving stories I've ever read. Rather it be by personal feelings or past experiences, the fact that only around 100 people have read this criminally underrated manga is sad. Looking beyond the artwork and writing, it is a story about a forbidden love; one told from by the creativity and art of Tatsuki.

The ocean and the land may as well be the earth and the moon, relatively speaking. It is told many times throughout the story that the perspectives and beliefs of both mermaids and humans clash in a cultural conflict; whether it be by mermaids eating humans, or humans eating mermaids. Regardless, a universal unity exists from the creation of music. Music, as shown in this story, serves to illustrate the previously mentioned "forbidden love". It acts as a bridge between these foreign worlds. This concept isn't new in writing, but in terms of the plot, it is the first to run in tandem with the idea of forbidden love. Both parties exhibit a mutual bitterness for the ideals and beliefs of the other, but in the end, love still penetrates the veil of ignorance and hate that blinds everyone.

I highly recommend anyone with a bit of spare time to thoroughly read through this. There is something for everybody in this little story.