Divine Incursions is a supernatural sequence that’s appeared as a gentle novel and manga and follows two authorities brokers tasked with investigating unexplained, otherworldly incidents in cities round Japan. Are they at all times ready to sort things? No. Is there generally no actual decision or reply? Yup. Is it at all times actually fascinating and really feel like an precise trendy investigation into otherworldly affairs? Undoubtedly. The conditions and nature of issues always makes me really feel like Divine Incursions tells tales alongside the strains of X-Information, solely in manga kind, and I extremely suggest studying it.
Editor’s Observe: There are minor spoilers for the three circumstances in quantity 1 of the Divine Incursions manga beneath.
The 2 brokers we comply with all through each the manga and light-weight novel sequence are Divine Incursions Particular Investigations Division members Katagishi and Miyaki. The previous is a extra established agent, and he’s been working for the federal government below his former brother-in-law and boss Mitsuji Rokuhara testing these standard conditions. Miyaki is a newcomer to the division. All through the primary quantity, we all know little about each. For instance, there’s the “rumor” Katagishi is divorced. However that’s it. No first names. No particulars about the place Miyaki labored earlier than she transferred in. Simply two, well-dressed brokers going round Japan interviewing and investigating.
Which fits the scenario. Within the first, the duo are despatched to the countryside to go to a rural city. Since 1997, large physique elements began falling from the sky. It first occurred throughout the annual pageant to honor that god that yr when an enormous proper arm fell into and crammed the college’s 25-meter-long pool. Since then, on a yearly foundation, objects like eyes, a kidney, one other arm, a nostril, and an ear dropped yearly. We see Katagishi and Miyaki examine the folklore surrounding the world, which concerned a neighborhood big god that stayed on the close by mountain, and interview individuals who lived there. We watch because the pair will get some solutions, however since Divine Incursions is about investigating the unknowable gods, we by no means get to 100% and really perceive. On the identical time, it feels each eerie and unsettling, as if we watch the 2 come so near forbidden information. So similar to in X-Information, we’d get numerous info in a case on this manga, however we’d not additionally see the brokers discover a actual decision or answer or full rationalization for what they witnessed.
A simular scenario arises within the second case within the first quantity of the Divine Incursions manga. Katagishi and Miyaki wind up in one other small city. This time, they’re getting into figuring out a couple of extra particulars. The place is called the house of a neighborhood deity generally known as The God That Ate Males. The 2 are known as in due to conditions that counsel an individual concerned really did expertise an encounter with this god. They observe and interview people, coming to their very own conclusions concerning the scenario. Like the primary, it is a chance to witness an unsettling scenario as a passive observer. Particularly given the decision.
I believe I just like the cliffhanger case on this quantity probably the most although, because it entails a vacationer city by the ocean and a much less well-liked mountainous village alongside of it. Rokuhara particularly sends Katagishi and Miyaki there after receiving a mysterious letter. Although the place appears nice, nearly instantly the 2 see indicators suggesting one thing is off. Particularly after listening to a neighborhood legend a few mermaid a fisherman within the city saved. When the city came upon about her, they apparently joined in tending to her. However when she realized she couldn’t be saved, she invited them to eat her flesh and be blessed with immortality. Nonetheless, after assembly the one who despatched the letter and seeing most of the villagers within the space, the reality behind that folklore known as into query.
Principally, each scenario seems like an exploration of what folklore appears like in trendy occasions when folks may need forgotten who the gods have been and what they did. Due to this, the deities’ actions turn into much more unknowable or maybe even alter or turn into out of date on account of modified human habits or environmental parts. And since we’re seeing it via the eyes of people that get to speak to everybody and take a look at all the pieces, as within the X-Information, we’re privileged with an surprising quantity of perception within the Divine Incursions manga and light-weight novel. The end result feels fairly eerie and like we’re by no means getting sufficient to be absolutely happy, regardless that it’s all tremendous fascinating.
Quantity 1 of the Divine Incursions manga is offered by way of Yen Press, and quantity 2 will debut on June 23, 2026. The primary quantity of the sunshine novel is offered now, and the second quantity seems on Might 12, 2026.
