Planet With 1+2
Set in modern(?) Japan, this new
Satoshi Mizukami manga sees the protagonist, Souya, a kid with amnesia who was adopted by a maid and a giant mascot cat, wake up from a prophetic dream, most likely a past memory, and follows with him trying to integrate in his new school. His classmate Megami tries to integrate him better but it seems like he wants none of it. Soon after a giant UFO (that looks like a giant doll with a bunch of human parts attached to it) show up and the army tries to stop him, only for all missiles launched at it to turn into cotton, and in retaliation the UFO glows, and shows the pilot pleasant memories of his family, which prompts him to give up.
Shortly after we are shown a team of heroes preparing for a stand-off against this being, as they turn into bright lights and go into the horizon to met their foe. Each turn into a mech while Souya is told by the maid that he is to goo meet them. Not as a hero, but as an antagonist, and with that we get into chapter 2.
Chapter 2 starts with the initial clash between the UFO and the heroes, and they make the point of not showing their bodies to this enemy. The UFO retaliates with the glow, ineffectively, and the by throwing smaller dolls at them, that ca indeed damage them with the same cotton transformation the missiles had. One of the heroes, Torai, finds an entrance on the back if its head and proceeds to go in. Inside, he is shown memories of his mother's death, and it's influence on his decision of becoming a fire fighter. In this illusion, his mother is till alive, but once he realizes whats happening, he transforms back into his mech form and destroys the enemy from within, hitting the figure of his mother, and as he does so his mech takes considerable damage.
As the heroes scatter, Souya finds Torai, and confronts him, demanding for his power to be returned (as instructed by the cat sensei). Upon refusal, the cat swallows Souya and transforms into a smaller mech. Torai also transforms,and a small battle ensues. The faster, smaller mech wins, as he smashes Torai's into cotton. Upon defeat the power is claimed, in the form of a small necklace with a small container of dust(?). As he grabs it, Souya regains some of his memories and vows to defeat the heroes, now with real conviction. Chapter ends with a final boss vibey teaser.
The first Chapter starts slow like most of Mizukami's works, but is enough to establish the main character and his supporting cast, but i feel like it's missing a premise. At first i thought it would be the recovery of Souya's memories, but he gained them back, partially or not, in chapter 2. Regardless, it has potential, especially considering those introspection scenes relating to the UFO. The art is ok, closer to Spirit Circle than Hoshi no Samidare, but themech designs are interesting, more so the heroes side.
I'll keep reading it since its Mizukami, but even if it wasnt, I'd have still kept at it for the moment.