Midnight Occult Civil Servants is a manga series written and illustrated by Yōko Tamotsu. The story revolves around a young man named Arata Miyako, who gets a job as a civil servant for the Shinjuku Ward Office's “Nighttime Regional Relations” department. However, what sets this civil service job apart is that it deals with supernatural creatures and phenomena. Arata soon discovers that he is a “seventh type” of psychic, capable of understanding and communicating with supernatural beings. He becomes responsible for mediating between humans and mythical beings known as Anothers. These Anothers include various creatures from Japanese folklore such as yokai, oni, and gods.
Date Modified: December 2014
Because he felt he had nothing of interest, Maguire created this drawing of the Witch and donated it to the collections of the Society s Kansas Museum of History in 2010. This simple drawing by author Gregory Maguire depicts the Wicked Witch of the West, Oz supervillain and subject of a modern retelling of the classic story.
These Anothers include various creatures from Japanese folklore such as yokai, oni, and gods. Arata's job involves handling various cases and disputes between humans and Anothers, ensuring peace and harmony. Each case brings him face to face with different supernatural beings, each with their own unique traits and abilities.
Wicked Drawing
This simple drawing by author Gregory Maguire depicts the Wicked Witch of the West, Oz supervillain and subject of a modern retelling of the classic story.
The Wizard of Oz is a popular story known throughout the world. Everyone recognizes its plot: an innocent girl from Kansas falls into the Land of Oz, accidentally kills the Wicked Witch of the East, meets a mostly charming cast of characters, and escapes the evil-doings of the Wicked Witch of the West, all to get back home to Kansas. It's a classic tale of good versus evil. Or is it? What if the story were told from the Wicked Witch's perspective?
Written by L. Frank Baum in 1900, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz introduced readers to the Wicked Witch of the West, a character so cruel that her name became synonymous with evil. The 1939 movie (starring Judy Garland) made the Witch even scarier, with green skin, a cackling voice, and a pointy hat. Her flying monkey minions and Winkie guards did nothing to soften her image.
Wicked
The Witch maintained an evil persona until 1995, when author Gregory Maguire gave her a reprieve. Influenced by the political turmoil of the Vietnam era, Maguire was curious about how people determined if someone was good or bad. Did a negative outcome make a person bad, even if his intensions were good? Maguire set out to study this question through the character of the Wicked Witch. The result was a book entitled Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.
In his original books, Baum had given the Witch no origin story and no name. By contrast, Maguire's book tells her story from birth to death and bestows on her the name Elphaba. As a child and teenager, Elphaba--with her green skin and savage nature--is an outsider among both her family and peers. As an adult, she becomes a political activist and joins a resistance movement against the Wizard of Oz, whom she sees as a tyrant. While her actions are meant to help a repressed people, they often have a negative outcome, making Elphaba appear wicked. The Wizard of Oz sees her as a threat, and it's in his best interest to turn the public against her. Maguire's book presents the Witch as mischaracterized rather than simply evil.
Though Wicked wasn't an instant bestseller, it gained in popularity and was adapted into a hit Broadway musical. The Wicked Witch has become an icon for some, representing a person who tries to improve society and a misfit who recognizes what she has to offer.
Maguire sketched this depiction of Elphaba in 2010 when a Kansas Historical Society staff member contacted him to acquire materials related to the book or musical for the collections. Because he felt he had nothing of interest, Maguire created this drawing of the Witch and donated it to the collections of the Society's Kansas Museum of History in 2010.
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Entry: Wicked Drawing
Author: Kansas Historical Society
Author information: The Kansas Historical Society is a state agency charged with actively safeguarding and sharing the state's history.
Date Created: December 2010
Date Modified: December 2014
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As he delves deeper into the world of Anothers, Arata learns about their struggles, desires, and sometimes even the dark secrets behind their existence. However, being a Midnight Occult Civil Servant is not without its challenges. Arata must navigate the complex relationships between humans and Anothers, often facing prejudice and discrimination from both sides. He also deals with the personal struggles of his fellow civil servants, each with their own demons to face. Throughout the series, Arata's encounters with the Anothers lead him to question his own beliefs and perceptions of the supernatural. He comes to understand that not all Anothers are inherently evil, and that there can be good and bad individuals within their ranks, just like humans. Midnight Occult Civil Servants explores themes of acceptance, understanding, and coexistence between different beings. It also dives into the rich folklore and mythology of Japan, incorporating various legends and creatures into the narrative. The story combines elements of mystery, supernatural, and even romance, creating a captivating world that keeps readers hooked. In conclusion, Midnight Occult Civil Servants is a manga series that follows the adventures of Arata Miyako as he navigates his role as a civil servant in dealing with supernatural creatures. Through his encounters, he learns valuable lessons about tolerance, empathy, and the complexities of the supernatural world. It is a series that combines fantasy, mythology, and human drama, making it an engaging and thought-provoking read for fans of the genre..
Reviews for "The Journey of Self-Discovery in Midnight Occult Civil Servants"
1. Stephanie - 2/5 - I was really excited to watch "Midnight Occult Civil Servants" because I love supernatural anime. However, I found myself extremely disappointed with the overall plot and character development. The story seemed to lack depth and coherence, jumping from one inconsequential event to another without any clear direction. Additionally, the characters felt one-dimensional and unrelatable, which made it hard for me to invest in their struggles. Overall, "Midnight Occult Civil Servants" failed to deliver on its promising premise and left me feeling unsatisfied.
2. Michael - 3/5 - While "Midnight Occult Civil Servants" had an interesting concept and beautiful animation, it fell short in terms of execution. The pacing was slow, making the episodes feel drawn-out and repetitive. The dialogue also lacked depth and emotional resonance, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters on a meaningful level. Furthermore, the plot twists felt forced and predictable, diminishing the overall impact of the story. Although the anime had potential, it failed to capitalize on it and left me feeling underwhelmed.
3. Laura - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Midnight Occult Civil Servants," but unfortunately, it failed to meet my expectations. The plot was confusing and poorly explained, leaving me with more questions than answers. The world-building was also lacking, making it difficult to fully immerse myself in the supernatural elements of the story. Additionally, the characters were forgettable and lacked any significant development. Overall, "Midnight Occult Civil Servants" felt like a missed opportunity and left me feeling disappointed.