Multiverse-related stories are all the rage in entertainment nowadays, and Versus is no exception. In the first chapter, readers are introduced to a fantasy world where humans are under threat from the race of demons. To avoid extinction, 47 heroes are trained and assembled to defeat just as many generals of the Great Demon King. However, they are all defeated, because demons are simply naturally superior to humans. In fact, the heroes' brave mission was only a cover for the real plan of humanity: creating a network of magic portals throughout the world that will allow the summoning of allies from another dimension. When these otherworlders arrive, however, it's revealed that they are also on the run from a terrible menace.
Chapter #2 of Versus, by ONE, Kyotarou Azuma, and Boze, shows that the inhabitants from the "other world", whose leader looks a lot like One-Punch Man's Genos, are technologically more advanced, as they hail from what looks like a sci-fi setting. However, in their world, humanity is also on the verge of extinction, this time from a different enemy: robots. They also developed means to contact other worlds, and they were hoping to get help in their plight. The "fantasy humans" and the "sci-fi humans" are initially able to help each other, as each group's specific set of powers and skills is effective against the enemies of the other (magic works well against robots, and high-tech weapons are good against demons). However, their enemies soon adapt, and the humans are forced to flee. Soon after, it is revealed that endangered humans from many other worlds have simultaneously developed a way to contact other dimensions, and they have all flocked to the "fantasy world" and found refuge in a fortress called the "Fort of Humanity".
The Heroes Of The Versus Multiverse Are On The Brink Of Extinction
Versus has quickly developed into something very different from its advertised premise of a classic fantasy manga. The initial reveal of the connection with a sci-fi world was already exciting, but the addition of a Multiverse (a concept that One-Punch Man has also recently introduced), brings everything to a whole new level. ONE's trademark originality comes out through the idea that the protagonists of the story are all refugees. Humanity is in danger in every world, even if the threats are different. From what was shown in this second chapter, it is likely that the key to humanity's survival lies in the cooperation between the survivors of different worlds.
The overarching theme of this story seems to be "natural enemies", meaning that in nature every species, including humans, has an "absolute predator". However, this predator is different in each world, so it can be countered by humans from another world, even if the situation of the survivors currently seems dire. This is a very different setting from One-Punch Man, where the main character is so strong that he doesn't need help and is never in actual danger. Refugees are usually portrayed as victims, so it's not just original but also very uplifting that Versus decided to make them the heroes of its story.
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