A Monke Review No One Asked For

~1-nichi Go ni Shinu Gorilla: Monke fication as Human Growth~

For whatever reason, there is something about human beings (and perhaps life, in general) which seems to be incomplete. There's always a new item to buy or another goal to be accomplished. It's almost as if we are all beautifully broken bodies, breathing air and attempting to grasp whatever we think is going to satisfy us or bring us happiness at any given moment. This is not something that is unique to a certain group of people. This is an integral part of the human experience, and most of us (if not all of us) can relate to this. Regardless of the way an individual lives or carries themselves on a day-to-day basis, it seems as if this aforementioned pursuit is constantly taking place within them. As this process repeats itself throughout the course of our meagre existence, we tend to overlook the obvious.

A wise old sage once said, "Reject hooman, go back to monke." It may be said that this is the lesson that Ishida-sensei is attempting to bestow upon his readers through the use of the protagonist of "1-nichi Go ni Shinu Gorilla." The mc, known as Gorilla, is an individual who has overcome the wantonness that is natural for human beings.

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In the beginning of the story, the protagonist comes to himself. The narrative opens up displaying a look in his eyes reveals which all that is necessary for the reader to come to conclude that the irreversible has taken place. It is clear, particularly at this moment in time, that the mc is completely invested in a state of monke.

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One may attribute this to the fact that he is himself a gorilla; nevertheless, the point still stands that he has forsaken human nature as a whole. Having fully embraced the monke within, Gorilla has accepted the transitory nature of his existence. Pounding upon his chest, he reaches deep within his heart and soul to exude his alphamonke dominance. He rejects the hooman, the hooman which is oft so callous to the grim truth of life. Instead of building up his wealth, making plans for the future, and living blindly; he allows himself to look deep into the abyss that awaits all the creatures of the earth. Gorilla's inner monologue exemplifies, in an oh-so Kierkegaardian way, the tacit preparations one must make when it comes to accepting one's fate.

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If one desires to live authentically, they must embrace the transitory nature of their existence. Accepting this fact is not without difficulty. As death has its eye on every individual, patiently waiting beyond the veil of life, how can one hope to prepare themselves? How could anyone be capable of accepting that their own life comes to an end? This manga seems to have a solution to overcoming this fear...

reject hooman

become monke

For being only a couple chapters, this manga is able to capture a vital lesson for us as readers. If we approach this work with sincerity, in attempt to apply its truths to our own lives, then there is a good chance that we may be able to attain just a bit more monke. To me, it seems to be a worthy pursuit and a cause worth striving for.