Musaigen in the Ghost World (Phantom World of Myriad Colors) a series of light novels written by Souichirou Shinno and illustrated by Shibarihad its anime adaptation in January 2016, both published by Kyoto Animation, but many don't realize that the anime features significant changes from the original light novel plot. While the animated adaptation of Musaigen no Phantom World largely follows the summary of the first volume of the light novel, it includes considerable filler and changes crucial aspects of the story and character development, even losing almost everything seen in volume 2.

The anime and light novels Musaigen no Phantom World tell very different stories.

In Musaigen in the Ghost World, the anime adaptation introduces fundamental changes to the narrative and character development compared to the light novels. The anime series features a significant amount of filler, which affects the depth and complexity of the story. While the anime adheres to the summary of the first volume of the light novel, the ending is expanded with additional content that modifies the original experience.

Differences between the first volume of the light novel and the anime

One of the most notable changes Musaigen in the Ghost World is the representation of Alayashiki. In the light novels, Alayashiki is a research center that conducts experiments on humans, not on humans. Ghosts. Haruhiko Ichijouone of the protagonists, becomes a guinea pig with the codename ART, his summoning ability is integrated directly into his DNA, transforming him into a user with artificial abilities, this integration is a fundamental aspect of the plot that is omitted in the anime adaptation.

In the light novel version, Haruhiko is forced to invoke Ruupawhich represents the physical manifestation of his repressed love for his mother, unlike the anime adaptation where Haruhiko invokes Ruru. In the light novel, Haruhiko has his memories sealed and later discovers that Touko who is the main antagonist, is in love with him. Ruupa remains stuck in Alayashiki until he can escape.

Ruupa and Puzzle They have similar abilities and their goal in both versions is to steal the power of Haruhiko destroy the world, however, in the light novel, Ruupa's desire to do so is driven by a self-defense complex. Oedipusseeking to create a new world with Haruhiko Like his son. This aspect of the Oedipus complex and Haruhiko's power level, which borders on reality distortion, is not explored in depth in the anime. Musaigen in the Ghost World.

The second volume of the light novel Musaigen no Phantom World that was not adapted into the anime.

The second volume of the light novel Musaigen in the Ghost World introduces a dramatic twist by revealing that the Ghosts They are born from human thoughts, and the most powerful of all is known as “He”, this Phantom, who represents all the gods and Lucifer, has a particular interest in the summoning abilities of Haruhiko. “He” creates a parallel universe called Otherwhere things take a dark turn and Haruhiko is extremely guilty, as 2/3 of the world's population died and he blames himself for several months.

Now "He”decides to help Haruiko from this other world, so he decides to separate Haruhiko's soul into 2 people, the nervous Haruhiko who represents Thanatos and Riira where Riira, a split version of Haruhiko, representing his side EROS. Riira shares similarities with Ruru from the anime, but with a more provocative personality, Riira's power is called undead daughter (Undead Daughter), she is virtually immortal and can heal others of their wounds in a short period of time.

In this second volume of Musaigen in the Ghost World, Haruhiko He activates his new power, which he can combine with his summoning, and decides to merge with his demon dog. MarchósiasThis is the moment when Haruhiko declares that he will kill each and every one of them. ghostannihilating them and fighting with elite ghosts from the army of Touko. In this arc Haruhiko almost only interacts with Riiraand because she is the only one capable of keeping Haruhiko sane, since every time he uses his new power, the more he loses his mind.

During these events, the remnants of the government form a counterattack strategy based on the new capabilities that surround them. Haruhikothey trigger great battles between the army of ToukoDuring these missions, Haruiko and the others encounter beds with people frozen in time by Touko's time manipulation ability. But she wasn't there, but they themselves were there, their original selves frozen in the beds. Touko appears and reveals to them that she kidnapped their original selves and that they too are frozen. Ruupa appears and reveals Haruiko that this world is another and that in the original it is different from this one.

Haruhiko He finally loses his sanity after using his power too much and attacks his companions, this time however, the Original Haruhiko awakens and fights against his other version, the final confrontation between the original Haruhiko and his version from the parallel universe, known as Devil Haruhiko, ends with the original Haruiko as the winner. But Ruupa He tells Original Haruhiko that he must fuse with his parallel self if he wants to gain enough power to return to his world, but the fusion of the two is completed at the cost of Ruupa's death.

Haruhiko and the original girls woke up in their original world. Haruhiko found a letter from Toukotelling him that he has been given the ability to transport himself from the Original world to Other, without any limitation. Volume 2 of Musaigen in the Ghost World ends with Haruhiko saying goodbye to both universes, and it's because he decided it would be safer for everyone to travel alone while he trained to defeat Touko.

The anime adaptation of Musaigen in the Ghost World offers a more accessible but less in-depth view of the story compared to light novels. The changes in the plot, particularly in the portrayal of Alayashiki and the development of Ruupa and Puzzle, show how the animated series altered and simplified key elements of the original story. Fans seeking a richer, more complex experience will find in the light novels a more intriguing and detailed narrative that significantly expands the Musaigen no Phantom World universe.

©秦野宗一郎・京都アニメーション/無彩限の製作委員会