The series Sokushi Cheat (an abbreviation of the longer Japanese title) — also known by the shortened localised title of My Instant Death Ability Is So Overpowered — follows the main character Yogiri Takatou as he along with his classmates are transported to a fantasy world and try to find a way back home. The twist is that Yogiri is actually an ancient deity that can kill anyone instantly if he wishes to. He also does it subconsciously if anyone even starts performing an action that intends to kill him. In addition, he can kill physical ideas like momentum if he’s falling. You can attempt to eliminate him in many ways, but nothing will ever work. His power reinforces one thing that contributes to the story’s intrigue: it rattles the society he’s transported into significantly, and this facet of the story is inspirational.
That’s it; you’re dead.
How The World of Sokushi Cheat Works
For more context: the class was intentionally summoned to the other world in order for them to potentially become sages — essentially people with great physical and magical abilities who can also own different territories. The sages grant new abilities specific to each new person, after which these sage candidates must level up to become stronger. Once the participants become sages and the need for more sages arises, they begin the process of summoning new candidates as the cycle slowly repeats itself.
What if you don’t want anything to do with that? Unfortunately for you, the sages will blow your head off!
You must comply. Your new abilities also make you more aggressive; diminish your fear of death; and reduce your loathing of mindless slaughter. Yogiri however doesn’t receive any new abilities, likely due to him killing the attempt without realising it. The series thus establishes an interesting dynamic: Yogiri who usually hides his powers versus most of his classmates and the rest of the world who must obey the rules imposed by the ruling class. In addition, his classmates are slowly becoming part of the problem.
Yogiri Can Live In Any Way He Wants To
We quickly see that the new world is completely ill-equipped to even consider the possibility of Yogiri’s existence. As a result, he is free to make his own rules about how he lives and behaves. No matter what comes his way, he has the power to deal with any threat. The sages also struggle to understand what he’s capable of. In one instance, a woman with an ability to determine the powers of anyone she come across analyses Yogiri and is overcome with immense despair. This all creates a particular effect: I cheer for Yogiri to succeed because I admire that he’s immune to society’s rules and can navigate the world on his own terms.
Acting on a Power Fantasy
The series is undoubtedly part of a power fantasy: that of being able to deal with any challenge or asshole in your way in the blink of an eye. In our world, only those with the most money or connections in the judicial system can exercise this power. You are likely not one of those people, and sometimes it’s good to indulge in escapism and vent our frustrations. However, while I believe it’s very difficult to achieve that kind of freedom in our lives, our fantasies give us information about ourselves. My support for Yogiri tells me that his freedom is something I value and that I should try to improve my ability to stand my ground in the face of whatever bullshit comes my way. Perhaps it’s the same for you. Just don’t become power-hungry and forget to be compassionate like the sages do.