“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”
― Oscar Wilde

Just what is a masterpiece? Perhaps it's something that greatly affects one's thought process, or maybe for some, it's a piece of work that mesmerises them to such a degree, that they are never able to forget said creation. Machida-kun no Sekai to me, is a masterpiece, in the truest sense of the word. Why is this the case? Well, it is very simple; this is a series that I have come away from with an evolved outlook on life. After reading this, I felt as though I had become truly enamoured of the world. A sense of rejuvenation, some may call it. This manga, to a degree, has changed the way I choose to live, for the better.

Story: 10/10

This story is one that flows very well. Each chapter, we face a new scenario. And yet with each new scenario, there is familiarity. Something fascinating about Machida-kun no Sekai is that it does not follow the usual construction of a manga. The characters do not live according to the story, but rather, the story progresses through the way the characters choose to live. As such, I became infatuated with the style of the series. With each new chapter, it feels as though you are watching a great story unfold, but a story you hold close to your heart because it is not so far off from what you may perceive to be reality. In essence, this story is a heart-warming tale of a young man's love for the world, and how that allows him to venture through the motions of life while helping others attain that same balance.

Art: 10/10

In my own opinion, art is a truly relative subject. Great art for a particular series may become not-so-great art if placed upon another series. However, the art for Machida-kun no Sekai is a superb match. It is apparent that each stroke of the brush that has been put into this work has been enacted with such fine detail. And yet, that fine detail is in its own sense an oxymoron in and of itself, as it is what divulges the simplicity of the story that has been laconically imbued throughout each chapter.

Character: 10/10

While most series' are driven by their deep, complex, thrilling or often simplistically pleasing stories, this is one that is truly propelled by the characters. Machida-kun no Sekai is not something that tries too hard to be what it is not, and that's why it succeeds. How does it succeed at this? Through constantly evolving, changing, self-aware and relatable characters. Generally, if a story depicting life in it's most natural and mortal state allows one to step into the mind of its characters, one would feel much more of a resonance with that particular story. This is why this manga succeeds. Machida-kun no Sekai does not tell of a far-away tale of youth that none may ever experience in the real world, but instead of a life very close to home that many of us have lived, or at least in some sense, experienced.

Enjoyment: 10/10

Enjoyment is subjective, as it should be. However, for anyone looking for something that allows you to experience joyful slice of life elements with a touch of wisdom, this manga is a great choice. If you come into this looking for a high school tale that follows the synopsis, then I have no doubt that this series will evoke a great deal of delight from you.

Overall: 10/10

Just what is a masterpiece? For a manga to be a masterpiece, must it tick the box of becoming a 10 in each category? Must it be something profound, pretentious or critically acclaimed? To be honest, who really knows for sure? If I had to give my own interpretation of the word, I would say... a masterpiece is something that you can look at as more than just a piece of work. Something that becomes an experience, perhaps even a treasured artifact to somebody. More than anything, it is something that takes the form of an inspiration. It is not just a fleeting moment in your life, but instead, something you often remark upon, and are always consciously aware of. As to why I have chosen to give this manga the mantle of a masterpiece, that is because overall, Machida-kun no Sekai has taken that form for me. With no use of hyperboles, it is a series that I have only just completed, and as a very cynical person, I feel that I have taken a more optimistic approach to things. A truly inspiring piece of work, that is how I feel about this manga. Very rarely will you come across a manga that reminds you just why you became a fan of the medium in the first place, for me, this is one of those very, very few series'.

And so now I don't ask you, but myself: 'Just what is a masterpiece?'. Well... this, is a masterpiece.