To Terra: Vol. 1

(aka, Tera e)
by Keiko Takemiya

Synopsis(from the back of the book)
The future. Having driven Terra to the brink of environmental collapse, humanity decides to reform itself by ushering in the age of Superior Domination (S.D.), a system of social control in which children are no longer the offspring of parents, but the progeny of a universal computer. The new social order, however, results in an unexpected by-product: the Mu, a mutant race with extrasensory powers who are forced into exile by the system.

The saga begins on educational planet Ataraxia, where Jomy Marcus Shin, a brash and unpredictable teenager, is nervously preparing to enter adult society. When his Maturity Check goes wrong, the Mu intervene in the great hope that Jomy, who possesses Mu telepathy and human physical strength can lead them back home, to Terra....

Review
This is an older manga, but you should never let that deter you. It's a dystopic, futuristic, sci-fi. It introduces us to a world in which adults aren't created in the traditional way, they are raised by surrogate parents, until they are fourteen, at which time they have a "Maturity Check" which decides if they are ready to leave home and become part of the system that will choose their future. People are separated into an unchangeable (except for down, perhaps) caste system, where the elites rule over all. It seems also that Terra is "the" place to go, as the children are indoctrinated to long for it, but only a few will ever actually go there.

Into this we are introduced to Jomy, a young boy with incredible latent telepathic powers. He is chosen as Soldier Blue's "heir," in other words, he will inherit Soldier's experience and memories, as well as his leadership over the Mu. He does, of course, and Jomy will lead them back to Terra. I don't know why though. Why would they care about Terra? It seems more likely that they would find somewhere else to live, even if it's not a "perfect" planet. But this is the premise, so I suppose we must accept it. What's not shown is Jomy's feelings about this. No one has consulted him to find out if he wants to lead the Mu, it's just assumed that he will. Also, once he's given his job, he just does it without complaint. There is no transitionary period, or anything remotely resembling character development, as he comes to grips with who he is, and what his duty is. None of this makes the story bad, but I think it's rather unfortunate. Such elements would help me identify with the character better.

Also introduced in the second part is Keith Anyan, and enigmatic elite who has made it through the maturity checks, and is studying on Station E-1077, a training facility. He will likely become an influential figure in later volumes (my bet is on the antagonist). Already it is clear that his is not like his fellow students, and perhaps, not even human? He is explained a lot better than Jomy is, actually, so I think his character and behavior makes sense for him.

Some questions entered my mind as I was reading this book. It's never explained why the Mu are the enemy. For the time this was written, it was probably revolutionary, but having seen many other speculative fiction stories, I cannot accept that people who are different are hated for absolutely no reason. I guess it's hinted that they're a threat to the system, but that still doesn't answer why they couldn't be incorporated into it. It's another one of those things that we just have to accept.

I usually don't comment on this, because it hasn't been a problem in other books lately, but I have noticed that out of three main characters, there are no women among them. It's likely a product of it's time, but it's still glaring, especially because the author is a woman. The closest is the "advisor," Physis, but she is not shown much, and doesn't seem to be influential. I'd hate this more if it was modern, but I still can't help but wonder why not make a female main character? Gender seems irrelevant in this series. What a shame.

For all that, the story is interesting, if you forgive the slight faults. There's clearly going to be a conflict, and we'll see if whether one will conquer the other, or if they can live in peace.

Final thought: I'll pick up the next book.