The Endless Myth of the Gods

2026年2月3日火曜日

A Comparison Between The Endless Myth and Battle Through the Heavens

The Endless Myth vs. Battle Through the Heavens: A Comparative Study of Myth-Bound Worlds and Endless Ascension

The novel The Endless Myth and the hugely popular Chinese fantasy series Battle Through the Heavens (斗破苍穹) are both expansive, long-running works. However, the reasons their stories continue and the way their protagonists are positioned within their worlds differ radically.

This article compares The Endless Myth and Battle Through the Heavens, focusing on their worldbuilding, protagonists, and the treatment of growth and myth to examine the underlying narrative structures of each work.

Worldbuilding: A World Fixed by Myth vs. A World Expanded by Hierarchy

The world of The Endless Myth is a closed system where myth and faith function as the very foundation of order. Myth is not merely a collection of stories but an institutional framework that defines meaning itself. People are forced to live within the boundaries of myth, and escaping it is nearly impossible.

In contrast, the world of Battle Through the Heavens is an open system that expands endlessly through cultivation levels, ranks, and power hierarchies. As the protagonist grows stronger, new regions, factions, and even higher realms are revealed. The world evolves in step with personal advancement.

Why the Stories Never End

The Endless Myth cannot truly end because losing myth would mean the collapse of meaning itself. Myth is constantly revised and retold, but never rejected. An ending would not bring salvation; it would create a void.

Battle Through the Heavens became a long-running series because its growth system has no predefined ceiling. Defeating a powerful enemy only reveals a stronger one. The narrative continues not through mythic necessity, but through the promise of ever-greater strength.

Protagonists in Contrast: The Chosen Symbol vs. The Self-Made Ascender

The protagonist of The Endless Myth, Messiah, is a chosen figure consumed as a symbol. His value is defined not by personal effort, but by the role imposed on him by myth. Being chosen strips him of freedom.

By contrast, Xiao Yan, the protagonist of Battle Through the Heavens, is a self-made hero who rises through effort, failure, and perseverance. After losing his powers and falling to the lowest rank, he regains strength through training and combat.

Messiah: a figure burdened with meaning
Xiao Yan: a figure who acquires meaning through action

This distinction clearly separates the ethical foundations of the two narratives.

Myth vs. Growth

In The Endless Myth, growth is not necessarily positive. Gaining power or understanding often means becoming more deeply entangled in myth. Growth represents not liberation, but deeper confinement.

In Battle Through the Heavens, growth is an absolute good. Training leads to power, power leads to broader horizons, and the world opens accordingly. Gods and destiny may exist, but they are obstacles to overcome, not systems to submit to.

Ideological Differences

The Endless Myth poses introspective and philosophical questions such as:

Why do humans need myths?
Is being chosen a blessing or a curse?
Is a life bound by meaning truly just?

Battle Through the Heavens emphasizes action-oriented values:

Effort is rewarded
Strength proves identity
Individuals can carve open the world through will and action

Conclusion: Two Paths to an Endless Story

Although both The Endless Myth and Battle Through the Heavens are long-running narratives, they represent opposite structural principles:

A myth that cannot end because meaning must not be lost
An ascension story that never ends because growth never stops

One confines humanity within myth. The other pushes humanity beyond the limits of the world.

This contrast highlights the diversity of reasons why modern fantasy stories continue and what “endlessness” truly means in narrative form.

Webnovel

AmazonUK

Amazon

2026年2月2日月曜日

A Comparison Between The Endless Myth and Makai Suikoden

The Endless Myth and Makai Suikoden Compared

Endless Stories Shaped by Myth and Rebellion

The novel The Endless Myth and Makai Suikoden, the legendary series by Kaoru Kurimoto, are both works of vast scale and strong ideological depth. At first glance, they appear very different: one is a fantasy centered on myth and faith, while the other is a piece of occult science fiction depicting rebellion by those with supernatural powers. Yet they share a key similarity. Both are stories that confront the structure of the world itself, and therefore cannot easily come to an end.

This article compares The Endless Myth and Makai Suikoden, focusing on their worldviews, protagonists, and the meanings of myth and rebellion.

Worldbuilding: A World Ruled by Myth vs. A World That Resists the Gods

The world of The Endless Myth is a closed system in which myth and faith function as the foundation of order. Myth is not merely a story; it is a social institution that defines how people live and what they value. The world remains stable through myth, but that stability is gained at the cost of freedom.

In contrast, the world of Makai Suikoden depicts gods and higher beings as clearly antagonistic rulers. Humans and those with supernatural abilities fight to overthrow this structure of domination. The world is not closed; it is something to be broken apart and rebuilt.

Why the Stories Cannot End

The Endless Myth cannot end because losing myth would mean the collapse of meaning itself. Myth is constantly renewed and retold, refusing closure. An ending does not bring salvation; it creates a void.

Makai Suikoden became a long-running narrative because rebellion continually escalates. Enemies are not defeated once and for all; they are replaced by ever higher and more powerful adversaries. Each battle leads to the next stage, forcing the story to expand without limit.

Protagonists Compared: Bound by Symbol vs. Choosing Rebellion

The protagonist of The Endless Myth, Messiah, is a chosen symbol consumed by meaning. Placed at the center of myth, he loses freedom in proportion to the role imposed upon him. Being chosen is itself a curse.

The protagonists of Makai Suikoden, by contrast, are those who reject being chosen and instead choose rebellion. They refuse destiny and divine plans, selecting their own reasons to fight.

Messiah: a being burdened with meaning
The warriors of Makai Suikoden: beings who seek to destroy imposed meaning

This difference decisively shapes the direction of each story.

Myth and Free Will

In The Endless Myth, free will exists only within the boundaries of myth. People can make choices, but those choices can never escape their mythic roles. Myth is both salvation and a cage.

In Makai Suikoden, free will is explicitly depicted as the will to defy the gods. Even if defeat or death awaits, the act of choosing rebellion itself has value. Freedom is not safe, but it is undeniably real.

Differences in Philosophy

The Endless Myth raises introspective questions such as:

Why do humans need myth?
Is faith salvation, or is it bondage?
Is a life lived according to meaning truly right?

Makai Suikoden presents a far more confrontational philosophy:

Rebellion against domination
The rupture between gods and humanity
Freedom that can only be gained through struggle

Conclusion: A Story That Preserves Myth and a Story That Destroys It

The Endless Myth and Makai Suikoden embody two opposing narrative structures:

A story that cannot end because it cannot afford to lose myth
A story that never ends because it keeps destroying myth

One binds humanity through meaning; the other wages war against meaning itself.
Together, they represent two extremes of Japanese fantasy and occult literature, both relentlessly questioning what the world is and how far humans can resist it through stories that refuse to end.

Webnovel

AmazonUK

Amazon

2026年2月1日日曜日

A Comparison Between The Endless Myth and TRPGs

The Endless Myth and TRPGs Compared

Narrative Structures and Worlds That Never End

At first glance, the novel The Endless Myth and TRPGs (Tabletop Role-Playing Games) seem fundamentally different. One is a written narrative shaped by a single author, while the other is an interactive medium built on collective play. Yet they share a crucial structural similarity: neither is designed with a definitive ending in mind.

This article compares The Endless Myth and TRPGs from the perspectives of worldbuilding, narrative structure, and free will, clarifying both their shared traits and their decisive differences.

Worldbuilding: Fixed Myth vs. Expanding Settings

The world of The Endless Myth is built upon a structure fixed by myth and faith. Myth is not a distant legend but a living system that sustains the world itself. People are forced to live within its meanings. While the world may be updated over time, those updates are strictly limited to what does not threaten the myth’s foundation.

In contrast, the worlds of TRPGs are designed to expand indefinitely. Rulebooks provide only a starting framework. With every session, new events, characters, and histories accumulate. Worlds can be rewritten or even destroyed if the players choose. Flexibility is a core feature, not a flaw.

Why the Stories Never End

The Endless Myth cannot end because the myth itself is not allowed to end. The collapse of myth would mean the collapse of meaning and order. As a result, the story survives through repetition, reinterpretation, and cyclical narration rather than closure.

TRPGs do not end because as long as there are storytellers, stories can continue. Players and game masters can always begin another session. An ending does not signify the death of the world; it is simply a pause or transition.

Protagonists and Player Free Will

The protagonist of The Endless Myth, Messiah, is a chosen figure whose freedom is severely restricted. From the moment he is chosen, his actions are shaped by mythic expectations. He may make choices, but he can never step outside the myth itself.

In TRPGs, player characters are fundamentally embodiments of free will. Stories evolve unpredictably based on player decisions. Rules act both as constraints and as the framework that makes meaningful freedom possible.

The Role of the Narrator: Author vs. Game Master

In The Endless Myth, the author is the sole narrator. The mythic structure is deliberately designed, and readers observe its closed nature from the outside.

In TRPGs, the game master serves as a narrator but does not hold absolute authority. The story emerges through collaboration with players. Myth is not imposed unilaterally; it is created and sustained through shared agreement.

Philosophical Differences

The Endless Myth raises introspective questions such as:

Why do humans need stories and myths?
Does faith offer salvation, or does it restrict freedom?
Is being bound by meaning a form of comfort or a form of imprisonment?

TRPGs express a different, experiential philosophy:

Accepting responsibility for one’s choices
The joy of creating stories together
The freedom and risk involved in reshaping or destroying worlds

Conclusion: Two Forms of Endless Narrative

Both The Endless Myth and TRPGs present narratives without definitive endings, but for opposite reasons:

A story that cannot end
A story that does not need to end

In one, myth binds humanity. In the other, humans move and reshape the story themselves.
This contrast highlights fundamental questions about authorship, freedom, and who truly owns a narrative.

Wattpad

AmazonUK

Amazon

2026年1月31日土曜日

A Comparison Between The Endless Myth and the Marvel Universe

The Endless Myth and the Marvel Universe Compared

Myth and the Endless Production of Heroes

At first glance, the novel The Endless Myth and the Marvel Universe, one of the largest entertainment franchises in the world, appear to have little in common. They differ in genre, medium, and tone. Yet they share a crucial structural trait: both generate mythic figures endlessly and are built as narratives that cannot truly end.

This article compares The Endless Myth and the Marvel Universe, focusing on worldbuilding, protagonists, and the role mythology plays in sustaining their stories.

Worldbuilding: A World Ruled by Myth vs. A World That Produces Myth

The world of The Endless Myth is a closed system in which myth and faith function as social institutions. Myth is not just a story but a source of order and legitimacy. People cannot escape its meaning. If the myth collapses, the justification for the world itself collapses with it.

The Marvel Universe, by contrast, is an open system that continuously produces new mythic figures within a recognizable modern world. Heroes and villains are constantly introduced, revised, and replaced. Myth does not bind society; it is consumed, updated, and reassembled as entertainment.

Why the Stories Never End

The Endless Myth cannot end because humans cannot relinquish meaning. Salvation, destiny, and the idea of being chosen are essential to maintaining the world’s coherence. To end the story would be to hollow out existence itself. Myth must therefore be preserved and retold.

The Marvel Universe continues for structural reasons. It is designed as a system of circulation and expansion. Heroes pass the torch, timelines branch into multiverses, and narratives reset when needed. The story does not persist because of meaning, but because the structure allows infinite continuation.

Protagonists Compared: Consumed by Symbol vs. Choosing the Symbol

The protagonist of The Endless Myth, Messiah, is consumed as a symbol. From the moment he is chosen, his personal will is subordinated to his mythic role. Freedom exists, but only within the boundaries defined by faith.

Marvel heroes, in many cases, choose to become symbols. Spider-Man accepts the burden of responsibility. Captain America chooses to embody an ideal. They remain individuals who suffer, hesitate, and decide, even as they represent something larger.

Messiah: bound and consumed by symbolism
Marvel heroes: individuals who willingly shoulder symbolism

This difference clearly reflects the ethical stance of each narrative.

The Relationship Between Myth and Humanity

In The Endless Myth, humanity exists inside mythology. Faith offers protection, but it also imposes an inescapable framework. Myth saves people while simultaneously restricting them.

In the Marvel Universe, myth stands as an extension of humanity. Even gods like Thor are defined by human emotions and conflicts. Myth does not transcend humanity; it is managed, negotiated, and reshaped through human experience.

Differences in Philosophy

The Endless Myth asks:

Why do humans need myths?
Does faith provide freedom, or does it take it away?
Do stories save people, or do they imprison them?

The Marvel Universe focuses on:

Responsibility that comes with power
The relativity of justice
How individual choices shape the world

One is inward-looking and philosophical. The other is outward-looking and ethical, grounded in contemporary society.

Conclusion: Two Models of Endless Myth

Both The Endless Myth and the Marvel Universe are built around narratives that never end, but they do so for opposite reasons:

A myth that cannot end because losing it would destroy meaning
A myth that never ends because it keeps expanding

In one world, myth governs humanity. In the other, humanity continually rewrites myth.
This contrast highlights why myth still matters today, and why stories of heroes and gods continue to be told in radically different forms.

Wattpad

Amazon Marvel

AmazonUK Marvel

2026年1月30日金曜日

A Comparison Between The Endless Myth and the DC Universe

The Endless Myth and the DC Universe Compared

How Mythologies That Never End Shape Their Worlds

At first glance, the novel The Endless Myth and the American comic-book franchise known as the DC Universe seem to belong to completely different categories. One is a philosophical fantasy centered on faith and myth, while the other is a long-running superhero universe built for popular entertainment. Yet both share a crucial structural similarity: they are worlds sustained by myths that never truly end.

This article compares The Endless Myth and the DC Universe from the perspectives of mythology, heroes, and narrative continuity, revealing how each approaches the idea of an “eternal story.”

Worldbuilding: Fixed Myth vs. Continuously Updated Myth

The world of The Endless Myth is a closed system shaped by faith and mythology. Myth is not merely a story from the past; it functions as a living institution that defines values, order, and meaning. People survive by believing in myth, but they are also trapped by it. If the myth collapses, the meaning of the world itself collapses with it.

The DC Universe, by contrast, treats myth as something constantly rewritten and reinterpreted. Characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are modern myths, but their origins, personalities, and values are repeatedly revised to reflect changing times. Through reboots, alternate timelines, and multiverses, the DC world remains open and endlessly expandable.

Why the Stories Never End

The Endless Myth cannot end because humanity cannot let go of meaning. Myths are preserved, retold, and reshaped to prevent existential collapse. An ending would signify the loss of purpose itself, so the narrative resists closure by design.

The DC Universe continues for more practical reasons. Characters die and return, worlds are destroyed and rebuilt, and continuity is reset when needed. Here, myth survives through consumption and regeneration, not preservation. The story never ends because it is structurally designed to continue.

Protagonists Compared: Bound by Symbol vs. Performing the Symbol

The protagonist of The Endless Myth, Messiah Christ, is a figure consumed by symbolism. Chosen by myth, his personal desires and emotions are overwritten by the role he must fulfill. Being “chosen” strips him of freedom.

DC heroes, on the other hand, embrace their symbolic roles. Superman acts as the embodiment of hope. Batman consciously becomes a symbol of fear. They are aware of what they represent and choose to continue performing those roles.

Messiah: a person bound and consumed by symbolism
DC heroes: individuals who actively perform symbolism

This contrast highlights a fundamental difference in how each narrative treats identity and agency.

Humanity’s Place in the World

In The Endless Myth, humans exist inside a mythological structure. Free will exists, but only within limits defined by faith and narrative roles. Meaning governs reality.

In the DC Universe, humans and heroes are agents of change. Even when gods or cosmic beings appear, final responsibility rests with individuals. This reflects a strong humanistic worldview, where choice and action ultimately matter.

Differences in Philosophy

The Endless Myth centers on questions such as:

Why do humans need myths?
Is faith salvation, or is it a form of bondage?
How do stories come to control people?

The DC Universe explores themes like:

Power and responsibility
Multiple definitions of justice
The importance of continuing to show hope

One turns inward, questioning belief itself. The other turns outward, emphasizing social ideals and moral action.

Conclusion: Two Forms of Endless Myth

Both The Endless Myth and the DC Universe revolve around narratives that never truly end, but for opposite reasons:

A myth that cannot end because losing it would destroy meaning
A myth that never ends because it is endlessly rewritten

One confines humanity within myth; the other allows myth to evolve alongside society. Together, they illuminate the many roles that mythology continues to play in the modern world, and why stories that never end remain so powerful.

The World That Was Never the Same - Endless Myth　VERSION１

The World That Was Never the Same - Endless Myth　VERSION２

Amazon　

AmazonUK

2026年1月29日木曜日

A Comparison Between The Endless Myth and The Guin Saga

The Endless Myth and The Guin Saga Compared: Myth, Destiny, and Stories That Never End

The novel The Endless Myth and The Guin Saga, Japan’s largest and longest-running fantasy series written by Kaoru Kurimoto, are both often described as “endless stories.” However, the meaning and direction of that endlessness differ fundamentally between the two works. This article compares The Endless Myth and The Guin Saga, focusing on their worldbuilding, protagonists, concepts of destiny, and narrative structure.

Worldbuilding: A World Closed by Myth vs. A World Opened as History

The world of The Endless Myth is structured as a closed system defined by myth and faith. Myth is not merely a collection of legends but an institutional force that sustains the world itself. People gain order and meaning by believing in myth, yet they cannot escape the constraints that meaning imposes.

By contrast, the world of The Guin Saga unfolds as a historical fantasy shaped by vast continents, multiple nations, ethnic groups, and cultures. Gods and prophecies exist, but they do not unilaterally fix the course of history. Instead, the narrative advances through politics, war, and individual choice.

Why the Stories Never End

The Endless Myth cannot conclude because humanity cannot relinquish meaning. Myth is constantly revised, retold, and preserved. To allow the story to end would be to accept the collapse of the world’s underlying significance.

The Guin Saga became a monumental narrative because it was constructed as an epic of world history. Even when heroes die or nations fall, history does not stop. It is inherited by the next generation and carried forward into a new era.

Protagonists Compared: The Messiah as Symbol vs. Guin as Acting Hero

The protagonist of The Endless Myth, the Messiah, is a “chosen one” who is consumed as a symbol. His personal will and emotions are repeatedly overwritten by the mythic role imposed upon him.

Guin, the protagonist of The Guin Saga, possesses an aura of mystery as a leopard-headed warrior, yet he actively intervenes in history through his own judgment and actions. Although bound by prophecy and fate, how he responds to them and how he acts remains his own decision.

Destiny and Free Will

In The Endless Myth, destiny functions as a mythological structure that restrains individuals. Free will exists, but only within the narrow boundaries permitted by myth.

In The Guin Saga, destiny and prophecy are present, but they are merely elements within the broader flow of history. Characters make mistakes, struggle, and choose, shaping the future through accumulated decisions.

Differences in Ideological Focus

The Endless Myth centers on philosophical questions such as:

Why do humans need myth?
Is faith a form of salvation or a form of bondage?
What does it mean for stories to rule over people?

The Guin Saga, on the other hand, presents a grand heroic epic that explores:

Power and responsibility
War and the state
The influence of individuals on the course of history

Its ideas are embedded within a forward-moving narrative rather than presented through direct philosophical inquiry.

Conclusion: Two Directions of Endless Storytelling

Both The Endless Myth and The Guin Saga are narratives without a definitive end, yet they embody opposing structures:

A myth that cannot end because it cannot abandon meaning
An epic that does not end because history continues to unfold

One turns inward, questioning belief and meaning, while the other expands outward, tracing the relentless movement of history. Their contrast highlights a fundamental truth: stories endure not only because they are long, but because they answer different human needs.

The World That Was Never the Same - Endless Myth　version1

The World That Was Never the Same - Endless Myth　version2

Amazon

2026年1月28日水曜日

A Comparison Between The Endless Myth and the World’s Longest-Running Novel Series, Jerry Cotton

The Endless Myth and the Jerry Cotton Series Compared: Endless Stories of Myth and Mass-Produced Heroes

At first glance, the novel The Endless Myth and the long-running German crime fiction series Jerry Cotton seem to belong to entirely different genres. The former is a philosophical fantasy centered on myth and faith, while the latter is a mass-produced hardboiled series featuring an FBI agent as its protagonist. Yet both share a crucial common trait: they are built on narrative structures that are not meant to end. This article compares The Endless Myth and the Jerry Cotton series, focusing on why their stories continue indefinitely and how they portray human agency.

Genre and Worldview

The Endless Myth depicts a closed world in which faith and mythology form the basis of social order. Myth functions not only as story but as institution, binding people to meaning and shaping how they live.

By contrast, the Jerry Cotton series is set in contemporary America and follows criminal investigations grounded in realism. Law and order serve as the foundation of the world, and there are no mythological elements. Each story revolves around the cycle of crime and resolution.

Why the Stories Never End

In The Endless Myth, the story cannot end because people continue to need myth. Myths are constantly revised, retold, and preserved. Allowing the story to end would mean the collapse of meaning itself.

The Jerry Cotton series continues for far more practical reasons. Crimes never stop occurring, and the protagonist continues to solve them as part of his professional role. The series is sustained not by narrative continuity, but by repetition.

Protagonists Compared: Symbol vs. Function

The protagonist of The Endless Myth, the Messiah, is consumed as a symbol. His personal emotions and choices are overwritten by the role imposed on him by myth.

Jerry Cotton, on the other hand, is depicted as an almost unchanging character. He shows little growth or transformation and exists primarily to fulfill a function: solving cases as an FBI agent.

The Messiah: a bearer of imposed meaning
Jerry Cotton: a performer of assigned duties

This contrast reveals a fundamental difference in narrative purpose.

Humanity’s Position in the World

In The Endless Myth, humans appear to shape the world, yet in reality they are trapped within mythological structures. Free will exists only in limited form.

In the Jerry Cotton series, humans are problem solvers. Although the world is thrown into disorder by crime, order is ultimately restored through human judgment and action. This reflects a clear form of humanism.

Presence or Absence of Ideology

The Endless Myth centers on philosophical questions such as:

What is faith?
Why do humans need stories?
How does meaning come to restrain human freedom?

The Jerry Cotton series does not foreground ideology. Instead, it consistently presents moral clarity and professional ethics. Readers are not asked to reflect deeply, but to feel reassurance in the restoration of order.

Conclusion: Opposite Reasons for Endless Stories

The Endless Myth and the Jerry Cotton series represent two opposing models of narrative continuity:

A story that cannot end because it cannot abandon meaning
A story that does not end because it continues to perform its function

One binds people through myth, while the other keeps the world turning through roles and routines. Though both are “endless,” their internal logic is fundamentally different. This contrast highlights the diverse ways stories function within society.

The World That Was Never the Same - Endless Myth　version1

The World That Was Never the Same - Endless Myth　version2

Amazon