A Comparative Study of Th
e Endless Myth and the Genma Wars Series – Mythic Structure and Psychic Apocalypse
The novel The Endless Myth and the legendary science fiction series Genma Wars (originally created by Kazumasa Hirai) both depict humanity’s fate and its confrontation with transcendent forces.
One presents a world sustained by myth and belief.
The other portrays psychic warriors battling a cosmic invader in an apocalyptic struggle.
Although their genres differ, both works share a central question: Why does the world move toward destruction, and how do humans resist it? This article compares their world-building, protagonists, and portrayals of gods and apocalypse.
World-Building: A Closed Mythic System vs. An Expanding Cosmic War
In The Endless Myth, the world is structured and stabilised by myth and faith. God stands at the centre, and narrative meaning preserves order. The threat of collapse is not merely physical—it is the collapse of meaning itself.
In contrast, Genma Wars depicts a cosmic-scale invasion by the Genma, overwhelming entities that threaten humanity’s survival. Psychic individuals rise to defend Earth, and the story expands from a terrestrial struggle into a vast interstellar conflict. Here, the apocalypse is literal and destructive.
The Endless Myth: The world ends when meaning collapses.
Genma Wars: The world ends through cosmic invasion.
Protagonists: A Fixed Symbol vs. An Awakened Youth
The protagonist of The Endless Myth, Messiah, is a symbolic figure placed at the centre of a mythic framework. He is chosen from the outset and embedded within the structure of the narrative itself. His freedom is limited by his role.
In Genma Wars, the protagonist Jo Azuma begins as an ordinary boy who awakens to psychic powers. Though chosen by destiny, he struggles, doubts, and grows. His journey is one of inner development alongside increasing power.
Messiah: A symbol from the beginning.
Jo Azuma: A youth who grows into symbolic significance.
Gods and Transcendent Beings
In The Endless Myth, God is an absolute being sustained by faith. Divinity guarantees order and exists within the structure of the world.
In Genma Wars, the Genma are not gods sustained by belief but cosmic threats of overwhelming force. Humanity cannot rely on faith alone; it must fight back with psychic strength and unity.
The key distinction lies in perspective:
A god within mythic order.
A destructive force invading from beyond.
Concepts of Apocalypse
In The Endless Myth, apocalypse is conceptual—the erasure of meaning and narrative coherence. If myth disappears, humanity loses its reason for existence.
In Genma Wars, apocalypse is violent and tangible. Cities fall, lives are lost, and destruction spreads across worlds. The threat is immediate and physical.
Yet both works affirm that humanity is not entirely powerless.
Why the Stories Continue
The Endless Myth persists through reinterpretation. As long as myth can be retold, the story survives.
Genma Wars expands as its enemies and battlefields expand. The scale grows from Earth to the cosmos, sustaining narrative momentum.
A story prolonged by renewed meaning.
A story prolonged by escalating conflict.
Conclusion: Inner Apocalypse vs. Outer Apocalypse
The Endless Myth and Genma Wars present contrasting visions of the end:
An internal apocalypse born from the collapse of myth.
An external apocalypse driven by cosmic invasion.
The former centres on philosophical and structural questions.
The latter thrives on dynamic action and escalating warfare.
Despite their differences, both works depict humanity standing before transcendent forces and striving to resist—whether through meaning or through power.
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