“Unfinished World” 
Creative Staff
Story: Kenji Ichima
Art: Tsunehiro Date
Translation: Stephen Paul
Lettering: Snir Aharon
What They Say:
On a cold and stormy night, I decided to give up on my dream. But lightning strikes! And now I have an issue of Shonen Jump from the future! Teppei Sasaki is a passionate rookie manga artist who dreams of getting a series in Weekly Shonen Jump. One day, he gets a copy of Jump from ten years in the future. Is it all a coincidence, or is it fate? Whatever the case, destiny is about to change…. Time Warps! Destinies intersected! For a tomorrow that was never meant to be.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Teppei is literally outside of time talking to the time robot. The time robot reveals to Teppei that he tried everything in his power to save Itsuki. It tried to have her committed, counseling, get any person to talk to her, and an environment where she couldn’t draw manga. It couldn’t stop her because she was pursing her true dreams.
The robot in an act of desperation gave Teppei future issues of White Knight to kill her dream. It also reveals Teppei’s original future before it interfered. Teppei was meant to get a regular job but would never stop drawing manga. In eight years he would be able to get a one-shot published into Weekly Shonen Jump. This would inspire Itsuki to deal with her fears and publish White Knight.
The robot is running out of power and only has one chance left to save Itsuki. It is going back five days before she dies to stop time. It wants Itsuki to live eternally. It gives Teppei two options. These two options throw off the rules that the robot mentioned earlier. I want some consistency in a science fiction story. It’s great that the robot is giving Teppei some wiggle room considering his role in its plan. Teppei picks an unrevealed third option. He has a tearful chat with the robot over their respect and love of Itsuki and returns a couple of days before Itsuki dies.
In Summary:
It appears that Time Paradox Ghostwriter doesn’t have much life left but I expect great things in these final moments. The robot has only power to turn back the clock one time and Itsuki has to save her. The rules of time travel have been set in stone and there are no more seconds chances. The only option left for this story is having Teppei save Itsuki. The robot talked about other options that he took to save her. Itsuki would have been a more interesting character if the alternative futures were shown.
The force of time reveals itself as somewhat a parent of Itsuki. It’s an interesting concept but it has two drawbacks. This chapter is meant to reveal the truths hidden in this world so it would be a perfect time to reveal what it means. The second question is why is Itsuku is so special that a force of time would want to save her. There needs to be more information regarding the robot background. It appears and gives a brief explanation but not enough to satisfy. I am intrigued and confused by the robot’s final lines where he says” I am a ghost created by mankind’s power of imagination. It means I’m nothing more than a necessary character in another author’s story.” This chapter is breaking down all the walls and going to unnecessary metacognition. It is something that just feels unearned.
Content Grade: B-
Art Grade: A
Age Rating: Teen
Released By: Shonen Jump
Release Date: August 10, 2020
