Change 123

     'Change 123' was a japanese comic, or we usually refer to it as manga, that I read some time ago. Like any other manga, the hero of the story is usually that type of typical timid, fragile but yet brave and  motivational character. Nothing much to be said of the hero as it is very common and I'm pretty sure it will bored you to death if further explained. However, the highlight of this comic is on the female protagonist. With regard to the title of this manga, the protagonist, by the name of Motoko actually suffers from split personalities, to be more specific, 3 obvious personalities with one hidden dark personality.

     When we think about this type of diagnosis, immediately it comes to our mind is that the person is crazy or insane.  But in this manga, having split personality actually empowers Motoko. Each of the personalities are expert in certain specialty. One would be karate, second a weapon expert, third a grapple, submission martial art style personality. The logic according to the manga for this split personality was the protagonist spent her entire childhood training under three fathers who were legends in the said abilities or skills.Well, i'm sure there are similar cases in reality, children being forced to attend various classes or tuition, as if their life depends on it. However, unlike this manga, these children would most likely end up depress or simply stress out to the point of suicide. 

     Anyway, back to the manga, each time the protagonist is in danger, she would simply change into another personality and beat up which ever criminal who threaten her. I guess if every woman has something like this, the world could be a safer world. Don't you think? But boyfriends and husbands would have to watch out. Another interesting aspect is how the writer came up with the idea of split personalities communicating with one another. For the protagonist, Motoko to understand her different personalities, she communicates with them through a diary. Such a simple yet creative concept.

     All in all, this manga is interesting simply because the way they portray split personality as something good instead of bad. The positive approach to this mental illness is definitely not common thus making this manga more unique than any other comics in terms of originality and concept.