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One Fourth Review: A Curse That Shrinks More Than Just the Body
- Brett H.
- 6 minutes ago
- 3 min read
One Fourth kicks off with chaos in motion. Ohshima is already having a bad day—running late to class, distracted, stressed, and barely holding it together. In a split-second accident, he saves a kid from getting hurt… and ends up paying the price himself. Two bored gods decide he looks like fun, and just like that, his life flips upside down. Literally.
He’s cursed to be one-fourth his original size.
The setup is ridiculous in the best way, but the story doesn’t waste time milking the gag. Ohshima’s shock, panic, and frustration come fast, and the manga leans hard into how terrifying this would actually be. Being tiny isn’t cute here—it’s dangerous, humiliating, and isolating.
The Gods, the Rules, and the Worst Possible Solution
When Divine Logic Makes Everything Worse
The gods behind the curse aren’t cruel in a dramatic villain sense—they’re bored. That’s what makes it sting more. Ohshima isn’t being punished for some great sin; he’s just entertainment. And the rule they lay down is simple and brutal:
The only way to undo the curse is sex.
That single condition turns One Fourth from a fantasy gag into something way more uncomfortable and interesting. Ohshima isn’t just dealing with his body changing—he’s dealing with shame, fear, and the question of whether anyone would even want him like this.
Power, Vulnerability, and Control
Being Small Changes Everything
Once Ohshima is reduced in size, every interaction shifts. Ordinary spaces become threats. Voices are louder. Emotions hit harder. The manga does a strong job showing how powerless he feels—not just physically, but socially.
There’s a constant tension between needing help and hating that need. Ohshima’s pride takes repeated hits, especially as he realizes how exposed he is to the intentions of others. The curse doesn’t just shrink him—it forces him to confront parts of himself he’d rather avoid.
Comedy That Knows When to Pull Back
Absurd, But Not Weightless
Yes, One Fourth is funny. The reactions, the gods’ commentary, and the sheer absurdity of the situation land well. But the comedy never completely undercuts the stakes. Even at its most playful, the story keeps reminding you that this is a nightmare scenario for the person trapped inside it.
That balance is where the manga shines. It lets you laugh, then immediately reminds you why Ohshima isn’t.
Desire vs. Fear
Wanting Relief Doesn’t Mean Wanting Anyone
A big part of the story’s tension comes from the gap between needing the curse broken and wanting intimacy. Ohshima’s situation forces him to think about consent, attraction, and trust in a way he never had to before.
The question isn’t just who could help him—it’s whether he can accept help at all without feeling like he’s lost something important about himself.
Final Thoughts on One Fourth
One Fourth takes a wild premise and treats it with more care than you’d expect. Beneath the fantasy curse and divine meddling is a story about vulnerability, control, and what happens when your body no longer feels like it belongs to you.
It’s uncomfortable on purpose, funny without being careless, and surprisingly thoughtful for a story that starts with bored gods wrecking a guy’s life for fun. If you like manga that mixes supernatural chaos with character-driven stress and emotional stakes, this one sticks with you.
Sometimes the scariest part of a curse isn’t what it does to your body—it’s what it forces you to ask about yourself.
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