TV-Series
Description
The Great Will of the Macrocosm is a powerful, god-like entity within the narrative of Excel Saga, serving as a fundamental force that governs and manipulates the very reality of the story. Originating from a presence that was only conveyed as disembodied words in the original manga, the anime adaptation gave it a distinct visual form, depicting it as a swirling, talking cosmos, a sentient and animated galaxy-like presence. Its very name implies a connection to the entire universe, positioning it as an ultimate arbiter of fate and existence within the show's world.
In terms of personality, the Great Will of the Macrocosm is portrayed as capricious, self-serving, and possessing a distinctly human-like set of desires, which contrasts sharply with its immense cosmic power. It is not an aloof or indifferent deity but rather a character driven by personal whims and pleasures. A prominent aspect of its personality is a strong, often aggressive, romantic and sexual fixation on the character Pedro, a migrant worker who died in a construction accident. The Great Will frequently forces itself upon Pedro, seeking intimate encounters with him regardless of his protests, even engaging in acts that are described as "smoking hot sex" while other cosmic crises unfold. This behavior demonstrates a fundamental selfishness and lack of concern for the smaller narratives it oversees, as it prioritizes its own gratification over the pleas of characters like Excel who are desperately seeking its intervention. This behavior also suggests a deeply possessive and obsessive nature, paradoxically later being identified as Pedro's actual wife, adding a strange, twisted logic to its fixation.
The primary motivation of the Great Will appears to be the maintenance of its own entertainment and the satisfaction of its personal desires, rather than any higher moral or cosmic purpose. It takes an active interest in the lives of the characters, particularly the frequent deaths and mishaps of the protagonist, Excel. Its actions are driven by a desire to keep the narrative going in a way that amuses it, resetting events or resurrecting characters not out of benevolence, but as a tool to preserve its source of diversion. This is further highlighted by its willingness to halt the plot entirely to pursue a romantic liaison with Pedro, showing that its personal life takes precedence over the stability of the universe.
Within the story, the Great Will of the Macrocosm functions as a literal deus ex machina, a narrative device personified. Its most critical role is the resurrection of the main character, Excel, who dies with great frequency, especially in the early episodes. Without the Great Will's intervention, the plot could not proceed, as its central agent of chaos would be permanently deceased. Beyond revival, it possesses the ability to randomly reset the entire storyline, effectively undoing events and allowing the show to disregard continuity or start anew from any point. This power makes it the ultimate authority in the series, a character that can override any other event or consequence, ensuring that death is cheap and that the comedic, chaotic nature of the show is preserved at all costs.
The Great Will's most significant and developed relationship is with Pedro. This connection begins when it encounters him after his death, finds him attractive, and subsequently involves him in a series of forced, cosmic romantic encounters. Their relationship is a key subplot, showcasing the Great Will's overpowering and often oblivious nature as it drags the hapless ghost through various situations. In contrast, its relationship with Excel is purely functional and detached; it is the distant, all-powerful entity that the hyperactive protagonist calls upon for salvation, though the Great Will is often too distracted by its own affairs to answer promptly. It is also hinted to have a relationship with the show's director and creator stand-ins, existing on a meta-level alongside characters like Nabeshin, further emphasizing its role as an embodiment of the show's creative will.
In the anime, the character was significantly developed from its manga counterpart. While the original manga conveyed the Great Will only through text, director Shinichi Watanabe chose to give it a tangible, visual form, depicted as a "swirling, talking cosmos". This adaptation decision transformed a vague concept into a specific, active character with a personality and a physical presence in the world. This development also expanded the role of Pedro, who was originally a single-frame character, into a major subplot partner for the Great Will, indicating that the entity's creation was central to building out the anime's unique, meta-humorous identity.
The notable abilities of the Great Will of the Macrocosm are nearly absolute within the confines of its universe. Its primary power is the resurrection of the dead, which it uses repeatedly to bring Excel back to life. It can reset the story's timeline, effectively erasing events and altering the flow of the narrative on a whim. The entity also displays control over physical laws, as demonstrated when it dives into Tokyo Bay to rescue Pedro, breathing underwater and commenting on the technicality of his already-dead state. Through its relationship with Pedro, it also demonstrates the ability to interact physically with ghosts and the deceased, bridging the gap between life and death. Ultimately, its power is the power of the author and the director, wielded by a character who is aware of its own role as the chaotic, cosmic engine driving the series forward.
In terms of personality, the Great Will of the Macrocosm is portrayed as capricious, self-serving, and possessing a distinctly human-like set of desires, which contrasts sharply with its immense cosmic power. It is not an aloof or indifferent deity but rather a character driven by personal whims and pleasures. A prominent aspect of its personality is a strong, often aggressive, romantic and sexual fixation on the character Pedro, a migrant worker who died in a construction accident. The Great Will frequently forces itself upon Pedro, seeking intimate encounters with him regardless of his protests, even engaging in acts that are described as "smoking hot sex" while other cosmic crises unfold. This behavior demonstrates a fundamental selfishness and lack of concern for the smaller narratives it oversees, as it prioritizes its own gratification over the pleas of characters like Excel who are desperately seeking its intervention. This behavior also suggests a deeply possessive and obsessive nature, paradoxically later being identified as Pedro's actual wife, adding a strange, twisted logic to its fixation.
The primary motivation of the Great Will appears to be the maintenance of its own entertainment and the satisfaction of its personal desires, rather than any higher moral or cosmic purpose. It takes an active interest in the lives of the characters, particularly the frequent deaths and mishaps of the protagonist, Excel. Its actions are driven by a desire to keep the narrative going in a way that amuses it, resetting events or resurrecting characters not out of benevolence, but as a tool to preserve its source of diversion. This is further highlighted by its willingness to halt the plot entirely to pursue a romantic liaison with Pedro, showing that its personal life takes precedence over the stability of the universe.
Within the story, the Great Will of the Macrocosm functions as a literal deus ex machina, a narrative device personified. Its most critical role is the resurrection of the main character, Excel, who dies with great frequency, especially in the early episodes. Without the Great Will's intervention, the plot could not proceed, as its central agent of chaos would be permanently deceased. Beyond revival, it possesses the ability to randomly reset the entire storyline, effectively undoing events and allowing the show to disregard continuity or start anew from any point. This power makes it the ultimate authority in the series, a character that can override any other event or consequence, ensuring that death is cheap and that the comedic, chaotic nature of the show is preserved at all costs.
The Great Will's most significant and developed relationship is with Pedro. This connection begins when it encounters him after his death, finds him attractive, and subsequently involves him in a series of forced, cosmic romantic encounters. Their relationship is a key subplot, showcasing the Great Will's overpowering and often oblivious nature as it drags the hapless ghost through various situations. In contrast, its relationship with Excel is purely functional and detached; it is the distant, all-powerful entity that the hyperactive protagonist calls upon for salvation, though the Great Will is often too distracted by its own affairs to answer promptly. It is also hinted to have a relationship with the show's director and creator stand-ins, existing on a meta-level alongside characters like Nabeshin, further emphasizing its role as an embodiment of the show's creative will.
In the anime, the character was significantly developed from its manga counterpart. While the original manga conveyed the Great Will only through text, director Shinichi Watanabe chose to give it a tangible, visual form, depicted as a "swirling, talking cosmos". This adaptation decision transformed a vague concept into a specific, active character with a personality and a physical presence in the world. This development also expanded the role of Pedro, who was originally a single-frame character, into a major subplot partner for the Great Will, indicating that the entity's creation was central to building out the anime's unique, meta-humorous identity.
The notable abilities of the Great Will of the Macrocosm are nearly absolute within the confines of its universe. Its primary power is the resurrection of the dead, which it uses repeatedly to bring Excel back to life. It can reset the story's timeline, effectively erasing events and altering the flow of the narrative on a whim. The entity also displays control over physical laws, as demonstrated when it dives into Tokyo Bay to rescue Pedro, breathing underwater and commenting on the technicality of his already-dead state. Through its relationship with Pedro, it also demonstrates the ability to interact physically with ghosts and the deceased, bridging the gap between life and death. Ultimately, its power is the power of the author and the director, wielded by a character who is aware of its own role as the chaotic, cosmic engine driving the series forward.