Story and art by Junji Itou Originally publisher: Shogakukan Length: One Shot While horror has been a genre present throughout the history of manga, it was only with the rise of alternative/adult manga that a diverse range of titles aimed to terrify became prevalent in the mainstream. Contemporary authors such as kazuo Umezu and Junji … Continue reading The Enigma of Amigara Fault: Classics of Horror
Screw-Style (and the Gekiga Movement)
Story and art by Yoshiharu Tsuge Original publisher: Garo Magazine (1968) Length: One-shot I’ve wanted to discuss this piece for awhile now, but my limited experience with abstraction has made formulating my thoughts difficult. Early on this article morphed into a showcase, as opposed to a review, as the piece itself is less than 30 … Continue reading Screw-Style (and the Gekiga Movement)
Disappearance Diary Review
Story and art by Hideo Azuma Originally published by East Press Length: 1 volume Synopsis: This autobiographical piece documents the numerous “disappearances” of alternative manga author Hideo Azuma, who, unable to cope with the pressures of a lifestyle afforded by his occupation, abandons his work and family to travel around Japan. I appreciated that, while … Continue reading Disappearance Diary Review
Dream Fossil: A look at life
Dream Fossil (Yume no Kaseki) Story and art by Satoshi Kon Original Publisher: Kodansha (2011) Length: 1 Volume (15 stories) Whenever I describe Satoshi Kon’s works, I use the term cinematic, which is the closest word to articulate how my mind works when I experience his pieces. However, I don’t think these stories would work … Continue reading Dream Fossil: A look at life
Doing Time Review
Story and art by Kazuichi Hanawa Originally serialised in AX (1999) Length: 1 Volume (12 chapters) In early December 1994, manga artist Kazuichi Hanawa was arrested by Hokkaido police for violating the law on firearms, having been caught in the woods trying out his modified guns collection. To the surprise of his lawyers, who believed … Continue reading Doing Time Review
Ranma 1/2: Manga’s Classics
Story and art by Rumiko Takahashi Original Publisher: Shogakukan (1988) Length: 38 Volumes (407 Chapters) Ranma ½ possesses many of the structures I dislike in the comedy genre of manga. It has a completely detached episodic form of storytelling, a frustrating relationship between protagonists and a general lack of story progression. Yet, I cannot help … Continue reading Ranma 1/2: Manga’s Classics
Your Lie in April Review
Story and art by Naoshi Arakawa Original Publisher: Kodansha (2011) Length: 11 Volumes (44 Chapters) Your Lie in April is an excellent, excellent manga. It’s a simple manga, one that may be unfavourably categorised for the interests it explores (music) and the sub-genres it relies on (high school life). It also possesses clichè, shonen-esque lessons … Continue reading Your Lie in April Review
