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anveri's review against another edition
5.0
I thought the end was extremely touching. I think this last installment is an example of true self reflection that is so rare with millennial writers these days.
philibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
And so ends the Showa period, yet still the pursuit of happiness continues on for Shigeru Mizuki. This series is truly a standout among historical series in general for the way it seamlessly blends Mizuki's life during the era with many of the headlining historical events. This final volume was probably the most engrossing one for me as it dealt with the reconstruction of Japan in the post war years and Mizuki waxed philosophical a bit more than usual. I knew little about this period of Japanese history, so I was surprised by how the protest movements of Japan seemed to mirror what was going on here, complete with violence against the protesters by the police force. A really wild part of the story was also the candy scandal where the candy companies were basically taken hostage by someone calling themselves the Man with Twenty Faces, who would put poisoned candy on shelves and announce it to the country. Something that Mizuki really contemplated throughout this volume was what happiness means. His insight to trends of the time are also pretty thought provoking, such as when he says that while Japan started to find so many more comforts to bring into the home, they began to lose the community they had existed before the war.
blueberrybanana's review against another edition
informative
4.0
What a good series. I loved Nezumi Otoko. I learned so much about Japanese history that I wasn't aware of before. Of the books I thought this one was a little less cohesive than the others but i think it was because it covered so much time. Overall it was great though and I want to reread this series again in the future!
m_macchetta's review
5.0
Sensei Mizuki lo conoscevo davvero poco: sono però sempre stato incuriosito di leggere altri autori nati prima della grande guerra oltre a Tezuka.
In questo caso Showa è una graphic novel che corre su due binari paralleli, autobiografico e storico. Da una parte vediamo come Mizuki è nato e cresciuto in un periodo turbolento come l'epoca showa, dall'altra vediamo molti accadimenti storici visti cogli occhi di un giapponese che era li.
i disegni sono nella maggior parte "caricaturali" oppure ultra-realistici: lo stile, per quanto datato è godibilissimo, le pagine vanno via che è un piacere - lo story telling è fantastico: asciutto ma completo, preciso ma leggero. Insomma, 500 pagine, costo da libro, epoca storica sconosciuta, ambientato in giappone ma è un gira pagine. Adesso dovrò procurarmi gli altri volumi della serie.
da leggere.
In questo caso Showa è una graphic novel che corre su due binari paralleli, autobiografico e storico. Da una parte vediamo come Mizuki è nato e cresciuto in un periodo turbolento come l'epoca showa, dall'altra vediamo molti accadimenti storici visti cogli occhi di un giapponese che era li.
i disegni sono nella maggior parte "caricaturali" oppure ultra-realistici: lo stile, per quanto datato è godibilissimo, le pagine vanno via che è un piacere - lo story telling è fantastico: asciutto ma completo, preciso ma leggero. Insomma, 500 pagine, costo da libro, epoca storica sconosciuta, ambientato in giappone ma è un gira pagine. Adesso dovrò procurarmi gli altri volumi della serie.
da leggere.
manuphoto's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
5.0
A fitting end to a tremendous series.
As in the previous volumes, Mizuki skillfully blends the grand and the small scales. Although this volume spans many more years, the story still grips us. It’s an incredible page-turner.
The work is deeply emotional and highly informative at the same time. It does an excellent job of making you feel what Mizuki and his fellow Japanese experienced during those years, which is no easy feat. Conveying emotions effectively is one of an artist’s most challenging tasks, and Mizuki triumphs here.
I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in Japanese history, or simply in great storytelling and art. It’s a tremendous achievement.
As in the previous volumes, Mizuki skillfully blends the grand and the small scales. Although this volume spans many more years, the story still grips us. It’s an incredible page-turner.
The work is deeply emotional and highly informative at the same time. It does an excellent job of making you feel what Mizuki and his fellow Japanese experienced during those years, which is no easy feat. Conveying emotions effectively is one of an artist’s most challenging tasks, and Mizuki triumphs here.
I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in Japanese history, or simply in great storytelling and art. It’s a tremendous achievement.
adreanaline's review against another edition
3.0
Not as dramtically strong as his previous books. The time period seems fragmented, as if there is a rush to finish. The story would have been better with a strong dramatic narrative. I'm not crazy about the frequent appearances of grisly murders. They don't seem to help the central storyline. I finished the book for closure, but wouldn't read this series again.
caw_caw_caw's review against another edition
2.0
The last two books of the Showa series were amazing. I feel like I have a new understanding of how Japan got to where it is today. I feel like I can emphasize better with old people (I'm 20) who have lived through WW2. But seriously, this current generation is really so lucky to be where we are today.
I learned a lot from Mizuki's reflections towards the last half of this book. I could emphasize and see myself in him when he describes trying to make it and find happiness in the new Japan after the war. It scares me to think how I may come to have regrets in my life in 60yrs when I look back on my life as Mizuki does here. It really made me think. And that's how you know this is book is truly good. It has the ability to change me in the real world
I learned a lot from Mizuki's reflections towards the last half of this book. I could emphasize and see myself in him when he describes trying to make it and find happiness in the new Japan after the war. It scares me to think how I may come to have regrets in my life in 60yrs when I look back on my life as Mizuki does here. It really made me think. And that's how you know this is book is truly good. It has the ability to change me in the real world
maestro_cerrotorcido's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.5
I liked this one a lot more than the third. It was nice to be done with WWII and to learn so much about a country I know so little about. As well as what the life of a manga artist is like.
harlando's review against another edition
4.0
This was great! I liked this volume and think the series as a whole is five stars.
I think the authors WWII experience was my favorite volume, but this taught me much more about Japan. I was largely ignorant of post-war Japanese politics and hadn't realized how many violent communists, protests, and scandals there were. I knew Japanese politics was murderously rough before the war, but thought defeat calmed everyone down and that things were rather dull after the war.
The whole fiend with 20 faces poison candy black mail scheme kind of blew my mind and I may try to find a book on that.
I think the authors WWII experience was my favorite volume, but this taught me much more about Japan. I was largely ignorant of post-war Japanese politics and hadn't realized how many violent communists, protests, and scandals there were. I knew Japanese politics was murderously rough before the war, but thought defeat calmed everyone down and that things were rather dull after the war.
The whole fiend with 20 faces poison candy black mail scheme kind of blew my mind and I may try to find a book on that.