A review by srasmus
No Longer Human by Junji Ito

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Junji Ito has created a graphic version of the 1948 novel by Osamu Dazai. I admit I haven't read the original, but if this rendition is at all faithful, I'm not sure I want to. This book is dark, depressing, and scary. It follows Yōzō  Ōba, a young Japanese man, through his life, and details all the awful things that happened to him. Drug abuse, rape, homelessness, alcoholism, etc. On top of all the hardship experienced in his life, he also seems to bring tragedy and hardship to everyone who shows him kindness or love. The pace meanders at times, but I feel it's probably supposed to be that way. Obviously the illustrations by Ito are always as beautiful as they are ghoulish. It's one of those great books I'd never have to read again.
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