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mbondlamberty's review
4.0
Not a major fan of manga but am a fan of history so I enjoyed the parts that dealt with history and tolerated the parts that didn't (the main character isn't a likable fellow).
Loved some of the parts about Japanese culture - kappa doesn't mean cucumber sushi fans!!
The end notes are useful but a bit of a drag to have to keep going back to them.
Loved some of the parts about Japanese culture - kappa doesn't mean cucumber sushi fans!!
The end notes are useful but a bit of a drag to have to keep going back to them.
manuphoto's review
5.0
A fantastic book by Mizuki. He masters the art of tragicomedy like no other. This is an excellent flyover this period of Japan's history, as well as a very entertaining comic book. The art is fabulous, and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series.
nestairov's review
challenging
informative
slow-paced
3.5
Historical background of this period definitely needed for full enjoyment
chelseamartinez's review
5.0
This history of Japan in 4 volumes is really my first introduction to Japanese history outside of what I know about its involvement in WWII. Obviously, it's only a history of one era in the 20th century but for that, it really attempts to be comprehensive. The entire series combines history (and photos) and personal history, as typical for Mizuki, in this case his childhood with Nononba, so it overlaps a bit if you've read his book about her. It would be cool to have read these first and know that the larger book was out there waiting for me afterwards. In the past I would have devoured the footnotes and glossary of people more... nowadays I realize that I am no longer living that David Foster Wallace live (especially while reading the book in its "backwards" translation direction). I read them all at once at the end which probably isn't the best for fact retention, but it shows the detail of the research done for the book (or I suppose his base level of knowledge of Japanese history without research!)
jasonfurman's review
5.0
The first volume of a black-and-white graphic/manga epic about the Showa era in Japan, the reign of Emperor Hirohito from 1926 to 1989 (although it cheats and actually begins with the Great KantÅ earthquake of 1923). The book alternates between history, largely focused on leadership and military developments, and a memoir of the author's life--who was born in 1922 so almost completely overlaps with the period he is writing about. The history itself is partly shown with highly realistic sometimes photo-like pictures of military scenes alternating with some sort of manga creature explaining what is is going on in the history. These are well balanced against Mizuki's growing up and his childhood games mirroring the events around him or the economic developments affecting his families lives and careers. This volume documents the unofficial war against China with unflinching anti-militarism and ends shortly after the beginning of World War II in Europe. The second volume covers most of World War II and, although I have not read it yet, I assume it reflects an even greater convergence of Mizuki's life and the historical events he is describing as he serves in the Japanese army. All told, both a good history, an interesting memoir and a powerful and humane perspective on an important period of history.
bethnellvaccaro's review
4.0
I think I might need to actually read this again with my phone next to me so that I can google all the references that Japanese readers would understand, but someone ignorant of Japanese history, like myself, won't. I am looking forward to the next volume: 1939-1944 because I do think I will have some more background knowledge since the focus will be WWII.
In spite of me not understanding all of the geography and references, this is an incredible read. I like that the chapters alternate between history and Mizuki's perspective as a young person living through the times.
In spite of me not understanding all of the geography and references, this is an incredible read. I like that the chapters alternate between history and Mizuki's perspective as a young person living through the times.