A review by miajakobsen
No Longer Human by Junji Ito

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

3.5

An extremely visceral, uncomfortable, and devastating story. It has interesting reflections on the feeling of performing your life and being uncomfortable in your body. It is also an extremely raw story of an abusive, terrible, unlikeable man who ruins every woman he meets. The art style – which can sometimes be too much – definitely complements the disturbing story. 

I think that understanding the history of Osamu Dazai's life and the context of this book being basically autobiographical is crucial to "enjoying" this book. The actual story itself is quite tough, but the manga is very impactful and compelling. I definitely want to read the actual novel by Dazai now. 
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