A review by jasonfurman
Showa: A History of Japan, 1926-1939 by Shigeru Mizuki

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 Kantō 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.