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A review by n_asyikin_
Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tokyo Ueno Station explored the life & death of a hardworking, poor man. Structured in a non-linear manner, the story was rather philosophical & captured glimpses into the instances in his life as well as his death as a wandering spirits. Some scenes involved observations Kazu made mainly about strangers as a spirit; all, I think, reflecting his regrets or the unanswered conundrums relating to his life.
The depiction of how the poor and/or unhoused people were treated, particularly in contrast with the rich & powerful (e.g. the monarchs) were infuriatingly saddening. Kazu's thought on how little people view the unhoused, almost as if they were all ghosts (spirits, like he'd came to be) despite being alive was heartbreaking.
Furthermore, I appreciated how Yu depicted the injustices, the cruelty in being made marginalised; the inhumanity of Kazu's experience with being exploited for being poor extended not only in terms of economic injustice, but it trickled & blemished his ability to be a child, to be a father, to be with his family;the need to belong was robbed from him; survival meant needing to be away from the very reason he'd worked his heart into - only then, to be robbed from them by death as well.
Kazu's weariness is universal in this uncompassionate & capitalistic world. His contemplations on the purpose of life when shaded by poverty & traumas broke me, left me in rage.
At times whimsical, often drenched in raw honesty, Tokyo Ueno Station was a moving read.
The depiction of how the poor and/or unhoused people were treated, particularly in contrast with the rich & powerful (e.g. the monarchs) were infuriatingly saddening. Kazu's thought on how little people view the unhoused, almost as if they were all ghosts (spirits, like he'd came to be) despite being alive was heartbreaking.
Furthermore, I appreciated how Yu depicted the injustices, the cruelty in being made marginalised; the inhumanity of Kazu's experience with being exploited for being poor extended not only in terms of economic injustice, but it trickled & blemished his ability to be a child, to be a father, to be with his family;
Kazu's weariness is universal in this uncompassionate & capitalistic world. His contemplations on the purpose of life when shaded by poverty & traumas broke me, left me in rage.
At times whimsical, often drenched in raw honesty, Tokyo Ueno Station was a moving read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death