Here are the quiet, evocative urban dramas of Masahiko Matsumoto, one of the leading lights of the Japanese alternative-comics movement known as gekiga. Originally published in 1972-74, these eleven one-shots would form the first English-language collection of Matsumoto's mature work when released by Top Shelf in 2016. His shy, uncertain heroes face broken hearts, changing families, money troubles, sexual anxiety, and the pressures of tradition, but with the whimsy and lightness of touch that is Matsumoto's trademark.

Included one-shots:
1. Naruko Tsurumaki's Love (鶴巻鳴子の恋人, Tsum... More...

Here are the quiet, evocative urban dramas of Masahiko Matsumoto, one of the leading lights of the Japanese alternative-comics movement known as gekiga. Originally published in 1972-74, these eleven one-shots would form the first English-language collection of Matsumoto's mature work when released by Top Shelf in 2016. His shy, uncertain heroes face broken hearts, changing families, money troubles, sexual anxiety, and the pressures of tradition, but with the whimsy and lightness of touch that is Matsumoto's trademark.

Included one-shots:
1. Naruko Tsurumaki's Love (鶴巻鳴子の恋人, Tsumuraki Naruko no Koibito) (1973)
2. The Tobacco Shop Side Street (たばこ屋のあった横丁, Tabakoya no Atta Yokochou) (1972)
3. Far From the Festival (遠いお祭り, Tooi Omatsuri) (1972)
4. The Heart of Shinjuku (花の新宿, Hana no Shinjuku) (1973)
5. The Taste of Coffee (コーヒーの味, Koohii no Aji) (1973)
6. Cigarette Girl (たばこ屋の娘, Tabakoya no Musume) (1974)
7. Slither (つるつる, Tsuru-tsuru) (1974)
8. Happi-chan (ハッピーちゃん, Happii-chan) (1974)
9. The Red Shoes (赤い靴, Akai Kutsu) (1973)
10. A Scarlet Kiss (赤いキッス, Akai Kissu) (1973)
11. To Somewhere (どこかへ, Dokoka e) (1973) Less...