The first Madhouse movie is pretty famous worldwide but it represents only the opening act so this source material is thus a must. The manga itself preach heavily I will admit and it isn´t entirely unproblematic but the author survived Hiroshima after all and fascistic japan itself takes a big beating it the story too so I can overlook that aspect mostly. I was frankly surprised how bad a picture Nakazawa Keiji painted of his homeland at times so prepare yourself for a somewhat darker tale than the first film at times. The story does light up considerably after time is a lowed to progress a bit and the narrative becomes about rebuilding and having a positive attitude despite constant setbacks.
I believed that i was reading about children and not author inserts but don´t get me wrong though. The story stays a tragedy to the end as death is a constant companion. A clearer endpoint would have been nice but life itself has no end so I will deal with that I guess. "Classic" art isn´t for everyone in general but I never had a problem with it and the art on display here is well done without a doubt despite the somewhat simplistic look. The gore and suffering fits the manga well but the perspectives and landscapes are also professionally chosen. This masterpiece is somewhat flawed as i pointed out but I think that pretty much anyone needs to read it even if the dark content will be too much for some. Historical accounts from survivors need to be treasured and examined to not fall back into mistakes of past generations and Keiji Nakazawa made himself immortal with his magnum opus.
I saw it (a 9/10 pilot btw.) and you should too! Read the related and award-winning Town of Evening Calm, Country of Cherry Blossoms (8,5/10) as a companion piece. His Struck by Black Rain is a fictitious and heavy-handed 6/10 mess but it has some nice angry power so read it too.

The review already says all but the problems are the mentioned preaching, some historical opinions that some could find controversial and a focus on the fictional narrative later on that murk up the water and distracts from the setting a bit. A better portrait of war and post-war barely exist in the comic form and this is first-hand knowledge. Some versions of the series also have interesting interviews attached. My opinion on the comparable Grave of the Fireflies (8/10) is similar. It has amazing direction but the message is a bit off. Bennett The Sage´s review explains it well.

... Last updated on October 18th, 2019, 3:48pm

I just wanted to comment on this story. It is based on the author's real life experiences at Gen's age, living in Hiroshima! This is a must read. We must not forget the tragedy of war. The human suffering and the innocent lives that paid for world peace.
I am so thankful to the author for his courage to write this story. All who read it can benefit from its lessons.
Please take the time to read this.

A brutally honest look into the lives of ordinary people at the end of WW2, in possibly the most damaged Japanese city of the war (together with Nagasaki). Brilliantly plotted and fast paced. I feel everyone should read this book at least once in their lives.
Unfortunately, volume 1 seems to be out of print - but secondhand copies are available for sale.
Note: The anime adaptation left out maybe 80% of the most "politically incorrect" scenes.

... Last updated on April 25th, 2009, 2:04am