MICHELLE: It's the last Saturday of the month, and that means it's time for another Let's Get Visual column! Joining me as always is MJ, from Manga Bookshelf. This month, we've chosen images that convey the feeling of mono no aware, which Wikipedia defines as, "the awareness of impermanence, or the transience of things, and a gentle sadness (or wistfulness) at their passing." … [Read more...] about Let’s Get Visual: Mono no Aware
Fanfare/Ponent Mon
A Distant Neighborhood 1 by Jiro Taniguchi: A
Forty-eight-year-old Hiroshi Nakahara is a businessman with a love of alcohol and little time for his family. One day, in 1998, as he is returning home (hungover) from a business trip to Kyoko, he accidentally boards the wrong train and ends up traveling to Kurayoshi, the town in which he grew up and which he hasn’t visited for many years. With some time to kill before the next … [Read more...] about A Distant Neighborhood 1 by Jiro Taniguchi: A
The Quest for the Missing Girl by Jiro Taniguchi: A-
When asked whether I'd like to contribute a guest post to Comics Should Be Good, I said, "I'd be delighted!" In fact, I'm actually going to be doing an occasional feature for them called Blue Moon Reviews, so please check it out! Here's my first review for them! Thanks again to Danielle Leigh and Brian Cronin for the opportunity. … [Read more...] about The Quest for the Missing Girl by Jiro Taniguchi: A-
The Walking Man by Jiro Taniguchi: A
From the inner flap: Who takes the time these days to climb a tree in bare feet to rescue a child's toy? To stop and observe the birds? To play in the puddles after a storm? To go down to the sea to put back a shell? The Walking Man does as he strolls at random through urban Japan—often silent, often alone—with his vivid dreams that let time stand still. Review: There are … [Read more...] about The Walking Man by Jiro Taniguchi: A
Blue by Kiriko Nananan: A
From the inside flap: Kayako Kirishima and Masami Endo are about to discover that their recent friendship is turning into obsessive love. But when today's hopes and yesterday's dreams meet tomorrow's problems, will they be able to continue? Review: Blue is a one-volume title in nice binding and printed on glossy paper that happens to cost $24. I read it in the store today, … [Read more...] about Blue by Kiriko Nananan: A