Showa 1926-1939: A History of Japan | 
pickIn Showa, Shigeru Mizuki recounts the history of Japan from 1926 to 1989 - the Showa imperial period. He also recounts his own life, mixing perfectly History with his own story.
This book offers a great summary of Japan's contemporary history. And the account of Mizuki's own life makes this History more relatable, it gives it a face, a common thread. Mizuki offers a factual account, while balancing it perfectly with emotions and humour.
These have been sitting on my shelf forever. I'm thinking I might make May a month for #manga and other graphic tomes. I've got so many I've been meaning to get to. It's that time of year where school is winding down and schedules are crazy. Manga and graphic novels will be easier to read.
It's corny, but I think I'm going to try to do a weekly post about #manga. Please feel free to post your own Mondays are for Manga. 😁
This week I'm sharing two wildly different ones. That's one thing I love about manga- the diversity.
Princess Jellyfish is a series about some lovable oddballs trying to save their house with the help of a wealthy cross-dresser.
SHOWA is a history of Japan from 1926 - 1989.
pickThe art work is masterful. I was not prepared for the amount of historical content, but when I finally got a chance for some uninterrupted devouring, and was able to get over my own lack of Asian geographical knowledge, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Trying not to let too much time elapse before reading the next installment.
pickGot a little lost in the details of the political events/figures leading up to Japan's invasion of China, but overall an interesting read. Looking forward to reading the second book.
Someone in my house who has already read this: "isn't the part where such and such happens really terrible???" Me:"I haven't gotten there yet!" The other person:"oops! He he." Me: ?
No surprise but this is really good 👍🏽
Just picked this up from the library 😁
This struck a cord given the events of this week.
This seems like a fun way to learn about Japan.
pickMore childhood memoir told along side the historical events leading up to the second Sino-Japanese War. So many facts told in a nice introduction fashion! Definitely recommend if your interested in Asian history but don't know where to start. This will give some events and people as jumping off pt!
Taking time out from novels for an edumactional history/bio manga!
Apparently I read them out of order? There are also 1926-1939 and 1944-1953 volumes. If this is your wheelhouse with war memorial or Asian history or WW11 non-fiction you need to check this shit out!
pickThis was great! This is both a personal memoir and a history of Japan during the beginning of the Showa Era. It was a very entertaining and interesting way to learn some history.
Checking this out now. I am basically obsessed with Japanese literature, so why not check out this manga about the history of Japan? I'm looking forward to this.
pickBeautiful first volume in Mizuki's manga series about the history of Japan during the Showa era (Emperor Hirohito's reign) which overlapped with Mizuki's lifetime. Loved the parallel narratives (his life and Japan's) with respective contrasting art styles.
