Category: Manga of the Month

Manga of the Month: Laughter in the End of the World

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Laughter in the End of the World (終末のラフター)
by Yellow Tanabe

This is Yellow Tanabe’s first serial, albeit a short one, since finishing up Kekkaishi. It follows a brother and sister as they wander an Earth which was inhabited my demons many years before after a great disaster.

When we meet Luca and Haru they are entering a town which is being tormented by a demon living in the hills who demands sacrifice. Luca bears the mark of a demon on his cheek but he also hunts them and offers his service to the mayor.

There is a lot of darkness in this series which is enhanced by creative monster designs and Ms. Tanabe’s excellent use of black and shadow. The secrets of the world definitely have an horror-edge to them and in such a short format most of them remain steeped in mystery which has its own allure.

Manga of the Month: Billy Bat

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Billy Bat (ビリーバット) by Naoki Urasawa and Takashi Nagasaki

There are certain artists who you can assume by default create things worth looking into unless advised otherwise. One of those people is Naoki Urasawa. Pluto, Monster, 20th Century Boys, and Yawara! are all critically acclaimed series with near universal praise. So in general you can bet good money that if you see a new series by him it might be not be worth buying the whole series sight unseen but it is always worth checking out the first book especially when Takashi Nagasaki is involved as well. And his current ongoing series (alongside Master Keaton Remaster) is Billy Bat.

Billy Bat starts after World War II with a popular Japanese-American comic artist, named Kevin Yamaga, trying to discover if his smash hit comic is actually a copy of a manga he might have seen when he was in the service. He soon discovers that his Billy Bat character is not just simply a copy of an obscure manga but an ancient symbol used by a variety of dangerous secret societies. Soon the ancient conspiracy surrounding this nigh incomprehensible bat god sucks in Kevin Yamaga to a world of ninjas, faked moon landings, magic, and people like Lee Harvey Oswald and Albert Einstein.

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Manga of the Month: Mushishi

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Mushishi (蟲師) by Yuki Urushibara

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Yuki Urushibara’s Mushishi showcases an ethereal quality in both artwork and storytelling. She draws you in and surrounds you so thoroughly that the journey feels close to your heart. It is sometimes eerie, sometimes enlightening, and always beautiful.

Mushishi is the tale of Ginko who travels the countryside searching for and helping those affected by unusual, spiritual creatures known as Mushi. These creatures are tied to the threads of life and nature and their effects on humans are varying. Most people cannot see Mushi and that is where Ginko comes in as he can interact with them.

Despite the supernatural elements, Mushishi is about humanity. Ginko seeks out those affected by Mushishi and we learn their story as he does. There are stories of loss, love, change, and pride; where people have been and where they wish to be; and the unlike road of living.

While Mushishi is episodic in nature, Ginko is the key element tying each new tale together. Ginko is not so much a passive observer as he may seem at the beginning and he has a story to tell us, too.

Mushishi is quietly compelling as it unfolds the human condition before you and highlights they mystery of nature.