@Emo_wandering_bear: the relationship is indeed shown in a tasteful and true-to-life way. Also this highlights a divide I’ve noticed in entertainment like this - some offers a complete escape from reality, while some draws the viewer/reader in by doing the exact opposite and portrays people and situations that are very familiar indeed. Solanin just happens to do the latter so well!

@Anti: yeah, I should’ve been a bit clearer there. Donnie Darko was directed by Richard Kelly. I’m sorry to say I’ve never seen any of his other films though. David Lynch on the other hand is a genius, although his style does frustrate me on occasion! There’s a very Murakami-esque vibe in Solanin though, which is just another reason why I love it really.

I’ve only finished reading the first arc, and I think one of the reasons why it’s found such favourable reception is because almost everyone can relate to it (almost everyone here being anyone over 16). The feelings of “not knowing what to do with the rest of your life” can be experienced at the end of high school, college, or at the crossroads at your career. I suppose why this and films like Byousoku 5cm are so favorably received is precisely because of this.

p.s. Regarding Meiko: yea, she is cute in a “girl next door” sort of way Also, props to the mangaka for making the nude post-coital scenes with her boyfriend so tastefully done, instead of making it into gratuitous fanservice.

@Demian: I’m overjoyed that we’re getting more seinen stuff released. 20th Century Boys starts next February too!

@Hige: thanks. I don’t read a great deal of manga actually, although that’s starting to change now. I’ll need a new bookcase in the new year by the looks of things though!

@crispyfloyd: thanks for your kind words! I can’t recommend this title enough so yeah, go gerrit! (:

@Sasa: Solanin speaks to me in a way that very few books or films have done. That part is hard to put into words but makes it all the more impressive as a story. Don’t get me wrong, Holograph is a fantastic piece but this is in a league of its own.

@Chris: good to see my recommendation was helpful! The story seems to tackle some issues that must be pretty topical in Japan but quite honestly the overall themes are pretty universal for those in the characters’ age group; it’s set in a foreign country yet I was able to relate to it 100%. Finding reading time is a problem, so I now make full use of my lunch breaks to keep up with manga and novels!

@Zeroblade: I love slice of life stuff too, and like you Owen recommended it to me as well. I want to read the rest of Asano’s stuff now!

@Peter S: I think the reason why we never tire of slice-of-life stories like this is the point you mention - it’s nothing new but the execution makes it special. There are too many ‘fave moments’ of mine but the concert scene at the end was especially poignant. The moment where Meiko falls to the floor at the end of their set left me thinking “that would never have worked so well in plain prose.” I doubt it would be easy to convey that through film either actually.

What matters is not the subject matter, but the execution. Solanin tosses in some surprises, like Taneda’s death, which would have been melodramatic had Asano not treated the event in several ways, including Taneda’s own thoughts. And what the hell were those weirdos on the river bank watching the rowboat capsize? But everything else was realistic people dealing with issues in their own ways.

For instance, my favorite scene: where the drummer confesses to Meiko that he thinks Taneda’s death idiotic, but he’s cried every night, but tonight will be the last, and to see Meiko’s glorious round face and wide mouth crying in response, made me teary-eyed as well.

The subject matter about the transition from Japanese childhood (high school/college) to adulthood/real world has caught my interest lately. I have three novels in my review pile by Japanese authors that make the controversial assertion that their school system does a good job at teaching the basics of education. But, there is a ever growing dark side that is cause by the organizational and social structure of the school system, and proof of this is the increasing amounts of Enjo Kosai, parasite singles, shut in’s, lolicons, never married, low birth rates and declining frequency of sex in relationships.

So, keep up the good work with you manga reviews. I have little time to follow manga with increasing work hours, relationships, anime blogging, and reading. So, I use your reviews to decide if I’ll pick up a certain manga or not.

Chriss last blog post..Leah Dizon, race queen, model, singer, and soon to be M@LF.

However… oh oh, there is nothing that could possibly reach the greatness of Donnie Darko! XD On a more serious note, I think the comparison is actually pretty good, heh.

I haven’t read the printed version (although I suppose I should get at least one of them), but I can’t quite believe that the scanlated version is bad, because it’s made by a group who are quite a bunch of editing nazis - lucky for me.

@Hige: Oh! We haven’t talked to each other for quite awhile indeed, I’m sorry. T_T This is mostly because I don’t chat much in general anymore, and I also rarely see you online actually O.o
By the way, what do you think about picking up Twitter to update ourselves especially now that Martin has Twitter too? Haha.

Higes last blog post..C-Bombs and Modified Vespas [Detroit Metal City and Michiko to Hatchin]

Demians last blog post..ef ~ A Tale of Melodies

Owen Ss last blog post..Fate/stay night, Unlimited Blade Works Route