Kの葬列 1 [K no Souretsu 1]

Kの葬列 / K no Souretsu #1

by Maki Kusumoto, 楠本まき

あるアパートで1人の男が死んだ――名前はK。しかし、そのKの死体がどこにも見つからないという…。数日後、Kの部屋だった301号室に引っ越してきたミカヤという青年が、その真相をさぐり始めるのだが…?

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Josei

127 pages, Paperback

First published September 22, 1994

About the author

Aesthetic minimalism, a predilection for darkness, an infatuation with androgyny and a preference for the vague over the distinct: These tendencies are inherent in most Japanese art-forms. And manga are no exception. Maki Kusumoto’s (Japanese name: 楠本まき) strange comic-books reflect these trends perfectly. Although she has long had a cult following as a “manga-ka” (a manga artist) in Japan, she doesn’t really like to be classified as one. Her distinctly original drawing ability eminently suits characters struggling with inner demons in a world of deceptive placidity. Her university background in philosophy perhaps underlies the feel for existential unease; either way there is depth here that really has nothing in common with the manga norm.
Maki’s people are elegant and willowy, stretching their long limbs in sinuous poses; they caress each other with long-tapering fingers. She is to manga as Aubrey Beardsley was to mainstream illustration. Intense, sexy and slightly sinister.

Reviews

[Andrea Aguas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what to make of it because the general style is just so different compared to how a manga is usually written and illustrated.

We have the establishment of the plot and characters on the first chapters which is good, but somehow it seems that the characters mentioned have a story of their own which connects to K. However, K is, as I interpret it, an enigma. Everyone knows who he was but no one really got close enough to him to really get a good look at his being. At least, that's how I understand it.

Art-wise, the characters look like they're from a fashion magazine. There's not much background and foreground in the panels so I guess the author wants us to really focus on the people of the story.

Story-wise, it's engaging enough, but one can read a whole chapter not longer than five minutes because the dialogues are short, like minced.