俺はまだ本気出してないだけ（１） (IKKI COMIX)

I'll Give It My All...Tomorrow #1

by 青野 春秋

「俺はマンガ家になる」と、40歳で会社を辞め、夢を追いかける生活に入った男・大黒シズオ。父親からは顔を見るたびに説教され、幼なじみからは本気で心配され、17歳の娘に温かく見守られながら、マンガ執筆とバイトとサッカーゲームの日々。そんなある日、バイト先のハンバーガー屋にちょっとした問題児が入って…

Genres: Manga, Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Humor, Japan, Sequential Art

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 30, 2007

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 year old dude quits his boring corporate job, and decides to become a manga artist, though he has no talent or discipline. He lives with his Dad who is enraged by his decision, and his daughter, who is supportive. Looks like most people dislike this by the ratings, but I liked it a lot and will read on! It's a kind of slice of life, lightly amusing story, and you know, the main character is pretty darned likable, in part because of his completely relatable human faults. I'm rooting for this (loser?) guy!

[Sam Quixote · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shizuo quits the salaryman job he hates and becomes a manga artist. Midlife crisis or awesome comic? It’s both!

I’m kinda tempted to waffle - and I could waffle about this one a LOT - about Shizuo’s decision to follow his dreams and how inspiring it is and how people today blah blah blah, but I’ll stick to the book instead. I will say this though: the author, Shunju Aono, shows both sides to Shizuo’s decision: how it makes Shizuo look like a selfish, moronic douche, because he’s no longer supporting his teenage daughter and retired father, but also how brave he is to do something most people only fantasize about, to follow their dreams while they still can.

Ok, the book itself - I really liked it and, man, did I need this. If you subsist on a diet of Marvel and DC books, you wind up consuming a whole lotta junk that’ll wear you down. A good indie comic is like a delicious salad after all that rich, overcooked crap. Keep your capes and masks, your tight asses and killer abs, give me a schlumpy protagonist who gets beat up by kids!

It’s like a more compelling version of Bakuman, the more slick, accomplished manga by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, where the two teenage leads decide to become manga creators. There’s more risk for the main character of I’ll Give It My All… Tomorrow because he’s much older, has more responsibilities, and yet refuses to quit.

But Aono is quick to downplay Shizuo as someone to be admired. He’s frequently the butt of every joke from when he goes out with his co-workers at the fast food joint and the fact that he’s two decades older than everyone keeps being brought up. Or that his manga turns out to be quite cliched and keeps getting rejected. The comedy didn’t really make me laugh but I like pathetic main characters - yes, I’m a Dan Clowes fan!

I know it’s all about Shizuo and his journey to become a published, best-selling manga artist, but I would’ve liked Aono to spend a bit more time on other parts of his life. Like, Shizuo’s a single father, which can’t be easy, but what happened to the wife - did she die? Divorce? We never know (though maybe we find out in later volumes?).

Or how about discovering that his daughter worked in a Love Hotel? You’d think that would be an angle rich with melodrama or a way for father and daughter to bond, but it’s dealt with so dispassionately and swiftly as to barely seem like it was worth including. I suppose it does accurately portray the tenuous relationship between teenager and parent though.

I wish I could find out more information on the author, Shunju Aono. Is this book autobiographical? The drawing style isn’t as sophisticated or polished like Dragon Ball or Bakuman but it’s certainly not bad either. I’d say that if Shizuo is Aono then he really came up aces when he created this book - it’s a totally compelling story that feels unique and fresh.

While it’s not a perfect book, I was still fully invested in Shizuo’s story and read through this book in one sitting. My edition also had an absolutely stunning short story featuring Shizuo and a suicidal girl at the end. It underlines the themes of the book so well, that life is short and doing what you love is the only thing that makes sense - and that life is worth living too. I’m no po-faced Paulo Coelho fan but it’s hard to be cynical about the purity of the book’s message.

I think if you’re the kind of person who has ambitions to be published yourself, then this book will be for you; if not, then you’re unlikely to connect with the character’s motivations and, consequently, the story. But if you enjoy plotless, though compelling, stories about ordinary people trying to find some meaning to their lives, and failing as much as they succeed, you’ve got to try I’ll Give It My All… Tomorrow.

[Rahul · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 🌟

Such a real manga. I feel lucky to find it. Looking forward to the next volume.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Shizuo Oguro. Not only is he middle aged and kind of a doofus, but he's also given up his corporate job to find himself by pursuing a career as a manga artist. The only trouble with this plan: he's not a very good manga artist -- as a matter of fact, he's dreadful. He also has no money, so he has to take a job at a fast food restaurant, where he's a good 25 years older than any other employee and the girls think he's a creepy mofo.

Although it's a bit of a downer, to say the least, Aono's graphic novel has engaging characters, and the art, while a bit crude, is oddly charming in its quirkiness. (It's also fun to watch for little details that add nuance to the story, like a cockroach skittering across the floor at Shizuo's favorite restaurant and the muttered asides, rendered in teeny weeny typeface.) If you like the likes of Joe Matt and Roberta Gregory, this one is definitely worth seeking out.

[Martyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an uncomfortable read for me, given that it contained many ideas and situations that I could relate to personally. I never shook the feeling that it was representing something directly from my own experience, even when the action didn't relate at all to my life.

The author is either a brilliant observer of the way that humans behave or has written an autobiographical account of his own life/psyche. There are just too many complex behaviors exhibited in here, some represented without words, for the author to have hit on the character traits accidently.

Uncomfortable and I want to read the rest of the series now. I hope it ends well for me...sorry, him.

[Ellyn → Allonsythornraxx · Rating 2 out of 5]

30/04/2020
2 ⭐
I'm sure this was well-intentioned and it's gonna really hit the mark for a lot of people but I was so bored reading this. I think if you like the slice of life, short style stories, like My Neighbors the Yamadas (1999) you should give this a try!

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not that common to read about a person in their 40s who has not figured themselves out yet (what is my purpose in life? what do I want? etc) and Shizuo quits his whatever-job to become a manga artist, but by the end of volume 1 he also is unable to answer, "why manga?" like why not music, why not movies. He works at a burger place as a "lowly employee" (lol) and his managers are all younger, his daughter is 17 and lends him a couple hundred bucks, and his farts stink up a room, and he gets beaten up. I really wanna know "why manga" for him, too, and enjoy reading about slackers who actually work hard! but fail to give themselves, or fail to receive, credit
until they are published or whatever

This end-goal of Shizuo's of getting published is giving me a feeling of eghness because I can't wait for him to experience the disillusion that getting published is not the finality of success. So I wonder what will happen by volume five.

Never really thought about my life span as a 24-hour day, as brought up at the end of the bonus story in here. Pretty encouraging.

Also love the drawing style by Shunju Aono :)

[Joseph Young · Rating 2 out of 5]

A weird sad midlife crisis where a guy decides out of nowhere to become a manga writer. Living with his father and daughter, it doesn't seem to be compelling or reasonable. Where does this desire come from? It just seems like the dude hated his job and life, and now all of a sudden wants to be a cool teenager or something. It's easy enough to read, but fairly mundane.

Maybe this appeals to people in their midlife who want to restart their life, but don't have the courage to chase what they want.

[Burden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judging from the basic art-style, I was expecting this book to be a straight up gag manga. However, after having finished volume one, I can't honestly say I know what this series is trying to be.

It's not laugh out loud funny, but it is mildly amusing. And it's not particularly a plot-driven manga, but there is an ongoing story. So, maybe it's just a careful balance of all these things.

I can't tell whether this series is going to hold up over 5 volumes, but I am warming to it the more it goes on. There are some good characters and the authors style is definitely growing on me.

Most might be put off by this sort of manga, finding the artwork unappealing. But I personally think this series is worth a gamble. It's not a five-star masterpiece, but it is pleasantly enjoyable.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of a 40 y/o man who quits his unfulfilling job to... do nothing? Find himself? It's not clear (even to him), but he lives with his father and 17ish y/o daughter so he can't really do nothing. He decides he will become a manga artist, despite having no ideas or artistic talent. He has an inflated sense of self worth and refuses to give up or back down or let his spirit be broken. Is it admirable or sad? Aono doesn't pick a side, and that helps the story work. It could easily be depressing or feel unreal and almost superhero-esque. I'm not sure how long it could carry itself though.

[Social_Sloth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simplistic art style with a very real, but still humorous story. Oguro quit his job to find himself, at the age of 40. He ends up slacking off at home. When he decides to become a manga artist he just doesn't seem to have what it takes, especially not motivation. His daughter and father struggle with him, mainly because he is no longer earning enough money from his part-time work.
It's a manga that is very calm and has a very slow tempo. It's nice to read just to get to see more of what life can be like, or just to enjoy something a bit more chill.

[MAILA · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNN





THIS SERIES IS SO 111111111111111111111111111111111111

[Alex Fyffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Sabrina _lesewesen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ - Reading Challenge 2022 - a book with an anti-hero.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those Japanese 'comedies' that can't help but feel crushingly depressing. Less likely to bring laughs than a good kick in the teeth...maybe the laughs will come later.

[Rui Bastos · Rating 2 out of 5]

Uma arte sofrível e uma história que não leva a lado nenhum. Por mais que se possa pensar nisso, acompanhar um falhado enquanto ele falha não é particularmente interessante. Pelo menos não quando é feito desta maneira, e se nota uma certa limitação a desenhar personagens diferentes e nas expressões que cada uma é capaz de fazer...

[Shin · Rating 4 out of 5]

41 years old is young or not. But not so old. Shizuo(main character) is trying to be mangaka, and people around him. Author makes good stories like this, however his origin is this book I think. His mangas always give me some power to live :)

[Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shunju Aono's dramedy series "I'll Give It My All... Tomorrow" has been very interesting to me. With its unusual art style and mundane, slice of life storytelling, it is a realistic, heartfelt, and funny glimpse into everyday life in modern Japan. A contrast to the escapist, larger than life style of most manga, Aono's work is low key, touching, and funny.

Following the "exploits" of Shizuo Oguro, a bit of a sad sack who, in the throes of a midlife crisis, quits his soul-sucking job as a salary-man to follow his dream of becoming a manga artist. A man who often changes his identity, Oguro finds himself whiling away his days working on his cliched manga ideas, taking advantage of his father and daughter's generosity before being forced to take a job in fast food to make ends meet. As the series continues, we watch Oguro's pathos evolve, particularly through the lens of his friends and family.

This review also appears on my BookLikes blog where I discuss some of my thoughts on the Japanese literature I read before and during my trip to Japan.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I'm knocking on the door of 40 myself, I may have identified with this just a little too much to give an objective opinion, but here it goes.

Shizuo Oguro is your everday schlub. After slaving away at a corporate job for years, he finally realized he hated it, quit and decided to follow his impulsive dream to become a successful Manga creator. To make ends meet he takes a job at a fast food joint, where all the teenagers he works with jokingly call him "manager" because he's so much older.

To make matters worse, though, Shizuo has a teenage daughter whose respect for him is quickly vanishing and an elderly father who refuses to take him seriously. Add to it that he's really not talented at all at Manga---his work jumps from genre to genre and seems to hit every cliche imaginable---and we end up with a real sad sack/slacker tale. It's funny, but in that way that's also kind of sad so you don't know if you should laugh or cry for poor Shizuo. I loved it and really can't tell which direction this will go, which is a good thing. I don't see this having wide appeal with the typical Shonen Jump crowd, though.

[Hafiz Azam · Rating 4 out of 5]

God,I hate this manga because I have a soft spot for this type of drawing (refers Crayon Shinchan). The highly simplistic nature of the art always gets me.

Well,the story is about Shizuo,who is a 40 years old dude,quitting his day job to pursue a career in manga. The premise is a bit cliche,a guy quits his stable job to pursue his dream,family objection yadda yadda. But man,how Aono worked his magic here. I don't really read gag manga,but this one's special. Aono intricately sets up the life of Shizuo; teenage daughter,pessismistic father,God-Shizuo,Yamada,etc etc. Shizuo still the main/centre of the story,with all the peripheral characters nicely assimilates with the story. I also want to point out the bonus chapters at the end of the book,which is brilliant.

When reading this,you could just forget the plot. There's no such thing as plot,just comic brilliance page after page. I stumbled upon few bad reviews on this,but I simply don't care. Sometimes,you just have to enjoy the lighter side of life. No?

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's what I said on Beatrice: "Imagine if Todd Solondz and Chester Brown teamed up to tell a story about a Japanese man’s midlife crisis." (The Chester Brown comparison came to me through Aono's rough, loose artwork.) Shizuo Oguro is a Japanese white-collar worker in his early 40s who makes the radical decision to quit his job and (after a period of slack) launch into a new career as a professional manga artist. Even though he's not very good at writing or drawing manga. (Although, as the brief flashes of his work we see show, he's a slightly better artist than he is a writer.)

This isn't a big story, and I wouldn't say it's a FUN story, really, but it does stay with you. It's not even that Shizuo is a lovable loser, because I don't really think he is, not most of the time. But underneath all the truly unearned bravado, there's something to him.

[Mikael Kuoppala · Rating 3 out of 5]

40-something white collar worker Shizuo decides to escape hectic Japanese corporate life and decides to become a manga artist. The realization of this plan isn't quite working out beyond the resigning-from-work -part when inspiration simply doesn't hit. With an old father and a teen aged daughter depending on him, our protagonist finds himself at a depressed existential crisis.

Very slow and a bit challenging with its odd humor, this series contains a kind of spark that might carry it onwards. The characters show promise and the slightly incoherent story structure might easily streamline into something more engaging. So far lukewarm, but I'll definitely continue with another volume.

[Stay Fetters · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did Not Finish!!
Shizuo is a complete asshat.
Forty something year old playboy manbaby quits his job and decides to be a manga artist. He has a teenage daughter who is thinking about college to take care of and he quits his decent job. Midlife crisis anyone?
A lot of people recommended this to me and I have no idea why. All he does is get picked on for working at fast food joints, hanging out with people who aren't even close in age and "draws manga". Pfft.... snoozefest!
Half way through and decided enough is enough.
Don't waste your time on pipe dreams.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tale of a fortysomething who throws away his career then decides, with nothing better to do, that he's going to try to be a manga artist, talent be damned.

"Overall, I enjoyed the first volume of I’ll Give It My All…Tomorrow quite a bit. What it lacks in action and conflict, it makes up in originality and quirky appeal."

Full review here: http://www.playbackstl.com/comic-book...

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lil chubbo Japanese dude quits his job to draw manga and isn't particularly good at it and gets made fun of alot but oh he's so dumpy and goofy and hopeful and it's kind of adorable. Can't complain. Like this indie manga lens onto the existential dilemmas of being a manga lover well past your prime, and just the general dumpy cuteness -- it's not a side of Japanese comix style we get to see very much but I like it a lot.

[Ruby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could see how this would work as an ongoing comic strip. It was interesting. I wasn't terribly moved by the storyline. There were some funny moments but I was looking for the lovely, full emotional experience I have gotten from the more serious graphic novels and memoirs I have read. I'll probably give one of the sequels a go, just because it was a quick read.

[Kimikimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really think this work was for me. I could see the humour in it, and I tried to respect the main character for trying, but his life's goals were just too alien. Or maybe I mean alienating? Either way, I didn't get/enjoy it very much but it might speak to an older audience.

[Ingenue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I identified more than I thought I would with an aimless fortysomething guy looking for purpose in life. I'm not thinking about what that implies about me.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to give it another volume before I make a final decision.