Retour à Tomioka

by Laurent Galandon, Michaël Crouzat (drawings)

Deux ans après l’accident nucléaire de Fukushima, les orphelins Akiko et Otani vivent avec leur grand-mère Obasan dans un camp de réfugiés. Lorsque cette dernière meurt et qu’un oncle éloigné surgit pour les ramener à Tokyo, Otani convainc sa sœur de fuguer pour déposer les cendres de leur grand-mère au pied de l’autel familial situé à Tomioka, en plein coeur de la zone interdite. Otani, enfant réservé qui ne communique qu’avec des Yokais – créatures surnaturelles et malicieuses – et Akiko, la petite blogueuse beauté, se lancent alors dans une quête initiatique et dangereuse.

Genres: Bande Dessinée, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Japan, Comic Book

97 pages, Hardcover

First published August 22, 2024

About the author

Né le 16 mars 1970 à Issy-les-Moulineaux, Laurent Galandon grandit dans la banlieue parisienne. A l’adolescence, il s’enferme dans des greniers et joue des nuits entières de longues aventures où il combat Trolls et autres créatures Cthulhiennes. Ses premières histoires, il les écrit donc pour ses camarades de Jeux de Rôle. Adultes, il rejoint Paris pour se consacrer à son autre passion : la photographie. En 1996, il quitte la capitale et prend la direction d’un cinéma d’Art et Essai à Trappes (ville d'un célèbre comique !). Là, il rencontre des comédiens, des réalisateurs et des scénaristes qui raniment son goût pour raconter des histoires.


Il ne serait pas indu de dire de Laurent Galandon qu'il est le scénariste des opprimés. En quelques années, cet auteur a signé nombre d'albums dont le trait commun semble être une certaine volonté d'ouvrir les yeux du public sur le sort réservé à certaines populations ou individus. Des enfants déportés de L'Envolée sauvage, aux gitans de Quand souffle le vent, en passant par les gamins des colonies agricoles pénitentiaires des Innocents coupables ou les ouvriers en lutte de Lip, des héros ordinaires, Galandon aime dépeindre le sort des damnés de la terre. Exercice périlleux auquel il se livre toujours avec une grande sensibilité, multipliant les collaborations – autour de one-shots ou diptyques, la plupart du temps. Ses dialogues minimalistes et la grande part laissée aux silences et aux émotions ont conquis le cœur du public.

Laurent Galandon vit maintenant en Ardèche. Il continue à écrire des histoires empreintes d’humanité où ses personnages s’inscrivent dans des périodes sombres ou tourmentées de l’Histoire.

http://workinprogresslg.blogspot.fr/2...

Reviews

[Ink & Ivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was an incredible read following two young siblings, Akiko and Osamu, as they journey through the radiated Fukushima prefecture to return their grandmother’s ashes to their family farm in Tomioka. I loved the bond between the siblings, the incorporation of yokai, the stunning art, and the emotional depth of their journey. I’d highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys Hayao Miyazaki or Studio Ghibli, Japanese folklore, or moving tales of family bonds.

Thank you First Second Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Dustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very poignant and emotional look into the aftermath of the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Journey to Tomioka is beautifully illustrated, beautifully written, and beautiful in its humanity. It had me tearing up towards the end, and I can totally see where some people are coming from when they relate it to Ghibli films. Definitely worth giving a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books for the review copy!

[Lindsey Bohannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

An absolutely beautiful story that will leave you feeling bittersweet and like you're drinking your favorite warm beverage on a cold winter's day. Gorgeous artwork and I can't wait to see what the physical book will look like!

Highly recommend!

[Caro Mélu · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’ai adoré !

J’ai aimé les graphismes, la colorimétrie, la thématique autour des “sinistrés” de Fukushima, le deuil, la relation frère-sœur, les Yokai…

Un mini coup de cœur !

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from Netgalley.

This is a poignant, imaginative, beautiful book. Journey to Tomioka is a French graphic novel about the physical and emotional aftermath of a nuclear disaster in Japan in 2011 triggered by a tsunami. Akiko and Osamu are orphans and live in the city with their cousin and her paranoid fiancé who thinks they will be contaminated from the children's exposure to radiation.
Osamu is an autistic withdrawn and imaginative child who misses his grandparents and living in the countryside. Ba-chan took care of them after the loss of their parents. Osamu gets the idea that he should return her ashes to the farm of her childhood. Akiko believes it is her duty to take care of him. Now the children are on a dangerous journey into a forbidden zone. Osamu thinks that the yokai, spiritual creatures from Japanese folklore that he can still see because he's young, will protect him along the way-- even from radiation, wolves, ostriches, and people tasked with keeping Fukushima, the contaminated zone, off limits.

The author writes in his author's note about how the nuclear disaster stayed in his mind even after disappearing from the news cycle. He intended to visit Japan in 2020 but was delayed till 2023 because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Natsuo in the book is based on a real person moved by the plight of farm animals left behind by people who fled Fukushima.

This would be a definite addition to my classroom library if I had one. As it is, I am still at home most of the time with my toddler, struggling with some phone addiction like Akiko does.

[Annie Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC}
This was a beautiful, thoughtful, and engaging read. I grew up extremely interested in nuclear disasters, but somehow Fukushima is talked about so little in comparison to other places. I loved the art, the addition of the yokai, and the historical and real world background provided at the end! The characters are instantly lovable, and suffer from none of the common issues that graphic novels face, like being too similar to each other or being flat. I’ll be buying a copy when this comes out, and I’ll be talking about it forever.

[aspho’ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oui j’ai pleuré

[Kerowyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gros coup de coeur pour cette bd émouvante, pleine de joie et de tendresse et qui parle pourtant de perte, de deuil, suite au tsunami de fukushima (la centrale).
Une histoire qui parle de yokai et de se reconstruire.

[clara✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

C'est une merveille holala j'ai pas les mots

[The Bourbon Bookcase · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Journey to Tomioka
Author: Laurent Galadon
Format: Graphic Novel (ARC)
Publication Date: June 9, 2026
Shelf Placement: Middle Shelf (3 Stars)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

Journey to Tomioka is a quiet, emotional story that blends grief, family, and folklore into a beautifully illustrated graphic novel. Inspired by the real-life Fukushima disaster, it follows siblings Osamu and Akiko as they embark on a dangerous journey to return their grandmother’s ashes to her home inside the exclusion zone.

The concept is powerful, and the emotional weight is immediate. Osamu’s grief and isolation after the loss of his parents and home are palpable, and the introduction of yōkai, the spirits only he can see, adds a touch of magical realism that softens the tragedy without erasing it. Akiko’s determination and protective love for her brother give the story a strong emotional center, and their sibling bond is easily the heart of the book.

The art is the strongest part of Journey to Tomioka. The illustrations are breathtaking. Soft lines, warm color palettes, and sweeping landscapes that capture both the quiet devastation and beauty of post-disaster Japan. The visual storytelling carries much of the emotion, sometimes more effectively than the dialogue itself.

That said, the pacing occasionally falters. The narrative moves between grounded realism and spiritual metaphor, and while that balance is ambitious, it sometimes leaves the emotional impact feeling muted. There are moments where the story wants to say something profound but doesn’t quite reach the depth it’s aiming for.

Still, there’s something moving about watching these two children risk everything for closure, for love, for home, for peace. It’s gentle, somber, and hopeful all at once. Fans of This Was Our Pact or Studio Ghibli’s quieter, melancholy moments will find a lot to admire here.

Vibe:
Heartfelt, wistful, and hauntingly beautiful. A story of loss and healing told through the quiet power of art and memory.

Who I’d Recommend It To:
Fans of introspective graphic novels, readers drawn to Japanese folklore, and anyone who loves Miyazaki-style storytelling that mixes the fantastical with the deeply human.

#MiddleShelfRead #JourneyToTomioka #LaurentGaladon #GraphicNovel #NetGalleyReads #ARCReview #BookReview #BourbonBookcasePicks #ComicsAndGraphicNovels #JapaneseFolklore #ReadersOfInstagram #Bookstagram #Fukushima #EmotionalReads

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Osamu and Akiko live with their grandmother ever since the tsunami killed their parents. Their grandmother used to live on a farm, but because of the nuclear radiation that happened after the Tsunami in the Fukushima prefecture, they have had to live elsewhere.

Akiko and Osamu go to school, but while Akiko seems to be normal, and able to make friends, Osamu, her brother, sees yokai, supernatural beings, that he listens to and plays with, instead of children his own age. Every day he makes sure to leave apples for them.

And then their grandmother dies, and the children are to be move to Tokyo to live with a distant cousin. But Osamu will not leave his grandmother’s ashes in Tokyo. He wants to take them to the farm, which is in the radiation zone. His supernatural friends agree with him, and somehow he persuades his sister to come along. And thus begins the journey to Tomioka, where Akiko can't see what Osamu can see, which is that the radiation has also become supernatural, and warns him to not come closer.

What starts as a story about a lonely boy, becomes a story of a boy trying to do what is right for his grandmother, even if he dies, from radiation, while trying to do so.

Very sweet story, that of course tugs at your heart in all the right ways. Based on people that the author both dreamed up, as well as folklore, and a man who stayed in the danger zone to care for the animals, that the author met while researching for the story. Beautifully illustrated, with a great attention to detail..

Thanks to Netgalley and First Second, for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published on the 9th of June 2026.

[Adri Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 2011, a tsunami hit the Fukushima prefecture and caused one of the world’s worst nuclear disasters. Many were killed, lost their homes, and were never able to return. Osamu and Akiko’s parents were killed in this disaster, and they went to go live with their grandmother. Akiko was able to return a sort of “norm”, but Osamu changed after the event. He was no longer the outgoing, friendly child he was, but instead kept to himself or talked to the yokai around him. After their Bao-chan passes, they feel the need to return her to farm back home, despite all the odds and dangers involved. They want to give their grandmother the peace that they were unable to give their parents.

This one had me choked up. The author was able to take real events and relate Osamu and Akiko (fictional characters) on a real level to connect the reader to his characters. I will be looking out for his other works in the near future.

#ThxNetGalley #LaurentGalandon #JourneytoTomioka

[Lucille · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5/5
Bd émouvante où un frère et une sœur veulent ramener les cendres de leur grand-mère aux côtés de celles de leur grand-père dans leur ferme d’origine. Malheureusement cet endroit est au cœur de la zone interdite irradiée suite à l’accident nucléaire de Fukushima. Osamu, le jeune frère, décide de fuguer pour y aller tout de même, sûr que son amitié avec les yokai le protègera. Sa sœur Akiko le suit malgré le danger. J’ai beaucoup aimé que le statut de youtubeuse beauté de la grande sœur ne soit pas passé en dérision et que son amour du partage des vidéo soit même mis à l’honneur sur la fin de la bd.
C’est une belle bd émouvante, je reste un peu sceptique d’une histoire où des enfants prennent tant de risque et qu’une explication fantastique/magique règle tout proprement mais malgré tout c’était très beau.

Lu grâce à NetGalley et l’éditeur.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I absolutely loved this one! It was beautiful, moving, and so well done.

I always appreciate a story about death and grief and healing, and I love Miyazaki films and anime, so this was right up my alley. I teared up when Akiko was able to get a bunch of food delivered for the man’s animals thanks to her followers 🥹 It was just too much!! 🩵😭

The only thing that was a little questionable to me was when Akiko shares that her brother was diagnosed with autism after their parents’ deaths, but she “doesn’t think that’s right” because he used to have friends and stuff. It’s an odd throwaway line that almost makes it seem like autism isn’t real or autism is as simple as being socially awkward, when it’s far more complex than that.

All in all, a beautiful, heartfelt story that I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful and moving graphic novel about the post 2011 Japan tsunami and Fukushima nuclear disaster. It follows Osamu and Akiko, two children who lost their parents in the tsunami, and have been living with their grandmother, “Ba-chan”. Osamu believes in and speaks to yokai, which are creatures from Japanese folklore. When their grandmother dies, Osamu is insistent on returning their grandmother’s ashes to the family farm in Tomioka.

When a cousin comes to take them to Tokyo, Osamu runs off with Ba-chan’s ashes in search of returning them to Tomioka. This is inside of the “forbidden zone” due to nuclear radiation. Akiko also goes with Osamu and they try to stay safe as they attempt to navigate their way back to Tomioka, and meet some amazing creatures and humans (and maybe some yokai) along the way.

This graphic novel is stunningly beautiful and the color palette has muted, somber tones that set the mood for this sad but redemptive story. The drawing style is evocative of a Studio Ghibli masterpiece, and is a book I’ll be looking at over the years to enjoy its panels as well as the story. It’s a perfect 4th to 6th grade level for young readers, but can be enjoyed and appreciated by adults as well.

[Hollowspine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers who like stories that show real world events and issues but with a dash of folklore and fantasy would find a lot of charm, heart and ultimately hope in this graphic novel about the tsunami and nuclear disaster in Fukushima prefecture, Japan. The artwork is natural and light, offset by the unearthly glow that populates the panels when the danger of radiation appears. Osamu's desire to return his grandma to their family home and farm is brave, and dangerous, and in that light we see the people around him give in to fear, but also to come together to honor the natural world, their ancestors, and their community. It would appeal to fans of Hayao Miyazaki in that it is a combination of environmental message, folklore and young people doing their best to be brave in a scary world.

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story to be really heart warming. It really captured how lonely and isolated Osamu was after the tsumani, but at the same time was hopeful/inspiring as he would not give up on reuniting his grandmother and grandfather in the afterlife. I liked the addition of the yokai in the story, especially how the helped Osamu on his journey and were still with him at the end of the story. The art for this book really complimented the story Galandon was telling. The Art and words worked blended well together to make the reader fell emotional. I really enjoyed getting the oppurtunity to read Journey to Tomioka and can't wait to recommend it to my friends!

[Shilo Quetchenbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really moving and captivating graphic novel. I was sucked in from the beginning and found myself easily getting caught up in the story and Osamu's quest to take his grandmother's ashes back to her farm in the dangerous radiation zone of Fukushima. It was very emotional.

I thought the Yokai were going to play a bigger part in the story, but I can appreciate why the author wrote it like this. It gave the personification of the radiation more weight.

The illustrations were really well done and the character's facial expressions and body language conveyed their emotions well.

*Thanks to First Second Books for providing an early copy for review.

[Erynn Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading “Journey to Tomioka” prior to its release date on @netgalley and it did not disappoint! This graphic novel follows two young heroes as they navigate living in a city recovering from radioactive earthquakes. When their grandmother passes, they insist on laying her to rest at her farm. Only one problem. The farm is by far the most dangerous place to go due to abundant amount of radioactivity in the area. If you enjoy adventure, perseverance, and a few magical creatures this may be the perfect book for you. It is set to release in June and I hope you consider reading!

[Sabrina Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an inspiring and deeply heartwarming story. It follows two young children who, after their home is left uninhabitable by radiation from the tsunami, set out on a courageous journey to bring their grandmother home. Despite the devastation around them, their determination, love for family, and resilience shine through on every page. The story beautifully balances themes of loss and hope, showing how even in the face of tragedy, the bonds of family can guide and strengthen us. Emotional, tender, and moving, this is a tale that stays with you long after you finish reading.

[Roberto Ciarnelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un piccolo capolavoro che ci catapulta in un episodio di storia moderna di tanti anni fa, fondendo realtà e folklore con estrema naturalezza.
La storia, così come viene raccontata, suscita emozioni diverse, ma soprattutto lo stile utilizzato ricorda, e forse si ispira, allo Studio Ghibli.

A small masterpiece that catapults us into an episode of modern history from years ago, blending reality and folklore with extreme ease.
The story, as it is told, evokes different emotions, but above all, the style used is reminiscent of, and perhaps inspired by, Studio Ghibli.

[Zaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai beaucoup aimé ce récit émouvant qui suit un frère et une soeur dans leur quotidien puis sur les terres contaminées de Fukushima. Les petits héros sont attachants et même si leur quête est folle, on comprend pourquoi ils la mènent dans un monde où ils ont tout perdu. Les yokai sont une touche sympathique qui fonctionne bien et j'ai bien aimé tous les personnages secondaires. Les dessins étaient réussis et portent bien l'histoire. Un petit coup de coeur sur un sujet difficile.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a great surprise for me. It’s in turns funny, sad, thrilling, a little spooky… all of the ingredients needed for a captivating middle grade graphic novel are here. The protagonist Osamu brings us through all of the feelings alongside him, in a story of devastation and grief, that highlights the importance of family when the importance of traditions and beliefs comes head to head with the dangers that our modern world can bring. A truly wonderful read.

[Soso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Je râlais un peu parce que je ne trouvais pas de BD à lire et puis je suis tombée sur cette PÉPITE !

Alors oui j'ai pleuré, mais j'ai surtout adoré, je me suis attachée aux personnages et j'aurais voulu que ça continue encore un peu (beaucoup).

Incroyable vraiment, très heureuse de terminer l'année en beauté avec cette lecture qui clôture à merveille mon challenge Goodreads. Merci pour cette BD, c'est un coup de cœur ! 💗

[Roberto Ciarnelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A small masterpiece that manages to blend Japanese folklore with modernity, through the journey of two young people in a dramatic catastrophic event that struck Japan years ago.
In just a few pages, it manages to move us, immersing us in something that may be distant for us as a traumatic event, but which we have seen or heard about through the news.
A masterpiece that nods to the best animations and stories from Studio Ghibli.

[Kai · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story that is equal parts sad and inspiring. I really liked how the magical realism worked in this story. The ways the yokai were helping the children bring their grandmother back to her home contrasting with the humans trying to move past their history in the wake of a disaster was wonderfully done. I loved this.
(I received a free copy for review)

[Valerie Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

"there's always a bit of truth in folklore"

this felt very Studio Ghibli with the kids going on a heartfelt and sometimes tense journey, nature being a character, and very wacky older man that takes care of them all. It was cute finding out one of the characters is based on a real person the author met when visiting the area

[Zaidee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations capture moments of beauty in abandoned and overgrown neighborhoods, alongside the ominous atmosphere cast by the radiation. I found myself caring deeply for Osamu and Akiko, rooting for them, and enjoying Osamu's connection to the spiritual world around him. A moving story with an emotional conclusion.

[Tala W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to First Second Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
In an art and story-telling style reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki, this was a delightful but emotional read. The tension between tradition and practicality, the capacity of social media to make a tangible difference, and what we owe to family gave this journey additional layers of depth.
This graphic novel manages to capture the semi-reality of a child in such a way that as an adult reader, you are not always sure what is folklore-come-to-life and what is "real."
Journey to Tomioka would be an excellent addition to any junior graphic novel collection.

[Cathy]

During the Fukushima Tsunami, the 2 siblings lose their parents and live with their grandmother. But when obachan dies, Osamu knows that her ashes need to go home, even if home is within the Fukushima forbidden zone because of the nuclear meltdown following the Tsunami. Like Hayakawa's stories.