Record Journey Vol. 1

by Ryōichirō Kezuka, Louis Yamani (Editor), David Colderley (Designer)

Step into the soul of Tokyo in this musical manga – a beautifully drawn collection of stories.

Fleeting encounters, forgotten records, and quiet moments speak volumes through Ryoichiro Kezuka’s breathtaking art and storytelling.

For the first time in English, experience Record Journey Volume 1, a captivating collection of short stories by Ryoichiro Kezuka that explores the quiet, powerful intersections of music, memory, and everyday life.

At the heart of these stories is a young woman working at a small record store in Tokyo. Each story introduces a new visitor to the shop – each with a unique past, a specific record in mind, and an emotional thread waiting to be uncovered. As the needle drops, so do the walls between strangers, revealing bittersweet moments, long-lost connections, and the smooth healing of sound.

Originally self-published before Kezuka’s commercial debut, these stories are richly illustrated and emotionally resonant, blending slice-of-life realism with a gentle, introspective tone.

Kezuka, also known for Onban Kikou – a manga about forgotten pop music and jukebox mysteries – has carved a distinct place in the world of manga with his love for vinyl culture and human stories.

Record Journey is a must-read for music lovers, manga fans, and anyone who’s ever found a memory hiding in a melody.

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels

Kindle Edition

Published May 26, 2026

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The introductory short story felt the most poignant while the others had elements that tugged at the strings of a musical journey, the first one was the best. A manga that focuses a young woman who owns a record shop and explores and understands the intricacies of what music, records, and record collecting means to others whether it's being broadcast from a boat or wanting music banned in their country, or a secret hideaway in the shop.

For a music lover, I'm sure it runs even deeper.

[Lexi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small collection of stories about music/records and the way that it impacts people. Music can mean so many things to listeners and performers alike—as it is deeply personal. These records show how music creates memories and keeps old ones alive. Highly recommend to anyone who has a connection with music.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful collection of short stories revolving around a record shop, a veritable love letter to music, vinyl, and the people who collect it.

[Linus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as interesting in execution as it is conceptually.

[Jacqui Busch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really charming. The stories are loosely knit together in a little universe, and each story was even better than the last one. I look forward to more.