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エマノン [Emanon] #3
Mirages d'Emanon
What happens when the woman who remembers everything...forgets who she herself is?
In 1973, Ryozo, a young hiker on a mountain trail in far southern Japan, comes across a disoriented girl who doesn't know her own name, carrying on her the small change of a dozen different nations...and a bag with the initials "E.N." Haunted by nightmares of primordial seas and forests, she tries to find a new life with Ryozo--and reconnect somehow with her endless past.
In 1973, Ryozo, a young hiker on a mountain trail in far southern Japan, comes across a disoriented girl who doesn't know her own name, carrying on her the small change of a dozen different nations...and a bag with the initials "E.N." Haunted by nightmares of primordial seas and forests, she tries to find a new life with Ryozo--and reconnect somehow with her endless past.
228 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2013
7 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Shinji Kajio
67 books52 followersShinji Kajio (梶尾 真治, Kajio Shinji, born 24 December 1947 in Kumamoto Prefecture) is a Japanese author of science fiction and fantasy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
September 15, 2024
Terceiro livro desta maravilhosa série. Belíssimo.
February 5, 2023
served cunt slayed ate left no crumbs
April 26, 2025
Cuatro estrellas y media.
Guion y dibujo sublimes 🥲 Me muerdo la lengua de citar dos grandes obras de ciencia ficción relacionadas, para no dar spoiler. Una película y una trilogía reciente, ambas posteriores pero con suficiente entidad (vamos, que no digo que sean plagio ni nada de eso, simplemente exploran la misma idea).
Vaaaale, no insistáis, las digo a continuación (no es un gran spoiler de todas formas):
La primera es la película “Man from Earth” y la segunda es la serie de novelas de Sylvain Neuvel que empieza por “A history of What Comes Next”.
Guion y dibujo sublimes 🥲 Me muerdo la lengua de citar dos grandes obras de ciencia ficción relacionadas, para no dar spoiler. Una película y una trilogía reciente, ambas posteriores pero con suficiente entidad (vamos, que no digo que sean plagio ni nada de eso, simplemente exploran la misma idea).
Vaaaale, no insistáis, las digo a continuación (no es un gran spoiler de todas formas):
La primera es la película “Man from Earth” y la segunda es la serie de novelas de Sylvain Neuvel que empieza por “A history of What Comes Next”.
January 23, 2020
2020 Read #98
Hmm, hmm, hmm. I like this story in theory, and the art is stunning with its realism...but then we have a whole chapter where Emanon is naked 90% of the time. It’s like...what’s the point, please?? But the story surrounding Emanon’s progression is so intriguing. It really lends to the idea that memories are what makes us “us” in personality, demeanor, and other self-aware characteristics. Volume four may not be out for a while, but I am curious about how this story will end up turning.
Hmm, hmm, hmm. I like this story in theory, and the art is stunning with its realism...but then we have a whole chapter where Emanon is naked 90% of the time. It’s like...what’s the point, please?? But the story surrounding Emanon’s progression is so intriguing. It really lends to the idea that memories are what makes us “us” in personality, demeanor, and other self-aware characteristics. Volume four may not be out for a while, but I am curious about how this story will end up turning.
February 13, 2021
The slight detour of the Emanon story in the last installment wasn't for me, but this volume got back all the interest I had when I started reading about her wanderings.
September 13, 2023
Some nice art for such a sad and lonely tale.
September 11, 2022
4.5⭐️
Just beautiful. It kind of broke my heart and soul as well. How can I say I lived with and through Emanon, that I felt I got to know her, understand her, even feel her pain when she’s existed since the beginning of life itself? I really don’t know, but somehow that’s the case. It was a very atmospheric and cozy read, you know? This book was mostly vibes, just the art of beautiful storytelling with well crafted images. I’m very sad and heartbroken to know the series goes on but there’s no translation/published volumes for me to keep reading and enjoying. There was a lot of things in the story where I’d love to read the resolution and continuation, specially since it had a “complex” timeline there was so much more I would’ve liked to experience! It hurts to part with this series but it will always have had its role in my life and I’ll forever treasure it in my heart 💔 lastly I want to give big thanks to the creative minds behind this story for all the enjoyment and happiness you brought to the life of many readers such as myself, truly, thank you ❤️🩹
Just beautiful. It kind of broke my heart and soul as well. How can I say I lived with and through Emanon, that I felt I got to know her, understand her, even feel her pain when she’s existed since the beginning of life itself? I really don’t know, but somehow that’s the case. It was a very atmospheric and cozy read, you know? This book was mostly vibes, just the art of beautiful storytelling with well crafted images. I’m very sad and heartbroken to know the series goes on but there’s no translation/published volumes for me to keep reading and enjoying. There was a lot of things in the story where I’d love to read the resolution and continuation, specially since it had a “complex” timeline there was so much more I would’ve liked to experience! It hurts to part with this series but it will always have had its role in my life and I’ll forever treasure it in my heart 💔 lastly I want to give big thanks to the creative minds behind this story for all the enjoyment and happiness you brought to the life of many readers such as myself, truly, thank you ❤️🩹
November 20, 2017
Después de miles de años repitiendo el mismo ciclo una y otra vez empiezan a cambiar cosas.
El dibujo es una pasada y parece mentira lo mucho que se puede explicar sin palabras y como cambia la atmósfera del cómic al basarse más en las imágenes.
El dibujo es una pasada y parece mentira lo mucho que se puede explicar sin palabras y como cambia la atmósfera del cómic al basarse más en las imágenes.
September 27, 2021
Still very atmospheric, but a different feel than the previous two volumes, as Emanon can't consciously bring the weight of her vast memory to bear. It's more normal slice-of-life than her usual slice-of-larger-than-life. The postscript ties in nicely to the end of the first volume.
August 30, 2021
Lost and confused. 3 billion years of memories is a long time.
Right away we see the possibly of another first in Emanon's life after she experienced having a twin brother for the first time ever since she began her journey as a memory sharing collective of carrier hosts. Lost in the mountains Emanon finds herself suddenly losing her memories after being burdened with the knowledge of her ancestors since the beginning of life on Earth (supposedly) and it is only thanks to a man known as Ryoza who come upon her and brings her to the hospital that she is able to survive the ordeal. Why she suddenly lost her memories I can could only guess (though they do address why it happens at the end of the '73 arc) but at the end of volume 2 (being the last chapter of Emanon '67) Emanon is being chased by a group of men and it says she didn't see her brother again until 30 years later so whatever was happening at the end of volume 2 is not going to be touched on this volume with it having her journeys in '73 and the beginning of the 80's.
Well hypothesizing what might happen or why aside we get to see Emanon and Ryoza growing closer together even though some of her earliest memories have a habit of coming out when she dreams making for some pretty scary scenarios and other strange things threaten to disturb her average life that she has decided to dedicate to the man that saved her and stood with her even though her past memories continued to be cloudy. We also get to see what happens to Emanon's old body as she is born once more but Ryoza cared so much for her and their daughter that he raised and taught them both how to live (though Emanon has no real issue having all of her Mother's memories) leading to Emanon once again doing something she has not done in the past and actually giving the family life a chance which leads us back to volume one of the series when the unnamed narrator discovers a short haired woman he thought was Emanon and discovers she has a young daughter who confirms her story about passing on her memories in each generation. This series is so freaking convoluted and deep at times I have to at least skim different parts of the story including other volumes at times to really understand what is happening and strangely enough I really like it. :)
Of course as always there is an afterword for the volume and thanks to it I now realize that although there are 4 volumes to the series the folks at Darkhorse only got the rights to translate and distribute the first 3 volumes since the 4th one was still in the works at the time (after all the mangaka is notoriously busy and these stories are a bit complicated at times.) So I will hope for the best that we get an English translation of the 4th volume which continues her story into the 80's and hopefully someday we will get to see what happens when brother and reborn sister meet once again when the time they meet comes at last.
Right away we see the possibly of another first in Emanon's life after she experienced having a twin brother for the first time ever since she began her journey as a memory sharing collective of carrier hosts. Lost in the mountains Emanon finds herself suddenly losing her memories after being burdened with the knowledge of her ancestors since the beginning of life on Earth (supposedly) and it is only thanks to a man known as Ryoza who come upon her and brings her to the hospital that she is able to survive the ordeal. Why she suddenly lost her memories I can could only guess (though they do address why it happens at the end of the '73 arc) but at the end of volume 2 (being the last chapter of Emanon '67) Emanon is being chased by a group of men and it says she didn't see her brother again until 30 years later so whatever was happening at the end of volume 2 is not going to be touched on this volume with it having her journeys in '73 and the beginning of the 80's.
Well hypothesizing what might happen or why aside we get to see Emanon and Ryoza growing closer together even though some of her earliest memories have a habit of coming out when she dreams making for some pretty scary scenarios and other strange things threaten to disturb her average life that she has decided to dedicate to the man that saved her and stood with her even though her past memories continued to be cloudy. We also get to see what happens to Emanon's old body as she is born once more but Ryoza cared so much for her and their daughter that he raised and taught them both how to live (though Emanon has no real issue having all of her Mother's memories) leading to Emanon once again doing something she has not done in the past and actually giving the family life a chance which leads us back to volume one of the series when the unnamed narrator discovers a short haired woman he thought was Emanon and discovers she has a young daughter who confirms her story about passing on her memories in each generation. This series is so freaking convoluted and deep at times I have to at least skim different parts of the story including other volumes at times to really understand what is happening and strangely enough I really like it. :)
Of course as always there is an afterword for the volume and thanks to it I now realize that although there are 4 volumes to the series the folks at Darkhorse only got the rights to translate and distribute the first 3 volumes since the 4th one was still in the works at the time (after all the mangaka is notoriously busy and these stories are a bit complicated at times.) So I will hope for the best that we get an English translation of the 4th volume which continues her story into the 80's and hopefully someday we will get to see what happens when brother and reborn sister meet once again when the time they meet comes at last.
July 15, 2019
Cet album contraste beaucoup avec le volume précédent. D’une part, il ne peut pas être lu indépendamment. D’autre part, on s’attendrait à ce que ce volume poursuivre le récit avec son demi-frère Takuma, entamé dans l’opus précédent, mais il y est totalement absent (quoique Takuma tente de contacter Emanon télépathiquement à une ou deux reprises…). Finalement, alors que le second volume offrait beaucoup plus d’action, celui-ci nous présente un rythme lent, très contemplatif, avec peu de dialogue. C’est le récit d’une autre de ces rencontres éphémères, une tranche de la vie d’Emanon où rien de vraiment significatif ne se passe — sinon l’expression de ses sentiments: sa mélancolie, sa détresse, l’amour entendu de Ryozo…
Même si on se demande où l’auteur veut en venir, c’est une bonne lecture, tranquille, qui rappel un peu l’oeuvre de Taniguchi. C’est aussi très beau. Le style classique de Kenji Tsuruta, où les ombrages et les textures sont fait au trait d’encre (avec quelques trames pour les arrière-plans), offre des planches précises et détaillées qui sont plutôt agréable à regarder (d’autant plus qu’il y a peu de texte (mais attention, cet album contient de la nudité—apparemment Emanon aime beaucoup se promener toute nue!). Une histoire de science-fiction un peu mystérieuse qui mérite d’être lue — même si ce troisième tome est un peu décevant. Il ne resterait donc plus qu’un volume à paraître… (pas de date de parution annoncé, malheureusement; cela serait intéressant par la suite de publier aussi la traduction des romans…). À suivre…
Voir mon commentaire complet sur https://clodjee-blog.com/2019/07/15/m...
Même si on se demande où l’auteur veut en venir, c’est une bonne lecture, tranquille, qui rappel un peu l’oeuvre de Taniguchi. C’est aussi très beau. Le style classique de Kenji Tsuruta, où les ombrages et les textures sont fait au trait d’encre (avec quelques trames pour les arrière-plans), offre des planches précises et détaillées qui sont plutôt agréable à regarder (d’autant plus qu’il y a peu de texte (mais attention, cet album contient de la nudité—apparemment Emanon aime beaucoup se promener toute nue!). Une histoire de science-fiction un peu mystérieuse qui mérite d’être lue — même si ce troisième tome est un peu décevant. Il ne resterait donc plus qu’un volume à paraître… (pas de date de parution annoncé, malheureusement; cela serait intéressant par la suite de publier aussi la traduction des romans…). À suivre…
Voir mon commentaire complet sur https://clodjee-blog.com/2019/07/15/m...
September 26, 2022
The first one might still be my favorite, but unlike the second book, I think I appreciate the risks taken here. While I feel like the storyline centered around Emanon and her brother wasn't bad, I do think it distracted a bit from what makes Emanon work.
This time, we find out that Emanon has lost her memory. It doesn't seem like each volume ends and begins where the last left off, which still throws me off a bit. I think it makes it easier to make each volume stand on its own, but it also has to balance the line of feeling like past storylines have either been forgotten or retconned.
Story-wise, this is probably the best of the bunch. But after reading three volumes back to back, I think the simplicity of the first volume is what I like the best. I think this story toned down the complexity of the last book, but what I did really enjoy was the lack of dialogue. The story didn't rely on that; instead, the art elevated everything.
I truly believe the art has gotten better with each book, but what I wish Dark Horse would do better with is consistency. The last book was filled with color illustrations, but this one has a fraction of that, which is disheartening because the color really does make everything pop in a natural way.
Lastly, the afterword confirms that there are more stories to come, but unfortunately the rights to publish those have yet to be secured. There was an estimate that book four would release in 2020, but as of September of 2022, that is still nowhere in sight. I really hope we get the next book sooner rather than later. Because Emanon, as a character, has me hooked.
This time, we find out that Emanon has lost her memory. It doesn't seem like each volume ends and begins where the last left off, which still throws me off a bit. I think it makes it easier to make each volume stand on its own, but it also has to balance the line of feeling like past storylines have either been forgotten or retconned.
Story-wise, this is probably the best of the bunch. But after reading three volumes back to back, I think the simplicity of the first volume is what I like the best. I think this story toned down the complexity of the last book, but what I did really enjoy was the lack of dialogue. The story didn't rely on that; instead, the art elevated everything.
I truly believe the art has gotten better with each book, but what I wish Dark Horse would do better with is consistency. The last book was filled with color illustrations, but this one has a fraction of that, which is disheartening because the color really does make everything pop in a natural way.
Lastly, the afterword confirms that there are more stories to come, but unfortunately the rights to publish those have yet to be secured. There was an estimate that book four would release in 2020, but as of September of 2022, that is still nowhere in sight. I really hope we get the next book sooner rather than later. Because Emanon, as a character, has me hooked.
January 16, 2026
I actually did not have any high expectations for this when I decided to start it however once started I was immediately captivated by the idea and the storytelling.
I’ve never read anything so remarkably close to this, it felt so fresh & original. The idea of emanon being able to evolve into different versions of herself knowing the past of herself and life is fascinating yet still extremely terrifying.
Not because of emanon herself but how terrifying that process must be to remember everything, and then to have a child and lose everything you’ve ever knew. To become a shell of yourself and trapped in a repeated cycle which you cannot control. Having to adapt to this years after years without change is more of an agony than that of amazement.
I’m still a bit upset that the manga was cancelled since the last chapter ended on such a cliffhanger. I really wanted to know how emanon’s mother was able to remember the past and what was happening with the teacher.
Was that the cycle was finally seeing a shift in structure?
I have a lot of unaddressed thoughts which seems like they’ll never be answered unless we have a miracle and the manga is able to continue one day.
I’ve never read anything so remarkably close to this, it felt so fresh & original. The idea of emanon being able to evolve into different versions of herself knowing the past of herself and life is fascinating yet still extremely terrifying.
Not because of emanon herself but how terrifying that process must be to remember everything, and then to have a child and lose everything you’ve ever knew. To become a shell of yourself and trapped in a repeated cycle which you cannot control. Having to adapt to this years after years without change is more of an agony than that of amazement.
I’m still a bit upset that the manga was cancelled since the last chapter ended on such a cliffhanger. I really wanted to know how emanon’s mother was able to remember the past and what was happening with the teacher.
Was that the cycle was finally seeing a shift in structure?
I have a lot of unaddressed thoughts which seems like they’ll never be answered unless we have a miracle and the manga is able to continue one day.
December 18, 2022
Wow, things are happening in this volume. And we get more nakedness, as if the previous volume didn't explore the main character's every angle. This was the fastest read of this series so far. It leaves everything up in the air, so there is more to this series.
Emanon develops a fever while in the woods. She is found by a young man named Ryozo who takes her to the hospital. The girl who never forgets her past suddenly realizes she has forgotten everything about herself. All she has left are confusing nightmares. She moves in with Ryozo who is writing for a TV documentary.
Emanon develops a fever while in the woods. She is found by a young man named Ryozo who takes her to the hospital. The girl who never forgets her past suddenly realizes she has forgotten everything about herself. All she has left are confusing nightmares. She moves in with Ryozo who is writing for a TV documentary.
December 11, 2023
Stilling
My review of Vol. II stated that "Emanon" was different from other really good narratives in that there is a "stillness" to it. I think I did a poor job trying to describe it. The other two groups that inhabit the "mentally dynamic" plane are the "reading a movie" group; usually in color, full of action & sound; and the "reading a dream" group, most often B&W, still quite mobile, but as the reader's mind fills in so much, the narrative takes place in something more akin to a dreamscape. Quite often, there are shifts or oddities that may not seem rational or linear, much like in a dream. Emanon, while still quite dynamic & active, is more like seeing quick cuts of time, where you can stop & consider the cable knit pattern on Emanon's sweater but not miss out on the action taking place. Perhaps regard it as if your mind has sped up to the degree where you can examine or contemplate something at length while the scene plays out in real time.
OUTSTANDING series!!
My review of Vol. II stated that "Emanon" was different from other really good narratives in that there is a "stillness" to it. I think I did a poor job trying to describe it. The other two groups that inhabit the "mentally dynamic" plane are the "reading a movie" group; usually in color, full of action & sound; and the "reading a dream" group, most often B&W, still quite mobile, but as the reader's mind fills in so much, the narrative takes place in something more akin to a dreamscape. Quite often, there are shifts or oddities that may not seem rational or linear, much like in a dream. Emanon, while still quite dynamic & active, is more like seeing quick cuts of time, where you can stop & consider the cable knit pattern on Emanon's sweater but not miss out on the action taking place. Perhaps regard it as if your mind has sped up to the degree where you can examine or contemplate something at length while the scene plays out in real time.
OUTSTANDING series!!
October 26, 2025
kinda boring ngl. its pretty predictable, I dont really see the romance really likee why does she like him back?? shes a static character, she literally doesn't change and romance=change like whyy
he seems like an author insert too ngl, literally hes an author. idk shes such a manic pixie dream girl I cant see any dude interested as anyone other then being enfantalized with her. as a woman its weird to see that. like just dont write female protagonists if they are so clearly a sex object or a fantasy for you dude.
but yeah its okay i guess. she still works better as 1 offs, idk why theres been so much through plot. maybe with the brother its fine but like why did they give her another love interest hfksjfhja
it was cute how they tied it back to the first 1 at the end tho ngl.
dang post 1950s was a busy time for Ema wasnt it?
I've gotten the past 2 for free luckily so I will not be paying for the last one is my only reason for finishing it. idk school seems a bit lazy and too anime for this series. these last 2 seem too anime for her. not a fan.
he seems like an author insert too ngl, literally hes an author. idk shes such a manic pixie dream girl I cant see any dude interested as anyone other then being enfantalized with her. as a woman its weird to see that. like just dont write female protagonists if they are so clearly a sex object or a fantasy for you dude.
but yeah its okay i guess. she still works better as 1 offs, idk why theres been so much through plot. maybe with the brother its fine but like why did they give her another love interest hfksjfhja
it was cute how they tied it back to the first 1 at the end tho ngl.
dang post 1950s was a busy time for Ema wasnt it?
I've gotten the past 2 for free luckily so I will not be paying for the last one is my only reason for finishing it. idk school seems a bit lazy and too anime for this series. these last 2 seem too anime for her. not a fan.
September 1, 2022
My heart breaks little by little everytime I read a bit more of Emanon wondering tales it feels like such a vicious cycle she is apart of where once she is reborn she becomes no more mostly another empty soul where her younger self reborn in a new era takes care of her 'mom' although neither of them knows how to stop the cycle. Every twenty years or so a new cycle is born with memories going as far back to when the Earth first began.
It is such a interesting concept although most of the novel is where Emamon is naked adding nothing much to the plot I am curious to where her story ends or if there is another beginning none of us knows about. I look forward to reading Volume four it might take while to be translated only I want to know how Emanon was originally born I love to know the where abouts of Emanon's first cycle to why she is being reborn in each era and not her twin brother from volume two.
It is such a interesting concept although most of the novel is where Emamon is naked adding nothing much to the plot I am curious to where her story ends or if there is another beginning none of us knows about. I look forward to reading Volume four it might take while to be translated only I want to know how Emanon was originally born I love to know the where abouts of Emanon's first cycle to why she is being reborn in each era and not her twin brother from volume two.
July 20, 2023
It's a valiant and ultimately successful effort to tie this back to the ending and make it about emanon - the amnesia plot could have gone any kind of way but was done in a satisfactory way and added the inherent melancholy (to us) of looking but not being human insofar as memories go. That being said, I did like this less than volume 2 because the potential added into vol 2 (the spontaneous combustion for instance) feels worth exploring more than the question of how such a being as emanon ultimately settling down with someone (and the answer, amnesia, feels... well... convenient is the wrong word, but it is an easier way out than emanon settling WITH her memory)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2022
I loved the art and storyline so so much. I typically don’t read manga , but this one pulled my attention. I’m just really upset how I can’t find find another translated version of the rest of the series :(
If anyone knows more about this, please let me know! I really wanna finish this series so bad 😭🥺
If anyone knows more about this, please let me know! I really wanna finish this series so bad 😭🥺
January 24, 2023
Jedna od mojih omiljenih mangi. Čitajući ovo, uvek se osećam saosećajno i spokojno. Baš sve u vezi ove mange, od Tsurutinog predivnog umetničkog stila do vijugavog toka naracije, čini je tako impresivnim iskustvom za mene. I tako fascinantna premisa: Emanon je lebdeća enigma, svedočanstvo o efemernosti života.
March 28, 2025
5⭐️
so heartwrenching and beautiful. i could read it a million times over, i think.
"I will never forget you
Thank you
Thank you
My Ryozo."
"A husband. A wife who remembers nothing. A daughter who remembers everything. This is my fleeting family."
so heartwrenching and beautiful. i could read it a million times over, i think.
"I will never forget you
Thank you
Thank you
My Ryozo."
"A husband. A wife who remembers nothing. A daughter who remembers everything. This is my fleeting family."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2025
The sci-fi premise of a woman who has lived for millions of years by repeatedly cloning herself in utero is cool as hell. And I really like Kenji Tsurata's art. But not much happens in this volume of the Emanon saga... It's kind of crazy how boring it is...
April 15, 2019
Une nouvelle partie de la vie d'Emanon, de plus en plus touchante. C'est si beau de voir le puzzle s'assembler !
November 9, 2020
Stunning, but there is another volume to come!
January 7, 2022
Lo seguí leyendo por si aparecía alguna chispa… pero no. Eso sí, el dibujo excelente.
April 29, 2022
Volume nécessaire pour la transition pour le 4, mais en lui-même c’était un peu long il manquait un peu l’effet révélations qu’on avait dans les 2 premiers
May 14, 2022
Hey. I was kind if hoping for that kind if ending for that Emanon.
Also... There's going to be a fourth book??
Also... There's going to be a fourth book??
December 16, 2022
I LOVE EMANON, SHE LOOKS LIKE A DREAM, READ IT IF YOU HAVE A FREE SPIRIT, I LOVE IT
December 12, 2023
Beautiful to look at but doesn't have much story to it. It was introduced as a philosophical manga to me. It's not that. It's merely mysterious, just a little bit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews