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Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist’s Journey #5
Trait pour trait - Tome 5
まんがの仕事に邁進する明子。余命四か月を宣告された日高先生が明子に伝えたかったのは… まんが家・東村アキコのドラマチック・メモリーズ万感胸に迫る最終巻！
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First published March 25, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
August 31, 2019
The final volume of Akiko Higashimura's "Blank Canvas" is expectedly heartbreaking. It's a wonderful autobiographical series about Higashimura's early years of becoming a manga artist focused mostly on her relationship with her sensei, a brilliant man (with admittedly unconventional methods) who taught her discipline and diligence which resulted in Higashimura becoming an incredibly skilled and fast-working mangaka. The series is overall very charming, and Akiko herself is a delightful protagonist — she's funny and relatable, her storytelling abilities are phenomenal and the way she opens up the character of sensei is so endearing. So it makes it all the more painful when the heartbreaking blow of his death (and especially how she handled it at the time) comes in this volume. But that's life, and at the very least Akiko perfectly conveyed her sensei's philosophy through this manga, which made it a very inspiring read. I absolutely loved this entire series, I'd recommend it to anybody interested in art, manga and creativity in general, and it made me want to read everything by Higashimura I can possibly get.
Oh, and here is a great episode of Naoki Urasawa's documentary series where he interviews Akiko and shows her entire work process, something that anybody who read and loved this particular manga will probably enjoy.
Oh, and here is a great episode of Naoki Urasawa's documentary series where he interviews Akiko and shows her entire work process, something that anybody who read and loved this particular manga will probably enjoy.
October 24, 2020
A beautiful examination of the teacher/student relationship and how someone can be a huge influence on you -- shaping your entire life -- while simultaneously becoming a small part of your day-to-day existence, often going underappreciated until its too late to fully express your gratitude in person.
November 18, 2020
Reseña actualizada tras segunda lectura.
Sigue siendo uno de los mejores tebeos autobiográficos que he leído; crudamente sincera, bellamente emotiva y, sobre todo, muy divertida, Kakukaku Shikajika ("....blablablabla") narra la relación de la autora con su peculiar profesor de dibujo, una presencia constante alrededor de la cual gravitaron sus años de juventud, crecimiento y aprendizaje (presencia a veces molesta, sobre todo cuando la remembranza saca a la luz el lado más inmaduro y egoísta de la Higashimura joven para vergüenza de la Higashimura adulta). Pero el tiempo pasa y los distintos caminos que tomamos nos van separando, las personas que un día fueron tan importantes, su presencia, que siempre dimos por sentada, se va transformando, casi sin darnos cuenta, en una gran nada. Así, este manga se convierte en un homenaje, es decir, un último esfuerzo por preservar esa memoria antes de que el paso del tiempo convierta los momentos únicos y compartidos a lo largo de una vida en pérdidas irremediables. Un ejercicio de generosidad de Higashimura, que con su acto creativo y comunicativo, logrará que, además, el lector convierta la personal pero universal experiencia de la autora en la suya propia, llevando el género autobiográfico a su más elevada expresión.
Sigue siendo uno de los mejores tebeos autobiográficos que he leído; crudamente sincera, bellamente emotiva y, sobre todo, muy divertida, Kakukaku Shikajika ("....blablablabla") narra la relación de la autora con su peculiar profesor de dibujo, una presencia constante alrededor de la cual gravitaron sus años de juventud, crecimiento y aprendizaje (presencia a veces molesta, sobre todo cuando la remembranza saca a la luz el lado más inmaduro y egoísta de la Higashimura joven para vergüenza de la Higashimura adulta). Pero el tiempo pasa y los distintos caminos que tomamos nos van separando, las personas que un día fueron tan importantes, su presencia, que siempre dimos por sentada, se va transformando, casi sin darnos cuenta, en una gran nada. Así, este manga se convierte en un homenaje, es decir, un último esfuerzo por preservar esa memoria antes de que el paso del tiempo convierta los momentos únicos y compartidos a lo largo de una vida en pérdidas irremediables. Un ejercicio de generosidad de Higashimura, que con su acto creativo y comunicativo, logrará que, además, el lector convierta la personal pero universal experiencia de la autora en la suya propia, llevando el género autobiográfico a su más elevada expresión.
June 28, 2018
Si pudiera, le haría un queque a este manga de la máxima calidad posible.
Creo que es la mejor representación de lo que es un "Slice of life" como genero.
Una autobiografia de la autora, llena de gratitud y homenaje al que fue su Sensei. Para esto, utiliza visiones narrativas y conceptos que no he visto utilizados en ningun otro manga y eso me ha dejado maravillado.
Tiene viñetas que parecen perspectivas de una cámara de películas. Con esto logra que al leerse página a página, seamos testigos de su propia visión de mundo, como si formáramos parte de él. Incluso la misma autora se reconoce como una médium que deja pasar fluidamente los personajes sin pensar tanto en la historia, permitiendo que ellos creen la historia y esto invita a sumergirse más en lo que están viendo/pensando.
La historia es simplemente hermosa. Hay todo un mundo que es interesante conocer en los mangakas, pero el tema central es otro. Los errores y circustancias de madurar, y las influencias que genera la gente que admiramos, la cual nos ayuda en este proceso.
Desde ya, amor eterno a Akiko Higashimura
Creo que es la mejor representación de lo que es un "Slice of life" como genero.
Una autobiografia de la autora, llena de gratitud y homenaje al que fue su Sensei. Para esto, utiliza visiones narrativas y conceptos que no he visto utilizados en ningun otro manga y eso me ha dejado maravillado.
Tiene viñetas que parecen perspectivas de una cámara de películas. Con esto logra que al leerse página a página, seamos testigos de su propia visión de mundo, como si formáramos parte de él. Incluso la misma autora se reconoce como una médium que deja pasar fluidamente los personajes sin pensar tanto en la historia, permitiendo que ellos creen la historia y esto invita a sumergirse más en lo que están viendo/pensando.
La historia es simplemente hermosa. Hay todo un mundo que es interesante conocer en los mangakas, pero el tema central es otro. Los errores y circustancias de madurar, y las influencias que genera la gente que admiramos, la cual nos ayuda en este proceso.
Desde ya, amor eterno a Akiko Higashimura
August 8, 2020
I cried...a LOT! This was the part of the story the whole series was building towards and was heartbreaking. The selfish nature of our youth makes us do things that we do later regret in life and Akikosan is no exception. I lead with empathy in my life so her regret and remorse was fully felt and I do believe this was a beautiful tribute to her sensei. This is by far one of my favorite series I’ve ever read. Then in the world of Manga...while this was my first experience, it will be hard to find anything that could live up to this.
October 24, 2020
Hayashi's neglect of Sensei continues all the way to the literal end. As usual with her work, there are elements that are all too relatable, and also kind of infuriating.
One of the best things about this manga is the depiction of the idea that someone can change and influence you for your whole life, in ways that are individual to you and not just a mirror reflection of that person and their values. Years can pass, decades, and they are still a part of you.
One of the best things about this manga is the depiction of the idea that someone can change and influence you for your whole life, in ways that are individual to you and not just a mirror reflection of that person and their values. Years can pass, decades, and they are still a part of you.
April 7, 2024
Well the final volume did me in; I mean, I cried REAL good. Her writing is so honest and the story had a great balance of humor and bittersweet(ness?). I can guarantee this will be a reread for me in the future, couldn’t put it down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 4, 2020
This series is perfect in every way. Please support this title! Higashimura truly shared her honest experience and it is glorious!
April 28, 2022
本來只想看一兩集結果一旦開始看就一口氣看完了
還記得第一次接觸這部作品大概是好幾年前時候被當時的室友推坑
在讀的時候隱約覺得有種哀傷的感覺
這次補完最後兩集的時候哭到一個不行QQ
還記得第一次接觸這部作品大概是好幾年前時候被當時的室友推坑
在讀的時候隱約覺得有種哀傷的感覺
這次補完最後兩集的時候哭到一個不行QQ
May 22, 2022
繼藍色時期和蜂蜜幸運草之後又一美大之作，雖然從獨白的語氣大概猜得到結尾但還是看到又笑又哭。
相比其實是少年冒險闖關漫畫的 #藍色時期 和大家都忙著單戀的 #蜂蜜幸運草 ，回憶錄性質的 #塗鴉日記 可能因為年紀剛好，無論是對於過去自己糗樣的不忍苛責以及無話可辯駁都好近。
本作作為作者本人對於進入美大到出道成為漫畫家的回憶，更重要的或許是描繪出一手鞭策她畫畫的日高老師，有這麼嚴厲又對自己想做的事看似毫不迷惘的老師不知道是什麼感覺。我是用一種很美術或創作麻瓜的心情在讀，但東村明子實在頗會講故事，搞笑的段落和笑不出來只想嘆氣的部分都好好看，懷念老師的心情也很強烈。
不過我意外對於她提到畢業後搬回老家並且不得不進入父親介紹的公司任職，雖然有著正職工作和畫畫教室的助教兼職，時間根本不夠，但也是在這種極限的狀況下反而可以硬擠出時間畫漫畫。
還有點羨慕她對場景的清晰記憶力，推啦！
相比其實是少年冒險闖關漫畫的 #藍色時期 和大家都忙著單戀的 #蜂蜜幸運草 ，回憶錄性質的 #塗鴉日記 可能因為年紀剛好，無論是對於過去自己糗樣的不忍苛責以及無話可辯駁都好近。
本作作為作者本人對於進入美大到出道成為漫畫家的回憶，更重要的或許是描繪出一手鞭策她畫畫的日高老師，有這麼嚴厲又對自己想做的事看似毫不迷惘的老師不知道是什麼感覺。我是用一種很美術或創作麻瓜的心情在讀，但東村明子實在頗會講故事，搞笑的段落和笑不出來只想嘆氣的部分都好好看，懷念老師的心情也很強烈。
不過我意外對於她提到畢業後搬回老家並且不得不進入父親介紹的公司任職，雖然有著正職工作和畫畫教室的助教兼職，時間根本不夠，但也是在這種極限的狀況下反而可以硬擠出時間畫漫畫。
還有點羨慕她對場景的清晰記憶力，推啦！
December 7, 2019
充滿對恩師的思念
還有親不待的悔恨
但是千金難買早知道啊!
是說東立出電子書的標準好謎啊
這套也不是多紅吧
作者其他更紅的漫畫卻不出電子書
還有親不待的悔恨
但是千金難買早知道啊!
是說東立出電子書的標準好謎啊
這套也不是多紅吧
作者其他更紅的漫畫卻不出電子書
April 13, 2022
這集圍繞著主角和同學、學弟妹和老師的互動與回憶展開，相當地「春風化雨」，電影般煽情，總地來看是上乘之作；但比起前三集瑣碎的習畫回憶，這種感人場景對我這樣的廢柴而言還是比較難有共鳴。
話說我上次在某地方大展看到啟蒙老師的新畫作，老師退休後應該過得挺好的吧。畢業後除了一位老老師，我也沒有和其他美術系老師聯絡，反倒是實習被放生之類，尷尬的回憶比較多。大概我不是個好學生吧。
p.145「大學時，因為學校有攝影課，所以留下了很多照片……」當年雖然沒有修攝影課，但我隨手亂拍的習慣也是被設計課程強迫養成的，這大概是美術系留下最大的恩澤吧。
話說我上次在某地方大展看到啟蒙老師的新畫作，老師退休後應該過得挺好的吧。畢業後除了一位老老師，我也沒有和其他美術系老師聯絡，反倒是實習被放生之類，尷尬的回憶比較多。大概我不是個好學生吧。
p.145「大學時，因為學校有攝影課，所以留下了很多照片……」當年雖然沒有修攝影課，但我隨手亂拍的習慣也是被設計課程強迫養成的，這大概是美術系留下最大的恩澤吧。
July 1, 2020
Wonderful heartfelt series with a thread of sadness connecting everything. I’m so happy I’ve read this manga. It’s a complete five volume autobiographical manga and I highly recommend it to everyone. I’m sure everyone can learn from Akiko’s journey.
November 23, 2022
Menyesal baca. NAK MENANGISSSSSS.
Lagi-lagi ditunjuknya gambar memori pelukis.
Okey dah, nak masuk gua.
Lagi-lagi ditunjuknya gambar memori pelukis.
Okey dah, nak masuk gua.
August 29, 2023
I was reading this in public and had to stop myself from crying. It was a good and bittersweet ending 🥹
October 21, 2024
tror jeg har grått de siste to volumene av denne mangaen??
slår aldri feil med «veien til en kunstner». eller veien til noen med lidenskap generelt. det er bare så vidunderlig å lese, høre om eller se på.
slår aldri feil med «veien til en kunstner». eller veien til noen med lidenskap generelt. det er bare så vidunderlig å lese, høre om eller se på.
December 26, 2021
4.5/5 stars
August 2, 2020
This last installment made me want to cry. Higashimura sensei writes about the last part of her rookie days and her own sensei's deteriorating health. Just read it already, you'll see.
November 30, 2020
A really lovely end to the retrospective memoir of Akiko's "Artist's Journey". I believe she has really stuck the landing with this final instalment, the exact correct mix of regret and hope is housed in this volume to reiterate her final and ever-present lesson that to be an artist you must keep creating art. The relationship she has to both her craft and her most memorable instructor is beautiful and heart-breaking in equal parts but her honest self-rebuking is my favourite part of this book, she concedes that young people do bad things and tries to come to terms with it but doesn't let up on the fact that she no longer sides with the actions of her youth. I think a lot of people can relate to this and seeing an artist of such a high calibre showing herself warts and all in the context of her craft like this is refreshing and endearing.
January 1, 2020
I truly enjoyed this manga. Beautiful, hear breaking, with a touch of irony and self analysis.
It is so full of feelings and those are just coming through the drawings in a spectacular way. From the messiness of the university years, to especially the days at the Hidaka school, helping the teacher.
An introspective trip which starts from high school time, up to adulthood with a lesson spread through the whole manga.
I see this story has a great tribute to Akiko's and many others super hero, an extraordinary, extravagant, yet simple man, who has inspired students revealing skills that themselves didn't know they had.
An amazing masterpiece on so many levels, for which the only valid words to say is: read it!
It is so full of feelings and those are just coming through the drawings in a spectacular way. From the messiness of the university years, to especially the days at the Hidaka school, helping the teacher.
An introspective trip which starts from high school time, up to adulthood with a lesson spread through the whole manga.
I see this story has a great tribute to Akiko's and many others super hero, an extraordinary, extravagant, yet simple man, who has inspired students revealing skills that themselves didn't know they had.
An amazing masterpiece on so many levels, for which the only valid words to say is: read it!
December 18, 2022
Une excellente série, émouvante, douce amère, tendre et pleine d'humour.
Relecture VF 2022 : très bon tome plein d'émotions et la conclusion d'une excellente série.
Relecture VF 2022 : très bon tome plein d'émotions et la conclusion d'une excellente série.
July 6, 2023
What a heart wrenching finale to a very personal and meaningful story. It takes a lot of bravery for the author to examine and share her flaws with the reader like that. I loved this series.
September 12, 2021
Full Series Review (Volumes 1-5)
An autobiographical manga following creator Higashimura from a high schooler who dreams of making manga to young adulthood as a debut creator, this was a solid and entertaining story, an intriguing look at the manga industry in Japan, and, as an adult, an all-too-relatable look back at a past self we sometimes wish we could punch in the face.
The story begins with Higashimura in high school: she has big plans to become a popular manga creator before she even graduates, but she needs to get much better at drawing if she ever wants to reach her goal. Assuming her talent is innate, she looks for an easy fix and signs up for an art class, thinking all her problems will soon be solved. She's in for a surprise: her new instructor is a bamboo sword-wielding taskmaster who doesn't care about manga one bit. But maybe this unconventional art teacher is just what she needs to realize her dreams!
Simply by reading this series, we already know that she does, eventually, draw manga professionally. That's made clear even if you're not familiar with Higashimura's other works--in America, she's probably best-known for Princess Jellyfish and Tokyo Tarareba Girls, series about adult women living lives, being a bit awkward, and having friends--and Blank Canvas is narrated by the now-middle-aged Higashimura. Occasionally she'll bring the story to the "present" (2014, when she was creating this) and compare her life or work now to what's happening in the story-past. The comparison of the unpublished or newly-published past!Higashimura with the current professional!Higashimura adds depth to the story and its topics.
There's also a sense of wistfulness that permeates the series. Higashimura doesn't hate her past self, but with the benefit of hindsight is often clearly exasperated: this seemed such a big problem then, but it's so simple. I spent four years bumming around and doing nothing in art school while my parents paid for everything, why was I so dumb when I had it so easy? Why didn't I go see Sensei more? Why didn't I do this?
Sensei, her art teacher, is such a fantastic character. Strict and inflexible, he also genuinely cares about his students and keeps in touch with her all through college and after. His methods (even apart from hitting her with a bamboo sword) are unconventional, yet his assumption that she can and will be able to succeed regardless of circumstances shaped her life. She got flustered and frustrated with his assumption that she would continue coming to the art studio and could fit her own manga work in around teaching, yet she directly credits her current ability to work in a variety of settings to that past experience and her own inability to tell him no.
And Sensei is a good character, although from a modern perspective some of his methods--hitting students with a blunt bamboo sword and berating some students to the point of tears--are uncomfortable, even though Higashimura has decided to forgive him. He's larger than life, blunt and honest and assuming everyone else is too. The respect and fondness she has for him come through on every page, but it's impossible to notice that her recollections are tinged with regret, and it's only at the end of the 4th book/beginning of the 5th book that we find out why:
The whole story was beautiful and mature, not in an X-rated way, but because the creator is distinctly narrating from her present as a middle adult, even while the series mostly deals with being a teenager and young adult.
An autobiographical manga following creator Higashimura from a high schooler who dreams of making manga to young adulthood as a debut creator, this was a solid and entertaining story, an intriguing look at the manga industry in Japan, and, as an adult, an all-too-relatable look back at a past self we sometimes wish we could punch in the face.
The story begins with Higashimura in high school: she has big plans to become a popular manga creator before she even graduates, but she needs to get much better at drawing if she ever wants to reach her goal. Assuming her talent is innate, she looks for an easy fix and signs up for an art class, thinking all her problems will soon be solved. She's in for a surprise: her new instructor is a bamboo sword-wielding taskmaster who doesn't care about manga one bit. But maybe this unconventional art teacher is just what she needs to realize her dreams!
Simply by reading this series, we already know that she does, eventually, draw manga professionally. That's made clear even if you're not familiar with Higashimura's other works--in America, she's probably best-known for Princess Jellyfish and Tokyo Tarareba Girls, series about adult women living lives, being a bit awkward, and having friends--and Blank Canvas is narrated by the now-middle-aged Higashimura. Occasionally she'll bring the story to the "present" (2014, when she was creating this) and compare her life or work now to what's happening in the story-past. The comparison of the unpublished or newly-published past!Higashimura with the current professional!Higashimura adds depth to the story and its topics.
There's also a sense of wistfulness that permeates the series. Higashimura doesn't hate her past self, but with the benefit of hindsight is often clearly exasperated: this seemed such a big problem then, but it's so simple. I spent four years bumming around and doing nothing in art school while my parents paid for everything, why was I so dumb when I had it so easy? Why didn't I go see Sensei more? Why didn't I do this?
Sensei, her art teacher, is such a fantastic character. Strict and inflexible, he also genuinely cares about his students and keeps in touch with her all through college and after. His methods (even apart from hitting her with a bamboo sword) are unconventional, yet his assumption that she can and will be able to succeed regardless of circumstances shaped her life. She got flustered and frustrated with his assumption that she would continue coming to the art studio and could fit her own manga work in around teaching, yet she directly credits her current ability to work in a variety of settings to that past experience and her own inability to tell him no.
And Sensei is a good character, although from a modern perspective some of his methods--hitting students with a blunt bamboo sword and berating some students to the point of tears--are uncomfortable, even though Higashimura has decided to forgive him. He's larger than life, blunt and honest and assuming everyone else is too. The respect and fondness she has for him come through on every page, but it's impossible to notice that her recollections are tinged with regret, and it's only at the end of the 4th book/beginning of the 5th book that we find out why:
The whole story was beautiful and mature, not in an X-rated way, but because the creator is distinctly narrating from her present as a middle adult, even while the series mostly deals with being a teenager and young adult.
January 3, 2020
This series is exactly what I needed to read at the time in my life I needed to read it the most. I've been having trouble with making video games. I have my own passion project, but I've had the hardest time trying to get my code to work, dealing with trolls telling me my coding sucks, and being told by someone I love that "making games in a waste of time."
All of this has caused me to come to a shuttering stop in doing anything game related outside of playing games after work.
But reading this series, which broke my heart at points and hit too close to home at others, made to remember something from my childhood. When I was growing up, my grandfather, my PopPop, was the father figure in my life. When I would cry and say I couldn't do something, he would say "Stop saying you can't. You can! If you believe you can, then you can!"
Reading this series makes me feel like he was my own sensei. Even though he died when I was 6, I can still remember his voice saying those words. "You can! If you believe you can, then you can!" In a way, it's my own version of "Just draw."
So I'm going to stop thinking that I can't code my games. I can code them. I believe I can, so I know I can! And if I get stuck, there's TONS of help out there that can show me the way through.
Thank you PopPop for being my sensei. And thank you Higashimura-san for writing this. It's the perfect start to a new decade.
All of this has caused me to come to a shuttering stop in doing anything game related outside of playing games after work.
But reading this series, which broke my heart at points and hit too close to home at others, made to remember something from my childhood. When I was growing up, my grandfather, my PopPop, was the father figure in my life. When I would cry and say I couldn't do something, he would say "Stop saying you can't. You can! If you believe you can, then you can!"
Reading this series makes me feel like he was my own sensei. Even though he died when I was 6, I can still remember his voice saying those words. "You can! If you believe you can, then you can!" In a way, it's my own version of "Just draw."
So I'm going to stop thinking that I can't code my games. I can code them. I believe I can, so I know I can! And if I get stuck, there's TONS of help out there that can show me the way through.
Thank you PopPop for being my sensei. And thank you Higashimura-san for writing this. It's the perfect start to a new decade.
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March 27, 2025“Disegna!” aspettava sulla mia libreria da anni, uno dei tanti acquisti in blocco all’usato che un giorno all’improvviso mi ha chiamata ed é entrato a forza nel mio cuore.
La Higashimura mi ha conquistata con il suo stile comico e autoironico, capace di rendere la lettura estremamente coinvolgente. Il racconto abbraccia una parte significativa della sua vita, partendo dall'incontro con il maestro di disegno Kenzo Hidaka durante le scuole superiori; La narrazione non è però lineare, alternandosi a commenti e digressioni dell'autrice nel presente, che arricchiscono la storia.
Il racconto è diretto e autentico: é facile rivedersi nella storia dell’autrice, perché le sue decisioni derivano da un mix naturale di egoismo, pigrizia e quella leggerezza tipica della giovinezza. A volte, raccontato con il senno di poi, il racconto assume toni più crudi, evidenziando scelte che sembrano superficiali o egoiste perchè l’autrice, come tutti noi, giudica le sue azioni passate con il desiderio di fare meglio, rimpiangendo il tempo perso.
Non voglio anticipare altro su quest’opera, solo avvertire che la lettura non sarà tutta rosa e fiori, ma lo si comprende molto bene procedendo con la lettura di volume in volume.
La Higashimura mi ha conquistata con il suo stile comico e autoironico, capace di rendere la lettura estremamente coinvolgente. Il racconto abbraccia una parte significativa della sua vita, partendo dall'incontro con il maestro di disegno Kenzo Hidaka durante le scuole superiori; La narrazione non è però lineare, alternandosi a commenti e digressioni dell'autrice nel presente, che arricchiscono la storia.
Il racconto è diretto e autentico: é facile rivedersi nella storia dell’autrice, perché le sue decisioni derivano da un mix naturale di egoismo, pigrizia e quella leggerezza tipica della giovinezza. A volte, raccontato con il senno di poi, il racconto assume toni più crudi, evidenziando scelte che sembrano superficiali o egoiste perchè l’autrice, come tutti noi, giudica le sue azioni passate con il desiderio di fare meglio, rimpiangendo il tempo perso.
Non voglio anticipare altro su quest’opera, solo avvertire che la lettura non sarà tutta rosa e fiori, ma lo si comprende molto bene procedendo con la lettura di volume in volume.
September 15, 2020
After reading the final volume I can see why this manga won an award. The storytelling is so good and the mentor/student relationship is just so precious. I feel we can all relate to Aikko's regrets with people who we love and don't get enough time to say things we wanted to say in a moment and then looking back on it feeling regret. It was very fun read to see her journey into manga artist and also seeing just how much her mentor's influence had her to this day, especially saying, "Just Draw." I think this is a great read for any one who loves art and wants to read a story about self-journey and mentor/student storyline with great comedy.
May 15, 2023
wow, I'm done with this so wonderful series.
There's a lot here about Akiko's feeling for her teacher and her regrets for not being present enough at the end.
She keeps beating her breast about it, but never sees that actually fleeing could totally have been her reaction not because of selfishness, but as denial of the possibility of his disappearing soon.
This was such a wondefful series about art, about manga art, and how hard it can be to breakthrough in this milieu.
I hope I can find other series by her.
If you are interested in autobiography in the manga form, this is a fantastic one.
There's a lot here about Akiko's feeling for her teacher and her regrets for not being present enough at the end.
She keeps beating her breast about it, but never sees that actually fleeing could totally have been her reaction not because of selfishness, but as denial of the possibility of his disappearing soon.
This was such a wondefful series about art, about manga art, and how hard it can be to breakthrough in this milieu.
I hope I can find other series by her.
If you are interested in autobiography in the manga form, this is a fantastic one.
July 14, 2022
I loved this beautiful series from start to finish. By the end of the fifth volume, I admit I cried a little remembering my own mentor (sensei?) who died of cancer when I was in my early 20s. Her story of her relationship with her sensei, and how it impacts her as a manga artist and person is powerful. I also think there is something we can all identify with--perhaps we didn't spend enough time with a loved one and regret it with age or lost someone important to us far too soon and left things unsaid. For that reason, I can't recommend this series enough.
December 16, 2022
Je ne pourrais plus jamais entendre quelqu'un dire "dessine!" sans pleurer. Jusqu'à ce moment-là j'étais très très triste mais j'avais juste les larmes aux yeux. Quand ce passage est arrivé il a ouvert le barrage et mes larmes se sont écoulées comme si c'était mon professeur qui était mort. L'auteure a tellement bien réussi à donner le pas au lecteur pour qu'il se mette à pleurer en même temps qu'elle dans le manga, c'était une expérience incroyable on ressent toutes les émotions que Akiko Higashimura a mit dans cette autobiographie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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