The Karman Line

by Mitsuhashi Kotaro, Zhuchka (Translator), Tim Sun (Letterer)

Collects the authors’ various short stories from new indie manga anthology Suika Toko no Tane.
Introducing seven works with a unique, dreamy style.

The Karman Line
Night and Voice
Blue Moment
Dream of Sand
Half Star Sky
Intermodulation
Specimen Room of Existence

as well as an afterword and two texts.

Kotaro’s works pulse with a vibrant curiosity and subtle beauty. The figures in these stories exist in a place that is simultaneously unearthly and deeply known. Toeing up to, circumscribing, and traversing the wavering boundaries at the edge of imagination, these comics are a both a visual revelry and simultaneously a respectful, even somber, introspection into what it means to be human.

Genres: Manga

140 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2022

Reviews

[Rick Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Kármán line denotes a theoretical altitude limit which denotes the difference between Earth's atmosphere and the "edge of space". It has maintained a rather loose definition since conception, but has been used as basis for specific legal purposes with respect to aircraft regulations though it hasn't retained any form of universal acceptance. For his own short comics, Mitsuhashi Kotaro defines the line as "a world between the Earth and space". The concept of "heaven" is floated by Kotaro but quickly dismissed as too simplistic of a concept. Its this musing that Kotaro crafts seven short unconnected stories that are loosely strung together by this concept of a "world between worlds". And thus, Kotaro is able to relay some whimsical, fantastical stories that maintain a hazy mirage between our known reality. It's a subtle premise that is executed with sublime precision, with each story reveling in visual allegory but maintaining a quality of somberness and introspection. The balance between dreamy and melancholy nurtures a wistful tone that makes Kotaro's comics particularly engaging.

[Draegnir]

C'est une collection d'histoires courtes oniriques et très originales. Un monde à la frontière entre la terre et le ciel, où l'on peut voir des pluies de météorites ou nager dans une éclipse de soleil, un bar où on ne peut aller que lorsque le monde se teinte de bleu, où on peut se faire servir de l'eau de lune, ou une ville où le temps s'est arrêté et qui n'apparaît que sous forme de mirages, autant d'histoires dans l'imaginaire de Mitsuhashi Kotaro. Je croyais avant de le lire que ce serait très similaire à ce que Shigeru Tamura peut faire (avec notamment le personnage du vieux monsieur qui erre dans ces univers) mais il arrive vraiment à innover (en tout cas c'est l'impression que j'ai, malheureusement peu de mangas de Shigeru Tamura ont été traduits). Ca vaut bien le coup de le lire, même si c'est peut être un peu compliqué de le trouver

[Dylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a beautifully illustrated comic with a magical realism story. I really like the themes of life and the decisions we make. It reminds me of Night on the Galactic Railroad. Highly recommend this indie manga!

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated, dreamy, and peaceful. Explores liminal spaces and human emotions with subtlety.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful work capturing dreamy, ethereal, liminal spaces in scratchy cross-hatching.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Eric Barreto]

I lost interest so I didn’t finish it. I didn’t understand what i was reading and what any of it meant.