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Doing Time
Up to now, Kazuichi Hanawa expressed himself through works of fiction. The fantastic world of tales from the Middle Ages in Japan was his favorite setting. In 1994 Hanawa was arrested for owning a firearm. An avid collector of guns, he was caught whilst testing a remodeled handgun in the backwoods, miles away from anyone, and imprisoned for three years. Forbidden to record any details whilst incarcerated, Hanawa recreated his time inside after his release. He did so with a meticulousness rarely found in comics as every detail of his cell, every meal that was served, the daily habits of his cell-mates and, above all, the rigid regime are minutely noted and bring us into the very mindset of a Japanese prisoner. Made into a live action movie in 2002 by Sai Yoichi (All Under the Moon).
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 20, 2025
A unique look into Japanese penology that will fascinate and confuse you at the same time. There seems to be very little concern with violence; violence against correctional officers seems to be almost non-existent. Some of the things prisoners have to do would never be allowed in America - but there is no question that there is less internal conflict in their system.
March 1, 2023
An interesting look into Japanese prison life in the 90s. Kazuichi, a manga artist, was sentenced to 3 years for possession of illegal firearms (which he collected as a hobbiest... not a deranged killer).
Half this book must just be about the food they ate in prison. It's really just he minutiae of daily prison life. Nothing dramatic or exciting, but at times it is fascinating and poetic. Its a record of a typical jail experience, which is something you don't really see to often. Especially in comics.
Half this book must just be about the food they ate in prison. It's really just he minutiae of daily prison life. Nothing dramatic or exciting, but at times it is fascinating and poetic. Its a record of a typical jail experience, which is something you don't really see to often. Especially in comics.
October 6, 2012
"Doing Time" by Kazuichi Hanawa is truly an unique and amazing document of life in a Japanese prison. First of all there is hardly any narrative, but just the daily activity of a prisoner in his cell with the others, but beyond that it goes into almost fetish like detail about the food served in prison. Which according to Hanawa is not bad, not bad at all!
There is also architectural design of the cells as well as a detailed account in what is in each cell. How many towels a prisoner can keep, or how many books as well as observations on toilet practices and when and how one can take a bath. Prison clothes is also shown in great detail, and how one folds their bed, shirts, pants and so forth.
In a way I am sort of reminded of a Robert Bresson film where you are seeing factual actions as they start their day to their bed time. There is nothing harsh about this prison, in fact it looks nice in many ways. But still one gets the impression of being locked up with others - and dealing with the issue of space, work and eating together. Also there are flights of fantasy or surrealism, but it fits perfectly with the theme of the graphic novel, or more rightly this memoir.
Hanawa, the author and artist, was arrested for carrying and owning an illegal weapon - a gun. Without a doubt the NRA would be tearing their hair out of their head's if they read this - but Hanawa doesn't make any bones or any thought of un-justice - life is what it is. Without a doubt I feel this book is very much a masterpiece.
There is also architectural design of the cells as well as a detailed account in what is in each cell. How many towels a prisoner can keep, or how many books as well as observations on toilet practices and when and how one can take a bath. Prison clothes is also shown in great detail, and how one folds their bed, shirts, pants and so forth.
In a way I am sort of reminded of a Robert Bresson film where you are seeing factual actions as they start their day to their bed time. There is nothing harsh about this prison, in fact it looks nice in many ways. But still one gets the impression of being locked up with others - and dealing with the issue of space, work and eating together. Also there are flights of fantasy or surrealism, but it fits perfectly with the theme of the graphic novel, or more rightly this memoir.
Hanawa, the author and artist, was arrested for carrying and owning an illegal weapon - a gun. Without a doubt the NRA would be tearing their hair out of their head's if they read this - but Hanawa doesn't make any bones or any thought of un-justice - life is what it is. Without a doubt I feel this book is very much a masterpiece.
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June 23, 2025 Dans la prison est une tranche de vie. Un peu comme dans le Journal d’une disparition, il n’y a pas vraiment d’histoire, mais plutôt un récit du quotidien comme seuls savent les écrire les japonais. C’est celui des années passées par l’auteur, Kazuichi Hanawa, au sein d’une prison japonaises dans les années 90. On découvre une vie extrêmement règlementée et codifiée – les japonais ont la réputation d’être respectueux des règles et ordonnés, alors imaginez ce que ça peut donner dans une prison – où la discipline est observée de façon exemplaire. Dans ce contexte monacal dépourvu de distraction, les repas occupent une place prépondérante et l’auteur s’est donné pour objectif de les répertorier.
Tout ce qui touche à l’univers carcéral – je cite au passage deux très bonnes BD qui s’y déroulent Perpendiculaire au soleil et L’accident de chasse – est fascinant. Cette invention humaine visant à priver les fautifs de liberté, bien que controversée, est présente dans le monde entier. Au sein de cet univers clos, le monde extérieur devient flou et s’efface peu à peu.
Également publié sur mon blog.
Tout ce qui touche à l’univers carcéral – je cite au passage deux très bonnes BD qui s’y déroulent Perpendiculaire au soleil et L’accident de chasse – est fascinant. Cette invention humaine visant à priver les fautifs de liberté, bien que controversée, est présente dans le monde entier. Au sein de cet univers clos, le monde extérieur devient flou et s’efface peu à peu.
Également publié sur mon blog.
April 21, 2023
Curioso manga de tema carcelario que explica como un mangaka acabo preso por la tenencia ilícita de unas escopetas.
Hanawa desarrollo una afición a las armas que le llevo a la cárcel después de obtener unas por contrabando y allí pasaría tres años y seis meses que nos cuenta en estas páginas. Es extraño porque de la manera que lo cuenta parece que no vivian tan mal con la cantidad de buena comida y lecturas con los que los presos disfrutaban.
Nada que ver el sistema carcelario de Japón con el del resto de países por lo que se ve.
Hanawa desarrollo una afición a las armas que le llevo a la cárcel después de obtener unas por contrabando y allí pasaría tres años y seis meses que nos cuenta en estas páginas. Es extraño porque de la manera que lo cuenta parece que no vivian tan mal con la cantidad de buena comida y lecturas con los que los presos disfrutaban.
Nada que ver el sistema carcelario de Japón con el del resto de países por lo que se ve.
October 17, 2007
Kazuichi Hanawa's Doing Time was one of most overlooked graphic novels of 2006. Hanawa, a collector of antique guns, is arrested, prosecuted, and convicted of owning firearms that in America would be the equivalent of a collection of Revolutionary War muskets.
What follows is a day-by-day account of his time in prison including page after page of detailed diagrams of each fascinating prison meal served in his ward. It's strangely interesting stuff. The tedium of his daily life is reflected in his documentation of the most tedious physical details of his surroundings. Add to that a smattering of prison anecdotes that range from comical to poignant and you have a one of a kind comic book memoir.
What follows is a day-by-day account of his time in prison including page after page of detailed diagrams of each fascinating prison meal served in his ward. It's strangely interesting stuff. The tedium of his daily life is reflected in his documentation of the most tedious physical details of his surroundings. Add to that a smattering of prison anecdotes that range from comical to poignant and you have a one of a kind comic book memoir.
June 30, 2014
Great experience! My second manga and I can tell this is literature!
April 8, 2016
great insight into Japanese prison and society and food. loads of food. and some killer talking very naturally about murder. great drawings
May 8, 2022
Je voulais savoir si la prison japonaise était aussi rude que le cliché le laisse penser. L'expérience de l'auteur date des années 90 donc peut être que les prisons japonaises ont changé depuis.
Quoiqu'il en soit, c'était un récit intéressant, les desseins sont soignés et regorgent de détails sur le quotidien des prisonniers qui donnent parfois le tournis tant ils sont précis.
Quoiqu'il en soit, c'était un récit intéressant, les desseins sont soignés et regorgent de détails sur le quotidien des prisonniers qui donnent parfois le tournis tant ils sont précis.
September 29, 2011
A fascinating insight into Japanese culture and of prison life. The passing of time, the changing of the seasons and the severe discipline are exquisitely documented. There is a lot of emphasis on food and meal times, that seem to occupy the life and the mind of the inmates. Some aspects must, undoubtedly, have been lost in translation, as there are some reactions and responses that elude the Western reader. But, all in all, it is a master work and I fully recommend it.
December 16, 2013
You could say it's "The Japanese Orange is the New Black" in comic form, but that would be selling it short. Doing Time is an amazingly detailed personal account and a very insightful look into Japanese society. You can tell a lot about a people by the way they treat their inmates, so this gives the reader a lot to think about, not only about the Japanese, but about their own society. Definitely a must-read!
August 12, 2017
Detailed comic about life in a Japanese prison. The mangaka depicts the rituals, the food (he has entire pages dedicated to food drawings and explanations), the inmates and clothes in rich detail.
Story and character, however, are non-existent. This is less a story and more than comic-drawn prison report. If you're interested in Japanese prison culture, check it out, but if you expect character and story, look somewhere else.
Story and character, however, are non-existent. This is less a story and more than comic-drawn prison report. If you're interested in Japanese prison culture, check it out, but if you expect character and story, look somewhere else.
February 5, 2018
Historia sobre la vida del autor en la prisión. Más documental que narrativa, excepto en la segunda parte, que me ha resultado más interesante, y donde aparecen algunas de sus vivencias.
Las prisiones de Japón, si son como aquí se cuentan, no parecen muy terribles.
Las prisiones de Japón, si son como aquí se cuentan, no parecen muy terribles.
December 20, 2011
Interesantísima mirada a la vida en una cárcel en Japón.
October 9, 2022
After doing time for illegal possession of firearms, Kazuchi Hanawa – who was already an accomplished mangaka – decided to write a manga-inspired by his time in jail. Hanawa is less worried about creating a narrative than presenting his daily routine and prison idiosyncrasies.
As a heavily hierarchical and formal society, Japanese prisons – or at least the one Hanawa was sent to – is a place with a huge quantity of rules, many of which seems completely ridiculous and serve only to break the will of the prisoners and turn them into docile inmates. Hanawa`s prison seems like a rather easy-going place if you abide by the rules, while any misstep will be noticed and met with guard reprehension. You waited in line with your hands to your side and your fingers slightly curved instead of straight? A guard will shout at you. You did a crossword on the magazine instead of copying it into your notebook? A punishment awaits you.
Other than the mind-boggling rules, Hanawa shows that the inmates have an almost spiritual connection to food, experiencing their meals in ways that they probably didn`t do so outside jail. Food is a constant theme throughout the manga.
Hanawa does not really complain about the misfortune of being caught and sentenced. However, the alienation he feels towards society outside prison creeps in every now and then until it becomes unbearable on the very last page of the manga.
As a heavily hierarchical and formal society, Japanese prisons – or at least the one Hanawa was sent to – is a place with a huge quantity of rules, many of which seems completely ridiculous and serve only to break the will of the prisoners and turn them into docile inmates. Hanawa`s prison seems like a rather easy-going place if you abide by the rules, while any misstep will be noticed and met with guard reprehension. You waited in line with your hands to your side and your fingers slightly curved instead of straight? A guard will shout at you. You did a crossword on the magazine instead of copying it into your notebook? A punishment awaits you.
Other than the mind-boggling rules, Hanawa shows that the inmates have an almost spiritual connection to food, experiencing their meals in ways that they probably didn`t do so outside jail. Food is a constant theme throughout the manga.
Hanawa does not really complain about the misfortune of being caught and sentenced. However, the alienation he feels towards society outside prison creeps in every now and then until it becomes unbearable on the very last page of the manga.
August 25, 2022
3,5 ★
uma manga sobre as prisões no japão? não resisti!
kazuichi hanawa, o nosso artista, foi preso em 1995 por posse ilegal de arma, hobby que manteve até esse momento. foi condenado a uma pena de três anos com trabalho forçado, e foi na prisão de hokkaido que a cumpriu.
esta manga surge, então, como uma autobiografia do que hanawa viveu na prisão. conta a sua experiência com humor e ironia, mostrando-nos detalhes da vida prisional, não se focando na opressão e violência existente, de que toda a gente já ouviu falar, mas antes no quotidiano corriqueiro. assim, ficamos a saber como é o dia a dia de alguém que vive numa prisão, como se fosse outro local qualquer, não houvesse a restrição de liberdade.
e por vezes, até nos parece que não é uma situação tão má como o esperado. há comida até em demasia, não se paga impostos… no entanto, vamos sendo presenteados com alguns vestígios do que não é bom, como a aparente banalidade de passar a não haver barreiras para pedir “com licença”, mesmo fora da prisão. algo que todos aqueles que passaram por lá vão levar para o resto das suas vidas.
esta é uma perspetiva interessante e a arte conta com bastantes detalhes do mundo prisional, resultado apenas da memória visual de hanawa após ter sido libertado, pois não podia ilustrar dentro da prisão.
para quem gosta da temática, recomendo muito. mas se esperam um enredo e desenvolvimento de personagens, esta manga não é para vocês. daí a minha pontuação não ser melhor, apesar da qualidade artística que encontrei nestas páginas.
uma manga sobre as prisões no japão? não resisti!
kazuichi hanawa, o nosso artista, foi preso em 1995 por posse ilegal de arma, hobby que manteve até esse momento. foi condenado a uma pena de três anos com trabalho forçado, e foi na prisão de hokkaido que a cumpriu.
esta manga surge, então, como uma autobiografia do que hanawa viveu na prisão. conta a sua experiência com humor e ironia, mostrando-nos detalhes da vida prisional, não se focando na opressão e violência existente, de que toda a gente já ouviu falar, mas antes no quotidiano corriqueiro. assim, ficamos a saber como é o dia a dia de alguém que vive numa prisão, como se fosse outro local qualquer, não houvesse a restrição de liberdade.
e por vezes, até nos parece que não é uma situação tão má como o esperado. há comida até em demasia, não se paga impostos… no entanto, vamos sendo presenteados com alguns vestígios do que não é bom, como a aparente banalidade de passar a não haver barreiras para pedir “com licença”, mesmo fora da prisão. algo que todos aqueles que passaram por lá vão levar para o resto das suas vidas.
esta é uma perspetiva interessante e a arte conta com bastantes detalhes do mundo prisional, resultado apenas da memória visual de hanawa após ter sido libertado, pois não podia ilustrar dentro da prisão.
para quem gosta da temática, recomendo muito. mas se esperam um enredo e desenvolvimento de personagens, esta manga não é para vocês. daí a minha pontuação não ser melhor, apesar da qualidade artística que encontrei nestas páginas.
June 18, 2022
A espécie de posfácio diz que é "um invulgar relato da prisão" e eu não encontro melhores palavras para descrever este mangá. As rotinas, as regras, a disciplina, as celas, os banhos, as refeições, o respeito pelos guardas... parece tudo muito organizado e, pasmem-se, cumprido que, por vezes, parece um relato inventado. Os prisioneiros estão a cumprir um regime militar e não parecem realmente sofrer com a inexistência de liberdade. Ou de outra forma não seria uma prisão japonesa feita por japoneses para criminosos japoneses? Gostei muito das escolhas do autor para desenhar a sua história enquanto carcerário. Por outro lado, questiono-me se a sensação que o autor passa sobre estar preso no Japão seja verdadeira para todos... será assim tão seguro... e tão fácil?
November 11, 2022
Absolutely fascinating insight into the Japanese penal system. Though most of it is expressed in a kind of hyper-realistic way (apparently all from Hanawa's memories, as he wasn't allowed to draw in prison), there are a few masterful permeations of abstract almost oneiric scenes that organically derive from real-world experiences (almost all of these are expressions of Hanawa's feelings) and turn this work into a real masterpiece. In it, we find humour, stream-of-consciousness, sadness, loneliness and one of the best depictions I've read of the absolute boredom that must be being jailed. All-in-all, a highly recommended standalone manga, possibly one of the masterpieces of the slice-of-life genre.
March 19, 2020
This was an interesting look into life in a modern(ish) Japanese prison. I like slice-of-life works, and this is certainly an unfamiliar life to me. There's no real narrative happening, but I was okay with that. I was more interested to see what they eat (which he goes on about at length!), how the routines work, and the drawings of rooms with descriptions of things in them. In the afterword, you find out that he was not allowed to draw in prison, so all of this was recreated from memory- which is pretty impressive. Overall, a really interesting work.
October 1, 2023
Kazuichi Hanawa gives readers a firsthand insight into life of an incarcerated felon in the Japanese penal system with his manga, Doing Time. Fairly unconventional for a graphic memoir, Doing Time almost seems like a series of strip form infographics that piece together the full experience of living in prison. Hanawa spends a signficant portion of time just describing the variety of food the prisoners were given, a lot of which was suprisingly mouth-watering based on both their descriptions and artwork. Very little violence seems prevalent in the prison Hanawa was detained in, a stark contrast to the prisons found in the States. Indeed, a lot of this book can be read almost like calm musings of a wayward portion of Hanawa's life. Nothing melodramatic or exciting, this was just what it was like. There is something refreshing about this approach to memoirs, even if it does make for a bit of a dry read.
The artwork was enthralling throughout. Hanawa balances out simplistic character designs with some intricate backgrounds, complete with detailed cross-hatching and shading work. The cartooning in Doing Time is rigorous, particularly in the full page spreads that really suck the reader into the prison environment. While the story here didn't do much for me, the atmospheric sensibilities of this manga were definitely top notch.
The artwork was enthralling throughout. Hanawa balances out simplistic character designs with some intricate backgrounds, complete with detailed cross-hatching and shading work. The cartooning in Doing Time is rigorous, particularly in the full page spreads that really suck the reader into the prison environment. While the story here didn't do much for me, the atmospheric sensibilities of this manga were definitely top notch.
December 10, 2022
"Inside the walls, both liars and showoffs are blackballed"
Doing Time is an autobiographical manga portraying the author's life in prison because he carried a firearm illegally. I expected something dark and gritty, but it turned out it was lighter and slice-of-life-y than I expected.
We spent most of the story centering around prisoners and their dull everyday life, like how they eat, work, and shit every day. Don't expect any narratives outside of prison, and don't expect any prison riot, character redemption, murder, or Shawshank-style escape.
What I liked about the manga is the super-detailed depictions of places, stories, and objects. I'm amazed that the author would go as far as drawing every food he ate, or even record the price of prison utilities like soap or pen, etc. It was unnecessary, but I guess it's fine because this is an autobiography.
The manga also taught a few general things about the Japanese Prison System (and culture in general). The punishment there was lenient compared to most prisons worldwide. For example, they allow some prisoners to watch TV and even carry sharp razors to the bathroom. I'm not sure if that's a Japanese thing, though.
October 25, 2021
La edición en castellano (editorial Ponent Mon) se resiente por la traducción de S. Shimoyama y M. A. Ibañez Muñoz (como muestra el texto "comentario" final). ¿Se lo leyó el editor antes de imprimir?
El relato es descriptivo, detallista (obsesión habitual con la comida; por lo explicado no se pueden quejar mucho), de pocas reflexiones y pensamientos.
A destacar el comentario final de Tomofusa Kure: aunque la sentencia fue muy severa y estricta (3 años de prisión a alguien sin antecedentes, por posesión de armas), las condiciones en prisión no fueron muy duras. Recalca que esta obra es diferente a los "panfletos de izquierdas": "es natural que la cárcel sea opresiva y tampoco es raro que los guardias sean despóticos (...) no sirvientes de los presos".
El relato es descriptivo, detallista (obsesión habitual con la comida; por lo explicado no se pueden quejar mucho), de pocas reflexiones y pensamientos.
A destacar el comentario final de Tomofusa Kure: aunque la sentencia fue muy severa y estricta (3 años de prisión a alguien sin antecedentes, por posesión de armas), las condiciones en prisión no fueron muy duras. Recalca que esta obra es diferente a los "panfletos de izquierdas": "es natural que la cárcel sea opresiva y tampoco es raro que los guardias sean despóticos (...) no sirvientes de los presos".
August 14, 2017
il giappone viene spesso descritto come uno stato formale e ligio alle regole fino all'eccesso, ergo in situazioni limite (come il servizio militare, i collegi o il carcere) dove la stretta osservanza delle regole è la norma anche in occidente la situazione deve essere qualcosa di insostenibile: "in prigione" è per l'appunto la descrizione di uno di questi casi limite, dove l'autore con tono assolutamente neutro (stupisce l'assenza di rabbia, al massimo c'è una quieta frustrazione)ci porta dentro una prigione giapponese, con i suoi ritmi sempre uguali, i suoi riti, le sue regole ferree. libro stupendo anche per chi -come me- detesta i manga.
May 4, 2022
En 1994 el autor de este manga, fue arrestado por posesión de armas. Querían que fuese una condena ejemplar por ser alguien conocido y le cayeron 3 años de cárcel.
Así es como este escritor de manga se nutre de esa experiencia vivida, para posteriormente dejarla plasmada en esta obra. Destaca la introspección, el intimismo con el que aborda esos años , todo ello dentro del estricto sistema carcelario japonés.
En lo personal, esta obra fue la razón de que volviese al mundo del cómic, este noble arte, después de varios años enganchado sólo a libros.
Así es como este escritor de manga se nutre de esa experiencia vivida, para posteriormente dejarla plasmada en esta obra. Destaca la introspección, el intimismo con el que aborda esos años , todo ello dentro del estricto sistema carcelario japonés.
En lo personal, esta obra fue la razón de que volviese al mundo del cómic, este noble arte, después de varios años enganchado sólo a libros.
June 20, 2022
Desenhado com um estilo gráfico muito pessoal, Na Prisão lê-se como um exorcizar acrítico de memórias e experiências. Registo gráfico autobiográfico, procura serenidade e não a crítica profunda. Mostra-nos que, para muitos, e talvez também para o autor, a opressão do cárcere é uma libertação do fardo do ser. Resenha completa em H-alt: Na Prisão.
July 13, 2022
Hanawa is an immense talent when it comes to visual storytelling, and while "Doing Time" certainly proves this the work did not connect with me personally. It was fascinating to see life inside a Japanese prison, yet I am also kind of bummed this is the only work of his (beyond a spot in Comics Underground Japan) that has been given a proper English release.
Reading scans of his other work, I really do enjoy his fictional work more.
Reading scans of his other work, I really do enjoy his fictional work more.
November 30, 2025
Este comic resultara apasionante para aquellos interesados en conocer en riguroso detalle las anodinas rutinas diarias de los presos en cárceles japonesas de los años 90. Para quien no tenga esa curiosidad, como es mi caso, probablemente le será una obra bastante infumable y tediosa, aunque quizás era esa la intención del autor
March 5, 2025
Doing Time by Kazuichi Hanawa is a contemplative manga about a man imprisoned for a crime he committed.
The novel unfolds prison life's everyday routine, challenges, and emotional isolation.
The minimalist visual style, with its intricate and emotive drawings, complements the story's sombre tone, drawing us deeper into the protagonist's (Hanawa's?) lonely existence.
A sober story with no frills.
The novel unfolds prison life's everyday routine, challenges, and emotional isolation.
The minimalist visual style, with its intricate and emotive drawings, complements the story's sombre tone, drawing us deeper into the protagonist's (Hanawa's?) lonely existence.
A sober story with no frills.
March 28, 2020
Super detalhado, super humano. Adorei!
October 31, 2021
Interesting to see the penal system of Japan. It is what you would expect from such a polite and organized society. But the food, wow, what a difference there!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews