Comics That Matter

Winner of the 24th Manga Division Excellence Award at the 2020 Japan Media Arts Festival

Every young couple has high hopes for their unborn child, and Sara and Kouta Takano are no different. But only days away from giving birth, Sara learns about the tragedy of Malala Yousafzai's attempted assassination at the hands of the Taliban, and her pure and innocent belief in the future is shaken. If such a smart and courageous child can be hurt so badly by the world, how can she keep her own baby safe? With Sara now in a state of shock, will the young couple be able to bridge the widening gap between them, or will it tear their family apart?

The reality of this world, as seen through the eyes of an author that has spent years illustrating the women and their lives.

"A story that exposes its whole heart on the page, Miki Yamamoto's A Smart and Courageous Child perfectly encapsulates the nearly unbearable hope and angst of being a new, expectant parent. It is no exaggeration to say this comic made me cry with recognition and remembrance of this fragile time before my own children's births. Raw and relatable to any parent, A Smart and Courageous Child uses simplistic illustrations to tell a universal story. Drawn only with black, red, yellow, and slate-blue colored pencils, it captures a muted snow globe of a world—the strange liminal space that new parents occupy, seemingly insulated from everything else." — Lauren Orsini, Anime News Network

"It may just be the timing, but this ended up being a very comforting book to read in a dark time, and I hope that enough people read it. Not only because its a great book. Not only because hopefully it will result in more of Miki Yamamoto’s works being translated. But because I feel this is a book we need right now, to remind us that life is worth living outside of the doomscrolling, and it reminds us of this in the most human way possible." — Kevin T. Rodriguez, Fandom Post

"Such stylistic choice contributes to making A Smart and Courageous Child a heartwarming reading, where mutual trust and care are presented as a potential solution to the issue of a world saturated with bad news and skepticism. [...] Powerful and moving in its apparent simplicity, A Smart and Courageous Child sure deserves the popularity enjoyed upon receiving the 24th Manga Division Excellence Award at the 2020 Japan Media Arts Festival, whose commission did not fail to notice how behind Miki Yamamoto’s gentle visuals lies a much-needed call for change. A change towards an age where kindness and adaptability are the antidote to horror." — Giovanni Stigliano, Asian Movie Pulse

"If you've ever felt any anxiety about something you can't control, you will empathize with Sara and how she can't cope with these new fears that have sprung up out of what feels like nowhere, the loss of control that she can't help but feel. The art is deceptively simple, using what looks like colored pencils to create a sense of a picture book, which of course, as one character says, is for not just children, but parents as well." — Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network

"This book brilliantly captures the anxieties held by people of today. Sara embodies the joyful anticipation of a mother-to-be, until an international story breaks and expands her list of hopes and fears in the information-flooded world. A modern audience can relate to her distrust in the times, and Sara’s anguish is universal in its resonance. The work devotes numerous techniques to express its intentions but remains accessible. Colored pencils bring the story to life, at different times injecting turbulence and warmth. Through a small but striking backlist, the artist has secured a singular presence in the industry. What does it mean to be wise and brave? How do we resist and reverse the cruelties of the world? The artist plumbs this fathomless question and offers a powerful response." — Kazuko Kawahara, Japan Media Arts Festival

At age 30, Shou Arai (he/him) came to a realization; he had no gender. Now he was faced with a question he'd never really considered: how to age in a society where everything is so strongly segregated between two genders? This autobiographical manga explores Japanese culture surrounding gender, transgender issues, and the day to day obstacles faced by gender minorities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community with a lighthearted, comedic attitude.

"Arai's English-language debut At 30, I Realized I Had No Gender isn't his first autobiographical manga, but it is something of a rarity in terms of what we tend to get in translation: it's about aging as a queer person and being comfortable with the changes that come along with it. [...] At 30, I Realized I Had No Gender is the open, frank, and honest discussion that sticks with you. If you're looking for a book that doesn't hold back and just speaks its mind about its creator's experiences as a human being, definitely pick this up." — Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network

"I had not really thought about cultural differences when it comes to non-binary / trans / intersex individuals in other countries besides the US. However, the same issues of language persist no matter where you live or culture you are from. [...] I liked this manga overall for the honesty and frankness, even in the smallest detail, like when Shou gives advice to a female-to-male individual who wants to know how to grow or present a better-looking beard. Something for truly everyone along the gender and sexuality spectrum." — Patti Martinson, Sequential Tart biography and memoir;autobiography;personal memoirs;comic;comics and graphic novels;japan;cartooning;graphic novels;self discovery;shou arai;japanese;lgbtq;social aspects;translations into english;cartoonists;comic books;strips;young adult nonfiction;gender identity;gender-nonconforming people;gender nonconformity

It was March 11, 2011 when a massive earthquake triggered a devastating tsunami, which, in turn, destroyed the core three reactors of the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.  This tragedy cost almost 20,000 lives and devastated countless more, including Naoto Matsumura, a farmer evacuated from the deadly radiation zone.

Unwilling to abandon his beloved animals, Naoto chooses to return home to his farm — and to fight for the beauty of life.  This important graphic novel from France alludes to Japanese legends as an ode to Mother Nature, and human resilience.

This emotional title features a foreword by Tokyo-based writer, journalist, scholar and authority on Japanese and Western cultures Roland Kelts, photos from renowned photographer Ko Sasaki, a retrospective from Pray for Japan director Stu Levy, and educational bonus material about the tsunami and its aftermath.

"Blain’s evocative illustrations, rendered using flat, vibrant colors and delivered via easy-to-follow panels, and paired with Grolleau’s quietly profound dialogue, elegantly portrays wrenching events in Japan’s history." — Publishers Weekly

"[Guardian of Fukushima] is as powerful a read as it is a harrowing one when taking into account what transpired. Yet, presenting the story with sincerity under gorgeous art direction, and with additional content that lets the reader see beyond the story of Matsumura, the book is an unforgettable story that readers should seek out." — Adam Symchuk, Asian Movie Pulse

"Contemplative and heartbreaking, Guardian of Fukushima is a portrait of European and Japanese humanism." — Bleeding Cool

"Bravo to Grolleau and Blain for skillfully elevating an already profound story. I would recommend Guardian of Fukushima to anyone." — Comics Beat

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IF YOU WERE ATTACKED, WOULD YOU FIGHT BACK?

What if your family, your hometown, your entire way of living were threatened by force?  That’s what the people of Ukraine faced when Putin’s Russian army invaded their sovereign land, displacing millions of refugees and causing an international crisis threatening democracy across the globe.  But the Ukrainian people refused to cave — and these 9 stories weave the greater tale of their resistance — and fight for Victory!

This anthology is a collection created by Ukrainian artists during the first weeks of the Russian invasion, channeling all their emotions — their anger, courage, dreams, and despair into one goal, one manifestation of their nation’s fight for survival!

A portion of the proceeds for the paperback will be donated to Razom for Ukraine (“Razom” meaning “together” in Ukrainian), a non-profit Ukrainian-American human rights organization established to give direct support to the people of Ukraine in their pursuit of a democratic society with dignity, justice, and human and civil rights for all.

Part of the digital proceeds from this comic book will be donated via the UNITED24 platform. Launched by President Zelenskyy, the platform is the main venue for collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine. Please join Mark Hamill and the Army of Drones to strengthen Ukraine and protect its people.

"For anyone looking for an engrossing learning experience in hopes of understanding what Ukraine is currently going through, along with a history lesson in the nation's past, this graphic novel is a must-buy." — Joe Anthony Myrick, Screen Rant

"Written and illustrated by Ukrainian creators, PEREMOHA doesn't just chronicle recent events during Russia's invasion. Instead, it turns some of these now more well known circumstances on their head. From a witch enacting her own vengeance on intruders to a slightly retold version of the Russian attack on Snake Island, PEREMOHA sucked me right in from the first page. This is a phenomenal way for folks to connect emotionally with what all is happening in Ukraine, what has happened in the past, and what will happen in the future." — Kvothe Harris, Rediscovered Books

"But there is no room to debate the merits of PEREMOHA: Victory for Ukraine, since it is ultimately the artistic embodiment of a nation’s desire to maintain its sovereignty and protect its people. [...] All of us who desire a democratic world free from senseless war and violence should read this graphic novel, and understand the Ukrainian fight for freedom." — Brett Michael Orr, Honey's Anime

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Why I Adopted My Husband is a profound exploration of love, societal expectations, and individuals’ lengths to solidify their bonds. Yagi’s storytelling prowess and the manga’s impactful message position it as a must-read, shedding light on the challenges LGBTQ couples navigate in Japan. As a gay couple living in Japan (where gay marriage is not yet legal), Yuta and Kyota have found a unique loophole in order for the government to recognize their union: Kyota adopted Yuta.

This nonfiction manga depicts how the two men met and fell in love, their life together for the last twenty years, their struggle to communicate their relationship to their families, their anxieties about the future, and their determination to live happily and carefree as any other married couple, while they strive for independence and equal rights in a changing cultural landscape.

"If you know nothing about what homosexuality or LGBTQ people, Why I Adopted My Husband is a perfect introduction and learning tool. It also teaches you about Japanese culture, how many family traditions are ingrained into law, and how that's both a comfort to people and can hinder LGBTQ people who want to live their lives. It's cute and funny and gets the points across with a spoonful of sugar instead of a hammer." — Adi Tantimedh, Bleeding Cool

"Why I Adopted My Husband is a profound exploration of love, societal expectations, and individuals’ lengths to solidify their bonds. Yagi’s storytelling prowess and the manga’s impactful message position it as a must-read, shedding light on the challenges LGBTQ couples navigate in Japan." — Travis Hayward, Geek Therapy

"There are tips on how a gay couple can go the adoption route, like information on contracts. It even includes a section showing how to fill out the paperwork. This part doesn’t pertain to American readers, but the manga is still worth reading because of its well-told story, its look into the realities of gay couples in Japan, and how the characters are relatable — because even if someone isn’t in Yuta and [Kyota]’s shoes, the parts about feeling left out would be something everyone can relate to on some level. The fact that both men are otaku (and there are plenty of references to otaku culture) makes telling the story in manga format all the better." — Katie Kimura, Otaku USA

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