I came across this medical manga by chance. I didn't even know it had been published to completion in France, to tell the truth. But I didn't miss the chance to take a look. I have to say: it's a pleasant surprise. Medical manga has a tendency to criticize the current medical system in Japan and around the world. I used to find these mangas rather violent in what they had to say and often difficult to grasp and understand. But with this manga, I got a different view of the medical aspect. Indeed, the manga focuses much more on the notion of being a doctorthan on the system in place. I really liked this aspect, because it allowed me to read a story that was much more human and realistic than anything I'd read before.

We follow the story of a doctor who makes a mistake in the large hospital where he was practicing, and finds himself on a desert island with a small population and very modest resources. The script is divided into short stories, each with a different case, and the main thread is the progression of the characters.

The author has had the good idea to develop intimate links between each character. None is left to chance, and the result is something quite accomplished. For me, it's a pleasure to follow a story where each protagonist has the opportunity to progress in his or her social situation or behavior. Particularly as in medical manga, the protagonists' lives are regularly in danger. This helps to build up the emotions and tension which never lets up.

Another point I appreciated in this story was the author's drawing style. It reminded me vaguely of Naoki Urasawa's, whether in his facial expressions or even in the way he iconizes strong moments. As a fan of the latter, I liked the feeling of clean drawing and of not being taken for a fool when discovering key moments. The story's narration helped in this respect.

If you're lucky enough to discover this manga in its entirety (all 25 volumes are available in French, and around a hundred chapters have been translated into English) don't be surprised by the ending. Unfortunately, the manga has been on hiatus for almost 13 years and will probably never be resumed. It's a pity, because that's the downside of the whole thing: the story has no ending, although if it did, it would be easy to guess.

I'd advise you to have a look at this manga if you're interested in the medical genre. It's really different from anything I've read before, thanks in particular to its very human side and its touching characters. It's well worth the detour if you want to have a good time.