Shouwa Ichidai Onna · review
I just finished reading this unfortunately unfinished work from the 70's, although at least it ended just for the end of its first "arc" and although it is an ending that leaves you wanting more, it's no ended in the middle of nowehere Although his drawing style doesn't excite me (although that doesn't mean it's bad) I found it very interesting. It's a raw, adult story that transports you to post-war Japan and is very critical of Japan's role in the war and also of the American occupation. It's nice to find this because, unfortunately, I usually find a disturbing lack of self-criticism. The firstvignette of this manga, however, with a circle of spilled blood on a white background already makes a tremendous simile with the flag of Japan. Otherwise, it is the story of the daughter of a geisha who, in order to survive, becomes someone amazing: A girl capable of anything with the skills of John Wayne and the cold blood of a warlord. For those who know Japanese cinema, this manga is as if Akira Kurosawa had made a film with Mizoguchi's topic (geishas, prostitutes, sexualization of women...etc)