Name: Elda Mengisto's review of Showa 1926-1939 by Shigeru Mizuki
Item: Showa 1926-1939
Rating: 4
Author: Elda Mengisto

Shigeru Mizuki

A fascinating period in Japanese history explored by a master of manga Showa 1926–1939: A History of Japan is the first volume of Shigeru Mizuki's meticulously researched historical portrait of twentieth-century Japan. This volume deals with the period leading up to World War II, a time of high unemployment and other economic hardships caused by the Great Depression. Mizuki's photo-realist style effortlessly brings to life the Japan of the 1920s and 1930s, depicting bustling city streets and abandoned graveyards with equal ease. When the Showa era began, Mizuki himself was just a few years old, so his earliest memories coincide with the earliest events of the time. With his trusty narrator Rat Man, Mizuki brings history into the realm of the personal, making it palatable, and indeed compelling, for young audiences as well as more mature readers. As he describes the militarization that leads up to World War II, Mizuki's stance toward war is thoughtful and often downright critical—his portrayal of the Nanjing Massacre clearly paints the incident (a disputed topic within Japan) as an atrocity. Mizuki's Showa 1926–1939 is a beautifully told history that tracks how technological developments and the country's shifting economic stability had a role in shaping Japan's foreign policy in the early twentieth century.

A History of Japan

Showa 1926-1939

brittany forks

Elda Mengisto

I honestly don't read graphic novels too much. I read one, Persepolis, for school, and Zahra's Paradise after that for my own entertainment. Both books dealt with serious political issues in Iran in different times, but had their own distinct styles when conveying a bildungsroman versus a story amongst turmoil. Showa takes the latter approach, but splits the two stories through how they're drawn.

Starting with the Great Kanto Earthquake, the first part of Showa focuses on the events which feature Japan's far-right taking power, a bunch of political happenings which includes the Japanese economy becoming crappy, and Japan's desire to become an Asian empire. Meanwhile, Mizuki grows up with his family, gets into adventures, and his dad struggles with keeping a job.

It actually works this way. While the history section gives out thoughtful information on Japanese history (ending with a detailed portrait of Hideki Tojo and Mizuki pointing out disaster will come soon...), it also had its interesting tidbits. We hear of assassinations across Japanese society (including one with a famous catchphrase) and the turmoil which impacts Mizuki's life. It's kind of interesting when one considers their perceptions of Japan, yes?

But what's really fun to see is Mizuki's childhood. We see his interactions with his beloved grandmother, including an instance where he listens to foxes at night. In addition, I like seeing him get into trouble--not as a person, but just to see what childhood nonsense he has gotten into (like trying that special miso)!. One of my favorite scenes was how Shigeru and his siblings trekked 25 miles to try out this newfangled snack called...donuts. Their faces when they finally had it was quite good.

Overall, good illustrations and good pacing make this a fun book to read. And informative on the underbelly to the rising Japanese empire.

brittany forks &
Showa 1926-1939 by Shigeru Mizuki

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Showa 1926-1939 by Shigeru Mizuki