Have you always dreamed of immersing yourself in manga, but don’t know where to start? You want to avoid the giants of the’japanese edition, One piece and its 101 volumes or the naruto in 72 volumes, and the abundance of’offer scares you a little?
Don’t be scared, here is a selection of fifteen titles to start discovering manga and’discover all its subtleties. Polar, comedy, science fiction, horror, drama, contemplative storytelling… There is something for everyone and for all ages.
The fifteen selected books, all considered by specialists in the genre as essential manga, are easily found in French bookstores and are mostly short stories, in a few volumes: ideal for neophytes. Follow the guide!
• Look Back (2021)
This one-shot of incredible melancholy tells the’friendship between two young manga authors, who will be separated by a drama. In just 140 pages, Tatsuki Fujimoto bears witness to’an impressive narrative and graphic mastery and offers a profound reflection on the’the importance of’The art in our lives.
Look Back, Tatsuki Fujimoto, Kazé, 140 pages, 7.29 euros. A drink.
• Blue (1995)
Boss’intimate manga work, Blue by Kiriko Nananan recounts the’history of’love between two high school girls. A must read where’the author makes the most of the possibilities’offers the ninth art to stage the unsaid. Blue It is one of those stories whose reading can change lives.
Blue, Kiriko Nananan, Casterman, 240 pages, 10 euros. A drink.
• NoNoBâ (1977)
Part autobiographical story NoNoBâ depicts the meeting between an old woman who loves legends and the young Shigeru Mizuki, whose’The imaginary will be multiplied by ten with these stories populated by clocks and ghosts from Japanese folklore. A universal story that helps to understand Japanese culture.
NonNonBâ, Shigeru Mizuki, Cornelius, 420 pages, 33.50 euros. A drink.
In a corner of this world by Fumiyo Kouno recounts the day-to-day life of young Suzu Urano during World War II between managing her house, supplying supplies and her family life. As many’difficulties that risk making him lose his natural joy of living. An unforgettable work, where tragedy and sweetness coexist.
In a corner of this world, Fumiyo Kôno, Kana, 224 pages, 15.50 euros. 2 volumes available.
• My father’s diary (1994)
stayed in the’Shadow of L’Walking man, distant neighborhood either the lonely gourmet, my father’s diary is however the’one of the heads of’illustrations by Jiro Taniguchi. In this partly autobiographical work, a man rediscovers, after the death of his father, this man who’she has always seen him absent and cold.
My father’s diary, Jiro Taniguhi, 280 pages, 20 euros. A drink.
rare foray into’horror of Rumiko Takahashi, mermaid forest is a good introduction to’grand prix world d’Angoulême, whose favorite themes are eternal youth and gender. This re-reading of the myth of the witches impresses with its dark and pessimistic tone told with a soft and energetic graphic design.
Mermaid Forest, Rumiko Takahashi, Glénat, 400 pages, 14.95 euros. 2 volumes.
•When We Lived Together (1972)
Kazuo Kamimura (1940-1986) recounts in this moving work the’history of’a couple in full liberation from customs in the 1970s. In this often contemplative story, he recounts day after day the ups and downs of’a romantic relationship that gradually breaks down under the pressure of society.
When We Lived Together, Kazuo Kamimura, Kana, 704 pages, €18.50. 3 volumes available.
• Banana fish (1985-1994)
the thriller banana fish comes from’be republished and retranslated by Panini. L’ideal opportunity to discover the work of designer Akimi Yoshida, who follows the adventures of’Ash, a leader of a small gang investigating Banana Fish, a drug with amnesic effects. A reference to Japanese thrillers.
Banana Fish, Akimi Yoshida, Panini Manga, 378 pages, 16 euros. 9 volumes available (complete series in 10 volumes).
• Parasite (1988-1994)
Within Parasiteclassic of the’horror signed Hitoshi Iwaaki, d’strange parasites take over the’humanity. His only hope is Shinichi, a young high school student who was saved from the parasite by him, who’it is lodged in his right arm. An impressive setting and amazing visual ideas.
Parasites, Hitoshi Iwaaki, Glénat, 274 pages, 10.75 euros. 8 volumes available.
This classic, which this year celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, was adapted in 1979 by Jacques Demy for the cinema and in the form of’anime on television (under the title of mrs oscarin the 1980s), is the’one of the best doors’entry to discover the manga. We follow, during the French Revolution, the’history of’Oscar François de Jarjayes, transvestite woman, member of the Royal Guard.
The Rose of Versailles, Riyoko Ikeda, Kana, 800 pages, 19.99 euros. 2 volumes.
• Ping Pong (1996-1997)
We could recommend all of Taiyou Matsumoto’s works as each of his stories is a lesson in drawing and wisdom. With Table tennis, the mangaka reaches a peak. It narrates the rivalry in the context of table tennis between two friends of’childhood with very different characters and destinies. A powerful and poetic story about the’failure.
Ping Pong, Taiyou Matsumoto, Dekcourt/Tonkam, 544 pages. €29.99. 2 volumes available.
Heartbroken after her best friend Mariko’s suicide, Tomoyo refuses to let go of her abusive father.’take care of his funeral. She then steals his ashes and flees to the sea to pay him one last respect. A moving story about’impotence of the living in the face of death, whose angry tone does not leave the reader indifferent.
My Broken Mariko, Waka Hirako, Ki-oon, 194 pages, 9.95 euros. A drink.
Considered the’one of the best titles of its author, good night punpun recounts over several years the life of’a boy, Punpun (represented as a bird), confronted with the horrors of’adolescence, from first love to conflictive relationships with his family. A story that is both confusing and moving, carried by a sublime design.
Good night Punpun, Inio Asano, Kana, 208 pages, 7.55 euros. 13 volumes available.
iconic title of the'”iyashikei”, a Japanese literary movement based on the welfare of the reader, Aria follow the wanderings of’an earthling in the Martian colony of Neo-Venice, a magnificent city built on water where she learns to become a professional gondola driver. A fun and relaxing read.
Aria The Masterpiece, Kozue Amano, Ki-oon, 375 pages, 15 euros. 7 volumes available.
Master of the thriller, Naoki Urasawa proposes in Pluto a political review of’Astro Boy, famous vigilante robot imagined by Osamu Tezuka. yes’In the vein of the great science fiction novelists (Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick), Urasawa offers a fascinating reflection on the place of robotics in society. One of his best series.
Pluto, Naoki Urasawa, Kana, 258 pages, 7.55 euros. 8 volumes available.
Source: BFM TV
