Summer manga night talk with a beer in hand!: Part 1
~Monosus' "Reading Club" #25~

It's been hotter than usual.
Summer is in full swing! And speaking of summer, it's time for a special edition of the Monosasu Reading Club, the first "Manga Night Talk" in a year.

In previous years the event has been held in a lively beer garden, but this time we decided to change things up and have a more intimate gathering indoors.

A total of six members gathered, each with their recommended manga in hand. In a slightly suspicious space with an oddly low ceiling, we gathered like a secret society and passionately discussed the topic.

This time too, I would like to deliver this in two parts, the first and second parts.
First of all, let's all have a toast!

Once the toast is finished, it's time to start, with a beer in hand, or rather, a comic book in hand.
Each person will have 5 minutes to introduce a book.

A super entertaining, apocalyptic world.
"Survival" by Takao Saito

Takao Saito (author) "Survival" LEED Publishing (June 1, 2001) ( Amazon )

I brought along "Survival" by Takao Saito, a master famous for Golgo 13. It's a manga from the 1970s, and it's about a boy who is left behind on a deserted island in a Japan devastated by a major earthquake, and how he survives while searching for his parents.

At first the boy was in despair and whined about wanting to die and go insane, but gradually he adapted to his environment and lived a tough life in the ruins of the city, and his survival techniques are introduced in a humorous way.

How to identify poisonous mushrooms, how needles were the most important thing to primitive people, how raw fish is better because vitamins are lost when it is cooked, etc. It is said that there is a 90% chance of a major earthquake occurring in Tokyo, where we live, so I think the book is full of useful little tips for that purpose as well.

I had all the volumes at my parents' house, but I bought them online and re-read them. It's a very serious story, but it's super entertaining. I think the amazing thing about Saito-sensei is that he tries to elevate it into entertainment. It's really interesting, so I highly recommend it.

An incredible artist who continues to evolve with each work.
Taiyo Matsumoto (author) “Sunny Volume 1”

Taiyo Matsumoto (author) “Sunny Volume 1” Shogakukan (2011/8/30) ( Amazon )

I really like Taiyo Matsumoto. His famous works "Tekkonkinkreet" and "Ping Pong" are masterpieces, but I want to say that his recent works are also really good! So I brought "Sunny" with me.

The story is set in a facility called Hoshi no Ko Gakuen. It depicts the daily lives of children who live away from their parents for various reasons, and the adults who work there. Despite their difficult circumstances, the children's lines are very innocent, and although their backgrounds are not directly mentioned, you can sometimes catch glimpses of sadness. The words of the adults watching over them are very comforting.

I get emotional every time I read one of these books... I feel like I'm enveloped in kindness after reading it. I recommend this book to anyone who is raising children, and especially to those who are feeling a bit tired.

All of Matsumoto's works are good, but I think it's really amazing how he keeps evolving with each work. He changes his style, and even the same scene is shown in a different way. I don't think there are many artists who can keep changing and keep creating interesting things.

It's scary, but I can't wait to see what happens next!
"Lion's Neck: Collection of Works by Michiru Noroi 1996-2012" by Michiru Noroi

Michiru Noroi (author) "Lion's Neck: Michiru Noroi Works 1996-2012" Trash Up Co., Ltd. (October 31, 2015) ( Amazon )

Since it's summer, I've brought in some horror. Until now, I've been introducing sparkly works like "Blue Giant" and "Ran to Haiiro no Sekai," but it was Michiru Noroi who changed my general perception that "manga = sparkly."

Actually, the story I want to recommend the most isn't included in this book (laughs). It's a short story called "Black Soft Drink," but please look for it online. It's about how scary humans are...There are stories that feature monsters and ghosts, but the scary thing about humans is what's most interesting.

Also, there are some comical and thrilling aspects, and the way the women are portrayed is beautiful. This beautiful girl falls into the darkness of a murky horror world, driven by her desires...it's just irresistible. The erotic and grotesque depictions are great, but the dark art is really good.

Noroi-san is a veteran author, but his worldview never wavers. It's a horror-like, bizarre world, and it's scary, but it makes you want to see what happens next. He's an author who changed my perspective as a Jump fan.

Entertainment survival, the ever-evolving world of authors, the shocking horror that changed Jump Girls. The first half was a flurry of passionate thoughts from each of us.

The exciting Manga Night Talk is still going strong, so look forward to the second half!