Showa 1944-1953: A History of Japan (Showa: A History of Japan) (Showa: A History of Japan (#3)) Paperback – Illustrated, 10 Dec. 2014

After being introduced to Mizuki's Showa series due to an excerpt of Showa 1939-1944 being a required reading in my Japanese Studies history module, I was thoroughly impressed and bought all four. This one does not disappoint: it begins with Mizuki, as well as the Empire of Japan, at its lowest point, and both suffer terribly. And we then see chaos unfold as the war comes to a conclusion, and then the aftermath as the US begins its occupation of Japan, and Mizuki has to leave his newfound friends from the Tolai tribe. We see glimmers of hope and change as Mizuki, and the rest of Japan, try to survive the poverty-stricken early post-war period and deal with the aftershock of the war and the two enormous explosions that swiftly ended it. Nezumi Otoko, the half-human, half-rat Yo-kai narrates, guiding us through this tumultuous period in Japan's history, and you may recognise him from Mizuki's most famous work, Gegege no Kitaro (which I myself am eager to read now, I've just ordered Drawn and Quarterly's Kitaro). And Mizuki's style, contrasting realistic, gritty-looking imagery, in many cases drawings of photographs of events, with his cartoonish drawings (most hilariously contrasting the photograph-looking drawing of Churchill, Stalin and Roosevelt meeting at the Potsdam conference with his own caricatures). The narrative structure, weaving his own autobiographical story alongside the historical facts - so that we can better understand both - is wholly unique. My reccomendation is that you read the previous two volumes first - 1923-1939 and 1939-1944 - as then you can better understand the story of Mizuki and Showa-era Japan from start to finish.

I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed the combination of pure historical facts mixed with autobiographical parts. Great drawings!

Loved this book. I love the artist as well and the whole Showa series is worth getting full stop. Although its a history of the Showa era, its mostly about WW 2 from the Japanese perspective, which for me, made it even more interesting. An excellent book and an excellent series.

Great storytelling with amazing different drawing styles

Item in very good condition, fast delivery and exactly as described, thank you very much!