‘I’ve led a life full of shame. Human beings are a complete mystery to me.’
This manga version of novelist Osamu Dazai’s masterpiece
NO LONGER HUMAN–the #2 bestselling novel of all time in Japan–tells the story of Yozo Oba, a young man growing up in Japan in the immediate aftermath of World War II, who finds himself caught between the disintegration of the traditions of his aristocratic provincial family and the impact of the new postwar world.
Oba is tormented by a failure to find any value in himself or in human relationships, despite being surrounded by women who love him. He creates the persona of a buffoon who mocks himself while entertaining others. But inside he is tortured, and as he moves from childhood to adulthood he becomes addicted to sex and alcohol. Largely autobiographical,
No Longer Human explores Dazai’s own sense of failure and alienation which drove him to self-destruct with alcohol and numerous suicide attempts.
Osamu Dazai (1909–1948) is Japan’s second most popular novelist (after Soseki), and his works are seeing a huge surge in popularity among young people worldwide thanks to the success of the recent manga, anime and film series
Bungo Stray Dogs, whose protagonist, a detective called Osamu Dazai, has similar character traits to Yozo Oba. Fans of manga and anime are turning to the original
No Longer Human novel, whose themes of alienation from society and an inability to reconcile social appearances with inner self–told with great wit, irony and pathos–strike a deep chord among readers today.
**Recommended for readers ages 16+ due to mature themes and graphic content**
Circa l’autore
Osamu Dazai (1909–1948) was the pen name of Shuji Tsushima, the tenth of eleven children born to a wealthy landowner and politician in the far north of Japan. Dazai studied French literature at the University of Tokyo, but never received a degree. He first attracted attention in 1933 when magazines began to publish his work. Between 1930 and 1937, he made three suicide attempts, a subject he deals with in many of his short stories. Despite his troubled life and rebellious spirit, Dazai wrote in simple and colloquial style, conveying his personal torments through literature. Dazai’s life ended early in a double suicide with a married lover.
Manga adaptation by
Chika Ito. Chika Ito was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, and has created many manga in her home country, including
Manga Carmilla Girls Only and
Keita’s Oboko Diary. This is her first publication in English.
Translation by
Makiko Itoh. Itoh is the author of the
Just Bento cookbook series and has translated many Japanese works into English including
Zen Wisdom for the Anxious, and
Modern Japanese Ikebana. She writes regular columns on food for
The Japan Times.
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