Chichi no Koyomi
A Journal of My Father

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I have no experience writing, and I do not even know English (so I’ll have to use the Google translator), but in this case I feel compelled to review this title, who do not have English translation is quite unknown in the page (at least compared to other works of Taniguchi as "Haruka na Machi e"). With that clarified, let's start.
The story it’s about Yoichi, an ordinary man who lives in Tokyo with his wife, who one day receives the news that his father, who did not visit since ten years, has died. For him his father was always a virtual unknown, with which he ... was never intimate much because he felt resentment towards him due to divorce with his mother. In his funeral, through memories of his childhood and family and friends stories, is becoming an increasingly complex picture of his father and his relationship with his mother, things about which he knew next to nothing
Like works as Yasujiro Ozu’s Toko Story, even coming from a particular time and in a country like Japan, details completely unrelated to the reader, provokes an unexpected connection with the experiences of the characters. It is a must for fans of the author and manga in general.

✳️ This review will be written in both English and Portuguese (PT-BR) - Essa crítica será escrita em inglês e português (PT-BR)✳️
𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚
🇺🇸

Jiro Taniguchi is an author who has gained significant popularity in Brazil in recent years, mainly due to the "revival" initiated by the publisher Pipoca e Nanquim, bringing titles such as "A Distant Neighborhood," which is one of his most acclaimed works. With all this popularity, it was only a matter of time before "A Journal of My Father" arrived in Brazilian lands, a work that, in my opinion, solidifies the author as one of the great names in manga here in Brazil. It ... is this work that we will discuss throughout this review.


🔶 A Worldview Through the Eyes of Innocence

I think it’s important to start this review by talking a little about the innocent and often romanticized view we have of our parents. As children, we always see our parents as perfect beings, bastions of justice. However, over the course of life, we realize that this ideal is merely a reflection of a child's naive gaze, a gaze that gradually changes with the loss of this innocence. In his work, Taniguchi has managed to synthesize this transition very well, showing how we, as children, lack the ability to interpret the difficult situations our parents face. With the death of this "innocent gaze" and the emergence of a more "critical" and often even "aggressive" perception of the world during adolescence, we frequently blame our parents for actions or decisions they made during our upbringing. This complex relationship of hatred, remorse, and guilt is exemplarily portrayed in "A Journal of My Father."

Yoichi, whom we follow throughout the story, distanced himself from his father. Absorbed by work and harboring resentment from hazy memories related to his father, he hasn't visited him for more than a decade and holds few good memories of their time together. Therefore, when he receives the news of his father's death over the phone and is forced to travel to Tottori, his hometown, for the funeral, Yoichi doesn't quite know how to feel... or what to expect, and it is from here that the story unfolds.
Right away, we realize that this story is not for everyone. Not because it is a difficult read or addresses themes of complex comprehension for a younger audience, but because it deals with extremely delicate issues for those who have childhood traumas, especially those related to parents, such as abandonment or physical and psychological abuse. Of course, people who have never experienced this can understand the story's message well, but I believe it communicates more intimately with those who had a troubled relationship with their parents. Like Yoichi, these people may carry such deep resentment that it leads them to distance themselves and cut ties for years on end. It is with these people that I would like to speak at this moment.

I have a quite complex relationship with my family and I perfectly understood how Yoichi felt. He probably experienced a profound sense of loneliness, lost in the world without the support of his father, who wasn't as present as he would have liked, and without the help of his mother, who abandoned him. Adolescence, in itself, is a tumultuous phase, full of challenges and heightened emotions. For Yoichi, the lack of this foundation, which parents usually provide, resulted in growing resentment, especially towards his father. He blamed his father for not offering the support he deemed necessary, feeling betrayed and abandoned at times when he most needed guidance and affection.
As the manga's narrative unfolds, we realize that things are not always exactly as our minds make us believe. The manga leads us to reflect on the limited perspective we often have regarding our parents. When we are young, it is easy to interpret their actions and absences negatively, without considering the complexities and difficulties they also face. Throughout the story, Yoichi begins to understand better the reasons behind his father's emotional absence. He discovers that his father was also dealing with his own demons, trying to balance the responsibilities and pressures that fell upon him, having to take care of two children alone after his wife's departure, support a household alone, and so on. This revelation is a crucial point for Yoichi, who begins to reassess his own perceptions and resentments, realizing that not everything is as he remembered in his memories.


🔶 Social Pressures Over the Decades

In this work, Yoichi's father's life is presented in a very "intimate" manner, showing the multiple pressures and challenges he faced throughout his life. As a middle-aged man, he bore the responsibility of taking care of his household and family, in addition to facing the typical social expectations and demands of the time, demands that mainly came from his wife.
In the 1950s, the figure of the man was associated with the role of the primary provider for the family. There was intense pressure to ensure financial stability. For Yoichi's father, this meant working day and night to pay off a debt to his wife's parents, a burden he carried with a sense of duty and honor. This financial commitment required much of his time and consequently caused distress within the family due to his constant absence during everyday moments, you know?

Besides the financial pressures, Yoichi's father also faced typical demands from his wife, who believed he "wasn't the same as before." After the great Tottori fire, depicted in a part of the manga, it's clear that Yoichi's father's priorities changed, considering they lost everything in that fire. As a result, he felt compelled to focus on work to honor a debt to his in-laws, a debt he didn't even want, given that it was his wife who borrowed money from her parents.
His wife's frustration likely added an extra layer of stress to his life, creating a rather tense family dynamic. He was caught between the duty to provide for his family and the need to be emotionally present, an almost impossible task under the circumstances.

The social expectations of that time were extremely rigid. Men were expected to be strong, resilient, and capable of enduring any adversity without complaint. Showing vulnerability or failing to provide for the family was seen as a great weakness, a notion that persists to some extent even today, albeit more subtly. These unfair expectations often led many men to suppress their own feelings and needs, resulting in significant emotional strain. Comparing this to the present day, despite some progress in terms of gender equality and family roles, many of these pressures still exist. Men continue to face expectations to be the main providers, to be strong and emotionally restrained. Who hasn't heard the famous saying, "men don't cry," for example? Although there is greater acceptance of vulnerabilities and a more complete understanding of the importance of mental health, such cultural changes occur very slowly.


🔶 The Narrative Structure of a Master of Everyday Life

"A Journal of My Father" features a highly intimate narrative style, similar to other works by Taniguchi, such as "A Distant Neighborhood." The manga explores familial and complex feelings, set in a specific era of Japan, but with universal themes that resonate with any reader. With each page, we are immersed in a particular world of memories, prompting us to reflect on our own lives and relationships.

Taniguchi emphasizes the importance of continuous dialogue and empathy in interpersonal relationships. The narrative demonstrates that incomplete knowledge and misguided perceptions can lead to unfair judgments and unnecessary resentments. The manga challenges us to reconsider our attitudes and seek a deeper understanding of others.

Another standout feature of this manga's narrative structure is the extensive use of flashbacks. Most of the story unfolds during the night of Yoichi's father's wake, where friends and family share their memories and stories about the deceased. These accounts are not mere superficial recollections but delve deeply into the characters' experiences and feelings, revealing aspects of Yoichi's father that he had never considered, which significantly contributes to a slower pace. The manga's pace is deliberately slow and contemplative, reflecting the introspective nature of the story. This allowed me to absorb the emotional nuances of each scene and appreciate the complexity of the relationships and events narrated. The narrative does not rush to conclusions; instead, it invites readers to reflect on their own experiences and perceptions while following Yoichi's journey.

Despite its depth and complexity, the work is relatively accessible to all but will resonate more with adult readers, especially those who have faced similar challenges in their own lives. Adolescents and young adults can also appreciate the story, but those with more life experience will gain a richer understanding of the emotions and conflicts depicted. Emotion permeates the entire work, making it a touching and often moving read. The family dramas presented are realistic and sometimes unexpected, which makes the story even more engaging. For many readers, "A Journal of My Father" will be an experience that evokes tears and reflections on their own lives and family relationships.


🔶The Artistic Style of the Master of Everyday Life

The artistic style is one of the most striking aspects of this manga, and of the author in general. Technically, Taniguchi's art stands out for its precise detailing, well-planned composition, and the ability to convey subtle emotions through his drawings.

Taniguchi is famous for his precise and smooth lines, resulting in incredible visual clarity. Each line is drawn with care, creating clean and easy-to-understand images. This is crucial in a manga like this, where emotional and scenic details are essential to the story. The level of attention to detail is impressive. Taniguchi pays great attention to architecture, everyday objects, and landscapes, creating a realistic environment that enriches the reading experience and helps the reader immerse themselves in the story.
The way the panels are organized is carefully planned to guide the reader's eyes smoothly across the page. Taniguchi uses different sizes and shapes of panels to control the narrative's pace, alternating between intense close-ups and wide shots to establish the setting and atmosphere.

The influence of the "Ligne claire" style in Taniguchi's art is evident in many of his works, including "A Journal of My Father." He uses clear and clean lines, similar to the Ligne claire style seen in many European works, providing visual clarity that facilitates reading and understanding of scenes. The absence of complicated hatching and minimal use of shading help keep the illustrations crisp. While traditional Ligne claire is more stylized, Taniguchi combines this clarity with a more naturalistic detailing. He maintains the sharpness of the lines while adding numerous details, creating a unique balance between clarity and naturalism.


🔶One of the Great Names in Manga in Brazil

I can affirm that this is one of the author's most significant works. Beyond the narrated story, the work shows us that not everything is as our perspective makes us believe, leading me to deep reflections. I reflected on the resentment we often harbor against people, the blame we place on others to justify problems in our lives, and how life, in the end, can be ungrateful.

This work, alongside "A Distant Neighborhood," in my view, ranks among the author's masterpieces, solidifying him as one of the great names in manga here in Brazil.
𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚𓐚
🇧🇷

Jiro Taniguchi é um autor que ganhou bastante popularidade no Brasil nos últimos anos, principalmente pelo “revival” que teve pela editora Pipoca e Nanquim, trazendo titulos como “Um Bairro Distante”, por exemplo, que é uma de suas mais consagradas obras.
Com toda essa popularidade, era questão de tempo até chegar em terras tupiniquins a obra “O Diário do meu Pai”, que a meu ver, consolida o autor como um dos grandes nomes do mangá aqui no Brasil, e é dessa obra que vamos discorrer ao longo dessa crítica.


🔶 A visão de mundo aos olhos da inocência.

Acho importante começar essa crítica falando um pouco sobre a visão inocente e, muitas vezes, romantizada que criamos de nossos pais. Quando somos crianças, sempre enxergamos nossos pais como seres perfeitos, bastiões da justiça. Porém, ao longo da vida, percebemos que esse ideal é apenas o reflexo do olhar ingênuo de uma criança, um olhar que, aos poucos, vai se alterando com a perda dessa inocência. Em sua obra, Taniguchi conseguiu sintetizar muito bem essa transição, mostrando como nós, enquanto crianças, não temos a capacidade de interpretar as situações difíceis que nossos pais enfrentam. Com a morte desse “olhar inocente” e o surgimento de uma percepção mais “crítica” e muitas vezes até “agressiva” do mundo na adolescência, muitas vezes culpamos nossos pais por atitudes ou decisões que tomaram durante nossa criação. Essa complexa relação de ódio, remorso e culpa é retratada de maneira exemplar em “O Diário do meu Pai”.

Yoichi, que é quem acompanhamos ao longo da história, se distanciou do próprio pai. Absorvido pelo trabalho e remoendo o rancor de memórias meio turvas com relação ao pai dele, ele não o visita há mais de uma década e guarda poucas lembranças boas sobre a convivência entre eles. Por isso, quando recebe a notícia da morte do pai pelo telefone e se vê obrigado a viajar para Tottori, sua terra natal, para o velório, Yoichi não sabe muito bem como se sentir... nem o que esperar, e é a partir daí da que história se desenrola.
Logo de cara, percebemos que essa história não é para qualquer um. Não porque seja uma leitura difícil ou aborde temas de complexa compreensão para um público mais jovem, mas porque lida com questões extremamente delicadas para quem possui traumas de infância, especialmente aqueles relacionados aos pais, como abandono ou abuso físico e psicológico. É claro que pessoas que nunca passaram por isso podem entender bem a mensagem da história, mas acredito que ela se comunica de maneira mais íntima com quem teve uma relação conturbada com seus pais. Assim como Yoichi, essas pessoas podem carregar um rancor tão profundo que as leva a se afastar e cortar relações por anos a fio. É com essas pessoas que gostaria de falar neste momento.

Tenho uma relação bastante complexa com meus familiares e consegui entender perfeitamente como Yoichi se sentiu. Provavelmente, ele experimentou uma profunda sensação de solidão, perdido no mundo sem o apoio do pai, que não estava tão presente quanto ele gostaria, e sem o auxílio da mãe, que o abandonou.
A adolescência, por si só, é uma fase tumultuada, repleta de desafios e emoções a flor da pele. Para Yoichi, a falta desse alicerce que são os pais, resultou em um ressentimento crescente, principalmente com relação ao pai dele. Ele culpava o pai por não ter oferecido o apoio que julgava necessário, sentindo-se traído e abandonado em momentos em que mais precisava de orientação e carinho.
À medida que a narrativa do mangá se desenrola, percebemos que as coisas nem sempre são exatamente como nossa mente nos faz acreditar. O mangá nos leva a refletir sobre a perspectiva limitada que muitas vezes temos em relação aos nossos pais. Quando somos jovens, é fácil interpretar suas ações e ausências de forma negativa, sem considerar as complexidades e dificuldades que eles também enfrentam. Ao longo da história, Yoichi começa a entender melhor as razões por trás da ausência emocional de seu pai. Ele descobre que seu pai também estava lidando com seus próprios demônios, tentando equilibrar as responsabilidades e pressões que recaíam sobre ele, tendo que cuidar de dois filhos sozinhos após a ida de sua esposa, sustentar sozinho uma casa etc. Essa revelação é um ponto muito importante para Yoichi, que começa a reavaliar suas próprias percepções e ressentimentos, percebendo que nem tudo é como ele lembrava em suas memórias.


🔶 As pressões sociais ao longo das décadas.

Nessa obra, a vida do pai de Yoichi é apresentada de maneira bem “intimista”, mostrando as múltiplas pressões e desafios que ele enfrentou ao longo de sua vida. Como um homem de meia-idade, ele carregava a responsabilidade de cuidar de sua casa e de sua família, além de enfrentar as expectativas e demandas sociais típicas da época, demandas essas que partiam principalmente de sua esposa.
Nos anos 50, a figura do homem era associada ao papel de provedor principal da família. Havia uma pressão intensa para garantir a estabilidade financeira. Para o pai de Yoichi, isso significava trabalhar dia e noite para pagar uma dívida aos pais de sua esposa, um fardo que ele carregava com uma espécie senso de dever e honra. Este compromisso financeiro exigia grande parte de seu tempo, e por consequência, causava um mal-estar na família, pelo fato dele nunca conseguir estar presente em momentos corriqueiros da vida, sabe?

Além das pressões financeiras, o pai de Yoichi também enfrentava as típicas cobranças de sua esposa, que acreditava que ele "não era o mesmo de antes". Após o grande incêndio de Tottori que é demonstrado em certa parte do mangá, claramente é perceptível que as prioridades do pai de Yoichi mudaram, tendo em vista que eles perderam absolutamente tudo naquele incêndio, com isso, ele se via obrigado a focar no trabalho para honrar uma dívida com seus sogros, dívida essa que nem seque ele gostaria de ter, tendo em vista que foi sua esposa que pediu dinheiro emprestado para seus pais.
A frustração da sua esposa provavelmente adicionava uma camada extra de estresse à sua vida, criando uma dinâmica familiar bastante tensa. Ele estava preso entre o dever de prover para sua família e a necessidade de ser emocionalmente presente, uma tarefa quase impossível nas circunstâncias em que se estava.
As expectativas sociais daquela época eram extremamente rígidas. Homens eram esperados a ser fortes, resilientes e capazes de suportar qualquer adversidade sem reclamar. Mostrar vulnerabilidade ou falhar em prover para a família era visto como uma grande fraqueza, fato esse que até nos dias de hoje é bem presente, mesmo que de forma velada. Essas expectativas injustas frequentemente levavam muitos homens a sufocarem seus próprios sentimentos e necessidades, resultando em um desgaste emocional muito grande. Comparando com os dias de hoje, apesar de alguns progressos em termos de igualdade de gênero e papéis familiares, muitas dessas pressões ainda existem. Homens continuam a enfrentar expectativas de serem os principais provedores, de serem fortes e emocionalmente contidos, quem nunca ouviu o famoso ditado “homem não chora”, por exemplo? Embora haja uma maior aceitação de vulnerabilidades e uma compreensão mais complete da importância da saúde mental, esse tipo de mudança cultural acontece de maneira bem lenta.


🔶 A estrutura narrativa do mestre do cotidiano

"O Diário do Meu Pai" possui um estilo de narrativa bem intimista, semelhante a outras obras de Taniguchi, como "Um Bairro Distante". O mangá explora sentimentos familiares e complexos, situados em uma época específica do Japão, mas com temas universais que ressoam com qualquer leitor. A cada página, somos imersos em um mundo particular de memórias, que nos fazem refletir sobre nossas próprias vidas e relacionamentos.
Taniguchi destaca a importância do diálogo contínuo e da empatia nas relações interpessoais. A narrativa mostra que o conhecimento incompleto e as percepções equivocadas podem levar a julgamentos injustos e ressentimentos desnecessários. O mangá nos desafia a reconsiderar nossas atitudes e a buscar uma compreensão mais profunda dos outros.
Outra característica de destaque da estrutura narrativa de desse mangá é o uso extensivo de flashbacks. A maior parte da história se passa durante a noite do velório do pai de Yoichi, onde amigos e familiares compartilham suas memórias e histórias sobre o falecido. Esses relatos não são apenas rememorações superficiais, mas mergulham profundamente nas experiências e sentimentos dos personagens, revelando aspectos do pai de Yoichi que ele nunca havia considerado, o que contribui bastante para um ritmo mais “lento”. O ritmo do mangá é deliberadamente lento e contemplativo, refletindo a natureza introspectiva da história. Isso fez com que eu absorvesse mais as nuances emocionais de cada cena, me fez perceber a complexidade das relações e eventos ali narrados. A narrativa não se apressa para chegar a conclusões; em vez disso, nos convida a refletir sobre suas próprias experiências e percepções enquanto acompanham a jornada de Yoichi.
Apesar de sua profundidade e complexidade, a obra é relativamente acessível a todos, mas irá conversar mais com leitores adultos, especialmente aqueles que já enfrentaram desafios parecidos em suas próprias vidas. Adolescentes e jovens adultos também podem apreciar a história, mas aqueles com mais experiência de vida vão extrair uma compreensão mais rica das emoções e conflitos retratados, sabe? A emoção permeia toda a obra, tornando-a uma leitura tocante e muitas vezes comovente. Os dramas familiares apresentados são realistas e, por vezes, inesperados, o que torna a história ainda mais envolvente. Para muitos leitores, "O Diário do Meu Pai" será uma experiência que evoca lágrimas e reflexões sobre suas próprias vidas e relações familiares.


🔶 O estilo artístico do mestre do cotidiano

O estilo artístico é um dos aspectos mais marcantes desse mangá, e também do autor de maneira geral. De forma técnica, a arte dele se destaca pelo detalhamento preciso, pela composição bem planejada e pela habilidade de passar emoções sutis através dos desenhos.
Taniguchi é famoso por suas linhas precisas e suaves, o que resulta em uma clareza visual incrível. Cada linha é desenhada com cuidado, criando imagens limpas e fáceis de entender. Isso é super importante em um mangá como como esse, onde os detalhes emocionais e de cenário são essenciais para a história. O nível de atenção nos detalhes é impressionante. Taniguchi dá muita atenção à arquitetura, aos objetos do dia a dia e às paisagens, criando um ambiente realista que enriquece a experiência de leitura e ajuda o leitor a se imergir na história.
A maneira como os painéis são organizados é bem planejada para guiar os olhos do leitor de forma fluida pela página, sabe? Taniguchi usa diferentes tamanhos e formas de painéis para controlar o ritmo da narrativa, alternando entre closes intensos e vistas amplas para estabelecer o cenário e a atmosfera.
A influência da “Linha clara” na arte de Taniguchi é bem clara em várias de suas obras, incluindo "O Diário do Meu Pai". Ele utiliza linhas claras e limpas, semelhante ao estilo Linha Clara que vemos bastante em obras européias, proporcionando uma clareza visual que facilita a leitura e a compreensão das cenas. A ausência de hachuras complicadas e o uso mínimo de sombreamento ajudam a manter as ilustrações bem nítidas. Enquanto o Linha Clara tradicional é mais estilizado, Taniguchi combina essa clareza com um detalhamento mais puxado para o naturalismo. Ele mantém a nitidez das linhas enquanto adiciona muitos detalhes, criando um equilíbrio único entre clareza e naturalismo.


🔶 Um dos grandes nomes do mangá no Brasil

Posso afirmar que esta é uma das obras mais significativas do autor. Além da história narrada, a obra nos monstra que nem sempre tudo é como nossa perspectiva nos faz acreditar, o que me levou a profundas reflexões. Refleti sobre o rancor que muitas vezes guardamos das pessoas, sobre a culpa que atribuímos aos outros para justificar problemas em nossas vidas, e sobre como a vida, no fim, pode ser ingrata.
Essa obra, ao lado de “Um Bairro distante”, a meu ver, figura entre as obras primas do autor, o que só o estabelece como um dos grandes nomes do mangá aqui no Brasil.

A really solid work by Taniguchi, which should be no surprise.

JOURNAL OF MY FATHER uses a funeral as the setting for a man's exploration of his father's memory. It's a conventional premise, but Taniguchi uses it to good effect. Yoichi and his family are depicted with as much rawness as a Japanese funeral allows, and for the most part the stiffness of the proceedings contributes to the overall work. Yoichi is essentially estranged from his family, and a funeral can't mend those fences.

The most successful parts of the manga come near the end when Yoichi really comes to terms with what his estrangement ... has meant for his father. While it's built on the foundation of the first half, I think that this section needed more room to breathe specifically because it's the most emotionally affecting. It seems like the story moves a little too quickly from point A to point B here.

There's biographical manga that strives to share a story with exaggerated engagement, and the other kind, like this one, fiction that reaches the deepest levels of realism I've ever seen.

“A Journal Of My Father”. The title itself sent that kind of sensation through my brain. The kind of feeling that this isn't something simple to digest. A personal story, obviously relating to the past, to family, to whom a father was for a son. The only thing left for one to do is read it, and endure the reality of a person who could never stop on its tracks and understand the man who ... did everything for them.

The manga tells the story of a family man who hasn't gone to his hometown in years, and years. His father died while he was absent, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. Not much of a feeling. Our main character wasn't connected to him, and his resentment never allowed him to bond, but, why?

Obviously, this is the story of finding that sweetness in the bitterness of the past. The views we had as kids should never shape what happened with the understanding of being an adult. As our MC explores what actually happened, and who his father was, for so many people. It goes on to truly explore a guilt like none other. It isn't the fictional kind of extreme guilt, but one that we're probably one step away of being a part off.

“There are children, not thinking of their parents, but there's no parent that doesn't think of their children”. The story goes where you might think, but it doesn't try to change those ideas, and truly walks the mile without trying to manipulate you into feeling more. It doesn't fabricate scenes. The manga will never use a scene, other than to tell you the truth.

8/10. I'll call my parents, and so should you.

The story of a man who has been in conflict with his father for a long time and who at the latter's funeral begins to remember his figure and begins to have regrets, the story takes place both in the present and in the past, in the town of Tottori, the author's birthplace, this comic is a way for him to apologize for his long absence. In the comics, the father's story is a story like many in the post-war period, with the occupation of the Americans, the job of a barber, the building of a family, with the big problem of a fire, the ... reconstruction of the job, the wife's infidelity, the divorce and remarry after a short time. But this story is seen from the eyes of the son who, since his mother left, has no longer been able to interact with his father because he blamed him for the divorce, and by moving to Tokyo he found an excuse to escape having to inherit the salon from barber as his father and uncle would like. Many things didn't go down to me very much in the concepts said by the characters, which I also found in reality, for example the wife who is unfaithful to her husband because he only thinks about work, which I absolutely don't agree with or when with everything that happened with the protagonist, his sister says she doesn't want her son to go to the university of Tokyo because she fears she won't see him anymore, these are things that irritate me and not a little. In short, in dad's time it evokes memories and sensations even for those who still have parents but above all for the country you leave when you decide to leave, when you return to the place where you left, we will remember all the people we met during the life and the country that yes and so loved or hated and we will realize that it has not changed at all. The drawing is always sublime and realistic at the highest level and the style is always a graphic novel.
I give a 7 to the story and an 8 to the drawings.