Fuyu no Doubutsuen
A Zoo in Winter

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This is one of Jiro Taniguchi's later works and being that, I was disappointed by how un-creative it was. It carries over cheesy tropes and dialogue from ages past which shouldn't be an excuse just because Jiro was much older when he wrote this. This was a coming of age story, that acts as a self insert of the author, though the main protagonist isn't really interesting in the slightest as the kid is mostly shy, sad, quiet, and doesn't talk much to others which doesn't blend well with a story based in reality. The majority of the other characters are also very 1-dimensional with ... very small arcs attached to them, that don't lead anywhere.

Artwork was mostly good, great scenery images to set the feeling of being there. But the characters suffered from same face syndrome. Which again, didn't help the story that had a boring protagonist. Another weird issue that comes with older mangaka is the fixation of sex in certain parts of the story, where it's completely unnecessary and weird to bring up. Specifically for this series was the protagonist being vexxed by a woman editor because she was guiding a coworker on what to do and protagonist being envious of the coworker for both the help he received and being close to the woman.

I found myself laughing at certain scenes that were meant to be serious as well. It's very hard to take 1-dimensional characters seriously when they begin to act seriously.

The best part about this story was the final chapters with the protagonist's love interest and how the romance blossomed. The story was worth reading just for that pay off.

Not related to the story, but the physical book itself printed by Ponent Mon. The book is very nice hardcover, and bigger than standard size manga to really examine the artwork. Pages were very thick, it felt as if 2 pages were stuck together. Great quality.

The opportunity for a man of Taniguchi's stature to create something of this quality will inherently be appreciated by someone who is passionate about creativity and the opportunity it can bless people with. However, your enjoyment of this particular manga could also be dependent on your familiarity with Taniguchi and his other works.

I do recommend being familiar with at least one other work that Taniguchi has made before reading this to enhance your experience to its potential.

What I valued from A Zoo in Winter was the very fact that this manga is a reflection of Taniguchi's early years as not only a mangaka, but ... a growing man. It portrays some very touching things that Taniguchi valued in his life. The joy and meaning that creating something can produce is displayed affectionately here.

I consider this manga not to be a piece of media targeted for someone's entertainment, but an invaluable display of life that one can ultimately appreciate and even learn from. This was something I realised from the very first chapter. However, I recognise that this isn't a memoir but still a work that is largely non-fiction (to my understanding). I think this fact works in its favor to a great extent.

There were many things I admired while reading this special manga. Many fine things that I won't spoil. However, the surrounding circumstances that this protagonist finds himself in breeds these wonderful moments. Whether this be a place of work that leaves dissatisfaction and ultimately disappointment, the circumstance of being away from family without consulting his absence and a personal highlight of mine where the protagonist is absorbed in a culture of art, freedom and elation. Moments like these are portrayed so beautifully and I recommend that if you do read up to this specific moment, you behold this moment with great consideration.

I understand that there are criticisms with this manga. Such as the critique some call "same-face syndrome". While I do agree that most faces do look alike, characters are still distinguished enough to create an impressionable character. By extension, the portrayal of emotion on these characters may seem to be desired. I may see that a character like the protagonist displays a melancholic face and sometimes it contextually makes sense but other times, I am not entirely clear what the motivation behind the emotion is. This is rare, however, and I could be at fault here not to sympathise. After all, I would like to believe that every panel in this manga was made with great consideration, as that is Taniguchi's craft and talent. To conclude, it certainly doesn't hinder my experience.

Another critique may be that some characters are underdeveloped. However, this again, I somewhat agree but also feel as if this isn't something that hinders the experience as I thought the manga was successful for following the protagonist so exclusively. If more development had occurred, perhaps it would have enhanced my experience, but in this case, I am someone not to criticise something that I already found to be very satisfactory to my own values.

A Zoo in Winter will be regarded as something very special and enriches my appreciation for Jiro Taniguchi. The message I found to be most prevalent throughout the manga would be that for someone who is inspired by a life enriched by creativity, know that the little developments and conviction gained from making mistakes is to be cherished as a professional, and a human being.

I hope that more people get to appreciate this manga for what it is and read this based on modest inspiration. For people unfamiliar with Taniguchi, I recommend starting somewhere else and considering this piece after. As for existing fans, it gives me great pleasure to know that you are most likely already considering this manga and I can affirm that it certainly is something to try, especially when reading the brilliant physical release.

The story of this young designer who after various vicissitudes finds himself working as an assistant to a successful mangaka, in this story Taniguchi puts himself and what brought him to success, his inner dramas and fundamental experiences for his work. I don't know to what extent it is autobiography and where the fictionalized story begins, but you feel that it is present more than in other works by him. In the story Hanaguchi finds a way to overcome her insecurities thanks to the fundamental help of Fukiko who encourages him to do better and he for his part wants to make the girl read ... her story to in turn encourage her to live despite the disease. Taniguchi's stroke is very realistic that leaves no room for smudges or anything. The scene that entertained me is when Hamaguchi and his friend meet again after a drawing course and with his friend there is also the model who a few seconds before he had portrayed naked, Very embarrassing !!!
I give a 7 to the story and 8 to the drawings