Hadashi no Gen
Barefoot Gen

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When I was in middle school, we started learning about the second world war in English. The book we studied was the manga, 'Barefoot Gen'

We only managed to cover 1 volume, but I found the story very enticing and intriguing.

The artwork on this book is very detailed for a very old manga and also, there is some comedy, which kept my classmates drawn in throughout the story.

You will definitely feel different emotions, especially at the end of the book, where a tragic incident occurs, just like the nuke that landed on Japan, bringing war to an end.

I am very proud to say this is the first of manga mangas I will read. It captivated me from the very beginning, and to tell the truth I was at the mere age of nine when I read it. I was shocked to say the least that there was no reviews for this breath-taking manga, so I'll try my best to do its justice.

Like I said I first read this when I was nine, my Mum gave it to me when her regious group's libary was being re-done, they cleared out the books they didn't want anymore and gave them to the people who ... wanted them. The book was old and battered to say the least, the pages read from left to right instead of right to left like most mangas you find in your local book store nowadays. So at the time I just thought that it was just a normal comic book. It wasn't until years later when I got into anime and manga I realised that it was a manga.

Story.

The story does not just follow what it was like for the innocent people who were hit by the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, but of the lifes of Hiroshima living in a country at war and full of hate. The plots follows a anti-military family and the prejudices and hatred their neighbours hold hold for them, though, a couple, are nice to the family.

Art.

The art is not the best to look at. The lines are harst and none of the characters are visually 'actactive'. However, Kenji Nakazawa is a good artist, he is not one of those shoujou mangakas whos art maybe pretty but you find it hard to read. Nakazawa-sensei's art work is simple and easy to read, and no two characters are the same.

Character.

The characters are unique, all character designs are completely different and same goes for their personalities.

Enjoyment.

I loved reading this, I honestly did. I'm forever reading this, and it is most deffinately going to be with me for the rest of my life.

Overall.

A brilliantly visual novel, a must have for any person interested in history, Hiroshima, atomic bombs, and just loves their manga. I highly recommend reading it, I promise you won't regret it.

I wanted to write about this manga for a long time but I never had the necessary elements to take my courage in both hands. So now I'm going to describe you my memory of a few years ago.

Gen of Hiroshima is a poignant manga by Keiji Nakazawa that tells the story of a young boy, Gen, who survives the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
The manga that offers a unique perspective on the horror of war, especially on the consequences of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. This work is considered a classic of Japanese comics, largely due to the author's ability to ... tell a shocking and brutal story while providing a touch of hope.

It is important to note that the story is based on the personal experience of the author, who was also affected by the atomic bomb.
This story is incredibly violent and disturbing. It shows the devastating effects of war on the civilian population, especially on children.
Nakazawa accurately describes the suffering and horrors that Gen and his family endured, without hesitation in the representation of violence. The reader is confronted with images of unimaginable cruelty which do not leave indifferent.

Despite this, what makes this manga so powerful in my opinion is Nakazawa's ability to show the horror of war while offering a positive view of humanity. Even with the unimaginable suffering that the characters and Gen endure, they are incredibly resilient and determined, and continue to look for hope in desperate situations. This duality with Gen is illustrated through the character of Ryota, who brings a touch of humor and lightness to this otherwise very dark story. Despite the hardships he goes through, he retains a strong spirit of survival and a desire to make things happen. Ryota's character also adds a touch of humor, which helps to lighten the tone a bit and make the story more accessible to people who are not used to reading violent stories.

On the artistic side, Nakazawa's drawing style is simple and uncluttered, but he manages to capture the essence of the story in a moving and powerful way. The characters are expressive and well-developed in the style of the time, allowing readers to easily relate to them despite the tragic events they are going through.

Beyond its emotional aspect, Gen of Hiroshima also raises important questions about morality and justice. The story shows the devastating effects of weapons of mass destruction and the responsibility of governments in their use. By showing the terrible consequences of war on civilians, Nakazawa raises the question of the legitimacy of violence in times of conflict and the need for justice for the victims.

Gen of Hiroshima is a hard but essential read for anyone interested in history and war literature. This manga offers a poignant account of the horrors of war and its impact on civilians, while offering a glimmer of hope and humanity in the darkest of times. It is also a reminder of the importance of working together to prevent such disasters in the future.

If you ever want to try the manga, I still want to warn you again. It is an extremely brutal and violent story, but I think it is important to know it even by name.