Sekai no Owari to Yoakemae

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Random Quote:
"Life...Life isn't so bad. If you keep living, you will someday find something good. And maybe that's no consolation...because I think there are plenty of bad things in the world. But...I am sure happiness and kindness are hiding somewhere right nearby. If nothing else, morning comes same for everyone. It's up to you what you'll make from that."

Review:
So, why should one read vignettes about random people? I think maybe because one can relate them with real life, the stories depicted in this manga are not about happy endings, or some special people. It's about life, life of normal people, and these people ... resonate with you, their insecurities might be your insecurities, their life crisis might resemble yours. It might even be like seeing your life unfold in those pages. Asano Inio, targets people of all ages and sex, of different walks of life in these short stories of his, and the best part is that they are depicted beautifully. After these stories you feel compelled to think about the things you've done in your life until now, In some way, aren't you like those manga characters, hollow, incomplete and looking for something, anything to hold on to, that'll give meaning to life, aren't we all the same? This manga forces you, to face reality, and somehow after reading these stories, I became a wee bit more pragmatic, and a bit more closer to myself.

Coming to grips with the harsh realities one faces in adolescence, the insecurity of one's place and purpose in the world, the realization of one's true self, and the impact that society can have on a person: these are all realistic obstacles and troubles that humans face every day.

Rather than one overarching story plot, the story divides itself into multiple short stories with different characters and their own array of problems. Overall, most of the stories are well done as each handles the situation in their own way, whether there was a good result in the end or not. The 4th chapter is ... the one story that I believe is handled the best as story and characters are seen from the viewpoints of three different characters, and one can see the true impact of how one has effected the other character and their thoughts process as a whole, rather than the preconception one character might have had on another. Some of the chapters however would benefit from having more attention as some of the characters didn't feel as well developed as they could have been (most notably, chapter 5).

To those who may have read Asano's other works, then it may be no surprise for you that the art is very detailed and quite beautiful with the attention that is put into the characters and the backgrounds. This is even true for the bizarre facial expressions that are common through the manga, which can add a comedic effect even when misfortune is happening to an individual.

If you're fine without a work having an overarching plot and if you a manga that can hit close to home with others, than I'd greatly recommend this. If you want something similar that's a bit lighter, check out Solanin, but if you want a work that's a bit more cynical with a darker plot, check out Oyasumi Punpun.

No spoilers.

"Sekai no Owari to Yoakemae" or "Before Dawn and the End of The World" is a volume with 9 one-shots by Inio Asano. Mostly it is about young people or people in general with their problems in everyday life, as is the case in most of Inio Asano's mangas. Sekai no Owari convinces with the very good stories and with a lot of variation between the different one-shots. So you might even find yourself in one of the one-shots and let Inio Asano's creativity convince you. Yes, I am a big fan of Inio Asano.

1. Yoakemae (Before Dawn)
Before Dawn is about the night and ... what things happen in nights, but you still wake up every morning and start a new day. Miracles happen, tragedies happen, accidents happen ... and people keep waking up to find out what happens next without realizing it. Inio Asano has this story in every way and this one-shot has a special place in my heart. 10/10

2. Alfalfa
Alfalfa is about a typical day in middle school. The special thing that stands out again is what Inio Asano has perfected: the realism. The realism in friendship, relationships or simply to discover. Often you see yourself again or think that it could have gone that way. 9/10

3-5. Nichiyou, Gogo, 6-jihan. (Sunday, Afternoon, 6:30.)
Sunday Afternoon 6:30 is about a father who is missing and his two children. These 3 chapters are about unfulfilled dreams, dreams that develop and dreams that have been given, from the perspective of each family member. Inio Asano represents this family perfectly and shows the different points in time of relationships. Beginning of relationships, in the middle of relationships and after a long-term relationship. Also with a breathtaking art style. 9/10

6. Chou Mousou A-ko no Nichijou to Yuuutsu
A Day in the Melancholy Life of A-ko the Daydreamer is about the attempt to always show happiness in public and what makes it easier and more difficult. Everyone knows that sometimes you try to be nice to people, but you notice that they are not interested and it was all in vain. Good short one-shot. 7/10

7. Kyuujitsu no Sugoshikata
How to Spend a Day Off is about this strange, melancholy feeling that Inio Asano wants to convey to the reader, to spend the last day off or the last day of vacation. On the one hand sad, maybe stressful or you just don't know how to spend this unique time. Inio Asano gives you these feelings during this chapter, which he did very well. 8/10

8. 17
17 is about the "desire" of young people of all kinds and their consequences. Especially with adolescents, every kind of desire can become an addiction, illegal action, wrong action or simply depression. Inio Asano is a specialist in this field, you can approach these issues at Inio Asano with high expectations. 9/10

9. Subarashii Sekai
What a Wonderful World is about current feelings that you feel and writes yourself a letter and asks how you are. A very abstract, philosophical story by Inio Asano that I liked very much. 7/10

10. Tokyo
"Tokyo" is about Inio Asano's self-portrayal. About his career and what it's like to be a mangaka. Similar to Reiraku (Downfall) but was even more personal and a very good background story. 7/10

11. Sekai no Owari
"The End of the World" is about a dream that either Inio Asano or one of the protagonists of this story had. What feelings do you have then? Who cares? Who would you like to be with? What would you like to do? These questions are asked in the final chapter and were sensationally presented. One of the best stories you can read and very philosophical. 10/10

Overall: 8/10