Jun 3, 2021
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
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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.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
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