Long-Winded Review #3 [Sleep Deprivation Edition]
This is, in my opinion, yet another masterpiece by Inio Asano. This is a lot more grounded than some of his other work, and as such a lot more accessible. This manga focuses on capturing the fragility of life for someone in their mid-20s. Asano explains it best in his afterword:
"[...] In my anxiety and impatience, I felt that all I could do in my manga was try to get a true depiction of the times as experienced by my generation.
Lovers, friends, money, jobs, a society with an unclear future, one's own pride... Writhing in these multiple, entangling factors, perhaps they are unable to draw their own conclusions. Perhaps this instant now is just a small part of their futile daily lives. The only thing that's certain is that they can never return to the days gone by.
There's nothing cool about these characters. They're just your average 20-somethings who blend into the backdrop of the city. But the most important messages in our lives don't come from musicians on stage or stars on television. They come from the average people all around you, the ones who are just feet from where you stand. That's what I believe."
For me, being around the same age as the characters in this manga and the same age Asano was when he wrote it, this book really hit home. Asano succeeded in what he set out to do: he simply yet sublimely captured the essence of being in your mid-20s. The uncertainty about the future, searching for a purpose, seeking a semblance of fulfillment in an apathetic world, taking a risk pursuing an unlikely goal or succumbing to a stable but tepid life. Despite those depressing themes, the main message of the book is quite positive: treasure the small moments. Cherish the good times with friends, revel in the times when you're doing something new or out of the ordinary--the times when you truly feel alive.
On to the technical part of the review:
The writing is really good. The plot itself is fairly simple but very satisfying. The characters are nuanced, relatable, and endearing. Watching them bounce off one another felt like watching my own friends interact, and it gave me a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for those moments. I enjoyed the use of symbolism (i.e. the sandals and the bandage), and I especially liked how the titular song's lyrics take on a different meaning depending on when you read them. Everything ties together very nicely.
As for the art, it's also really good. Asano has a knack for facial expressions, so the emotional moments really hit home. He still uses a lot of his signature exaggerated body language here and there, with characters acting kooky and eccentric for comedic relief, but it is a lot less common than in some of his other manga since this is generally more grounded. His establishing environmental shots were also really good, as are his interiors. By the end of the manga, I was attached to Meiko's little house as if it was an old friend's house. In relation to some of his other work, the art is generally a lot simpler and more subdued to fit the down-to-earth vibe of the manga, but Asano still knows when to bring out the moody, flashy, or over-the-top scenes when needed. The standout scenes were generally the music performances, which were very well done, with detailed instruments, dynamic movements, and raw emotion pouring from the page.
All in all, while I don't think Solanin is as good as Goodnight Punpun or Nijigahara Holograph, I think it definitely deserves the same perfect rating of 10/10. It achieves exactly what it sets out to do. It is relatable, memorable, evocative, and emotional. Like in most of his work, I felt like Asano wrote this just for me. It is the perfect snapshot of what being in your mid-20s is like, and I couldn't have read this at a better time than now.
