"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
