Its characters are named after real people and they follow roughly the same path as they did in the real, published journal, but this is NOT an adaptation.
The characters differ greatly from their real life counterparts, sometimes even being complete polar opposites (see ch.14). Some of their opinions resemble those of their real life counterparts, but their mannerisms are greatly exaggerated and very.. well, manga-like.
If you want to read a manga that explores early Meiji period Japan, it´s quite enjoyable and somewhat accurate, but I wouldnt quote it in a scientific study, for that read the original.
