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“”Do you believe in magic?"
Rumor goes around school about an abandoned amusement park and a magician who lives that can make someone disappear for good.
➳ Tackles the paradoxical nature of saying that seeking happiness and "dreams" is important for self-fulfillment, but that we contradict ourselves when we allow conventions to define our reality, undermining our efforts to achieve self-fulfillment. The magician is a symbolic representation of true expression.
Mariko and Shii have been friends, and have maintained their friendship over years. But Shii, now OL, suddenly hears on the news that her friend has killed herself.
➳ Tragically, yet beautifully represents grief and regret through a straightforward drama about experiencing what comes after a loved one’s death. The author allows us to empathise towards our main leads, especially of Shii as we are able to feel her helplessness through her guilt, and the extent of how grief can consume us
Ethic teacher, Takayanagi, confront the problems of students and their own stance.
➳ Pulls readers into the concepts of ethics, enabling us to go through a thought-provoking journey of our perspective towards mundane situations. This story represents philosophical stances on personal and seemingly relatable situations, though also approaches it as a ‘life lesson’. The story also allows us to dig deeper into moral dilemmas, and perceive the ambiguity and hypocrisy of human nature
The story happens in a circus in Paris in the 1970's. (...) Much is made of the romance of the circus atmosphere, of flying through the air on a trapeze. Think cirque here, not circus. There are no elephants in tutus walking on their hind legs; it's slit-eyed jugglers and daring death-loving trapeze artists and sad Pierrot clowns, even if the Pierrot clown - our hero, Torinosu, 'Bird's Nest' - has a false red nose
Second to last year of high school, the dispassionate but studious, Yataro Yaguchi finally finds a calling in art. With no prior art experience, he decides to work towards to applying to an art university.
➳ Explores the experience of hardship, yet inflicts a sense of hope to readers through a compelling narrative showcasing the power, and value of art in how we perceive life and humanity. Yaguchi’s heartfelt journey to self-discovery and pursuit of passion can be relatable to many.
After recently moving to Onomichi, Hiroshima, high school student Tasuku Kaname is thrown into despair at the possibility that he may have been outed for being gay.
➳ Poignant and deeply human exploration of identity, belonging, and the search for connection. The manga visually encapsulates the internal struggles of the LGBT community, while also showing the importance of support. The series paints its diverse cast of characters with nuance, particularly in how it addresses self acceptance.
Conor, a Korean-American, lives in a city where same-sex marriage has been legalized, but where racist and homophobic hate crimes are still frequent. He joins a band with the blonde hair, blue-eyed Simon and the two go on to create their own “dark heaven”
➳ Blends dark, emotional depth with beautifully illustrated art. Story centers on a passionate and complex relationship, tackling themes of power dynamics, desire, and vulnerability.
At the border between life and death, someone is waiting for you... "How would I had time to think about death when I haven't yet figured out life...?"
Collection of conversations on the inevitable rhythm of life and loss.
➳ Delves into the complexities of life, death, and the emotional turmoil of loss. Artstyle captures both the bleakness and beauty of existence, immersing readers in a world where death is as much an emotional journey as a physical one. Themes of mortality ma
Shinjyurou Mamiya, an embalmer in a nation where men of his profession are viewed as outcasts engaging in an unaccepted and unclean practice. For Shinjyurou, it's just a job. But in doing it, he's gained an understanding of death, and more important, what it truly means to live
➳ Explores the art of embalming and the complex emotions surrounding death and memory. Each case offers deep psychological insights into both the deceased and those left behind. Episodic nature.