OH MY GOD A MANGA REVIEW…..
Yeh it’s been too long.
This is the second book I’ve read by Inio Asano and becoming a fan quickly.
Meiko Inoue is a recent college grad working as an office lady in a job she hates. Her boyfriend Naruo is permanently crashing at her apartment because his job as a freelance illustrator doesn’t pay enough for rent. And her parents in the country keep sending her boxes of veggies that just rot in her fridge. Straddling the line between her years as a student and the rest of her life, Meiko struggles with the feeling that she’s just not cut out to be a part of the real world. Via Viz Media
First heard about Solanin watching a review, highly praised work that others would be able to relate to. It was just luck happen to come upon in my library a couple of weeks ago, it’s amazing for me to say this two volume manga, has massive impact. Centring on Narou and Meiko who’ve been together since college and simply focuses on their struggles. Together and both individually. Really enjoyed how the manga started off with Meiko’s closed minded vision of how it is after graduating college. Your in the real adult world now, things become a blur.
After completing high school here in Australia there was a period where myself not knowing where to go. My desire from a young age had always been to work with animals, the goal was clear but just getting into this industry is very tough over here. At the time got myself a job in retail but that same week in getting that job, was offered a position to work in a kennels. Feel lucky in the sense from their every job I’ve had has been in my desired work. Not everyone is lucky but from Narou and Meiko’s struggling perspective you’ll find yourself latching on to that, from your own experiences.
Nothing is sugar coated in any of Asano’s work something I admired. In doing a little research Solanin he wrote at a time in his life in which he was going through himself. Stories like Solanin coming from a author’s experience makes it all the more special, special in the author’s desire for readers to relate to. Course that is what happened as reading through, the clear message that life is a roller coaster. This perspective resonating more with Meiko then Narou, thoughts by quitting her job. She would feel freedom but little to know money is a thing, we sadly need to survive with to an extend. Meiko’s days felt like beginning to shift with no purpose and began putting a strain on her relationship with Narou. Both one another were alike in the same thinking which made me fond of them being together.
There have been a couple of jobs from quitting for certain reasons, like Meiko went through a period of unemployment. It felt like so long ago now but at the time was job searching but it can feel like an eternity. The pains of looking for work ugh. There would be times just lay on my bed for half of the day, knowing should do something productive. Motivation when feeling you have nothing else going for you, it’s hard to find that motivation. Something unexpected twisted the story in Solanin which puts Meiko in a worst state.
It actually hit me hard but won’t spoil. Seems when drastic circumstances hit you like a train. Is the time we realise maybe “Your wasting that time staring into nothing”:
This snippet Meiko comes to that realisation, was like looking at myself in this moment. Nothing will shift on it’s own, if you don’t find the will to start moving. It also makes us realise how important certain things in your life are and Meiko, Narou learned a little too late. But we know it’s never too late, were individually coming to the same cross roads over and over. Will cross it eventually towards a new goal, passion whatever it maybe. Solanin expressed the meaning of the word “Passion” through Narou wishing to pursue his love of music. Meiko kept nudging him along to realise that his passion was still there.
Sometimes feel like I’ll loose my passion, motivation for blogging, doing videos all having these hobbies. But from the people coming to know in different communities seeing them putting out their content. Makes only my passionate drive for conveying my love of anime in however many forms possible. It’s not items, object that can drive you but people, closet ones in your life.
Towards the end of the manga is when Meiko’s started find a new purpose for herself, just going with it. Her character shone so brightly.
Solanin is a wonderful coming of age story centred in the times your about to venture into the world of adulthood. Their is a undeniable connection to this aspect which is why readers can’t help but feel that connection. It shows the grim truth that life is what you make it, we all fall down to the side of the curb. But life gives you unexpectedly that fast ball of motivation to start moving, begin feeling content in what truly is important to you. Meiko and Narou’s had been lost for a long while, in affecting their relationship but in the end their were these tender, sweet moments. that their feelings still their for one another, even if they were dealing with their own struggles.
Asano expressed the meaning of “Passion” to the fullest of it’s form in so many ways, whether work, relationships, hobbies. It takes a while for that drive to kick in and when it does you never want to let it flicker for not even a moment. This was such a amazing read evoking so much young emotion, at a tedious time going into adult hood. Highly recommend giving this a read.
Meiko’s is really cute actually.
Can’t wait to read all of Asano’s work now, though sometime point get around to watching the live adaption apparently solanin got. That’s exciting but hope you enjoyed the post.
Please leave comment below if you have read and your thoughts.
I’ll see you all in the next post !!
LitaKino
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