This is the second volume of Showa: A History of Japan コミック昭和史 by MIZUKI Shigeru 水木しげる and covers part of World War II. I wrote about the first volume for Fujinsei to see the first article please check out:
Fujinsei’s blog is:
http://fujinsei.wordpress.com/
One again, some of the narration is by Ratman from Kitaro Gegege no Kitarou ゲゲゲの鬼太郎, and the story covers both the Japanese (and in this case world history) and autobiographical material about MIZUKI Shigeru 水木しげる during this time period. His deep spirituality and pacifistic philosophy are evident.
Other things that are covered are the loss of civil rights and expression of individuality by the Japanese people during this time period; greed of the politicians that made a living hell for the Japanese people and others of the world – by getting Japan into wars and continuing even without supplies or food; the sheer brutality of war machines; intricacies of the Axis politics and Asian versus European desires and goals; conflicts over treaties and pacts and the breaking of them between countries; the common people smarter than the politicians who are overcome by rapacity; deceit by war and country leaders to the population of Japan on the conditions and status of the war; people seeing through the government propaganda; etc. Also covered is how MIZUKI Shigeru’s 水木しげる family considers him a loser (although he later becomes world-famous) and his mother’s ESP at one time when he almost dies.
If this were fiction the volume would be left at a cliff hanger; however, we know how, in the end, he survives (or there would be no great manga by him).
This volume is a great introduction to important events during this period.
seattlekifujin 