Tokyo Love Story
A Manga Memoir of One Woman's Journey in the World's Most Exciting City (Told in English and Japanese Text)
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- $16.99
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
A funny and intimate travelogue of one woman's unexpected adventures in Japan.
French illustrator Julie Blanchin-Fujita arrived in Tokyo for what she thought would be a one-year stint, and ended up never leaving. In this graphic novel-style memoir she shares her love of Japan, while depicting personal experiences and stories from her life in Tokyo--from the exotic (sumo wrestlers, ramen, hot springs, tatami mats, bentos, Japanese trains, Mount Fuji, earthquakes) to the everyday (hanging out with friends, moving houses, falling in love).
Her voyage of discovery in the world's most exciting city will appeal to a broad range of readers--from those contemplating a trip to Tokyo and Japanophiles to fans of graphic novels and anyone who enjoys a good manga love story. Packed with keen cultural observations, this enchanting story is told in both English and Japanese--also making it a great language learning resource.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Fujita's wry illustrated diary renders life in Tokyo in featherlight lines and cheery watercolors. The French-born artist's career as a globe-trotting scientific illustrator takes her to Japan, where she falls in love with Tokyo and finds a series of cozy homes in different districts of the sprawling city. Each short chapter presents a snapshot of city life, with carefully observed visual detail and amusingly drawn characters. While many Westerners' takes on Japan focus on ancient traditions or geeky pop culture, Fujita instead trains her gaze on the hip contemporary scene: clubs, bars, music festivals, fellow artists, and figuring out how to flirt with standoffish Japanese men. She survives the earthquake and tsunami of 2011, checking in with friends as they watch updates on the Fukushima nuclear plant disaster. Fujita fills her pages with meticulous street scenes, train systems, apartment interiors, food, and those ultracomfortable bespoke toilets. All text is in both English and Japanese, which often makes for crowded layouts, but provides a guideline for students of either language. This loosely drawn sketchbook account provides a friendly introduction to Japanese language, culture, and daily life.
