This book defines tōjisha manga as Japan’s autobiographical comics in which the author recounts the experience of a mental or neurological condition in a unique medium of text and image. Yoshiko Okuyama argues that tōjisha manga illuminate otherwise “faceless” individuals and humanize their invisible tribulations because the first-person narrative makes their lived experience more authentic and relatable to the reader. Part I introduces the evolution of the term tōjisha, the tōjisha movements, and other relevant social phenomena and concepts. Part II analyzes five representative titles to demonstrate the humanizing power of tōjisha manga, drawing on interviews with the authors of these manga and examining how psychological or brain-related symptoms are artistically depicted in approximately 40 drawings. This book is highly recommended to not only scholars of disability studies and comic studies but also global fans of manga who are interested in the graphic memoirs of serious social issues.
Author(s): Yoshiko Okuyama
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 301
City: Cham
Conventions
Acknowledgments
Contents
List of Figures
Chapter 1: Introduction
About This Book
Purpose and Target Audience
Basics of Manga and Methodology for Manga Analysis
A Word About Language
Selection of Manga Titles and Mental and Neurological Conditions
The Structure of the Book
References
Part I: Foundations
Chapter 2: To¯jisha
Who Is a Tōjisha?
Caregiver/Family Tōjisha
Significance of Lived Experience
Tōjisha Undō
Western Equivalents of Tōjisha and the Tōjisha Movement
Tōjisha Kenkyū
Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: To¯jisha Narratives
First-Person Narratives
Life Writing on Disability and Illness
Tōbyōki (Illness Memoirs)
Representations of “Illness” in Autographical Comics
Conclusion
References
Chapter 4: Essay Manga: Japan’s Autobiographical Comics
The Definition of Essay Manga
The Rise of Essay Manga
Connections with Shōjo Manga
Characteristics of Essay Manga
Characteristics of Tōjisha Manga
An Example of In-Depth Analysis
Role of Humor
Conclusion
References
Part II: Case Studies
Chapter 5: Okita Bakka’s Gaki-tame Series (2011–2013): A Memoir of a “Troublemaker” Aspie Girl
Introduction
The Title and Target Readership
The Author’s Background
Okita’s Drawing Styles and Storytelling Characteristics
Hypersensitivity
Poor Coordination
Selective Mutism and Suicide Attempt
Ninchi no Zure (Cognitive Gap)
Reception and Generalizability
References
Chapter 6: Nonami Tsuna’s Akira-san Series (2011–2017): A Memoir of a “Cassandra” Wife
Introduction
The Title and Target Readership
The Author’s Background
Nonami’s Drawing Styles and Storytelling Characteristics
Artistic Characteristics
Specific Drawing Techniques
Readability Considerations
Reception and Generalizability
References
Chapter 7: Tanaka Keiichi’s Utsunuke (2017): An Ode to Depression To¯jisha
Introduction
The Title and Target Readership
The Author’s Background
Tanaka’s Drawing Styles and Storytelling Characteristics
Visual Metaphor of “The Depression Tunnel”
Personification of Depression: Utsu-kun
Embodiment of Happiness: Foot Warmer and Greenfield
Representation of the Faceless Public: Assistant Kaneko
Brain Fog: Gelatin or Muddy Agar
Use of Powerful Phrases
The Effect of Colors
Storytelling Strategies
Objectivity and Humor
Reception and Generalizability
References
Chapter 8: Hosokawa Tenten’s Tsure utsu Series (2006–2013): A Couple’s Lived Experience of Depression
Introduction
The Title and Target Readership
The Author’s Background
Hosokawa’s Drawing Styles and Storytelling Characteristics
Characters of Ten-san and Tsure
Representations of “Getting the Blues”
Depression Waves (Utsu no Nami)
Turtle Bed (Kame Futon)
Hope and Happiness
Textual Strategies
Readability and Other Considerations
Reception and Generalizability
References
Chapter 9: Shiramizu Sadako’s Uchi no OCD (2015): A Collaborative Memoir of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
Introduction
The Title and Target Readership
The Author’s Background
Shiramizu’s Drawing Styles and Storytelling Characteristics
Character Drawings
Facial Expressions of Having a Panic Attack
Cute Monster “Fuan” and a Monkey Train
A Battle on a Remote Island
Hurdles to Jump Over
Reception and Generalizability
References
Chapter 10: Afterword
Manga as a Change Agent and a Tool for Mental Health Education
References
Index
