Solanin

ソラニン [Solanin] #1-2

by Inio Asano

Giovani laureati, Meiko e Taneda stentano a trovare la loro strada, tra incertezze e autogiustificazioni… I due numeri di Solanin, un racconto dell’artbook CTRL+T, materiali inediti fra cui foto, pin-up, un nuovo capitolo conclusivo, una postfazione di Asano. Tutto questo in un unico straordinario volume.
Leggi di

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Slice Of Life, Japan, Seinen

472 pages, Paperback

First published October 21, 2006

About the author

Inio Asano (浅野いにお, Asano Inio) is a Japanese cartoonist. He is known for his character-driven stories and his detailed art-style, making him one of the most influential manga author of his generation.
Asano was born in 1980 and produced his first amateur comics as a teenager. His professional debut happened in 2000 in the pages of the magazine Big Comic Spirits. Since then, he has collaborated with most of the major Japanese magazines of seinen manga (comics for a mature audience). Among Asano's internationally acclaimed works are: the psychological horror Nijigahara Holograph (2003-2005); the drama Solanin (2005-2006); the existentialistic slice-of-life Goodnight Punpun (2007-2013); the erotic A Girl on the Shore (2009-2013); the sci-fi Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction (2014-2022).

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This captures for the artist, then 24, that time of his life, and for others, the time between young adulthood and adulthood, where you fear you may be selling out your dreams and every day pleasures for boring, regimented, uncreative adult life. This is a novel told from the perspective of a young girl, Meiko, 24, who has been in a relationship for 6 years with Naruo. She hates her office girl job, he works part time illustrating but wants to be in a band even if they aren't spectacular. The band is a symbol of creativity and living one's passion and dreams. . . sound familiar? Still, it feels real, true to that age. I felt like that then, for sure.

The art is good, the main character is engaging, really likable, and as the artist says himself in an afterword, this isn't about superheroes and not even supercool people but just average, every day people, a slice of life anyone can relate to. And from my perusing some of the other twenty-something reviews, he captures the spirit of the twenties, as they found it moving. I liked it a lot, too.

[Alwynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inio Asano’s slice-of-life manga reflects Asano’s own anxieties after graduating from college and attempting to establish a career as a manga author. Originally serialised and targeting an audience close in age to Asano’s central characters, Solanin treads a fine line between angst-ridden and muted. It follows the experiences of Mieko, in her twenties, her low-level office job is suffocating and her relationship with her live-in boyfriend Taneda’s precarious. Asano’s story charts the consequences of her decision to leave her job in an attempt to find some form of freedom, a move that’s then unexpectedly marred by tragedy.

Mieko’s situation’s a familiar one - Asano’s representation of alienated graduates struggling to cope with an uncertain, perilous world is not especially original - but it’s still incredibly relevant and relatable. Gradually Mieko and her circle of friends are confronted with the nature of time and fleeting youth, and the need to embrace life for what it is. I had some issues with the structure, the plot moves backwards and forwards in time, and sometimes it took me a while to realise I’d been plunged into Mieko’s past. But I liked the willingness to mix realism and fantasy, and the sense of sincerity driving this. Asano’s style’s understated, and the images sharply realist, mixing the visual and the verbal in satisfying ways. Asano also includes photographic images that have been drawn over adding to the impression of immediacy and realism. Overall, it’s a well-crafted piece and there were plenty of enjoyable elements but at the same time I was never fully invested in Mieko’s journey.

[E. G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

--Solanin

Afterword

[Mir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't date musicians.
Especially wannabe musicians.

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solanin is by far one of the best reads I have personally ever had. It's a wonderfully crafted story with the most character, charm, and personality a graphic novel has had in quite some time. I felt all emotions while flipping through theses pages and no other story had produced so many tears for me. Although it's sort of a depressing story, the answer that Inio Asano gives us is perserverance and hope. Solanin is a must read.

The main character Meiko, is a relatable girl. She's been out of collage for just a few years, worked an office job, and realizes soemthing--she's bored. Her place in life is not exactly what she wants, but she is content. This predicament causes her to question her happiness and what that really is. Her story is one that every person goes through at one point or another and in some form. Meiko is representative of the modern woman and the crazy society that moves around us.

The book also dives into the minds of Meiko's boyfriend and her friends from college. They all are around the same age and although they are doing different things with their lives, they are all questioning life, its meaning, and what they want out of it. With so many characters' insights and opinions there is always something to get out of the text. I find myself going over quotes from the book during everyday moments and also thinking, "This is just like Solanin."

In addition to Asano's flawless use of words, she illustrates her novel with stunningly drawn japanse anime style pictures. Basically, the book is like a thick manga with more of a serious plot devolopment. Don't let this throw you off though. You do not need to be a anime of manga fan to enjoy this read. Its soul and feel will whisk you away to the point where you won't even realize there are images on the page.

Solanin is a masterpiece in itself. It is pure magic that will
captivate your attention. I read this whole book in just a few hours because I could not bring myself to put the thing down. Once you get a feel of who these characters are and what their lives are like, you will never forget them and they will stay in your heart forever. It's not very often that an author can create something like that.

[Zahra · Rating 3 out of 5]

گفتی که شاهکار شما در زمانه چیست؟
بالله که زنده بودن ما شاهکار ماست!

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

"زندگی کردن واسه خیلی‌ها مشکله. زندگی انقدر چیزهای مختلف داره که آدم گیج میشه ولی می‌دونم چیزی هست که ارزش زندگی کردن رو داره. اگه در کنار نوازندگی به این باور خودم وفادار بمونم، حس می‌کنم حتی شده یه ذره می‌تونم دنیا رو عوض کنم."

داستان سولانین در مورد یه دختر جوون به نام میکوعه که با دوست پسرش توی توکیو زندگی می‌کنن. میکو کارمنده ولی از وضع خودش و جامعه و مسیرش راضی نیست و حس می‌کنه یه جای کار رو اشتباه رفته و اینجایی که الان هست و چیزی که شده، با اون چیزی که توی ذهنش بوده و می‌خواسته بشه خیلی متفاوته. برای همین از کارش استعفا میده و ما باهاش همراه میشیم تا بالا و پایین زندگی‌ش رو ببینیم و در نهایت بفهمیم به چه معنایی از زندگی می‌رسه.
این اثر، اولین کاری هست که از آسانو سنسی می‌خونم و با اون چیزی که معمولا در موردش گفته میشه متفاوت بود و خبری از اون فضای افسرده و دارک نبود. اتفاقا در نهایت حس و حال مثبتی داشت. با این حال چون اون فلسفه خاص زندگی که ارائه می‌کرد رو قبلا بهش رسیدم و برام آشنائه، اونقدرا شگفت‌زده نشدم.

[Andrei(Drusca) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

[Mairéad (is roaming the Undying Lands) · Rating 5 out of 5]

{February 24th, 2016} COLLEGE LIFE AND BEGINNING ADULTHOOD

5 stars.

One of the books my brother got for his assignment and one I snuck away to read in one sitting. Inio Asano is considered one of the best selling and revered mangakas in Japan for his works. Hard to believe he rode and drew this around the age of 24. Hard to believe he did this after being unsure of his skills to succeed in the manga industry.

A poignant novel about where do we go after high school, college and university. New experiences and struggling to find what makes you happy in life, because at that point in your life you're supposed to have everything sorted out, no? Not everyone knows what they want to do in life, and will generally have the idea of what they do not wish to do as opposed to what they love. We forget how those that know and work hard towards it are fortunate to do so. Mostly because we've been constantly told don't work at something that makes you miserable for the rest of your life, well sometimes you don't get that kind of luxury.

I still find myself at a loss, and wondering if I'm walking the right path. And to be honest I cannot really imagine myself doing anything remotely outside the realm of books. But to get to that point, I have to struggle with the bad and ugly before I reach the good and fortunate.

What Solanin represents are the many insecurities we new adults have upon being thrust into the big open world. Whether you fight for your dreams or take a chance, and make bad choices amongst the good ones--life is full of surprises and turns. Although the story primarily follows Meiko, the rest of the cast get their chances in the spotlight remaining tight with the plot.

While it does speak to me, I cannot help but feel as though we've been missing these kinds of stories in the New Adult genre. There are so many points in life where we grow and mature, seek out our own futures however uncertain they may be--we need reassurance that it's okay not to know or to make mistakes.

And I think that's the heart of Solanin.

[Cristina Di Matteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un fumetto che parla di noi, della giovinezza che non sa dove andare, dei sogni che si scontrano con la realtà. Con uno stile delicato e disarmante, Asano racconta la vita di Meiko e Taneda — due ventenni intrappolati tra il lavoro, la noia e la paura di crescere. Ogni tavola è poesia urbana, ogni silenzio pesa più di mille parole. Un colpo al cuore per chi si è mai chiesto: “E adesso, che faccio della mia vita?”

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

No conocía a Inio Asano salvo de oídas por las redes sociales, pero siendo sincera cuando vi la portada de Solanin y sobre todo su sinopsis, tuve que sacarlo de la biblioteca con el presentimiento que iba a gustarme. Y no solo hecho, sino que ha superado todas mis expectativas y sorprendido lo que el autor se atreve a explorar en este manga.

Es una obra dura, muy emotiva, realista pero a la vez esperanzadora con un dibujo muy personal y de enorme calidad. Lo que más me ha sorprendido aún es que esta obra sea del 2006 cuando los temas que trata son terriblemente actuales: trabajos mal pagados, como sobrevivir, el hastío de algunos empleos, los sueños sin cumplir, no saber que hacer con tu vida, etc.

No importa si te gusta el manga o no, Solanin merece una oportunidad porque obras así hay pocas.

[bee ✩ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ive been crying for the past 2 hours

[Elizabeth A · Rating 3 out of 5]

As I read this manga comic I realized something important about my reading tastes, namely, that while I love coming of age stories, I'm not as enamored by the "new adult" genre/stories. This book is the latter, hence the fact it doesn't get a higher rating is really because of that.

A term I see bandied about by Millennials is "Adutling." I often hear someone say "Adulting is hard." If you agree, this book is for you. Meiko is 24, a recent college grad, and working in a job that she hates. Her boyfriend, Naruo, isn't doing much better, and seems to have moved in with her, as with this part-time job he can't swing rent. The book follows both these characters as they struggle with the dreams they once had juxtaposed against the lives they are living. The black and white art is lovely, there are wonderfully poignant moments, and I liked it well enough.

[Laubythesea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cuando lees manga, el nombre de Inio Asano, surge una y otra vez a tu alrededor. Es difícil vencer la curiosidad de querer leer a un autor y dibujante tan reconocido tanto en Japón como de forma internacional. Sin embargo, tuve muy mal inicio y es que, no conseguí conectar con las primeras dos obras suyas que leí, que eran historias cortas. En otras ocasiones, dos intentos me hubieran hecho desistir de seguir leyendo un autor… pero, había algo que me llamaba a seguir probando. Así que me dije ¡es momento de ir con todo! Y me dispuse a leer “Solanin”, una obra larga publicada hace más de una década y amiguis… al fin, ¡Asano me ha enamorado!

“Solanin” presenta a un grupo de amigos, con personalidades complejas y trabajadas, en los años siguientes al fin de la universidad y donde todos se enfrentan al golpe que supone empezar a renunciar a los sueños de juventud en pos de una realidad marcada por la incertidumbre y la necesidad de trabajar para poder vivir. Vemos de cerca la vida de una pareja donde Meiko decide dejar un trabajo que no le gusta, mientras que Naruo quiere intentar una vez más triunfar con su grupo de música antes de ceder e introducirse de lleno en el mundo laboral. Conoceremos también las trabas de un chico que no consigue acabar la carrera y otro, que tiene la vida resulta porque trabaja en el negocio familiar, pero a quien ama, es inalcanzable. Es fácil identificarse con todos ellos en algún momento de nuestras vidas.

Me parece increíble como Asano recoge en esta obra muchísimos de los problemas e inquietudes de la juventud, enlazando el avance de la trama con un arte precioso (en serio, echadle un ojo a cualquiera de sus dibujos) que te hace sumergirte en cada trazo, creando una atmosfera sumamente real. Momentos dramáticos, otros llenos de humor y donde, sobre todo, la amistad tiene un papel fundamental para soportar los golpes y enfrentarse a la pérdida.

Esta edición se hizo para el 10º aniversario y une en un solo volumen los dos tomos con los que se publico inicialmente e incluye además, un capitulo extra, un epílogo creado por Asano expresamente para esta edición (que permite ver a los protagonistas 10 años después y que me pareció sumamente coherente) y un texto del autor reflexionando sobre “Solanin” años después de escribirla.

[T O À N P H A N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Đây là một cuốn truyện tranh gom vào mình vô vàn hoang mang của tuổi trẻ: ước mơ chông chênh, đam mê bỏ xó, tuổi xuân kiệt quệ... Mỗi một ngày trôi qua, gánh cơm áo gạo tiền oằn trĩu trên vai, đè cái nhiệt huyết bùng cháy tim gan dần dà tắt ngóm. Chẳng biết bấu víu vào đâu, ngoài những buộc ràng về tình cảm cũng đã chớm phai nhòa.
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Ấy vậy mà, cục than đam mê nhỏ xíu kia vẫn âm ỉ tỏa lan giữa những người bạn, mặc sóng gió ào ạt tạt xối xả đến lịm người. Nước mắt đã rơi vì một nỗi đau quá lớn, đã hong khô chính những bờ vai kề sát bao năm trời. Họ đứng dậy, đẩy tinh thần, nâng sĩ khí, cùng nhau hát một bài hát thật hăng, say đến mụ mị, say đến quên đời.
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Trong cuộc sống đầy những vướng bận bự tổ chảng này, đôi khi có một người bất thần chếnh choáng vì mầm độc solanin đến không thể gượng dậy, thì vẫn còn đó những vòng ôm thật chặt, những nụ cười hồ hởi, những sẻ chia trìu mến giúp mình, ta và tất cả vượt qua mọi thứ. Chỉ cần có lòng tin.

[Amin Matin · Rating 4 out of 5]

آموزنده‌ترین مانگایی بود که تا حالا خونده بودم.
خوندن این مانگا می‌تونه بهتون یاد بده چطوری زندگی کنید.

[bianqui *‧.₊˚*੭*ˊᵕˋ੭.* · Rating 4 out of 5]

mis amigas me obligaron a leer esto las odio!!! la incertidumbre de convertirse en adulto!!! qué es lo que queremos realmente!!! me largué a llorar un par de veces!!!

[Hamed Manoochehri · Rating 5 out of 5]

هر چقدر مانگای قبلی که خوندم(Jun Fantasy World) یه داستان coming of age سیال و آن-اورتوداکس داشت، سولانین یه داستان سرراست و به همون اندازه ی Jun تاثیرگذار داره. پایین بیشتر - و با اسپویلر- توضیح می دم.

Years ago and after spending my whole life studing and being by the book, I got my first job.  It was in a place so remote from everythning and everyone; where even the salt water was deliverd to us bimonthly. Had I read this book then I would understand my own feelings and reality of the world around me so much better and so so sooner. Fortunately, my friends saved me just before it was too late. 


Spoilers Ahead

بپا! اسپویلر!


اگه اینجایی و اینو میخونی حتما سولانین رُ خوندی و حدسم اینه که اومدی اینجا برای اینکه حس میکنی نیازه با یکی دربارش حرف بزنی و اگه نه حداقل دربارش بخونی تا اون حس بی قراری بعد از خوندش التیام پیدا کنه یا به قولی نیاز به Closure  داری. منم دارم مینویسم برای همین. برای اینکه ذهنم داره هزار جا میره: یاد انتخاب های گذشته می افتم و به گزینه هایی که قراره زمان در اختیارم بذاره فکر میکنم. مغزم حسابی مغشوشه و نمیتونم با تمرکز و طبقه بندی شده بنویسم. معذرت میخوام، رفیق ناشناس.


مه ای کو یه درک نادرست از آزادی داشت، درسته؟ و بدتر از اون به اشتباه فکر میکرد هدفش و نیازش به دست آوردن آزادی هست.  به نظرم سفر مه ای کو در این دو سالِ زندگی  برای به دست آوردن جواب و فهمیدن اینکه واقیت زندگی چیه یه جوری به تصویر کشیده شده بود که با هر فیلم "برو دنبال رویاهات" و "تو میتونی، چون عشق بر هر چیز غالب است" هالیوودی 180 درجه متفاوت بود. نظرت تو چیه؟ دیدی که توی توضیحات آخر کتاب خود نویسنده گفته بود با دانش کامل و عمداً، شخصیت هایی طراحی کرده بود که cool نباشن؟

نیمه اول داستان و تا چپتر 15، کلی سوال برام مطرح میشد و منو درگیر اِشکالات فلسفه زندگی خودم می کرد و بعد از چپتر 15 و مرگ تا نه دا، داستان چنان درگیرم کرد که هر لحظه ش برام تکون دهنده بود. 

به نظرم، آ سا نو یه تعریف درست از واقعیت زندگی داره; اینکه قرار نیست چیزی Happyly ever after بشه و زندگی سراسر تناوب لحظات تک به تک شادی و غم و روزمرگی هست. 

گفتم روزمرگی، یاد ترس و مقاومت تا نه دا و و صد البته خودم در بیست سالگیم از روزمرگی افتادم. این روزا اما عاشق روزمرگی هام هستم. دگه تکرار رُ نشونه رکود نمیبینم، بلکه نشونه Stability. 


تو کدوم بخش کتاب توی ذهنت موند، رفیق؟ 

برای من یکی اون دونه برنج روی لُپ پدر تا نه دا. با یه دو نه برنج چه شخصیت پردازی ای کرد!

و دومی پلان های مربوط به اجرای سولانین توسط مه ای کو. مقایسه ش کن با اجرای تا نه دا و یه شاهکار از کارگردانی تحویل بگیر. 

دیگه چی میخواستم بگم؟ 

آها!

 رفیق، اگه -و امیدوارم که- در بیست سالگینت این کتابو داری میخونی، درسته که انتخاب های خیلی سختی پیش رو داری اما تو، تویی که سولانین رُ برای خوندن انتخاب کردی، حتما آینده ی آروم و دلپسندی در انتظارته. 

[Harmony Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, Solanin is a manga. It is a comic book, from Japan. There is no escaping that. If that fact is insurmountable to you, then you do not get to read Solanin. Your loss.

That caveat out of the way, Solanin is well-worth your attention. It's a well-written and beautifully illustrated graphic novel about a group of young adults who are struggling to negotiate their lives past college. The main character is a disaffected OL (think administrative assistant) who took a job with a large company immediately after graduation. It pays well, but it makes her miserable, so she quits. This sparks a chain of events where herself and her friends are forced examine the meaning of responsibility, relationships, and freedom. When you don't fit into the 9 to 5 world, where do you fit instead?

Solanin excels in it's portrayal of a tale that could have been a collection of crushing cliches in the hands of a less talented writer. The art style toes the line between manga cuteness and more realistic cartooning styles to good effect, and the translation and localization of the book is well-done. As far as an independent comic release goes, Solanin hits all the right notes.

It is not a book for everyone. If the manga art style bothers you, you probably won't be able to get past the first couple of pages. It also does occasionally indulge a little sentimentality and self-pity for characters who may not deserve it. The twist that occurs two-thirds of the way through may strain your willingness to stick with the plot. But if you can get past these things, you'll be rewarded by the experience of reading a truly unique take on an ages-old trope.

In summary, if you are a fan of comics, Solanin deserves a place on your bookshelf. At least reserve it from the library if you don't believe me. It's a rewarding book, and anyone who has found themselves adrift with a diploma and no idea how to use it will find it rings true.

[Hung Truong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grabbed from here.

I think Solanin (ソラニン？）sets really high expectations and ultimately fails to deliver on them. There are lots of characters, all with unique backstories, but the interesting ones (non main characters) get pushed aside for the main plotline which I found kinda dull.

Temporally, the manga is really confusing. Manga typically signify a flashback via black borders around the edges. I couldn't tell what was a dream, what was a flashback and what was happening in "real-time." I'm still not really sure what happened in the story. Maybe that's intentional?

This book is definitely relevant to my interests as a mid 20-something going through a quarter life crisis. I have a feeling it would be more relevant if I was living in Japan. There are a number of cultural references and it's hard to pick up on them if you don't know about Japanese culture. For example, the job of Office Lady (OL) doesn't really exist in Western culture. Meiko is fighting against that culture of working at an office to find a hard working husband so she can quit. From a Western perspective, I think Japanese feel more "trapped" in their system than many of their Western counterparts do.

I think this is a first attempt from the author. In that case, it's good, but the amateurishness of it definitely shows as well. Solanin shows promise, and it isn't bad, but I feel it could have been a lot better.

[Marc Bosch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Asano abusa del sentimentalismo para presentar a unos personajes que formulan todas sus angustias vitales a través de la voz interior y los diálogos. No hay espacio ni para la imaginación ni para lo sutil ni para interpretaciones simbólicas. Todo está explicito, en primera persona y preparado para que entre por las venas y se vaya directamente al cerebro en forma de proyección. Luego, una vez se ha producido la fusión entre la mente del personaje y la del lector, Asano se encarga de jugar con las escenas para adentrarse en el drama de la forma más efectista posible, casi rozando lo tramposo. Así no vale, que dirían algunos...
Los dibujos eso sí, son brillantes y la caracterización y la expresividad de los personajes está muy lograda. Dicho esto, su talento como ilustrador no compensa el sentimentalismo de brocha gorda al que nos somete en esta obra.

[David Gil]

Una historia de transición a la edad adulta protagonizada por unos jóvenes tokiotas, pero que es perfectamente universal. Divertida, con gran ritmo a pesar de que nunca pone un pie fuera de lo cotidiano, cargada de ese vértigo vital de ver cómo la realidad engulle nuestras aspiraciones. No es maniquea ni deprimente, pese a algún golpe de efecto dramático que veo innecesario. Especial mención a la fuerza de las escenas musicales, tan bien dibujadas que pareces escuchar a la banda.

[lostlessboy* · Rating 5 out of 5]

อ่านจบแล้วรักเลย Solanin เป็นมังงะที่ถ่ายทอดเรื่องราวของวัยรุ่นได้อย่างเยี่ยมยอด เรื่องเล่าถึงความรักของนางเอก พระเอก และกลุ่มเพื่อนที่เพิ่งเรียนจบมหาวิทยาลัย พระเอกและเพื่อนมีวงดนตรีด้วยกัน พระเอกทำงานไปฟรีแลนซ์ไปวันๆ นางเอกทำงานประจำไปด้วยความรู้สึกว่างเปล่า ทุกอย่างอยู่ในช่วงหัวเลี้ยวหัวต่อ จะเล่นดนตรี ผลักดันวงตัวเองจริงจังให้เป็นที่รู้จัก หรือเข้าสู่ตลาดแรงงานเพื่อที่จะก้าวต่อไป ทุกอย่างดูเหมือนจะรุมสะกำ แต่ผู้เขียนถ่ายทอดได้อย่างมีจังหวะที่ทั้งหนัก เบา มีทั้งการเปลี่ยนผ่าน การหวนรำลึก เหมือนได้ฟังบทเพลง บทเพลงแห่งชีวิต ท่อนฮุกโผล่มาแล้ว แล้วก็ท่อนสะพาน สะพานที่ข้ามไปแล้วจะไม่ได้ย้อนกลับ ทุกตัวละคร ทุกคนรู้ แต่ก็เลือก เลือกจะข้าม แล้วก็ร้องท่อนฮุคอีกครั้ง ข้ามไปเพื่อซึมซับพลังที่สดใหม่เปล่งประกาย พลังที่มีแต่ผู้ที่ถ่ายทอดสิ่งในใจเท่านั้นถึงจะเข้าใจ

ขณะอ่านเหมือนกำลังเป็นผู้ชมที่กำลังฟังคอนเสิร์ตที่ขับร้องอย่างสุดพลังจากทุกๆ ตัวละคร บทเพลงของพวกเขาเต็มไปด้วยความสับสน การค้นหาความหมาย ชีวิตคืออะไร อะไรคือสิ่งที่ทำแล้วมีคุณค่า การเลือกเส้นทางอาชีพ ท่ามกลางหลายๆ สิ่งหลายอย่างที่ผู้คนให้ค่าและเป็นแรงกดดันอย่างอายุที่มากขึ้น หน้าตาของสังคม ความมั่นคง บนโลกที่เหมือนทุกอย่างจะไม่มีที่ถูกต้อง พอได้รับอะไรมาก็ต้องทำให้ดีขึ้น ดีไปมากกว่านี้ แล้วคนคนหนึ่งที่ไม่ได้ยิ่งใหญ่ มีพรสรรค์มากมายจะมีที่ยืนอยู่ตรงไหน ถือกำเนิด มีตัวตนไปเพื่ออะไร

ในอีกมุม มังงะเรื่องนี้ก็ถ่ายทอดประเด็นวิธีการรับมือความเจ็บปวดได้ดีเหลือเกิน เมื่อมีคนสำคัญต้องจากไป ความปวดร้าวย่อมเป็นสิ่งที่หลีกเลี่ยงไม่ได้ ตอนอ่านก็รู้สึกว่าการจากไปของพระเอกในตอนจบเล่มหนึ่งนี่แทบจะแทนคำนิยามต่างๆ ได้ทุกรูปแบบกับนางเอก ทั้งความรัก คู่ชีวิต ความหมายของชีวิต ไปจนถึงเรื่องอย่างการเอาตัวรอดไปวันต่อวันแบบที่ตัวเองไม่โทษ ไม่ทำร้ายตัวเองจนเจ็บปวดเกินไป แต่ไปลงที่พระเอกแทน ชอบที่นางเอกเลือกที่จะมาเล่นกีตาร์ ขับร้องบทเพลงของพระเอก ทำครั้งนึงทำได้ดีแล้วก็ไม่ทำต่อ ถ้าเป็นพล็อตทั่วไปคงดูน้ำเน่า แต่เรื่องนี้พอปูมาทางนี้คือมันใช่ มันคือการแหกปาก ถ่ายทอดพายุในใจให้กลายเป็นการกระทำ เป็นบทเพลง เพื่อที่จะยอมรับความสูญเสีย อยู่ร่วมกับมัน ในขณะเดียวกันก็ไม่หลงลืมตัวตน ความสัมพันธ์ที่มีร่วมกัน เพื่อให้เดินต่อไปได้ ถึงสิ่งสำคัญนั้นจะจากไปทางรูปธรรมแล้ว แต่หากสิ่งนั้นหลอมหลวมกับหัวใจไปแล้ว ย่อมเป็นแรงผลักดัน เป็นสิ่งสำคัญในใจเหมือนพระเอกที่อยู่ในใจนางเอก แม้เค้าจะไม่มีชีวิตอยู่แล้วก็ตาม

[Michael Sorbello · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meiko has recently graduated from college and hates her new job as an office worker. Her boyfriend Taneda gets paid chump change for working long hours as an illustrator and hates his job as well. Both of them are unsatisfied with the way their lives turned out and struggle to find reasons to be happy. Tired of such a dull and depressing life, Meiko decides to quit her job on a whim and get in touch with some old friends from college who used to play in a band together with Taneda. After reuniting, everyone learns that none of their lives worked out the way they wanted and they grow closer as each of them struggle to find meaning and fulfillment in their mundane lives. They get the band back together and confront their insecurities.

Solanin is less of a story and more of a look into the day-to-day struggles of young college graduates transitioning into adulthood. It's an awkward time in your life when you struggle to let go of your dreams and desires in order to move on and take on the responsibility of a grownup. It's hard, it's confusing and it's depressing as hell. The story goes through all the stages of grief. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and then finally acceptance.

I'm sure everyone has felt like they weren't ready for the real world at some point in their lives. Everyone has experienced the fear of never becoming a healthy member of society or being able to gain true acceptance and fulfillment in life. It's okay to not be okay and it's okay to make stupid mistakes, so long as you don't let them take control of your life and define your entire being. Life doesn't follow a script and neither should you.

Inio Asano never fails to hit really close to home and take you through a rollercoaster of negative emotions before paying you off with a realistically hopeful and uplifting finale. His stories are simple yet they represent real life in the modern world frighteningly well, sometimes making you recall all kinds of sad, dark and embarrassing memories. He explores the lives of normal people and makes you feel as if you've been in their shoes many times before. Solanin is no exception.

***

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[Skye Kilaen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A manga about a couple in their early 20s, Meiko and Naruo, and their friends, as the various members of the group drift about and struggle to figure out this whole adulting thing. Insecurity and inner conflicts about selling out versus success plague many of the characters, until a tragedy acts as kind of a wake-up call to put at least some of them onto different paths. It's character-driven rather than plot-driven, but things are quite different at the end than the beginning. Almost a snapshot of a time and place, culturally and economically, as well as the new adult stage. It's very emotional without being overly dramatic, and I didn't stop thinking about it for days after I finished reading it. I'm not even a fan of slacker-type or disaffected/apathetic characters! Totally recommend this one.

Solanin was originally published, at least in Japan, as two volumes, but I think in the English translation it's only available in the one complete volume.

I read our library's copy, but just bought my own, so I could re-read - especially because a digital-only epilogue came out this summer that I want to read after I've refreshed my memory of all the characters.

[Cristina Di Matteo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un manga profondamente umano, che racconta la difficoltà di diventare adulti senza perdere se stessi. Con tavole poetiche e una sensibilità rara, Asano segue giovani sospesi tra sogni e realtà, fragilità e desiderio di libertà. *solanin* è un colpo al cuore: dolce, amaro e incredibilmente vero.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about a girl who cried a...I mean it's about a girl who quits her job, lives with her mostly deadbeat boyfriend, and tries to find happiness in life.

This is basically a few months into the life of Meiko, a girl who's trying to figure out life. With her boyfriend only having a part time job she decides to push him into being something. At the same time she's doing that she's trying to figure herself out. Music is a central point that brought her and her boyfriend together but also all their friends. Will they be able to use that music to become something more than what they are?

Good: This is a slice of life story and does it mostly well. The major twist is easy to see coming but still lands. I also thought the dialog was mostly well done and both funny and sad.

Bad: The dialog bubbles were hard to follow in this one and some scenes did drag pretty far.

Overall this is a real interesting story. While I didn't love it I enjoyed it throughout and was invested in their life. A 3.5 out of 5.

[catita (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5
Ayayayay. Este es mi manga favoritsísimo de la vida entera; a pesar de esto, desde que salí del liceo que no le echaba una ojeada, así que cuando vi que bookdepository estaba con descuento dije mmm por qué no.
Esta vez me pegó fuertísmo (lo más probable es que se deba a mi contexto actual).
Me fue inevitable verme en Meiko; me vi en sus errores, en sus miedos. Vulnerable, ¿insegura?
Yo sé que siempre se dice que Inio Asano es emo porque sí, sus historias tienen mucho de desesperanzador, pero también de crecimiento y autoconocimiento en ese páramo horrible que está en el camino de la dulce adolescencia a la gris adultez.
La Cata que leyó esto en primero medio jamás se imaginó que estaría viviendo sola desde los 20, y estudiando lo que estudia. La Cata de hace 8 años no es ni parecida a la Cata de hoy, y agradezco muchísimo esto. Agradezco esta historia, y todos los caminos que me llevaron a ella.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only two books have ever made me cry- actually, bawl, while reading them. The first was Kafka's The Metamorphosis. The second was Solanin. Not only are the pictures in this graphic novel so beautifully done, the story stays with the reader long after the last page has been turned. Every recent college grad or early 20-something should read this book.
It follows the lives of Meiko and her boyfriend Taneda as they drift through life and contemplate the years of uncertainty following graduation. The trip is not always pleasant-these characters hurt and feel and lose, but finding out what is truly "precious" is the greatest realization of all.


I simply cannot recommend this book highly enough. It reads manga style- right to left, but even if graphic novels aren't your thing, I still recommend reading this book.

[maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solanin is a slightly dark, slice of life story about a young couple struggling to make it after graduating from university. As a 20-something myself, this was a pretty relatable story as I still feel like maybe I could be accomplishing more with my life?

Solanin had it's heavy moments, but I absolutely loved how real it all felt.

I've been loving all of Inio Asano's work lately and I'll definitely be reading more very soon, including the epilogue to Solanin that I picked up at TCAF earlier this year!