TITLE: What a Wonderful World Vol. 1
YEAR: October 2009 (US Release)
COMPANY: Viz Signature
Story and Art by Inio Asano
For many Americans who read the manga “Solanin” (released in the US via Viz Media in 2008 and in Japan back in 2005), one can’t help but appreciate Asano’s art and writing style. Realistic, deep and emotional, “Solanin” was a very rare manga to see stateside.
With a total of seven manga works in Japan, Viz Media has now released both volumes of “What a Wonderful World” in which Inio Asano explores modern life and the various challenges young people face in life.
Again, he manages to write storylines that are deep, emotional, happy, sad and depressing through several vignettes.
have to admit that when I first started reading “What a Wonderful World!”, I have to admit that the storyline got a bit confusing at times. Although each chapter features vignettes of youth and their approach on life, we see people from previous tracks show up in different storylines and the fact that some characters look very close to other characters made things a wee bit confusing but the main premise of the manga is about life and the choices that people make. Somehow there is a connection to why people behave a certain way. May it be from bullying, friendship, broken relationships, work…everyone has their own problems but its how one deals with them.
“What a Wonderful World!” is not your typical manga. It’s about taking a voyeuristic view at the lives of people and seeing them deal with certain emotions about their lives. Some happy, some carefree and some that are just darn right sad.
While there are chapters that are more realistic, there are some that become quite fantasy-based but the premise of the storyline is possibly Asano’s way of showing how people can be affected. The cruelty of childhood. The delusion of adulthood. He explores it with detail and showing that life is seen differently from the eyes of others. Some who see life as precious, those who see it as terrible, those who celebrate life and those who waste it.
It’s a manga series about life of several individuals in two manga volumes. It may not seem all that fun but if anything, the fact that Asano did focus on a short manga series that is different from the norm, then you know that you found something unique.
“What a Wonderful World!” may not be for everyone but if you are looking for something different, then definitely give this series a try!