Hen Kai Pan

by Eldo Yoshimizu

Overview

Dismayed by the havoc wreaked on the Earth by humankind, its five guardian spirits decide to act. But as they argue amongst themselves on what the judgement should be, one enraged spirit, Nila, becomes determined to take matters into her own hands, forcing the remaining four to unite in a desperate final battle to prevent her from wiping not just humans, but all life from the face of the planet.


This is a highly personal and timely book that features some of Eldo’s most beautiful artwork to date. With its central themes of ecology, philosophy and spirituality, Hen Kai Pan is a kinetic, emotionally charged work that delivers a powerful message that will resonate not just with manga fans, but all readers.

“Hen Kai Pan” translates as “One and All”, and is the motto of Cosmotheism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781787738379
Publisher:	Titan
Publication date:	04/12/2022
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	1,087,581
Product dimensions:	6.07(w) x 8.45(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

Eldo Yoshimizuwas born in 1965 in Tokyo. Having specialized in sculpture while studying at the University of Arts in Tokyo, he has installed numerous works in public space - some of them are among the most significant sculptures in Japan. Exhibitions in Japan as well as throughout Asia and in New York prove his international success and led him in 1994 to a scholarship as "Artist in Residence" in New York. In 2003 he realized the work »First Light« for the art and exhibition space of the Louis Vuitton branch in Omotesando. With the feeling of having satisfied his hunger in the field of contemporary fine art, he turned to Gekigaand began to focus on the interplay of object and space in the art of storytelling. He also works as a photographer and as a musician.

Editorial Reviews

03/14/2022

Environmentalism and spiritualism drive planet-smashing battle scenes in this sometimes spacey but elegantly drawn manga from Yoshimizu (Ryuko). On Judgment Day, “we, spirits of earth, will judge humanity,” holding a council to determine its ultimate fate. One of these spirits, Nila, gets tired of waiting and sends her disciple, Asura, on ecoterrorism missions to wipe out the human race ahead of schedule. As it turns out, the other spirits don’t have a high opinion of humanity, either, but they try to win Asura over to a less destructive solution. The narrative speeds around the globe, alighting in Indian villages, Madagascar forests, the Arctic Circle, and the American Southwest (where the spirits disapprovingly examine “a human invention called a border wall”), allowing Yoshimizu to lavish attention on drawing plants, animals, and landscapes. The visual style has 1980s throwback feel, reminiscent of classic photorealistic manga artists like Ryoichi Ikegami. The heady blend of ecological messages, religious iconography, and pop philosophy sometimes threatens to overwhelm the story, but there’s plenty to appeal to lovers of socially conscious science fiction. (Apr.)

Publishers Weekly

"The art is phenomenal... it’s so rare to find a piece of work so thoughtful and affecting." - Grimdark Magazine

"Artist Eldo Yoshimizu delivers a staggeringly profound exploration of the fate of both people and the universe...bleak but beautiful... Rating: A" - The AV Club


"Elegantly drawn...Plenty to appeal to lovers of socially conscious science fiction." - Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher