02/23/2015
The title of this English translation of a manga short story collection means change, and change is indeed the primary constant across these 13 stories by I Kill Giants artist Niimura, as the chapters vary in tone, subject matter, and even art style. “No Good” is a solid story to kick off, following a young woman’s discovery of a machine gun in her uncle’s glove box, leading to surprises for both characters. Niimura is at his best when his art is sketchy and loose and when his story lines marry the realistic with the fantastic, as in“The Bully Bros,” in which a young boy struggles with the decision to invoke his fart-based super powers. Those lowbrow themes pop up here and there, but there are also more deeply affecting pieces—and all are very much in the gekiga spirit of pioneering cartoonist Yoshihiro Tatsumi. Niimura’s restless, energetic artwork is well suited to capturing the stories of these unsatisfied, questioning characters. (Jan.)
