Review 2: Graphic Novel

 Ono, Natsume, Joe Yamazaki, and Anne Ishii. Not Simple. San Francisco, Ca.: Viz Media LLC, 2006. Print.

Annotation: “What I really want…is to feel the warmth of the people who should be closest to me.” A journey about one man’s search for a family, a sense of home, a place where he belongs.

Justification for Nomination: Natsume Ono’s Not Simple is a profound graphic novel that is an emotional roller coaster of a ride. Ono did a fantastic job in moving the story along with ease in panels and well told. Not Simple is different and distinctive in that it’s a tale of family tragedy, is an excellent addition to the coming changes of graphic novels. Not simple is told through Jim’s narrative of Ian’s journey in finding a family.

The graphic novel reading is initially subtle, not a lot is said point blank but the way words and action are managed around the panels help convey the subtle meaning without saying out to the audience. Ono fearlessly approaches difficult real-world issues that a few years ago would not be brought into light nor did people knew existed. What is unique about this manga is that is doesn’t follow the chronology of beginning, middle and end, instead you start with the end, then go through the beginning, and end with the middle. It may spoil your reading to know the ending but with this reading you found yourself wanted to know the how; how did or what happen to make the end result like that.

The art work is particularly striking; the graphic doesn't look like anything else on the racks, certainly not what the world thinks of when they think manga. The writing is phenomenal in a way that moves the reader expertly through the story and with both the characters you are immediately placed in their world. Ono's figures are daring and rely on gesture rather than detailed transcription, the faces and bodies communicates a extremely wide range of emotions. Her storytelling moves the reader effortlessly through the novel, each panel is deliberated in that the author places white or black spaces to pause or move the story along with ease. Not Simple is heartwarming book; it’s moving, affecting, and unique.

Genre Category: Graphic Novel, Realistic/edgy