Description

Welcome to the world of The Sky is Blue with a Single Cloud, a remarkable collection that showcases the best short stories from the visionary feminist cartoonist Kuniko Tsurita. This is the first time her work is available in English, allowing a broader audience to experience the unique perspective and artistic genius of Tsurita.

Throughout her career, Tsurita has carved a niche in the realm of manga, often overshadowed by her male counterparts. Her distinctive style and formally ambitious storytelling set her apart, making her a significant figure in the comics landscape. The stories in this collection demonstrate her expert pacing, bold characterizations, and innovative compositions, which have become her trademark qualities.

The collection opens with early works like Nonsense and Anti, which provide a unique insight into the bohemian culture and political climate of late 1960s and early ’70s Tokyo. These stories reflect the vibrant yet tumultuous atmosphere of the time, offering readers an intimate glimpse into Tsurita’s world.

As Tsurita’s career progressed, her style evolved, becoming darker and more surreal, influenced by modern French literature and her personal struggles with health. This transformation is evident in her later works, such as The Sky is Blue with a Single Cloud and Max, where the gender of her strong, sensual protagonists often blurs the lines of traditional gender roles, marking an early exploration of gender fluidity in manga.

The collection also includes late stories like Arctic Cold and Flight, showcasing Tsurita’s experimentation with more conventional narrative structures while maintaining her signature dystopian themes. These stories extend the philosophical inquiries that characterized her earlier work, inviting readers to reflect on deeper societal issues.

Translated by comics scholar Ryan Holmberg, The Sky is Blue with a Single Cloud is not just a collection of stories; it is an essential gekiga anthology that highlights Kuniko Tsurita’s importance and historical relevance in the world of manga. The afterword, co-written by Holmberg and manga editor Mitsuhiro Asakawa, further delves into Tsurita’s contributions and the impact of her work on both Japanese and international audiences.

In summary, this collection is a celebration of a pioneering female voice in comics, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the evolution of manga and the representation of women in the arts. Immerse yourself in the groundbreaking narratives and stunning artistry of Kuniko Tsurita, and discover why her work remains crucial to understanding the landscape of contemporary comics.