Customer Reviews

Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show

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Suehiro Maruo, Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show (Blast, 1992)

Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show was the first of Suehiro Maruo's manga to be translated into English, and it's pretty easy to see why he developed a cult following among extreme horror fans almost overnight. From the opening panels of this twisted, disturbing graphic novel, Maruo is going to go for the gut. You're probably going to like it for the images alone. Which is good, because the story is told in impressionist form, to the point of losing a good deal of the story (an old folk tale about a girl tricked into becoming the slave of a sideshow) in the process. Granted, some of that could be happening in the translation, but I doubt it; pages of panels would have to be intercut for a truly faithful retelling of the folk tale.

Still, it's a very pretty thing, as long as extreme gore fits your definition of pretty. *** ½

Mr. Arashi's Amazing Freak Show falls within the "grotesque manga" genere of modern Japanese comics, and should not be read by those of weak heart, stomach, or wit. The story follows the main character, Midori, on her unfortunate side-show life, filled with laborous days, dangerous nights, and dark twists of reality. Maruo's compelling, complex imagery is unparalelled by satyrical and ironic storytelling mixed with poetic nuances.

I was very impressed by the story presentation and layout of this book. True to its Japanese content, the publishers have refrained from flopping pages and attempting to erase large page portions to hide katakana sound effects and kanji banners. Almost every minute detail is translated for the Engish reading eye; and though this book does read "backwards" by Engilsh standards, to preserve the original art masterpieces, this is by no means an obstacle to overcome. I strongly recommend this book for anyone interested in Japanese subculture; it gives true insight into the hidden layers of Japan.

The freak show in this manga is really, really, REALLY freaky. I kind of feel for the protagonist's suffering even though she really isn't a "freak" per se. The story and art rather disturbed me, yet I did, somehow, enjoy it. I recommend this to folks who have a strong stomach and a twistedly open mind...

Otherwise, enjoy! This manga sparked the start of many other 'guro' graphic novels. Yes, it is gruesome and intense. But that's what's part of the appeal to this book. I'm actually surprised to find bits and pieces of the film on youtube. To my knowledge, the book was never turned into a movie because no one wanted to produce it since it was so terrifying and gory. Well, I'm guess I'm glad that Suehiro found a way somehow.

That said, I was especially surprised by the ending. I don't wanna spoil it, but let me tell you-I loved it!

This graphic novel tells the story of Midori, orphaned and forced to work for Mr. Arashi in his freak show. Tormenting Midori are The Human Worm, The Mummy Man, Kanabun the Boy-Girl, Hohichi The Human Pretzel, The Giant, The Snake Woman, and Mr. Arashi himself. Masamitsu The Bottled Wonder joins the freak show and befriends Midori.

That's about it. The story doesn't really go anywhere else except into 'Confusion Land'. If the Japanese graphic novel industry were based on this one book, the entire world would be scratching their heads wondering just how such a smart country could read such stupid trash.

The graphics are black-and-white, detailed in sketching but simplistic in presentation. In spite of some nasty images including snakes, one or two $exual frames, and some awful puppy-stomping, the drawings try so hard to be gross that they wind out being funny. There isn't enough backbone in the written storyline to hold up either gross or funny, unfortunately, and this graphic novel simply winds out being a loser all across the board. Don't be tempted to buy it because it looks and sounds cool, it's garbage.