Red Colored Elegy (Hardcover)

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. An underground Japanese comic from the 1970s, Red Colored Elegy tells the breakup story of two young animators. Hayashi uses animation techniques and an experimental style to beautifully lament Ichiro and Sachiko's failed relationship. Traced photographs, blank word balloons and nearly cubist sex scenes are effective in telling a surprisingly narrative story in a minimalist style. Ichiro was trained as a painter and began work in animation for the money, but now he wants to draw manga. Part-time animator Sachiko runs from her arranged marriage and moves in with Ichiro instead. The two lovers drink heavily and risk being ripped off by animation companies in the shadow of politically volatile student protest movements. Feminist ideals and talk of labor unions take a backseat to a personal and painful story of everyday life. Although a brief introduction explains the historical context, more information on such story elements as the avant-garde Garo magazine would have been welcome. Readers unfamiliar with Japan might not understand the cultural pressure Sachiko faces or expenses for a Buddhist funeral that Ichiro cannot afford to pay. Yet the book, presented left-to-right, is completely accessible for an experimental work, and the story is heartbreakingly universal. (May)
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Review

“I wanted to live like Sachiko and Ichiro; to have aspirations even while living stoically and humbly.” —Morio Agata (from obi)

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly (July 8, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1897299400
• ISBN-13: 978-1897299401
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #310,957 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Difficult Read, July 19, 2008

By	Justin Chuan (San Francisco, California United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I pre-ordered this book without knowing anything about it or Seiichi Hayashi other than that both were highly regarded in Japan. D&Q have been publishing underground manga written in the 70's and I was hoping it would be something like the first three English offerings from Tatsumi (e.g. Good-Bye). It's far from it.

Red Colored Elegy was difficult for me to read. The panels are in sequence, but it's hard to tell how much time has elapsed between them--there are no segues and characters just pop in and out. Short sentences (averaging around five words per panel), and simplistic artwork (characters are drawn using mostly profiles with very few lines and background art) only contribute to the staccato-like nature of the narrative. Though, it's impressive how skillfully Hayashi handles body language with this art style.

The main characters in Red Colored Elegy aren't particularly charismatic either. Sachiko is a bit dramatic; all of her actions yearn for attention and it can be annoying at times. Ichiro is the other pole; he's often apathetic, especially towards Sachiko, but he has his moments in self-pitying flare.

After reading glowing reviews about this book, I feel it's unfair for someone who's ignorant towards the book's social context to review it. I'll have to give it another try or two, I guess. Let me just say it wasn't what I expected and that the gap in culture between 2008 America and 1970 Japan might just be the gap between a great book and a hard one to read.

5.0 out of 5 stars Rewarding, April 12, 2009

By	D. Tylkowski "dtgumby" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I first read it, I didn't understand anything that was going on. Is still felt like there was something wonderful in it and worth exploring. Like the first time I watched Lost Highway, there was an itching to delve into the work. Since it only took me an hour to read, I read it again. This time I started to catch on to the pacing and story of it all but there was still something I needed to figure out about it. Time for a third read. This time things unfolded more coherently. I'm not saying everything was clear to me, but I felt satisfied. It's also good to know that next time I pick up the book there will be more to explore. I get to figure out what's missing on the page and piece together the visual poetry of the work. Sometimes I want a very well structured story, other times I like to read something bewildering with lots open to interpretation and connections yet to be discovered.