Comments on: Barefoot Gen Volume 1: Movable Manga Feast

By: Lori Henderson

Lori Henderson — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 05:03:38 +0000

@Michelle – I was really annoyed by the boys too, especially when they would complain about being hungry like they were they only ones not eating. But when I sat down to do my review, I really thought about all the things they did. They struck me as being the most pro-active in protecting their sister and mother. So that really toned down the annoyance factor.

@Manga Therapy – Which led to America being arrogant and prideful in wanting to crush anyone in their way.

Did you mean Japan being arrogant? Is that a Freudian slip?

But your equation is valid. And America would do well to remember that as the tea-partiers rattle their sabers.

By: Manga Therapy

Manga Therapy — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:46:11 +0000

Reading Gen reminds me of what my parents said about Japan. My parents lost family members to Japanese soldiers when they raided China during their childhood.

Nakazawa blames Japan for the atomic bomb, since if they didn’t start the war, then no bomb will be unleashed. I do believe that Japan has some blame probably because as Gen’s father stated, the politicians were motivated by greed. Which led to America being arrogant and prideful in wanting to crush anyone in their way.

Personal beliefs + power = ruin for everyone.

By: Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 15:51:18 +0000

Gen and Shinji are pranksters, and though they complain the loudest, they are also the most proactive, both against the people harassing them, and in trying to find solutions, such as suggesting hunting for locusts to eat, and begging for money to help their mother when she becomes ill. That's a good point. I felt bad for being kind of annoyed by all their complaining, when they're just kids and in a truly awful situation, but it's definitely true they also help the family the most at crucial moments.