   
In this section, I'll recommend some mangas, illustration books, or some other printed material (one at a time) that I have or is currently reading. I'll provide some informations, summary, personal (controversial) opinions and any other nonsense that I can think of. I will also give an overall rating for each item reviewed.
Perfect 5 stars ( ) = Excellent! ----- To ----- Pathetic 1 star () = Don't Bother.
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23/12/2000 : Survival In The Office The Evolution Of Japanese Working Women Vol.1 by Risu Akizuki
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Risu Akizuki's OL Shinkaron comic strip first started running in Kodansha's Weekly Comic Morning in 1989 and is immensely popular with housewives and office worker in Japan. The comic is presented in 4-koma form, where each strip is just four panels long. For this particular bi-lingual edition, the strips are in English, with corresponding Japanese text accompanying on the side (Refer to the sample pages below).
Book Summary:
This comic strip gained immense popularity in Japan as soon as it was published under the title of OL Shinkaron in 1989, at the height of the economic boom.
Although the stereotyped image of a young Japanese woman is one of subservience and meekness, the demands of modern business have produced a completely different figure -- the OL, standing for "office lady," or female office worker. In refreshing contrast to the typical male office worker -- who leads a generally miserable existence and is overworked, underpaid, and constantly harassed by his superiors -- this new breed of women has earned respect for its efficiency, hard work, and indomitable spirit.
These irrepressible girls and the things they get up to are the theme of this comic strip. The situations could occur in offices anywhere in the world, and notes are provided to explain any Japanese customs that are not well known abroad. The sense of fun, the effervescence, and the foibles of this modern Japanese woman will delight anyone, whether they are familiar with Japan or not. -- from book cover jacket
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Presents
(bottom half)
OLs can get really materialistic sometimes, and be so cool about it! ^_^
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Cold Wave
(bottom half)
Victim of the other colleagues.
Lunchtime can be scary sometimes~
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The appeal of this comic for me is its simplicity (yet complex!), great artwork, and the immensely enjoyable contents. I've had the impression that a job as an OL in Japan is really tough work and office hours really boring. However this book gives an interesting and hillarious outlook on the situations in the workplace, at home, out in town, lunchtimes, and even vacations involving the OLs and the other office workers. In a way, I can see the essence that makes this such a popular comic for the working people as you can relate the many situations with real life.
Also, there is a lot of cultural content on the daily lives of Japanese people, the customs, the daily routines of the normal working population. I've had a great time reading it, and is still finding it enjoyable after many re-readings. And a really good book to introduce the manga genre to friends who are not familiar (or just plain think manga are for kids). Definitely one of the best comic-strip type of book that I've read in many years and would love to see the subsequent issues as well as Risu Akizuki's other works.
A Little About the Author:
Risu Akizuki was born in 1957. She made her debut as an artist in the Party magazine in 1988, and the following year her comic strip OL Shinkaron was published in the weekly Comic Morning, becoming a great favourite with housewives and office workers. It is still running, and fourteen volumes of the strip in book form have so far been published, with over two and a half million copies in print. The artist's latest project is a strip on social problems which runs in the Asahi evening newspaper on Saturdays.
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Some Sample Pages:
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Killing time in summer
So what would a bunch of bored OLs on summer holiday come up with this time?
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That's that, but...
Good deals to promote food at your restaurant? Beware of the OLs!
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None
This page has NO commercial intent. For personal and information purposes only. Any Copyrights infringements unintentional.
All Characters / Anime / Games / Manga series are copyright of their respective authors, publishers and owners.
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