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Onibi : Carnets du Japon invisible
Cachés au bord d'un sentier de campagne ou à l'ombre d'un temple, les esprits japonais, renards, Tanuki et autres Yôkai guettent le voyageur égaré dans l'espoir de lui jouer des tours. Cécile et Olivier, fraichement installés en bordure de la mer du Japon a Niigata, achètent un vieil appareil un peu spécial censé imprimer ces esprits sur la pellicule. Dans leur quête pour les prendre en photo, ils dressent le portrait d'un japon en équilibre entre deux mondes.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published October 25, 2016
About the author
Atelier Sentô
8 books9 followersL’Atelier Sento, duo formé par Cécile Brun et Olivier Pichard, est né de voyages au Japon, de rencontres, de dessins et de photographies ramenés du pays du Soleil Levant. Ils aiment faire découvrir un Japon inhabituel, composé de villages perdus dans les montagnes, de fêtes populaires et d’esprits oubliés.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 248 reviews
July 2, 2019
The art was absolutely beautiful. I really love traditional looking art with soft colors. It had a cartoony feel but with a certain kind of lushness to it.
The story on the other hand was a bit lacking. It seemed kind of jumbled as we were thrown into the story of two travelers in Japan. No real knowledge behind why they were there in the first place, but the trip morphs into a hunt for yokai using a special camera. The story consists of visits to different places looking for these yokai and the mini town ghost stories told by locals. These were nice but I feel like there should have been a focus on only one or two stories to give them actual depth.
In the end the story lacked a certain cohesiveness that would have made it better. Would still recommend if you love Japan and like looking at Japan inspired art. But, if you are looking for a good story I would say that this is just an O.K one.
The story on the other hand was a bit lacking. It seemed kind of jumbled as we were thrown into the story of two travelers in Japan. No real knowledge behind why they were there in the first place, but the trip morphs into a hunt for yokai using a special camera. The story consists of visits to different places looking for these yokai and the mini town ghost stories told by locals. These were nice but I feel like there should have been a focus on only one or two stories to give them actual depth.
In the end the story lacked a certain cohesiveness that would have made it better. Would still recommend if you love Japan and like looking at Japan inspired art. But, if you are looking for a good story I would say that this is just an O.K one.
October 3, 2020
The art in this book is STUNNING. The gorgeously handled watercolors over penciled line art are wonderful, a style I really enjoy and would like to practice more myself. The story is a bit on the loose side, and falls into some tropes of a Western gaze on Japan and specifically Japanese ghost mythology. Based somewhat on a true story, two French tourists return to Niigata prefecture, a place they have stayed before, so have pre-established relationships with some of the townspeople. On a trip to a small town to see a local festival, they wander into a curious shop and are talked into buying a cheap camera which supposedly can take photos of Yokai- ghosts and other spirits. The rest of the book tells of various trips to different locations, attempting to catch supernatural creatures on the 8 pictures on the camera's roll of film. The narrative sometimes shifts abruptly, scenes being cut off without conclusion. There are multiple times that it's implied the Japanese people the tourists talk to ARE ghosts, in a human disguise. I wasn't bothered as much by the fragmented narrative as by the decision to portray all of the Japanese characters differently, with a much greater degree of realism, than the French characters. I think the authors might have been trying to honor the people they actually met (some of whose photos are included in the appendix) with realistic portraits, but it gives the book a weird tone.
February 26, 2021
This is a story about two people from France who travel to Japan. While there, they buy a camera that is supposed to be able to take pictures of monsters and spirits that are invisible to humans. The characters never actually see any monsters or spirits, but it is implied that they are there from the photos that are developed from the camera.
First, the art is beautiful. It's done in a sketchbook style that brings the environment to life. The settings and the food that the characters are shown to eat seem accurate, so it seems that the artist has done some research (photos in the back of the book seem to indicate that the artist visited Japan to take reference photos). However, there are two problems with this book. The first is that only the French characters seems to be fleshed out as characters. All of the Japanese characters are depicted as mysterious and unknowable and thus are objectified. In other words, they become objects of curiosity for the French characters. Second, this is translated from French into English. I'm sure the dialogue is fine in the language it was written in, but the English translations are a bit stiff and feel a bit unnatural.
First, the art is beautiful. It's done in a sketchbook style that brings the environment to life. The settings and the food that the characters are shown to eat seem accurate, so it seems that the artist has done some research (photos in the back of the book seem to indicate that the artist visited Japan to take reference photos). However, there are two problems with this book. The first is that only the French characters seems to be fleshed out as characters. All of the Japanese characters are depicted as mysterious and unknowable and thus are objectified. In other words, they become objects of curiosity for the French characters. Second, this is translated from French into English. I'm sure the dialogue is fine in the language it was written in, but the English translations are a bit stiff and feel a bit unnatural.
May 26, 2024
3.5 Stars
This is an incredibly unique graphic novel that blends elements of a travelog with a ghost story. The images were lovely. The story was weaker at times more given the nature of the usual narrative but I overall liked it.
This is an incredibly unique graphic novel that blends elements of a travelog with a ghost story. The images were lovely. The story was weaker at times more given the nature of the usual narrative but I overall liked it.
November 13, 2022
A few months ago, I spent two incredible weeks in Japan. It was my first time there, and even though I’ve wanted to go to Japan since I was very young, it was far beyond my wildest expectations. Japan is a beautiful country, from its forests and mountains and beaches, to its architecture, shrines, statues and temples. Its people are gracious and friendly and its food is unmatched. I just love Japan.
So it was with no small amount of nostalgia and excitement that I picked up Onibi: Diary of a Yokai Ghost Hunter, by French artists Cecile Brun and Olivier Pichard, who are also the main protagonists.
Cecile and Olivier live in a small village in Japan over several months. Cecile buys a plastic film camera that can photograph yokai, supernatural beings who like to play tricks on humans. The graphic novel is separated into eight vignettes, one for each photograph, as Cecile and Olivier travel around Japan in search of yokai.
The artwork is gorgeous, as one would expect from two artist creators. Using watercolors and colored pencils and a blend of styles, Brun and Pichard capture the beauty of Japan in its stunning vistas but also its shopping marts, trams and alleyways. It’s refreshing to see them celebrate lesser known places, clearly an homage to real trips and experiences. Small details aren’t overlooked, like the way that everything comes neatly packaged and in a plastic bag (but good luck finding a trash bin outside your hotel room!), train and bus timetables, the gorgeous food presentations, and how Japanese schoolgirls love to have keychains on their cellphones.
Fair warning: you will be tempted to check flights for Japan after reading this.
Even if the main characters are based on Brun and Pichard, we don’t learn much about them, including their employment, history of traveling and living in Japan, and the nature of their relationship. It’s also unclear if the trip was by mistake, why they stay for several months in the first place.
The story willingly glosses over any potential conflict or growth for them, and they aren’t the focus of the story. Essentially, Cecile and Olivier (excuse the photography metaphor) are our camera, the lens through which we experience Japan and the yokai. And Japan is clearly the main character - an interesting structure that may not work as much for those who need characters to ground a storytelling experience.
In one vignette, Cecile and Olivier tour a 19th century home. The Japanese man guiding them muses that seeing the old home next to the city feels like “two cities superimposed” and perhaps this is what yokai see. Japan’s ancient roots live right alongside the modern cutting edge in ways fascinating and jarring at times. But Japan seems to strongly value its roots and spirituality, and refuses to let go, even if sometimes old and new values are at odds with one another.
Finally, the English translation (from the original French) is awkward at times, and sometimes I was unclear about an event or dialogue.
Onibi is a foreigner’s love letter to Japan that I would recommend to anyone who appreciates Japanese culture, and in particular those planning a visit.
For more reviews please check out my blog, Reading Art!
So it was with no small amount of nostalgia and excitement that I picked up Onibi: Diary of a Yokai Ghost Hunter, by French artists Cecile Brun and Olivier Pichard, who are also the main protagonists.
Cecile and Olivier live in a small village in Japan over several months. Cecile buys a plastic film camera that can photograph yokai, supernatural beings who like to play tricks on humans. The graphic novel is separated into eight vignettes, one for each photograph, as Cecile and Olivier travel around Japan in search of yokai.
The artwork is gorgeous, as one would expect from two artist creators. Using watercolors and colored pencils and a blend of styles, Brun and Pichard capture the beauty of Japan in its stunning vistas but also its shopping marts, trams and alleyways. It’s refreshing to see them celebrate lesser known places, clearly an homage to real trips and experiences. Small details aren’t overlooked, like the way that everything comes neatly packaged and in a plastic bag (but good luck finding a trash bin outside your hotel room!), train and bus timetables, the gorgeous food presentations, and how Japanese schoolgirls love to have keychains on their cellphones.
Fair warning: you will be tempted to check flights for Japan after reading this.
Even if the main characters are based on Brun and Pichard, we don’t learn much about them, including their employment, history of traveling and living in Japan, and the nature of their relationship. It’s also unclear if the trip was by mistake, why they stay for several months in the first place.
The story willingly glosses over any potential conflict or growth for them, and they aren’t the focus of the story. Essentially, Cecile and Olivier (excuse the photography metaphor) are our camera, the lens through which we experience Japan and the yokai. And Japan is clearly the main character - an interesting structure that may not work as much for those who need characters to ground a storytelling experience.
In one vignette, Cecile and Olivier tour a 19th century home. The Japanese man guiding them muses that seeing the old home next to the city feels like “two cities superimposed” and perhaps this is what yokai see. Japan’s ancient roots live right alongside the modern cutting edge in ways fascinating and jarring at times. But Japan seems to strongly value its roots and spirituality, and refuses to let go, even if sometimes old and new values are at odds with one another.
Finally, the English translation (from the original French) is awkward at times, and sometimes I was unclear about an event or dialogue.
Onibi is a foreigner’s love letter to Japan that I would recommend to anyone who appreciates Japanese culture, and in particular those planning a visit.
For more reviews please check out my blog, Reading Art!
August 31, 2018
A very calming and atmospheric story. The choice of style and color carries a haunting air, and the short, normal life but subtly mysterious, tales convey wonder and a build up of gentle emotion for the last story.
November 15, 2018
Disappointing. I liked the art and colors, but the story was fragmented and stuttery without any satisfaction or pull.
June 25, 2019
Cécilie og Olivier kjøper et kamera som kan ta bilder av skapninger fra den usynlige åndeverdenen. Dette er en stille og rolig reiseskildring hvor leseren får bli med til mystiske steder i Japan.
Boka er inndelt i små avsnitt som følger reiseruten, og den har et ryddig kart på innsiden av omslaget. Bakerst er det også en bruksanvisning i hvordan du selv kan fremkalle fotografier uten å skremme vekk overnaturlige vesner fra bildene dine 🤓 Passer for folk på 8-10 år og oppover som liker det litt småskummelt. Denne tegneserien tror jeg kan fungere som «myk introduksjon» til manga (vestlig leseretning), med ryddige oppslag i lyse akvareller. Anbefales! 😌
Boka er inndelt i små avsnitt som følger reiseruten, og den har et ryddig kart på innsiden av omslaget. Bakerst er det også en bruksanvisning i hvordan du selv kan fremkalle fotografier uten å skremme vekk overnaturlige vesner fra bildene dine 🤓 Passer for folk på 8-10 år og oppover som liker det litt småskummelt. Denne tegneserien tror jeg kan fungere som «myk introduksjon» til manga (vestlig leseretning), med ryddige oppslag i lyse akvareller. Anbefales! 😌
December 12, 2022
Si les dessins et les évocations un peu mystérieuses du Japon séduisent, la BD manque cruellement de cohérence dans son récit.
Beaucoup de choses auraient gagné à être développées en profondeur pour que la lecture soit plus qu'une suite de vignettes (plus ou moins) charmantes sur des coins du Japon et ses esprits... Dommage !
Beaucoup de choses auraient gagné à être développées en profondeur pour que la lecture soit plus qu'une suite de vignettes (plus ou moins) charmantes sur des coins du Japon et ses esprits... Dommage !
February 5, 2021
Birthday re-read 2021: A wonderful re-read, spooky and fun and adventurous a trip of two people in Japan with plenty of supernatural stories and great photographs and gorgeous art. I am glad I decided to re-read this one! I flew through the story again and I loved seeing them discover Japan and all sorts of small villages and towns. Yummy food as well, so now I am hungry. XD
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Come with Cécile and Olivier as they travel through Japan, finding hidden spots that may have youkai!
I was super-excited about this book. Japan is on a shared number 1 (along with Venice and Egypt) spot of places I want to go to really badly. So naturally I had to have this book which combined travelling through Japan and finding + photographing Youkai.
The book is separated in parts, namely a prologue and then for each Youkai picture. I really loved that they went for this format, now each photograph got the attention it deserved, plus it wasn't chaos of figuring out where what photograph belonged to again (which it would have been if it was just one big continuous story).
Our duo wasn't even planning to go hunting for Youkai but they get (or I should say Cécile got) a very special camera that apparently allows the user to make pictures of Youkai. I loved that while Olivier was a bit shocked at that Cécile bought that camera, he was all the more eager to help out with finding Youkai. :P
In each part they go to a certain part of Japan and I just adored seeing forests, shrines, mascots, parades, seasides, eventually heading to the place where the camera was created (and with it apparently others). I also can't forget the food, we also get plenty of yummy food that made (and makes as I still need to eat breakfast as I type this) my tummy rumble.
I have to say I expected a bit of twist regarding the owners of Margutta. The way our duo talked about them made it seem like they are some kind of magical beings that lured people to their place. So I was more than prepared for them to appear as Youkai when/if Cécile was going to take a picture. But they were just humans who cared deeply about others and made people feel comfortable and happy, thus having them stay.
I loved the extra bits, like the instruction for the camera (and how to photograph Youkai) and the how to get Youkai out of a film (as they don't just show up instantly).
The ending was OK, I am glad that we got that final shot, even though it was just a dream-sequence. I guess the Youkai also wanted to say goodbye to our duo.
The art was fabulous, it was the third thing that drew me to the book. That cover was just amazing, but I can tell you that the inside is just as gorgeous and pretty.At times I was just staring at a page for a bit longer than normal, just because it was so nicely drawn with tiny little details.
All in all, a fantastic book that I would highly recommend. I could probably talk about it for a bit longer, but I don't want to make my review too long.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
---------------
Come with Cécile and Olivier as they travel through Japan, finding hidden spots that may have youkai!
I was super-excited about this book. Japan is on a shared number 1 (along with Venice and Egypt) spot of places I want to go to really badly. So naturally I had to have this book which combined travelling through Japan and finding + photographing Youkai.
The book is separated in parts, namely a prologue and then for each Youkai picture. I really loved that they went for this format, now each photograph got the attention it deserved, plus it wasn't chaos of figuring out where what photograph belonged to again (which it would have been if it was just one big continuous story).
Our duo wasn't even planning to go hunting for Youkai but they get (or I should say Cécile got) a very special camera that apparently allows the user to make pictures of Youkai. I loved that while Olivier was a bit shocked at that Cécile bought that camera, he was all the more eager to help out with finding Youkai. :P
In each part they go to a certain part of Japan and I just adored seeing forests, shrines, mascots, parades, seasides, eventually heading to the place where the camera was created (and with it apparently others). I also can't forget the food, we also get plenty of yummy food that made (and makes as I still need to eat breakfast as I type this) my tummy rumble.
I have to say I expected a bit of twist regarding the owners of Margutta. The way our duo talked about them made it seem like they are some kind of magical beings that lured people to their place. So I was more than prepared for them to appear as Youkai when/if Cécile was going to take a picture. But they were just humans who cared deeply about others and made people feel comfortable and happy, thus having them stay.
I loved the extra bits, like the instruction for the camera (and how to photograph Youkai) and the how to get Youkai out of a film (as they don't just show up instantly).
The ending was OK, I am glad that we got that final shot, even though it was just a dream-sequence. I guess the Youkai also wanted to say goodbye to our duo.
The art was fabulous, it was the third thing that drew me to the book. That cover was just amazing, but I can tell you that the inside is just as gorgeous and pretty.At times I was just staring at a page for a bit longer than normal, just because it was so nicely drawn with tiny little details.
All in all, a fantastic book that I would highly recommend. I could probably talk about it for a bit longer, but I don't want to make my review too long.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
March 19, 2019
The "fundamental values" of this publishing company make me a little uncomfortable. On the verso, Tuttle proclaims "Our fundamental values remain... to publish best-in-class books informing the English-speaking world about the countries and peoples of Asia." Tuttle is based in Vermont, USA.
There's something unsettling about this to me.
I'm constantly thinking about power dynamics, privilege, and cultural appropriation. So, on the one hand, the whole idea of this American company seems a little icky.
On the other hand, I do love me a good graphic novel travelogue.
Which this is.
This is a physically beautiful book. Full color, well-printed, with lots of extra goodies.
It's also a good story. Couple finds a magic camera which shows ghosts. Smells a little like Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Some of the images gave me chills.
So yeah, I guess what I'm saying is, skip Cool Japan Guide and Diary of a Tokyo Teen (which I'll get around to reviewing at some point). This is better.
There's something unsettling about this to me.
I'm constantly thinking about power dynamics, privilege, and cultural appropriation. So, on the one hand, the whole idea of this American company seems a little icky.
On the other hand, I do love me a good graphic novel travelogue.
Which this is.
This is a physically beautiful book. Full color, well-printed, with lots of extra goodies.
It's also a good story. Couple finds a magic camera which shows ghosts. Smells a little like Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Some of the images gave me chills.
So yeah, I guess what I'm saying is, skip Cool Japan Guide and Diary of a Tokyo Teen (which I'll get around to reviewing at some point). This is better.
April 4, 2019
Felt like I was missing something. It may have been lost in translation.
April 20, 2019
I think some panels were out of order? Or the storytelling was just very jarring and jagged.
November 15, 2021
great art, ok story
May 18, 2021
I've got really mixed feelings about this book but mainly because I think I've been a little cheated. I had expected this to be an adventure story about two youths finding ghosts in some Japanese village. And whilst it is this, it also isn't.
Cecile and Olivier arrive in the province of Niigata with the aim of taking in some of the local culture. Cecile is sold a 'special' camera which the seller tells her takes photos of ancient spirits. So begins the students' journey around the area seeking spirits and ghosts. Through their journey, they take us to meet some fascinating people and incredible locales -all beautifully illustrated with watercolours and inks.
Yet the graphic novel is far more autobiographical than anything leaning towards the fantastical. Based upon the time that the real Cecile and Olivier spent in Japan, it is more a celebration of the cultures, food and the people they genuinely met in real life. Once you come to terms with this, it proves to be a haunting, beautiful little information text that is part mild-fantasy and part autobiographical recount.
Cecile and Olivier arrive in the province of Niigata with the aim of taking in some of the local culture. Cecile is sold a 'special' camera which the seller tells her takes photos of ancient spirits. So begins the students' journey around the area seeking spirits and ghosts. Through their journey, they take us to meet some fascinating people and incredible locales -all beautifully illustrated with watercolours and inks.
Yet the graphic novel is far more autobiographical than anything leaning towards the fantastical. Based upon the time that the real Cecile and Olivier spent in Japan, it is more a celebration of the cultures, food and the people they genuinely met in real life. Once you come to terms with this, it proves to be a haunting, beautiful little information text that is part mild-fantasy and part autobiographical recount.
July 23, 2020
4 stars for the art and for the premise
negative stars for feeling that I was led on and that the whole thing was a waste of my time and because I am super head-achy and a ginormous grouch
I kept expecting something super spooky and wonderful and mystical and wild the whole time I was reading this. The illustrations of this couple's time in Japan were like something out of a movie, and I just kept expecting something AMAZING. Maybe this was because our cultures were different and my expectations were too high? Maybe I should have just enjoyed the quiet, unexpected dreamy moments.
NO. I am grouchy. I have a headache. I wanted something spooky, and I feel gypped. There was nothing here. It was not real, and strangely enough, I have the prickle of tears in the corners of my eyes because one more person led me on and lied to me. (I am being too hard on this, yes?) I am full of hurt pride and hurt feelings and disappointment.
negative stars for feeling that I was led on and that the whole thing was a waste of my time and because I am super head-achy and a ginormous grouch
I kept expecting something super spooky and wonderful and mystical and wild the whole time I was reading this. The illustrations of this couple's time in Japan were like something out of a movie, and I just kept expecting something AMAZING. Maybe this was because our cultures were different and my expectations were too high? Maybe I should have just enjoyed the quiet, unexpected dreamy moments.
NO. I am grouchy. I have a headache. I wanted something spooky, and I feel gypped. There was nothing here. It was not real, and strangely enough, I have the prickle of tears in the corners of my eyes because one more person led me on and lied to me. (I am being too hard on this, yes?) I am full of hurt pride and hurt feelings and disappointment.
March 21, 2019
I had a good time reading this with my 4 year old boy.
For him the story was a little bit scary and great fun.
The 8 ghost photo pages are really beautifully haunting.
Probably best for kids 4 - 8.
Full Review and Writers' Interview:
https://ianjoshyateswriting.blogspot....
For him the story was a little bit scary and great fun.
The 8 ghost photo pages are really beautifully haunting.
Probably best for kids 4 - 8.
Full Review and Writers' Interview:
https://ianjoshyateswriting.blogspot....
March 19, 2021
This is a really sweet and simple non gorey children's graphic novel. Kids who are interested in the paranormal, but aren't into really scary stories will love this.
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October 29, 2019Cuando voy a la librería me gusta pasearme por la sección de libros en inglés sobre Japón. La mayor parte de libros expuestos son guías turísticas, pero de vez en cuando hay obras que tienen en común hablar sobre el país y no encajan en ningún otro lugar. O al menos eso es lo que pensé cuando me encontré con el cómic de Onibi entre guías de sake y de qué ver en los mejores barrios de Tokyo.
Onibi es un cómic escrito por Atelier Sento, una pareja de franceses, Cécile Brun y Olivier Pichard, que decidieron trasladar su experiencia al viajar por Japón, en concreto a la prefectura de Niigata, a lo largo de una pequeña historia de exploración de la zona y búsqueda de los yokai que la habitan.
En general, su obra se dedica a mostrar el lado más desconocido o inusual de Japón, bien en cómic, bien en ilustración, e incluso en forma de pequeños videojuegos accesibles desde la plataforma Android. Como he comentado, me voy a centrar en su cómic, Onibi.
Al ver la portada es inevitable que nos llame la atención el elemento de los yokai, primero en el título, luego en la forma de los fantasmas que ocupan la ilustración alrededor de los protagonistas (los propios autores). Una portada atractiva que a primera vista sugiere la idea de que la trama de la historia se desarrollará alrededor de estos seres, pero que no es así. La importancia de los yokai queda relegada a ser el leitmotiv de la obra, una presencia destinada a guiarnos a través de las peripecias de los autores en su viaje por Niigata. ¿Recordáis que dije que estaba en la sección de guías turísticas?
Continúa en... https://lanaveinvisible.com/2019/05/2...
Onibi es un cómic escrito por Atelier Sento, una pareja de franceses, Cécile Brun y Olivier Pichard, que decidieron trasladar su experiencia al viajar por Japón, en concreto a la prefectura de Niigata, a lo largo de una pequeña historia de exploración de la zona y búsqueda de los yokai que la habitan.
En general, su obra se dedica a mostrar el lado más desconocido o inusual de Japón, bien en cómic, bien en ilustración, e incluso en forma de pequeños videojuegos accesibles desde la plataforma Android. Como he comentado, me voy a centrar en su cómic, Onibi.
Al ver la portada es inevitable que nos llame la atención el elemento de los yokai, primero en el título, luego en la forma de los fantasmas que ocupan la ilustración alrededor de los protagonistas (los propios autores). Una portada atractiva que a primera vista sugiere la idea de que la trama de la historia se desarrollará alrededor de estos seres, pero que no es así. La importancia de los yokai queda relegada a ser el leitmotiv de la obra, una presencia destinada a guiarnos a través de las peripecias de los autores en su viaje por Niigata. ¿Recordáis que dije que estaba en la sección de guías turísticas?
Continúa en... https://lanaveinvisible.com/2019/05/2...
May 15, 2020
This quiet fantasy travelogue follows two gaijin as they traipse around Japan, trying to take pictures of yokai (spirits) with a small plastic child's camera. Arranged in a series of short vignettes each centered around a single photograph, the story takes on a melancholy, existential quality as the characters wonder whether they are in fact photographing ghosts in the Japanese countryside, or just on a goose chase. Between chapters, readers can see that the photos they take really do bear fruit: mysterious shapes snake between trees, and one old gentleman who guides their quest and insists he be photographed in front of a shrine shows up transparent.
The spirits in this book are barely visible and it is unclear what their goal or motives for interacting with mortals might be; if anything, this adds to the appeal. No gnashing teeth or heads bitten off--but a giant foot might come through your roof, or an eyeball appear in your coffee. The artist has reverence for the apparently absurd qualities of the unseen world, and doesn't attempt to explain it--just to contact a little of its magic.
There's a little Western voyeurism at play here, and I have no idea about whether the stories contained in this book reflect real local traditions, but the art would pull me back to this book for a browse a few times more. I like the nods to the creators' real travels and interactions with Japanese elders, who pass on short stories about the spirits they have encountered--including ones created by nuclear fallout. An interesting quirk of the art is that the narrators' faces are drawn very simply, while Japanese locals they encounter have detailed, individual faces with lots of character. Likewise, the food, pretty scenery, dappled sunlight, and cool forest floors that the two characters explore are rendered carefully; they appear almost like travelogue guidebook photos, but with a little cartoony charm.
The spirits in this book are barely visible and it is unclear what their goal or motives for interacting with mortals might be; if anything, this adds to the appeal. No gnashing teeth or heads bitten off--but a giant foot might come through your roof, or an eyeball appear in your coffee. The artist has reverence for the apparently absurd qualities of the unseen world, and doesn't attempt to explain it--just to contact a little of its magic.
There's a little Western voyeurism at play here, and I have no idea about whether the stories contained in this book reflect real local traditions, but the art would pull me back to this book for a browse a few times more. I like the nods to the creators' real travels and interactions with Japanese elders, who pass on short stories about the spirits they have encountered--including ones created by nuclear fallout. An interesting quirk of the art is that the narrators' faces are drawn very simply, while Japanese locals they encounter have detailed, individual faces with lots of character. Likewise, the food, pretty scenery, dappled sunlight, and cool forest floors that the two characters explore are rendered carefully; they appear almost like travelogue guidebook photos, but with a little cartoony charm.
July 2, 2024
Salah satu bacaan iseng di Libby, art nya malah bagus. Kalo aku perhatiin mirip Ito Junji style tp ada bedanya dikit.
Ceritanya ttg Michelle dan Olivier (jujur nama mereka baru di reveal di chapter 3 😂) yg sptnya pasangan turis dr negara asing (kyknya sih Prancis ya kalo dr namanya) melakukan perjalanan ke Prefektur Niigata. Michelle ini keliatan kyk maniak hantu, gampang bgt penasaran sampe dia bela2in beli kamera analog khusus yg bisa motret makhluk supranatural. Mereka berkeliling layaknya turis, mulai dr ke kuil, ke kedai ramen, ke pantai, bahkan menelusuri lorong-lorong jalan. Tp sayangnya sampe akhir mereka gak bertemu penampakan, mana kameranya pake hilang 😂
Aku gatau faktanya gmn sih tp spt terselip kalo bbrp orang yg mereka temui sebetulnya adlh makhluk supranatural yg gak reveal wujud mereka di depan Michelle dan Olivier. Warga lokal menceritakan kpd mereka bagaimana masyarakat Jepang memercayai makhluk yg gak bisa dilihat juga sebuah tips bagaimana tetap berhubungan baik walaupun alam nya beda.
Kupikir ini spt perjalanan penulisnya waktu menelusuri Prefektur Niigata. Karena byk dokumentasi foto dan bbrp referensi yokai nya.
Ceritanya ttg Michelle dan Olivier (jujur nama mereka baru di reveal di chapter 3 😂) yg sptnya pasangan turis dr negara asing (kyknya sih Prancis ya kalo dr namanya) melakukan perjalanan ke Prefektur Niigata. Michelle ini keliatan kyk maniak hantu, gampang bgt penasaran sampe dia bela2in beli kamera analog khusus yg bisa motret makhluk supranatural. Mereka berkeliling layaknya turis, mulai dr ke kuil, ke kedai ramen, ke pantai, bahkan menelusuri lorong-lorong jalan. Tp sayangnya sampe akhir mereka gak bertemu penampakan, mana kameranya pake hilang 😂
Aku gatau faktanya gmn sih tp spt terselip kalo bbrp orang yg mereka temui sebetulnya adlh makhluk supranatural yg gak reveal wujud mereka di depan Michelle dan Olivier. Warga lokal menceritakan kpd mereka bagaimana masyarakat Jepang memercayai makhluk yg gak bisa dilihat juga sebuah tips bagaimana tetap berhubungan baik walaupun alam nya beda.
Kupikir ini spt perjalanan penulisnya waktu menelusuri Prefektur Niigata. Karena byk dokumentasi foto dan bbrp referensi yokai nya.
February 1, 2019
This is a stunning graphic novel. It is a subtle introduction to Japanese culture, as the characters are traveling through the country in search of yokai (ghosts). You see Japanese folklore woven into more modern settings. The plot is straightforward, but demands the readers attention due to the gorgeous pencil and watercolor artwork.
I thought the concept of discovering ghosts and the spiritual world through an old camera was cool. The the story is interesting and will appeal to kids and adults. There are actually 8 different stories in the book – each about a different travel and encounter with a different yokai. There is even a part in the back where you are told how to develop your own film using household ingredients to see yokai This one is definitely going on my to be read again shelf! Please note I received a free review copy of this book
I thought the concept of discovering ghosts and the spiritual world through an old camera was cool. The the story is interesting and will appeal to kids and adults. There are actually 8 different stories in the book – each about a different travel and encounter with a different yokai. There is even a part in the back where you are told how to develop your own film using household ingredients to see yokai This one is definitely going on my to be read again shelf! Please note I received a free review copy of this book
November 14, 2022
A lovingly illustrated cozy little travel adventure across Japan. The authors are French, and it's told from the perspective of two tourists (apparently French in the original and American in my English copy), which does give it a sort of uncomfortable appropriative angle? Like, none of the Japanese characters are central, and they're often comically strange or potentially supernatural? Which gives me like... Magical Negro vibes?? Maybe that's too extreme of a comparison. But it's gently Othering in a whimsically magical milieu in a way that probably wouldn't feel uncomfortable if the leads weren't foreign. Feels like a lack of thoughtfulness rather than malice. It's clearly made out of pure love for these people and this culture. It's not hateful, it's just a little bit of an oblivious tourist. Overall, I enjoyed my time with it and really loved the artwork.
May 5, 2022
An interesting slice of life of a couple of tourists/students in Japan and they have a particular interest in discovering yokai! When they learn of a tale they take a picture with a camera that is suppose to capture the spirit of the yokai. They travel Japan and it has some nice culture and nice illustrations with the story.
June 12, 2020
Interesting comic about two French tourists in Japan who come across a camera that takes pictures of yokai (Japanese spirits/demons). A fun combination of tourism and supernatural mystery. My favorite part was the "cyanotype yokai photos".
June 10, 2022
i'm just here for the art. i loved the textures, colors, use of light and perspective. however, all the story lines were boring and sometimes it felt like the narrators (two french tourists) were not properly honoring the japanese culture and being reverent enough.
April 9, 2024
The illustrations are lovely. As I read deeper I’ve got to realize that the purpose of this book is to show and tell us the writer’s personal experience with Japanese folklore and all of its related creatures (in this book: yokai). Nothing more and nothing less.
October 26, 2018
This was charming and the art is very lovely. A fun, slightly spooky adventure.
November 5, 2018
SO CUTE
January 1, 2019
Cute little book about traveling and yokai, what could be better?
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