“Tomoyo Shiino has stood by her friend Mariko through years of abuse, abandonment, and depression. However horrific her circumstances, their friendship has been the one reassuring constant in Mariko's life—and Tomoyo's too. That is, until Tomoyo is utterly blindsided by news of Mariko's death. In life, Tomoyo felt powerless to help her best friend out of the darkness that ultimately drove her over the edge. Now, Tomoyo is determined to liberate Mariko's ashes for one final journey together…to set free her dear, broken Mariko. “
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Much in the same way that revered mangakas such as Inio Asano are able to capture the raw emotive response in dire circumstances, Hirako's debut novel is nothing short of remarkable. The series showcases a strong understanding of how to convey message both in visual approach and narrative. As a result, the stories' ability to elicit a strong emotive response from the reader is undeniable, particularly in those who have faced loss or empathize with mental health issues.
The narrative, which follows a woman's request to reclaim the ashes of her deceased friend, discusses a wide range of issues to frame both the suicide of Mariko, as well as the consequences it has on her best (and only) friend Tomoyo. Subjects such as abuse, self harm, anger, regret, are all channeled through the memories and actions of its protagonist. Consequently, from the opening panels which announces the suicide of Mariko, the book becomes steeped in a profound tragedy that sets of Tomoyo into a self destructive quest of her own.
Armed with the letters from the past, the reader is given insights into the friends relationship, which had the tendency to be overly intense. Additionally, the letters offer dialogue which echoes the tragedy of the loss, and as an observer it is hard not to tear up at the deeper narrative conveyed in the notes. Ultimately, the narrative can best be described as ‘heavy' as the reader is not given much breathing room from the various harrowing scenarios. An experience, which to some, is a profound meditation of personal suffering through mental anguish.
Adding to the narrative strength, the visual style of Hiroki is heavily defined and expressive. As a result, the panels of either Tomoyo or Mariko breaking down, crying, wonderfully captures the desperation and the eruption of feelings that lead to such responses. Additionally, while still staying in line with traditional manga stylings, the work shows hints of inspiration from western aesthetics making for a strong amalgamation of styles. Whether the narrative connects to the reader or not, Hiroki's artwork is near flawless in conveying its story and presenting the struggles of its subjects.
“My Broken Mariko” is a profound and poignant work, made all the more miraculous coming from a debut series. Fans of established writers, like Inio Asano (“Downfall”, “Nijigahara Holograph“) and Shuzo Oshimi (“Flowers of Evil”, Blood on the Tracks”), will instantly be drawn to the approach and tact in exploring difficult subjects. Additionally, with this being one of the first forays' of Yen Press into hardcover releases, the work is an ideal choice for the publisher to give the high quality treatment.
It is seldom a debut work shows this degree of maturity and mastery over the medium, which makes Waka Hiroki is a name to keep an eye on.
