“College student Tsuneo loves the ocean and the creatures it harbors, and he dreams of studying abroad in faraway waters. All he needs is enough funds to go, so when a girl in a wheelchair suddenly barrels into his life, he readily agrees to work part-time as her caretaker. Getting close to the prickly Josee is easier said than done, but before he can give up, an impromptu trip to the beach shows them both that sometimes, they must take that first plunge to see the wonders that await.” (Yen Press)
Based on a popular novel turned hit anime, the manga adaptation of Seiko Tanabe's “Josee, The Tiger and the Fish” may seem like an unnecessary release given its unbridled success in two other mediums, making it feel redundant to try for a third time to retell the story. Furthermore, readers already familiar with the title may have reservations about the manga's ability to impress on them in different ways than the novel or the anime. Thankfully, In the case of Nao Emoto's interpretation of the source material, these concerns are unwarranted with how beautifully the world of “Josee” is explored in the medium of manga.
Hitting the same emotional stings as the anime, “Josee” flows perfectly between drama and romance, while leaving a bit of room for moments of calmness to capture the beauty of the sea and the visceral reactions of its characters. In fact, the book has a slightly cinematic flow to it given a naturalistic flow that makes room for textless panels that establish the environment and atmosphere. This leads to the inevitable ‘confession' between Tsuneo and Josee carrying a huge weight that evokes the same emotional response as the anime. Nao Emoto, undeniably, understood how to capture and adapt the moments in the manga that made “Josee” such a cathartic experience.
Of course, the success of the manga adaption extends to the art of Nao Emoto, as the above-mentioned pacing and attention to detail require a defined visual direction to succeed. The book is gorgeously detailed from the character's emotive responses to the backdrops; every detail is conveyed with confident skill. The artist's ability to show refrain to compliment the flow of the work can't be understated in the adaptation, it also happens to highlight some of the most stunning panels on the pages.
“Josee” is a near-perfect adaptation that captures the ‘pulls at the heartstrings' and the visual flair of the work it is based on. If you are a fan of either the novel or the anime there is no reason not to check it out. Alternatively, if you prefer manga over any other format the release stands on its own. Regardless, with a single omnibus release for the full story, Yen Press presents a pretty package worth adding to the collection.
