No Longer Human by Ito Junji (2020)

No Longer Human was originally a novel by renowned Japanese author Dazai Osamu with strong autobiographical elements revolving around subjects such as depression, social alienation and ultimately suicide. Dazai Osamu took his own life by double suicide by drowning shortly after the novel's final part was published which is why No Longer Human is often interpreted as the author's will. Released all the way back in 1948, this tragedy is inspired by the author's tormented own life as well as the overwhelming feeling of defeat, loss and shame in Japan after the end of the Second World War. This novel, dealing with elements such as anti-heroism, existentialism and the meaning of life, is one of the most popular Japanese novels in the world and has sold millions of copies. It has been adapted into two movies, three anime series, one anime feature film and four manga. The most recent manga version has been created by legendary horror mangaka Ito Junji, known for genre classics such as Tomie and Uzumaki.

Ito Junji manages to combine the novel's gloomy content with haunting images that seem to come straight out of disturbing nightmares. Especially the paintings portrayed in the manga and the changing facial expressions portray a slow but steady descent into hell with no way out of terminal nothingness.

The story follows Oba Yozo's life, as he becomes the black sheep of a wealthy family due to his social anxiety as he tries to hide his consuming fears behind funny disguises and childish jokes. Anyone who spends time with the tormented young artist soon seems to be haunted and is pushed into anxiety, depression and ultimately death. As the protagonist himself spirals into a life of alcoholism, drug abuse and harlotry, his school friend, his married lover and his wife all transform from dynamic, profound and unique characters into hollow, lifeless and numb shells of their former selves whose only escape from such dreadful lives seems to be death. Oba Yozo himself is finally confined to an isolated mental institution, meandering between profound despair and lacklustre self-reflection. In an interesting twist of his own, Ito Junji makes Oba Yozo encounter Dazai Osamu at said sanitarium and also details the latter's double suicide as witnessed by the protagonist.

Certainly, this gloomy tragedy is nothing for faint-hearted people and shouldn't be read by anyone with destructive thoughts. From a distant perspective however, this highly atmospheric manga can be interpreted as a profound psychological drama that makes you appreciate your own life with all its complications, downsides and flaws so much more. While exploring consuming darkness, readers will find light of hope which can ultimately lead to a life-affirming conclusion of this bleak story. No Longer Human doesn't only feature one of the bleakest atmospheres ever described in the history of literature and a gripping story with many twists and turns involving diversified characters but also a philosophical depth that offers much food for debate, self-reflection and thought. Ito Junji's very own style blends in perfectly with the original novel by Dazai Osamu and makes for one of the very best manga ever published that you shouldn't miss out on if you don't mind dealing with pitch black subject matter for adults.

Final Rating: 90%