An affectionate and beguiling animated documentary celebrating the life and work of Japanese comic artist Yoshihiro Tatsumi. Dissatisfied with Japanese cartoons catering solely for children, Tatsumi coined the term Gekiga (pictorial drama) in the late 50s and developed a more adult style of comic art, revolutionising manga in post-war Japan. In 2009 Singaporean director Khoo picked up Tatsumi’s biography A Drifting Life which inspired him to make this film and combine Tatsumi’s fiction with his life story. Khoo’s first venture into animation is loyal to Tatsumi’s style, seamlessly weaving through his life and work and capturing the essence of Gekiga, which itself had a strikingly cinematic vision. A love letter to Tatsumi’s art, Khoo’s film is a reflective and insightful illumination of the short stories and struggles of the 75 year old artist. The layers of Japanese history behind these stories and experiences make for a fascinating biopic that delves into the dark tales of post-war Japan.
