Seizon ― LifE

Takeda, comes home from the hospital after finding out he has terminal cancer and only six months to live. His wife had also died of cancer, but unable to watch her suffering, he was rarely by her side. He had a daughter, but she disappeared fourteen years ago. Not wanting to suffer as his wife did and wanting to atone for being such a poor husband and father he ties a rope to the rafters and slips the noose around his neck.

Seizon ― LifE

「生存―LifE」
Fukumoto Nobuyuki x Kawaguchi Kaiji
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Just as he’s about to end it all the phone rings. The answering machine picks it up and a shocked Takeda listens as the policeman on the other end tells him that they believe that they have found the remains of his daughter. The police don’t seem interested in following such a cold case, so Takeda sets out to find his daughter’s killer himself. However, he only has six months to find the killer before the statute of limitations is up and the killer walks away scot free.

Since the main character is a middle aged man and there is pretty much no sex, nudity or graphic violence in this manga, I somehow doubt it will appeal to many people. But I liked it. Takeda’s journey to retrace his daughter’s last footsteps leads him to many revelations about the sort of neglectful father he was and how little he really knew or understood about her. Instead of getting bogged down by this knowledge, Takeda uses it to fuel his drive to find her killer. Its the last thing he can do for her.

Just a few months ago, the final volume came out. Not to give too much away, but it is quite suspenseful. Seeing Takeda confront his daughter’s killer and the sort of cat and mouse game they play with the statue of limitations really keeps the reader on the edge of their seat. I really don’t know how to express how good this manga is. Its a relatively simple story. A straight forward look at a father’s search for his daughter’s killer. But it is also very moving and human story.

/ 4 Commentsleave a comment /

• kluxorious says:

  October 14, 2010

  I have heard this kind of stories before and have even seen it at the big screens. Since the art isn;t really appealing to me, I don't think I'll pick this one up. But I believe you about this being enjoyable and humane

  Reply
  • morri says:

    October 15, 2010

    Its too bad you feel that way. I’ll admit that I actually felt the same. I only read it because it was scanlated by Kotonoha, a group with insanely good taste in manga. That alone was enough to get me to go out on a limb and read it and I’m glad that I did.

    Reply
• Vivi says:

  October 17, 2010

  Wow! I didn't think I would see this again, not to mentioned blogged about @_@ I'm really picky about art work but this one I don't regret biting the bullet for, especially since Fukumoto wrote it. Kind of wish he illustrated it though (then everyone's nose would be even bigger!! >:D)…

  Reply
  • morri says:

    October 17, 2010

    Pretty much everyone I know has said the same. Its an extremely good, yet overlooked, manga.

    Its the manga that made me appreciate series with brilliant stories, yet pedestrian artwork. I need to stop being such an art-snob and start looking out of my comfort zone!

    Reply