TLDR
Story – 9/10 – 9 x 0.275 = 2.475
Art – 9/10 – 9 x 0.2 = 1.8
Characters – 8/10 – 8 x 0.225 = 1.8
Enjoyment – 8/10 – 8 x 0.3 = 2.4
Total: 8.475 -> 8
“There’s a war being fought somewhere today. Many people are being killed. But it’s hard to believe that kind of thing when you look at this peaceful scene. I thought it would be nice if it went on forever…”
Solanin
Story – 9/10
Solanin is a hidden gem in the world of slice-of-life (SOL). Its creator, Inio Asano, renowned for his masterpiece Goodnight Punpun, demonstrates once again his unmatched talent in the genre. Solanin tells a deeply human story—exactly what any SOL should aim for—centering on two characters in their 20s navigating their ambitions and struggles in Tokyo. The narrative unfolds naturally, structured around their lives, resulting in a humane and heartfelt tale. Despite its brevity, it becomes an engaging read due to its high quality. The epilogue adds depth, resonating with anyone who has had to "move on" from something or someone.
Art – 9/10
The art in Solanin matches the excellence seen in Goodnight Punpun. It is clean and highly detailed, featuring breathtaking panels that captivate the eye. Landscapes and settings are rendered with shading worthy of recognition, while characters display incredible expressiveness, allowing readers to easily interpret their emotions. Character designs are distinct, making it simple to differentiate between them. The panel flow is smooth, enhancing the storytelling experience.
Characters – 8/10
The characters are relatable and authentic, capturing the essence of the human condition. We empathize with their pain and struggles as much as we celebrate their hopes and dreams, aided by the expressive artwork. This is the heart of Solanin's appeal: its characters are real, like us—they confront similar challenges, experience grief and loss, and fall in love. These elements are portrayed masterfully.
Enjoyment – 8/10
Solanin is enjoyable throughout, though the second half surpasses the first in terms of impact. With compelling characters and an emotionally resonant story about grief, loss, and resilience, Solanin also provides insightful reflections on the human experience, as highlighted by the quote above. This manga holds special meaning for me during these challenging times, offering a poignant reminder of the importance of peace and harmony over war and chaos. Solanin is as precious as the wisdom it imparts, truly deserving of a recommendation for being such a remarkable work of art.
<p>I believe the most compelling aspect of "Solanin" is its relatability. It tells the story of individuals in their early twenties navigating life's complexities, centered around the age-old dilemma of choosing between a challenging, uncertain path or an easy, stable one—be it in their careers or relationships. Essentially, it captures the fear of pursuing one's passion. To me, the narrative isn't particularly extraordinary, but that's precisely the intention. The characters, plot, and world are unremarkable, and Asano deliberately designed it this way. I think he aimed to create a manga that resonates deeply with readers, even at the cost of entertainment, impacting them in ways other works might not. This is the hallmark of Inio Asano's style—he prioritizes realism above all else.</p>
This quote from the manga perfectly encapsulates the essence of these characters. It's not a tale about extraordinary individuals, nor is it a rags-to-riches story or one about people climbing from the bottom to the top. Instead, it's a straightforward, grounded narrative about a group of friends navigating life. There's an authentic feel to it that makes it relatable—like I can see myself in these characters.
The setting is simple, and the overall plot isn't complex either. We primarily focus on the relationships within the group of friends and their band. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll keep this review spoiler-free. But how do I persuade you to give this a try without revealing too much?
If you appreciate slice-of-life stories with characters you can connect with, then this is for you. It's not about people who stumbled upon their dream jobs or became the greatest band in history. It's about a group of friends enjoying life and living in the moment. If that sounds appealing, it's definitely worth your time!
It's the small, often overlooked moments in life that hold immense value. The precious times shared with others may only be truly appreciated once they're gone. This manga reminds us to live without regret, cherish those around us, and pursue our dreams, even if others dismiss them. Life is fleeting, and this story encourages us to make every moment count.
Please consider picking this up if you haven't already. I went into it blindly and was glad I did, knowing almost nothing beforehand. It moved me deeply, and as someone who rarely reads manga (my list is pretty short), I highly recommend giving it a chance.
Slice of life is a genre that I'd argue is inherently flawed unless it incorporates an additional element to make it stand out from the crowd. For instance, "Planetes" combines slice of life with intriguing futuristic sci-fi elements, while "Haibane Renmei" blends slice of life in a fantasy setting with philosophical depth. Without such unique and specific focus to tie events together and differentiate it from others, slice of life stories often lack the appeal or engagement needed to captivate audiences.
"Solanin" exemplifies this flaw. Although it does touch on music and the passage of time, these themes are underdeveloped—music being a minor focus in the first half and the concept of time only becoming significant midway through. Even when these themes become central, they fail to distinguish themselves from other series.
Regarding the music aspect, the story's limitations due to its medium are evident. The impact of a music-focused narrative diminishes when there's no way for readers to hear the music or even imagine the songs, as no musical notes are provided. This undermines the potential emotional resonance.
Moreover, the visual aspects of the manga are not fully utilized. While the backgrounds and character designs are adequate, they're unremarkable. One particularly distracting element is the frequent use of black spaces for monologues. Regardless of stylistic intent, this feels like a waste of the visual medium's potential.
The series could have been more effective if condensed into an anime feature film, omitting some filler chapters.
As for the characters, they fulfill their roles but offer nothing new compared to typical slice of life or romcom series, let alone standout manga characters. The excessive focus on the mediocre supporting cast detracts from the overall narrative, diluting the story's potential as a conceptual piece rather than a character-driven one. The protagonist undergoes some development later in the series, but this trope has been explored more compellingly in works like "Neon Genesis Evangelion" (Misato) or "20th Century Boys" (Kanna).
In summary, Solanin garners praise mainly for its relatability, yet this quality holds little weight when every other aspect remains mediocre. The mangaka executes competently within their vision, but the premise lacks originality. For those seeking innovative approaches to integrating slice of life elements, consider anime like "Planetes," "Haibane Renmei," or "The Tatami Galaxy." Alternatively, explore outside the anime/manga realm with "The Sopranos." As for Solanin, I cannot recommend it.
Running in place frequently leads to catastrophic outcomes, and these characters gradually become all too familiar with the ensuing boredom. Meiko's resignation from her job acts as the catalyst for a collective journey of challenging self-discovery that you might either relate to or not. It's safe to say we've all "been there" in some way, and Asano tackles this on a personal level by reinterpreting the old saying "it's okay to not be okay." Here, instead of focusing entirely on depression or mental illness, the existential desire to understand what one wants out of life, as well as what partners, friends, and others want, is at the forefront. Time, its inevitable passage, and its importance concerning both good and bad moments also play a role, as tragedy slowly brings about change. In short, this is a humble yet profoundly humanistic masterpiece that showcases Asano Inio's talents as a unique artist.
this manga hits me really hard because I first read it when I was only 12, so I ended up not understanding shit. But rereading it during a life transition, with college, work, dreams to pursue, fears, and responsibilities pressing down on your neck ready to drown you, that's when I finally managed to appreciate what Asano is saying here.
The themes of Solanin are exactly these: the end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood, the emergence of responsibilities, and accepting the burden that decisions made now will be carried for the rest of your life. The realization that sometimes we have to set our dreams aside just to survive and deal with the new obligations we've taken on, and accepting that bad things will happen and we won't have total control over them. It's genuinely beautiful how Asano captures these emotions so delicately and relatably. Anyway, this is a totally underrated manga by him.
Solanin by Asano Inio narrates the tale of a group of individuals in their early twenties and their day-to-day lives. Many of them have already finished college and are grappling with the duties of adulthood, yet they still remain uncertain about what life holds for them.
The primary characters, Meiko and Taneda, form an excellent, albeit very realistic couple. Having been together for approximately six years, they understand each other quite well. Even after Meiko left her office job to avoid falling into monotony, Taneda continues to support her unconditionally. However, naturally, they encounter disagreements, and over time, their relationship begins to unravel.
Their friends, from Billy to Katou and Ai, are all remarkable. The narrative shifts focus among all the characters, but despite most of the story centering on Meiko, it was fascinating to observe how each of them navigates life.
Given that this is a seinen and drama manga, the tone becomes fairly serious and heavy midway through the story. Nevertheless, it also features some comedic moments that help lighten the mood. I hadn’t anticipated enjoying the art as much as I did, since I hadn’t read anything similar before, but personally, I find it stunning and perfectly suited to the subject matter.
Ultimately, I must say that this manga couldn't have come my way at a more opportune time. I just began college this year, but like these characters, I felt lost and unsure about my path. As the mangaka himself mentioned, there's nothing extraordinary about these characters, yet I believe they realistically depict that one doesn't always need to aim for an exceptional life or settle for a routine to be content. Sometimes we must make choices that push us beyond our comfort zones because we never know where life might lead us.
I will certainly explore more of Asano's works and am particularly eager to read Oyasumi, Punpun.
I'm writing this from the perspective of a high schooler, having just entered 9th grade this year. I purchased this manga after hearing about it on this very site. Inio Asano is a highly celebrated author, and it's incredibly easy to understand why.
First off, this manga is exceptionally easy to recommend to any general comic book fan. The plot is grounded, relatable, and above all, captivating. Given that this story originated from Asano's own experiences during a similar age range—when he was starting out as a mangaka and making waves in the underground market—this series feels like a heartfelt tribute to that specific phase of life. It's difficult to articulate precisely what makes this story work so well—it just does. There's something about the struggles depicted here—relationships, jobs, and tragedy—that elevates this manga to greatness.
On a final note, I particularly admire how Asano portrays the character Meiko. Writing from a different gender or perspective requires significant effort and thought, yet Asano accomplishes it with ease, transitioning between characters seamlessly. Too often, writers resort to blatant stereotypes—masculine men and feminine women, moe otaku and yaoi fujoshi—but Meiko stands out as a character with genuine goals. Her relationship with Tanada feels authentic and not overly contrived. This series genuinely appeals to multiple demographics, allowing both males and females to enjoy it without alienating any particular audience—a feat few mangas achieve.
Overall, this manga is nearly flawless. Though I may come across as jumping on the bandwagon, I'll say it anyway: read this series!
This manga focuses on individuals in their 20s navigating the complexities of life. The protagonist, Inoue, is an office worker living with her boyfriend Taneda, who works part-time and doesn't earn much. Dissatisfied with her life yet lacking the courage to make a change, Inoue eventually takes the leap. "Freedom without any purpose feels a whole lot like boredom" encapsulates her experience a week after resigning—a sentiment akin to quarantine, beneficial only for those with purpose. Despite planning activities like shopping, getting a driver's license, or traveling abroad, she finds herself lounging at home. Her journey revolves around finding meaning beyond a passionless existence. Even though they've relied on Inoue’s income, Taneda pressures her to find work quickly. Billy, a mutual friend, reflects on his own stagnation: “I will just keep racking up more and more irritation with myself for not having the courage to break out of the daily grind.” Taneda and Inoue avoid discussing serious issues affecting their relationship, hoping avoidance will resolve them. A pivotal moment arises when Inoue urges Taneda to pursue his dreams, prompting reflection. Words from Taneda’s colleague resonate: “Someone’s always better, someone’s always worse. In this day and age, you can’t get by staring at your feet.” Another impactful quote comes from Inoue to Taneda: “Oh, I don't have the talent, I don't have the drive. You've always used that as an excuse not to try. You're just scared of people criticizing you.” The narrative delves into struggles, minor issues escalating into significant challenges, and the perpetual questioning of happiness and purpose.
Inio Asano’s art style is distinctive. Character expressions diverge from typical manga aesthetics, leaning toward realism and evoking empathy. Female characters appear youthful, reflecting the younger appearance of Japanese women. Male character designs are particularly diverse, featuring facial hair, varied body types, and wrinkles, adding depth.
Solanin refrains from providing answers or defining right and wrong. Instead, it provokes introspection, evoking sadness through relatability. It adeptly captures the essence of life for people in their 20s. <p>
This is a tale about a struggling band and the dynamics between its members, primarily focusing on the lead singer and his girlfriend.
As mentioned, the manga delves into the relationships among the band members and how they deal with a particular event. They formed the band during their school years, and the title of the manga shares the name of one of their songs. Unfortunately, I can't elaborate much further on the story or characters since this is a brief manga, and I don't want to spoil any of the character interactions. At its core, this is a drama.
The art is quite good, with a distinct style that stands out. I enjoyed this short manga; it unfolds like a drama, in my view. If you're wondering if it's anything like Beck, it's not—no, it's not. But it's still decent.
One of my all-time favorite mangas! Asano masterfully portrays the genuine emotions and thoughts of contemporary young adults. He presents reality as it is, avoiding any "Hollywood" glitz or implausible plot elements. The characters are authentic and relatable, allowing readers to deeply empathize with them. By intricately weaving through the characters' memories and reflections, Solanin delves into the restlessness of youth and the journey that leads to it.
Asano also prioritizes attention to detail, resulting in truly exceptional artwork. The character design is distinctive; each character is depicted with realistic physical traits, a stark contrast to the large eyes and spiky hair often seen in many other manga styles.
In summary, this work is outstanding!
Solanin raises questions that I'd wager most people beyond a certain age have pondered. The primary one being whether it's wiser to chase an improbable dream or accept reality by settling into a 9-to-5 job to ensure survival while indulging in hobbies during leisure time. This quandary intensifies when there's nothing driving you, and you're uncertain if there's anything you could be passionate about. Another significant question is about the appropriate moment to leave childhood behind and step into adulthood, possibly letting go of unrealistic aspirations. Thus, we meet Meiko Inoue, our protagonist, who decides to quit her monotonous and unappreciated job temporarily to pursue something else, only to find herself at a loss for what that "something" might be. She's accompanied by friends from university, all similarly adrift, whether employed or not.
Solanin refrains from making grand proclamations about life's meaning or human existence, and it doesn't need to. Its aim is simply to depict the lives of a group of individuals in their early to mid-twenties, navigating through confusion, aimlessness, and self-doubt. It's a narrative about a challenging transitional phase of life and how people respond when faced with such situations. Most of the story, divided into relatively brief chapters, is narrated from Meiko's perspective, but occasionally another character gets a chapter to showcase a different facet of the central issue, as well as their unique challenges and insecurities. This structure proves highly effective, with each chapter being both concise and meaningful, standing alone while contributing to the overall narrative.
The characters don't undergo monumental growth over decades; instead, they simply experience life, much like anyone else, and Solanin offers us a glimpse into a year of it. There isn't much overt character development, but the subtle changes are significant: the slight shift in mindset for each major character involves learning a crucial lesson, culminating in a gratifying conclusion to the story, even though on the surface their personalities seem largely unchanged. By the end, they remain unfulfilled but have at least chosen a path forward. In my view, this marks the onset of their transition into adulthood.
While Meiko and her companions may not be the most intricate characters, their reactions to the events they encounter, along with the nuances of their body language and facial expressions, compensate for that, portraying them as undeniably human. The artwork plays a substantial role here: Asano doesn't amplify character emotions in his illustrations, yet it's always clear what a character is feeling at any given moment. Furthermore, the extensive narration allows readers an intimate insight into the mind of the chapter's focal character. All these elements enhance the realism and relatability of the story and its characters.
The questions I highlighted at the outset never receive definitive answers. However, this is advantageous; providing concrete solutions might have diminished the dilemmas' significance, as there's no universal remedy. The closest thing to a moral or message I discerned was "cherish the small things in life and, wherever possible, do what brings you joy." It's a straightforward message, yet no less precious due to its simplicity. If any aspect of what I've described mirrors your own life, I strongly recommend reading it, because Solanin is a tale that will resonate with anyone currently or previously in a comparable situation.<p>
Popular Reviews
TLDR
Story – 9/10 – 9 x 0.275 = 2.475
Art – 9/10 – 9 x 0.2 = 1.8
Characters – 8/10 – 8 x 0.225 = 1.8
Enjoyment – 8/10 – 8 x 0.3 = 2.4
Total: 8.475 -> 8
“There’s a war being fought somewhere today. Many people are being killed. But it’s hard to believe that kind of thing when you look at this peaceful scene. I thought it would be nice if it went on forever…”
Solanin
Story – 9/10
Solanin is a hidden gem in the world of slice-of-life (SOL). Its creator, Inio Asano, renowned for his masterpiece Goodnight Punpun, demonstrates once again his unmatched talent in the genre. Solanin tells a deeply human story—exactly what any SOL should aim for—centering on two characters in their 20s navigating their ambitions and struggles in Tokyo. The narrative unfolds naturally, structured around their lives, resulting in a humane and heartfelt tale. Despite its brevity, it becomes an engaging read due to its high quality. The epilogue adds depth, resonating with anyone who has had to "move on" from something or someone.
Art – 9/10
The art in Solanin matches the excellence seen in Goodnight Punpun. It is clean and highly detailed, featuring breathtaking panels that captivate the eye. Landscapes and settings are rendered with shading worthy of recognition, while characters display incredible expressiveness, allowing readers to easily interpret their emotions. Character designs are distinct, making it simple to differentiate between them. The panel flow is smooth, enhancing the storytelling experience.
Characters – 8/10
The characters are relatable and authentic, capturing the essence of the human condition. We empathize with their pain and struggles as much as we celebrate their hopes and dreams, aided by the expressive artwork. This is the heart of Solanin's appeal: its characters are real, like us—they confront similar challenges, experience grief and loss, and fall in love. These elements are portrayed masterfully.
Enjoyment – 8/10
Solanin is enjoyable throughout, though the second half surpasses the first in terms of impact. With compelling characters and an emotionally resonant story about grief, loss, and resilience, Solanin also provides insightful reflections on the human experience, as highlighted by the quote above. This manga holds special meaning for me during these challenging times, offering a poignant reminder of the importance of peace and harmony over war and chaos. Solanin is as precious as the wisdom it imparts, truly deserving of a recommendation for being such a remarkable work of art.
This quote from the manga perfectly encapsulates the essence of these characters. It's not a tale about extraordinary individuals, nor is it a rags-to-riches story or one about people climbing from the bottom to the top. Instead, it's a straightforward, grounded narrative about a group of friends navigating life. There's an authentic feel to it that makes it relatable—like I can see myself in these characters.
The setting is simple, and the overall plot isn't complex either. We primarily focus on the relationships within the group of friends and their band. I don't want to give anything away, so I'll keep this review spoiler-free. But how do I persuade you to give this a try without revealing too much?
If you appreciate slice-of-life stories with characters you can connect with, then this is for you. It's not about people who stumbled upon their dream jobs or became the greatest band in history. It's about a group of friends enjoying life and living in the moment. If that sounds appealing, it's definitely worth your time!
It's the small, often overlooked moments in life that hold immense value. The precious times shared with others may only be truly appreciated once they're gone. This manga reminds us to live without regret, cherish those around us, and pursue our dreams, even if others dismiss them. Life is fleeting, and this story encourages us to make every moment count.
Please consider picking this up if you haven't already. I went into it blindly and was glad I did, knowing almost nothing beforehand. It moved me deeply, and as someone who rarely reads manga (my list is pretty short), I highly recommend giving it a chance.
"Solanin" exemplifies this flaw. Although it does touch on music and the passage of time, these themes are underdeveloped—music being a minor focus in the first half and the concept of time only becoming significant midway through. Even when these themes become central, they fail to distinguish themselves from other series.
Regarding the music aspect, the story's limitations due to its medium are evident. The impact of a music-focused narrative diminishes when there's no way for readers to hear the music or even imagine the songs, as no musical notes are provided. This undermines the potential emotional resonance.
Moreover, the visual aspects of the manga are not fully utilized. While the backgrounds and character designs are adequate, they're unremarkable. One particularly distracting element is the frequent use of black spaces for monologues. Regardless of stylistic intent, this feels like a waste of the visual medium's potential.
The series could have been more effective if condensed into an anime feature film, omitting some filler chapters.
As for the characters, they fulfill their roles but offer nothing new compared to typical slice of life or romcom series, let alone standout manga characters. The excessive focus on the mediocre supporting cast detracts from the overall narrative, diluting the story's potential as a conceptual piece rather than a character-driven one. The protagonist undergoes some development later in the series, but this trope has been explored more compellingly in works like "Neon Genesis Evangelion" (Misato) or "20th Century Boys" (Kanna).
In summary, Solanin garners praise mainly for its relatability, yet this quality holds little weight when every other aspect remains mediocre. The mangaka executes competently within their vision, but the premise lacks originality. For those seeking innovative approaches to integrating slice of life elements, consider anime like "Planetes," "Haibane Renmei," or "The Tatami Galaxy." Alternatively, explore outside the anime/manga realm with "The Sopranos." As for Solanin, I cannot recommend it.
<p>
The themes of Solanin are exactly these: the end of adolescence and the beginning of adulthood, the emergence of responsibilities, and accepting the burden that decisions made now will be carried for the rest of your life. The realization that sometimes we have to set our dreams aside just to survive and deal with the new obligations we've taken on, and accepting that bad things will happen and we won't have total control over them. It's genuinely beautiful how Asano captures these emotions so delicately and relatably. Anyway, this is a totally underrated manga by him.
<p>
The primary characters, Meiko and Taneda, form an excellent, albeit very realistic couple. Having been together for approximately six years, they understand each other quite well. Even after Meiko left her office job to avoid falling into monotony, Taneda continues to support her unconditionally. However, naturally, they encounter disagreements, and over time, their relationship begins to unravel.
Their friends, from Billy to Katou and Ai, are all remarkable. The narrative shifts focus among all the characters, but despite most of the story centering on Meiko, it was fascinating to observe how each of them navigates life.
Given that this is a seinen and drama manga, the tone becomes fairly serious and heavy midway through the story. Nevertheless, it also features some comedic moments that help lighten the mood. I hadn’t anticipated enjoying the art as much as I did, since I hadn’t read anything similar before, but personally, I find it stunning and perfectly suited to the subject matter.
Ultimately, I must say that this manga couldn't have come my way at a more opportune time. I just began college this year, but like these characters, I felt lost and unsure about my path. As the mangaka himself mentioned, there's nothing extraordinary about these characters, yet I believe they realistically depict that one doesn't always need to aim for an exceptional life or settle for a routine to be content. Sometimes we must make choices that push us beyond our comfort zones because we never know where life might lead us.
I will certainly explore more of Asano's works and am particularly eager to read Oyasumi, Punpun.
<p>
First off, this manga is exceptionally easy to recommend to any general comic book fan. The plot is grounded, relatable, and above all, captivating. Given that this story originated from Asano's own experiences during a similar age range—when he was starting out as a mangaka and making waves in the underground market—this series feels like a heartfelt tribute to that specific phase of life. It's difficult to articulate precisely what makes this story work so well—it just does. There's something about the struggles depicted here—relationships, jobs, and tragedy—that elevates this manga to greatness.
On a final note, I particularly admire how Asano portrays the character Meiko. Writing from a different gender or perspective requires significant effort and thought, yet Asano accomplishes it with ease, transitioning between characters seamlessly. Too often, writers resort to blatant stereotypes—masculine men and feminine women, moe otaku and yaoi fujoshi—but Meiko stands out as a character with genuine goals. Her relationship with Tanada feels authentic and not overly contrived. This series genuinely appeals to multiple demographics, allowing both males and females to enjoy it without alienating any particular audience—a feat few mangas achieve.
Overall, this manga is nearly flawless. Though I may come across as jumping on the bandwagon, I'll say it anyway: read this series!
Inio Asano’s art style is distinctive. Character expressions diverge from typical manga aesthetics, leaning toward realism and evoking empathy. Female characters appear youthful, reflecting the younger appearance of Japanese women. Male character designs are particularly diverse, featuring facial hair, varied body types, and wrinkles, adding depth.
Solanin refrains from providing answers or defining right and wrong. Instead, it provokes introspection, evoking sadness through relatability. It adeptly captures the essence of life for people in their 20s. <p>
(Short and Sour)
This is a tale about a struggling band and the dynamics between its members, primarily focusing on the lead singer and his girlfriend.
As mentioned, the manga delves into the relationships among the band members and how they deal with a particular event. They formed the band during their school years, and the title of the manga shares the name of one of their songs. Unfortunately, I can't elaborate much further on the story or characters since this is a brief manga, and I don't want to spoil any of the character interactions. At its core, this is a drama.
The art is quite good, with a distinct style that stands out. I enjoyed this short manga; it unfolds like a drama, in my view. If you're wondering if it's anything like Beck, it's not—no, it's not. But it's still decent.
7/10
Asano also prioritizes attention to detail, resulting in truly exceptional artwork. The character design is distinctive; each character is depicted with realistic physical traits, a stark contrast to the large eyes and spiky hair often seen in many other manga styles.
In summary, this work is outstanding!
Solanin refrains from making grand proclamations about life's meaning or human existence, and it doesn't need to. Its aim is simply to depict the lives of a group of individuals in their early to mid-twenties, navigating through confusion, aimlessness, and self-doubt. It's a narrative about a challenging transitional phase of life and how people respond when faced with such situations. Most of the story, divided into relatively brief chapters, is narrated from Meiko's perspective, but occasionally another character gets a chapter to showcase a different facet of the central issue, as well as their unique challenges and insecurities. This structure proves highly effective, with each chapter being both concise and meaningful, standing alone while contributing to the overall narrative.
The characters don't undergo monumental growth over decades; instead, they simply experience life, much like anyone else, and Solanin offers us a glimpse into a year of it. There isn't much overt character development, but the subtle changes are significant: the slight shift in mindset for each major character involves learning a crucial lesson, culminating in a gratifying conclusion to the story, even though on the surface their personalities seem largely unchanged. By the end, they remain unfulfilled but have at least chosen a path forward. In my view, this marks the onset of their transition into adulthood.
While Meiko and her companions may not be the most intricate characters, their reactions to the events they encounter, along with the nuances of their body language and facial expressions, compensate for that, portraying them as undeniably human. The artwork plays a substantial role here: Asano doesn't amplify character emotions in his illustrations, yet it's always clear what a character is feeling at any given moment. Furthermore, the extensive narration allows readers an intimate insight into the mind of the chapter's focal character. All these elements enhance the realism and relatability of the story and its characters.
The questions I highlighted at the outset never receive definitive answers. However, this is advantageous; providing concrete solutions might have diminished the dilemmas' significance, as there's no universal remedy. The closest thing to a moral or message I discerned was "cherish the small things in life and, wherever possible, do what brings you joy." It's a straightforward message, yet no less precious due to its simplicity. If any aspect of what I've described mirrors your own life, I strongly recommend reading it, because Solanin is a tale that will resonate with anyone currently or previously in a comparable situation.<p>
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