A one-volume story published by Planet Manga in December 1998, which cost then 13,900 lire and was one of the first "deluxe" volumes (they have since learned better, the same quality can now be had for 10 euros). A story about war and ordinary people in a dishuman context (emotionally, in this case, but not less dishuman for that): a story about kamikaze, a long tale full of introspection and free from heavy rethoric.

The art is, at first sight, not what I'd call fascinating, but surely effective. Whereas character faces are not very realistic (but with good expression of emotions), backgrounds are really good and sometimes very detailed. Machines are well designed too. Ayumi Tachihara does use screentones and they are well used, with quite a lot of effects that are really well done (like clouds or sea surface).

The script flows slowly, with perfect rythm for the introspection that is the core of this manga. Characters are really alive and we get to see their interior conflicts: the author is focusing on ordinary events to tell a dishuman tale. This is not rare in Japanese storytelling: Japanese people have ever been fond of details and ordinary life. Even in extraordinary stories, Japanese people often focus not on the main thread of the story, but on little details evolving at its side. Personally I must say I love this kind of style, and find it very effective especially if you want to avoid overemphasizing or to give a delicate - but at the same time no less true - image.

My conclusion: this is a little masterpiece. Useful, by the way, even as a way to think about Japanese mentality, on their feeling of belonging which is so much different from our view. Shown with introspection and also good sense of criticism from an author who is telling a tale, without the intention to make it just an example to a purpose (this, too, is Japanese way of doing: it's we westerns those who always want an explanation, while Japanese tend to just look). I truly recommend this title to all those who wish to have a look at Japan and the Japanese soul.

"Mother... I've made a step". Thus begins the story of Daisuke Shibusawa. The step was the one over the line of between life and death... he chose to become a kamikaze, to make a suicidal attack. But his plane has an accident, and he is forced to come back when it already seemed only a few moments were missing from reaching the end. So he feels more emotions swirling inside of himself, he has time to think again over his step, and over what lies behind and ahead of that step.