When we say Junji Ito's manga adaptation of Osamu Dazai's classic 1948 novel No Longer Human is heavy reading, we mean that in both the literal and figurative sense. Viz's hardcover edition of the series is one of the densest manga volumes on the market, collecting 616 pages. Those who typically breeze through manga might find themselves taking their time with this one -- less so because of its length and moreso because of its content.

Dazai's original No Longer Human was a semi-autobiographical story based on the author's deep sense of depression and alienation. Many consider it to be his suicide note; Dazai and his lover Tomie Yamazaki drowned themselves shortly after its publication. It's not an easy read in the slightest, but it's proven to be a popular one. It was adapted to the present day in Usamaru Furuya's manga adaptation (available from Vertical) and to the future in the anime film Human Lost, and Dazai himself is a popular character in the Bungou Stray Dogs franchise.

Ito's adaptation is a more faithful version of the story and setting of the original work, though Ito adds a new plot turn towards the end in which the actual Osamu Dazai meets his fictionalized surrogate, Yozo Oba. Mostly, Ito's contributions are less in the plot itself and more in the sheer graphic horror of the presentation.

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No Longer Human

Ito has easily one of the most recognizable art styles in the world of manga, both beautiful and disturbing. No Longer Human is more realistic than his usual horror fare, but it's nonetheless fitting material for his strengths. The main character Yozo is himself a manga artist who specializes in monsters "so heart-rending as to even stupefy myself." One wonders how much Ito might identify with such a protagonist in the same line of work, especially since this manga is already concerned with the relationship between character and author.

Yozo fears he may be haunted by ghosts for real, most notably that of his dead classmate Takeichi. Ito's art makes even the realistic scenes look deeply unnerving (the ugly Takeichi already looks like a horror movie monster even when he's alive), but it truly shines when it portrays Yozo's inner psychological turmoil. The most stunning chapter in this regard involves Yozo vomitting up expanding masses of writhing bodies, each representing his misfortunes.

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No Longer Human

Yozo is a psychologically complicated protagonist, one you feel for even though he crosses many lines. He would probably be diagnosed as somewhere on the autism spectrum today. The title comes from how he feels so confused by and disconnected from other humans that he feels like he barely qualifies as one himself. He'd definitely be diagnosed with PTSD. The abuse he experienced as a child is rough to read about, especially with how graphic the art is. As an adult, Yozo's relationships with women are dysfunctional at best, and he's often virulently misogynistic.

It cannot be underestimated just how dark and potentially triggering No Longer Human can be. If you have suicidal thoughts, this is the last book you should be picking up. For readers in a more stable place than Yozo, it's a difficult but compelling read, with imagery that may haunt your nightmares.

Junji Ito's No Longer Human is in stores Dec. 17.

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