Feature

Manga That Teaches You the “JUNKAN” of Life: Circles

Animals consume plants, eventually succumb to death, and are decomposed by microorganisms that return their nutrients to the soil.In this life cycle, three crucial roles exist.

Plants, transforming inorganic matter into organic matter, are termed “producers.” Animals, absorbing organic matter, are labeled as “consumers.” Fungi and other organisms, responsible for decomposing both plants and animals, earn the title of “decomposers.” Together, this entire system forms an ecosystem.

On a global scale, we, the “consumers,” represent only a minuscule fraction of the ecosystem. The origin and fate of life prompt contemplation. Manga artist Mitsuhiko Sasaki explores this profound question.

This article is in Manga format.
Please read right to left.

Jiro (Miko's father) talks to Miko. “MIKO...DO NOT MAKE A SOUND.” Miko holds her breath in the woods. A deer appears ahead of them. The deer has also noticed the two.
BANG! The sound of gunfire echoes through the forest.
Jiro walks along a forest path. Miko chases after, her expression somewhat sad. The gunshot earlier had hit the deer.
"WHAT DO YOU SAY? THIS IS OUR DINNER. GREAT, ISN'T IT?" Saying this, her father lifts up the deer. Miko "... yeah. Blood is dripping from the deer's mouth. Miko thinks back to the deer that was alive a moment ago. "IT'S DEAD."
Walking down through the forest, Miko says to her father, “DAD” “HM?” Jiro replies simply. Jiro carries the deer on his shoulder. Miko: “WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?” Jiro: “WE VANISH AND DISAPPEAR.” Miko: “WE GO AWAY?” Jiro: “THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S THE END” “HEEEY!” A voice calls out to the two from afar.
Jiro: “OH, MATAKICHI.” Miko: “HEY.” Matakichi runs up to the two. Matakichi: "MIKO, JIRO, I'VE GOT SOME BAD NEWS... GRANDMA IS...! HURRY!” Miko and Jiro are wide-eyed. They sense that something terrible has happened to grandmother.
"“VANISH AND DISAPPEAR?” The conversation with Jiro remains in Miko's mind. That is grandmother's house. Grandmother lies quietly in bed with her eyes closed. Her family and the villagers have gathered around her.""
Grandmother has passed away. “GRANDMA...” “MOM...” The gathered mourners call sadly. Miko gently touches her grandmother's cheek.
Her cheeks are very cold, which surprises Miko. Jiro: “IS SHE COLD?” Miko: “...YEAH.” Tears well up in Miko’s eyes. Jiro: “ARE YOU SAD?” Miko: “YEAH...”
That night. Miko lies in bed, unable to fall asleep.
“ONE DAY...I WILL ALSO...DIE...AND BECOME COLD...AND DISAPPEAR...AND I'LL BE DONE...” Miko lies there, absentmindedly thinking. “THAT'S NOT TRUE." a voice out of nowhere says.
Miko: “G-GRANDMA, I THOUGHT YOU DIED...” Grandmother: “I DID. LOOK.” Grandmother points her finger. “I'M BURIED THERE.” Looking out, Miko sees her grandmother's naked body. And around the body have gathered different kinds of little creatures.
Little by little, her grandmother's body is being decomposed. All the little creatures are carrying what looks like her grandmother's cells. Miko: “WHAT ARE THEY DOING?” Grandmother: “THEY'RE BUGS AND FUNGI. THEY'RE EATING ME.” Miko has noticed something.
If she looks closely at the little insects and bacteria, she can see that the cell-like things have her grandmother’s face. Grandmother's cells: “BON APPÉTIT.” Bacteria: “THANK YOU!” Miko: “TH-THAT'S A TINY GRANDMA. OH! AND IT ATE HER!” Grandmother: “UH-HUH.” The bacteria that ate Miko’s grandmother's cells plants its legs and poops. And when Miko looks closely at the poop, it also has her grandmother's face. Miko: “OH, IT'S HER AGAIN.”
Decomposed by insects and bacteria, only bones remain of Miko’s grandmother's body. Miko: “GRANMA, WHEN ARE YOU GONNA DISAPPEAR?” Grandmother: “I TOLD YOU. WE DON'T DISAPPEAR.”
The scene has changed and a sprout is emerging from the soil. Grandmother: “I'LL BE PART OF THE EARTH...AND THE GRASS...I'LL BE EATEN.” A deer is grazing on grass. Grandmother: “ANG THEN...” The deer has noticed something. BANG! The sound of gunfire echoes through the forest. It was just like what happened to the deer that Jiro and Miko shot.
Grandmother and Miko watch Miko and the others eat deer soup for lunch. Grandmother: “IS IT GOOD?” Miko: “YEAH.” Grandmother: “EAT IT LIKE YOUR ENJOYING IT, THEN.” Miko: “GRANDMA DIED, YOU KNOW." Grandmother: “OH, YEAH. BUD YOU'RE NOT SAD ANYMORE, RIGHT?” Miko smiles weakly, “...YEAH” Grandmother: “IT'S NOT THE END.”
In the dark, part of Miko’s body is also being decomposed. Grandmother: “MIKO AND EVERYONE ARE..ALL CONNECTED.”
The scene changes from the dark world to a beautiful sunny morning. A stream flows through the forest. A drip falls from the leaves.
Miko opens her eyes. She is still sleepy. Her eyes then widen as she realizes that her conversation with her grandmother was a dream.
Tying her hair, Miko hurries out of bed and runs up to her grandmother's grave, which was built outside the house.
Miko is stunned when she discovers something. A small sprout has emerged from the soil in front of the grave. Her grandmother’s voice says. “EVERYTHING..."
“IS ONE BIG CYCLE.” Her grandmother is stroking Miko's head with a gentle smile. Behind them are different plants and animals. The end.
Photo of Mitsuhiko Sasaki
Manga artist/Illustrator

Mitsuhiko Sasaki

Born in January 26th 1983 in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka. “Interw@//l” (PIE BOOKS) was honored with Japan Media Arts Festival Recommended Work. Not only mangas, Sasaki works with illustrations, book binding, and animations as well.

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