Let’s Think Together:
About the Ever-Changing World and Expression

In recent years, thanks to long-term efforts by those directly involved, supporters, and researchers, diverse ways of being human, social discrimination and prejudice, and unequal social structures have become clearer. Opportunities to engage with terms like “political correctness,” “DEI,” and “diversity,” and to encounter works reflecting these perspectives, have also increased. These initiatives are important for creating a fair and equal society, but they also require self-reflection. Have our own expressions—or those we have received—ever hurt someone, or perhaps even ourselves? Facing these questions can be a complex experience, sometimes accompanied by pain, conflict, and confusion.

Against this backdrop, this book introduces 12 manga artists and illustrators who continue to create while engaging with “people,” “the world,” and “expression.” Through interviews, we explore their motivations, struggles, daily thoughts, and the changes they have experienced over time, alongside selections of their works.

Additionally, six themes are highlighted: Representation of People, Life with Disabilities, Gender Equality and Feminism, Racial and Ethnic Minority Realities, LGBTQ+ and Role Models, and Lookism. Experts in each field contribute a special section, “Hints to Better Understand People, the World, and Expression”, recommending books, zines, and films to deepen understanding. This is a volume that encourages readers to reconsider “expression” in an ever-changing world and sparks new dialogues.

Works and Interviews: Skerakko / Jū Nana Masumura / Minami Kitamura / Natsuko Taniguchi / Yusuke Saito / Hiromi Nagashima / Tatsurō Kiuchi / Arisa Harada / Kobani Oshiro / Arako Toaru / Kenrō Shinchi / Ebine Yamaji

End-of-Book Feature: “Hints to Better Understand People, the World, and Expression”: Miki Yamamoto / Hiroki Arai / Momo Nonaka / Lawrence Yoshitaka Shimoji / Akira Katami / Anna Nagata

Table of Contents:
Contents …… P.003
Introduction …… P.005

Works & Interviews
Skerakko …… P.009
Jū Nana Masumura …… P.025
Minami Kitamura …… P.041
Natsuko Taniguchi …… P.057
Yusuke Saito …… P.073
Hiromi Nagashima …… P.089
Tatsurō Kiuchi …… P.105
Arisa Harada …… P.121
Kobani Oshiro …… P.137
Arako Toaru …… P.153
Kenrō Shinchi …… P.169
Ebine Yamaji …… P.185

End-of-Book Contributions: “Hints to Better Understand People, the World, and Expression” …… P.201
“Hint 1: Representation of People” – Miki Yamamoto …… P.202
“Hint 2: Life with Disabilities” – Hiroki Arai …… P.205
“Hint 3: Gender Equality and Feminism” – Momo Nonaka …… P.208
“Hint 4: Racial and Ethnic Minority Realities” – Lawrence Yoshitaka Shimoji …… P.211
“Hint 5: LGBTQ+ and Role Models” – Akira Katami …… P.214
“Hint 6: Lookism” – Anna Nagata …… P.217

References …… P.220