Title: Prologue – Gymnopédies –Author: Miyuu Sekine, Murai, Natsujikei Miyazaki, Yoso Machi, Yuta Kayashima, Yuuri Mikami
First Published: September 1, 2012
Publisher: Mieru Record
Pages: 62
Genre: Fantasy, Seinen, Slice of Life
Format: Web
Source: Web
Rating:
Synopsis:
In this work "prologue -Gymnopédies-", six writers were inspired by the song "Gymnopedie" by Erik Satie, and each "Gymnopedie" was expressed in a cartoon.
There are various "answers" from writers to the "question" called "Gymnopedie".
Review
Prologue – Gymnopédies – is a humble little manga collection that I found on a whim while looking for more work by Natsujikei Miyazaki. The concept around this manga is to listen Gymnopédies by French composer Erik Satie while reading. Six lesser-known mangakas were asked to create a short one-shot manga inspired by the music.
Gymnopédies is a soft piano track that to me felt both somber and dreamy. Most of the manga I felt captured this vibe pretty well, and I enjoyed reading it while listening to the track in the background. Each piece is very short and the entire collection can be read in under 15 minutes. The art styles varied wildly but were all nice to look at, I was particularly impressed with the art styles of Yoso Machi and Murai.
The quality of the stories varied which resulted in my lower average rating but I still think the collection is decent. This was an obscure but charming collection that I can comfortably recommend.
Individual Story Notes:
♥ A Certain Student Gymnopedies by Natsujikei Miyazaki: I sought out this collection to read more of Miyazaki’s work and it didn’t disappoint. As in their other works, A Certain Student Gymnopedies is shockingly dark with humor that is razor sharp. The kids certainly are not alright.
♥ A Night Absent Of Return by Murai: The story in this one is minimal, but the art is outstanding and perfectly captures the vibe of the music.
♥ For A Quiet Night’s Sleep by Yoso Machi: This one was really sweet and wholesome! Great art and a nice sentiment.
♥ Gentle Water by Yuta Kayashima: No dialogue in this one, just some fabulous art.
♥ Gymnopedies Deja Vu by Yuuri Mikami: I didn’t really understand this one and thought it was fine, but didn’t care for it.
♥ Slowly, As If In Pain by Miyuu Sekine: Cute and silly but not for me.
Rating Breakdown
| A Certain Student Gymnopedies: ★★★★★ A Night Absent Of Return: ★★★☆☆ For A Quiet Night’s Sleep: ★★★☆☆ |
Gentle Water: ★★☆☆☆ Gymnopedies Deja Vu: ★☆☆☆☆ Slowly, As If In Pain: ★☆☆☆☆ |
Quote
“I don’t know how long it’d been since I’d seen such a wonderful dream.”
Content Warnings
View Spoiler »About the Author
About Murai
Manga artist and illustrator from Shiga Prefecture, Japan, currently living in Kyoto.
Graduated from Kyoto Seika University’s Story Manga Course in 2011.
While still a student, he made his debut with four very short manga, including “Alarm,” in “Monthly IKKI” (Shogakukan). In 2013, his web scrolling manga “Bird’s Eye,” published in the online magazine Dennou Mavo, was selected as a “Jury Recommendation” at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival, run by the Agency for Cultural Affairs. He has also worked as a digital drawing staff member for manga and as a lecturer at a vocational school. His hobbies are video games and bouldering. His favorite foods are curry and sweets.
About Natsujikei Miyazaki
Since her debut in 2010, Miyazaki’s distinctive experimental style has been highly acclaimed among comic critiques. Also praised as one of the leading figures of new generation artist, her work includes “Henshin no News”, “Holy Town”, and “Yugata Madeniwa Kaeruyo.”
About Yoso Machi
Yoso Machi is an illustrator and manga artist.
He lives by the sea and creates his works primarily using mineral pigments.
He loves walking, the sea, and geological formations.
He graduated from Tama Art University, Faculty of Fine Arts, Department of Painting, majoring in Japanese Painting. He won the Gold Prize at the 19th TIS Open Competition, HB Work Vol. 5, and the Albireo Special Prize.
About Yuta Kayashima
Yuta Kayashima is an illustrator and mangaka. Also the supervisor for the planning and production of “Prologue – Gymnopedies”. Yasuhiko prize winner of COMIC Ryuu’s 11th Ryuujin awards, grand prize winner of the Puboo X Aozora Bunko Manga Contest. His web comic, “Saiyuu Shoujo” is currently being distributed online.
Lecturer at Aobadai Art Academy, Department of Design. Born in Kanagawa in 1983
About Yuuri Mikami
2008 Graduate from Musashino Art University Department of Visual Communication Design.
DENTSU TEC INC. from 2008 to 2014, TAKU SATOH DESIGN OFFICE INC. from 2014 to 2016.
Designer／Art Director, working in TOKYO. “Kenpo no Kihon” founded with Takuya Hoda.
GOOD DESIGN AWARD 2017／Young Cannes Lions Competition 2010 Bronze／Young Cannes Lions Competition 2009 Finalist／JAPAN Typography Association, Selected. etc.
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