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Description:
Confidential Confessions is a shocking new manga series that deals with
many of the hard-hitting issues that teens face today. Using emotionally
moving storylines and multi-dimensional characters, each groundbreaking
volume tackles such topics as teen prostitution, rape, HIV, stalkers,
suicide, and sexual harassment.
Enlightening
without being preachy, Confidential Confessions is like a modern-day
manga version of the After School Special!
The individual
volumes in our Confidential Confessions were originally published in
Japan by Kodansha as Memai (Dizzy, 2000), Namida (Tears, 2001), and
Tobira (Door, 2002).
Review:
Confidential Confessions is a sort of anthology series with stories
not interrelated and with no seeming connection, other than their dark
nature. The level of complexity and sincerity found in each chapter
is refreshing and thoughtful.
The author deftly and deliberately addresses incredibly dark yet real
topics that concern real people. Confidential Confessions is a tense
and gripping look at prostitution, suicide, drug abuse, and other seedy
activities that may be closer to us than we realize. Perhaps fictional,
the storylines are entirely grounded in reality.
While beautifully illustrated and powerfully written, this manga was
difficult for me to read. It depressed me, while I prefer to read uplifting
titles. But do not let that discourage you from absorbing the message
in this amazing comic.
It’s a rare examination into many of the issues that plague modern
Japan and societies of any culture. Japan completely denies the existence
of AIDS, they refer to it as a “foreigner’s disease.”
Consequently, Japan has had a 13% increase in HIV/AIDS infection (2003-2004).
Sexual harassment is another problem in Japan that usually goes unreported,
it is merely accepted. So, to read such a bold manga that addresses
such hush-hush issues in the Japanese culture is refreshing.
Confidential Confessions is a groundbreaking work for many reasons,
especially within the Japanese cultural subtext from which it stems.
Difficult to compare to any other series, it certainly shatters the
boundaries of any genre. Recommended for mature minds and most American
comic book readers will enjoy this adult title.
Pros: Dark, serious and mature. Truly unique and ground
breaking with a political edge.
Cons: Perhaps too depressing to read. A shocking wake-up
call that some people may not be able to accept.
Try:
X-Day, Erica Sakurazawa Works, Pet Shop of Horrors
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