Meiko is adrift in Tokyo. She hates her job, her boyfriend is freeloading at her apartment and all her friends are as directionless as she is. When she impulsively quits her job, she’s forced to figure out exactly what she wants in life. Solanin is a deceptively simple manga about 20somethings at a crossroads. While the cast may seem like losers and slackers, once they actually settle on a goal they go after it with tenacity and humour. The light-hearted tone is constant throughout, though it takes a bittersweet turn after a tragic plot twist.
This article appears in Apr 22-28, 2010.