Himaruya presents the events leading up to WWII in this entry in the series by personifying the various nations involved into over-the-top manga characters, and it works so well! As a History major and WWII fanatic, I can tell you that Himaruya knows his stuff inside and out, and he can also clearly see the humor in various situations of cultures clashing and colliding. He knows that history doesn't have to be taken with a complete straight face in order to learn from it. I don't think I can ever forget how Italy came to have different cultures in the north and south after reading about it here. I can't wait to see how Himaruya handles the more deadly serious aspects of WWII in the later entries in the series, though.
While I loved this, I primarily recommend it to fans of humorous manga and WWII buffs primarily. I have the feeling others might not "get it."
Check out my full review. (Link will be live on August 22, 2011).
While I loved this, I primarily recommend it to fans of humorous manga and WWII buffs primarily. I have the feeling others might not "get it."
Check out my full review. (Link will be live on August 22, 2011).