Dementia 21

This is a review based off Fantagraphics release which has published the first 17 chapters.

Absurdist and surrealist comedy and horror with sociopolitical commentaries. Shintaro Kago's art is trippy and confusing and it reflects in his storytelling methods. Everything written and illustrated has dark undertones to it while the incomprehensible situation before you will have you in tears laughing.

The story itself is a series of short stories following the protagonist Yukie with each chapter being about a new elder(s) she's taking care of. As such we don't get to have much time with each character, but the time we do get is fleshed out appropriately to let us understand them, their ills, and laugh hysterically at their situations. Yukie herself is a very generic happy girl with determination to care for the elders. Being the protagonist she is the one character we're with the full time while each chapter slowly delves into who she is. Determined to properly care for her elders is one thing set from the start, but then you learn why she even decided become an aide worker through her upbringing. The batshit insane tasks she's given and told to perform are outrageous and any sensible person would quit. But not her, because money is a constant topic brought up briefly. The richer clients are ready to throw around the cash to which she'll respond. The perverse sexualization put on her at times can be disgusting to which she can't fight back on. This one may very well be bullshit where Kago just wanted to lewd her and is using politics as an excuse, but oh well. As such, in the same way we slowly learn bits of Yukie and the dark clouds above her, are the same dark clouds above each story focusing on elderly abuse, neglect, disenfranchisement, and othering. Again, with absurdist, abstract twists and nonsensical illustrations.

The physical book itself by Fantagraphics is amazing. It's an oversized edition to allow us to really enjoy the artwork. The front and back covers are both textured giving it a nice feel running from smooth to bumpy. The covers are also very thick to the point it's hard to bend it even though it's paperback! Binding may be a bit tight. The pages are top quality and thick. The back includes some colored illustrations from Kago, and because of the oversize we get to carefully appreciate his craftsmanship.

Highly recommend to anyone who enjoys absurdist comedy and for any manga collector.