
On Their Frontlines Vol. 1
The Lives of Japanese War Brides
Marina Lisa Komiya(Author)
Takumigraphics (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 1. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
348 pages
979-8-8750-0229-8 (ISBN)
Description
After Japan lost the War, the country was thrown into devastation. No one felt this devastation as much as Japanese women, who, left with few paths to choose from, took low-wage jobs, fell into sex work, and wed American G.I.s. In their affecting graphic novel debut, Marina Lisa Komiya follows the lives of two Japanese women and the American soldiers they marry in this tumultuous time period.
Best friends (and possibly lovers) before the War, Haru and Yoriko are separated in the evacuation of their town during the air raids. As they search for each other afterward, Haru gets by as a waitress, while Yoriko sells her body at a brothel. Their fortunes change when they each meet respectful American soldiers, who take their hand. Arthur, a Japanese American, grapples with the inner conflict of his dual identity, while Scott is at once fascinated by Japanese culture and wracked with guilt over the destruction American forces have wrought.
Amidst the postwar desolation, love and understanding finds a way, in this powerful work of manga that explores sexuality, identity, and unlikely cross-cultural connection.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Fantagraphics
Illustrations
348 Illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 211 mm
Width: 147 mm
ISBN-13
979-8-8750-0229-8 (9798875002298)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Marina Lisa Komiya is an interdisciplinary artist based in Tokyo. Komiya's work explores new methods of reproduction through queer perspective with various mediums such as biotechnology, performance, video works, manga, and more. They are also a host of a queer artists platform, "FAQ?" and the collective "Reproductive Garden Project."