Content warnings: drug abuse, sexual assault and suicide.
Tsushima Shuji (June 19th, 1909 – June 13th, 1948), better known as Dazai Osamu, was a famous Japanese author who was active during WWII and the post-war period. His notable works include “Run Melos!” (1940), “The Setting Sun” (1947), and his most popular novel titled “No Longer Human” (1948) – which is considered to be his last completed work.
The main reason for No Longer Human’s popularity not only has to do with the late author’s infamous double-suicide, but mainly due to the fact that it is an incredibly well-written semi-autobiography which details the tragic events and trauma that Dazai experienced throughout his life.
No Longer Human has so far been adapted into a film of the same name, three manga versions, and featured in an anime called “Aoi Bungaku”. Dazai and his work are also heavily referenced in the series “Bungou Stray Dogs” and “Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei”.
Over the past few years, I have taken it upon myself to explore many different adaptations and versions of No Longer Human, and have always felt empty inside after reading or watching them. I am a huge fan of psychological thrillers, but as the story is technically non-fiction, it has always left a lasting impression on me and those who have read or watched it.
In this article, I will be reviewing the original No Longer Human by Dazai Osamu, as well as two manga adaptations with the same title by horror mangakas Usamaru Furuya and Ito Junji.
“No Longer Human” by Dazai Osamu
No Longer Human by Dazai Osamu (1948)
“Mine has been a life of much shame.”
Blurb: “Portraying himself as a failure, the protagonist of Dazai Osamu’s No Longer Human narrates a seemingly normal life even while he feels himself incapable of understanding human beings. Oba Yozo’s attempts to reconcile himself to the world around him begin in early childhood, continue through high school, where he becomes a “clown” to mask his alienation, and eventually lead to a failed suicide attempt as an adult. Without sentimentality, he records the casual cruelties of his life and its fleeting moments of human connection and tenderness.”
The original work of No Longer Human is pretty much as raw as it gets. I received the novel as a gift back in 2017, and finished it within a day and a half – because I just couldn’t put it down. The pacing isn’t slow at all, for it gets right to the heavy themes at the beginning of the story. I can definitely affirm that I was a changed person for about a week after I read it, and it was really hard not to overthink and over-analyse the kindness of those around me for seven days straight. It was almost like everyone had ulterior motives all of a sudden.
If you’re looking to delve into the world of psychological horror or thriller, I would absolutely recommend this book, especially if you’re new to the genre. The novel is a pretty quick read, standing at approximately 177 pages, but I’d suggest savouring it as much as possible by allowing yourself to slowly experience the emotions and fears that Oba Yozo – or Dazai, endured.
“No Longer Human” by Usamaru Furuya
No Longer Human by Usamaru Furuya (2011)
“Pity the fool in the mirror.”
Blurb: “No Longer Human, the searing semi-autobiographical novel by Dazai Osamu, Japan’s Dostoevsky, trades its original pre-war setting for the brave new world of the aught years in this adaption by the enfant terrible of manga. Find out how a self-described clown awakens to his dark genius.”
Usamaru Furuya (January 25th, 1968 – Present) is a Japanese manga artist who is particularly well-known for his work “Litchi☆Hikari Club” (2005). Having a more contemporary take on the original novel, his version of No Longer Human is set in modern-day Japan instead of the pre-war period. Despite the change of setting, most of the events from the original remain the same and are explored in depth – with the only difference being that the occurrences aren’t exactly told in chronological order, drug abuse becomes a main focal point, and that the protagonist’s sexual trauma is only briefly touched upon much later in the story.
Furuya also self-inserts himself into the narrative, serving to be a manga-artist who stumbles across Oba Yozo’s diary entries while looking for his next work’s inspiration. I personally found his take on No Longer Human to be rather interesting, and the eeriness of Furuya’s artwork really does set the thriller-like tone of the story.
Although it was originally serialised in three volumes, I recently purchased the omnibus version from Shumi Shop, and read it within a span of a few hours (I tend to read comics/manga a lot faster than novels, because ooh, pretty pictures). In order to appeal to Western audiences, the omnibus version disregards Japan’s right-to-left rule, and instead displays the pages in a left-to-right format – which, if you’re really used to reading manga, can be a bit tricky to get used to at first.
Overall however, Furuya’s adaptation of No Longer Human is very engaging to read, and can easily be read in one-sitting despite standing at approximately 607 pages (if you’re anything like me, haha). However, much like the original, I would advise readers to savour it as much as possible.
“No Longer Human” by Ito Junji
No Longer Human by Ito Junji (2017)
“I can’t even guess myself what it must be to live the life of a human being.”
Blurb: “Plagued by a maddening anxiety, the terrible disconnect between his own concept of happiness and joy of the rest of the world, Oba Yozo plays the clown in his dissolute life, holding up a mask for those around him as he spirals ever downward, locked arm-in-arm with death. Dazai Osamu’s immortal – and supposedly autobiographical – work of Japanese literature, is perfectly adapted here into a manga by Ito Junji. The imagery wrenches open the next of the novel one line at a time to sublimate Oba’s mental landscape into something even more delicate and grotesque. This is the ultimate in art by Ito, proof that nothing can surpass the terror of the human psyche.”
Ito Junji (July 31, 1963 – Present) is a Japanese manga artist who has simply soared in popularity over the last few years (very well-deserved, in my opinion). Being seen as a legendary horror mangaka, his most notable series include “Tomie” (1987), “Uzumaki” (1998) and “Gyo” (2001). In contrast to Furuya’s version of No Longer Human, Ito maintains the pre-war setting of the story, and all of the events are told in chronological order. One thing which really stands out though, is Oba Yozo’s everlasting fear of humans – and women, in particular.
Needless to say, it wouldn’t be an Ito Junji manga without some Ito Junji magic. In order to exaggerate the horrific downfall of Oba, Ito implements supernatural-horror elements into the story, making it seem very… Ito Junji-like. Since this is a spoiler-free review, I cannot go too in-depth with what exactly occurs, but there is a very surprising plot-twist towards the end of the manga that left me needing to talk to someone about it.
I bought Ito’s version of No Longer Human at Quality Comics about a year or two ago, and I really tried to savor it as much as I could, so it took me a few sittings to get through it all. It stands at approximately 612 pages, so it’s still possible to read it in one-go. But once again, and I apologise for sounding like a broken record – take it slow, and really take the time to digest everything you’re reading!
Conclusion
There is an ongoing debate about which manga adaptation is better: Furuya Usamaru’s version or Ito Junji’s version? In my opinion, both are as equally good as each other, but you’ll definitely have to read the original No Longer Human novel by Dazai Osamu first before diving into its successors, just so that you have a better understanding of what should be going on, and so that you don’t get confused and overwhelmed by the mangakas’ application of their own personal elements.
If you’re more of a thriller manga fan, then Furuya’s take would be more tailored towards your liking. But if you’re a horror fanatic, then Ito’s one will give you the horror-fix that you need.
Now if you excuse me, I’m going to go sit and face the corner of a wall for a while – not just because I put myself through the same tragic story over and over again, but mainly because my wallet is empty now.
Manga isn’t cheap like it used to be, you know?