Description
Dementia 21
Book Summary
Immerse yourself in the surreal and disturbing universe of Shintaro Kago, one of the masters of Japanese experimental manga. "Dementia 21" is a collection of stories that walk the fine line between sanity and madness, starring Yukie Sakai, a young caregiver for the elderly. What begins as a routine job transforms into a spiral of absurd situations, dark humor, and psychological horror. Through its pages, Kago addresses social issues regarding the elderly with a critical, grotesque, and deeply original gaze, offering a reading experience that challenges the conventions of traditional comics.
What is it about?
The work follows Yukie Sakai, a cheerful young woman who works as a caregiver for the elderly. Her apparent daily routine quickly crumbles to make way for a series of surreal adventures that put her wit and sanity to the test. In one of the stories, Yukie takes on the task of caring for three elderly women alone, but more and more elderly people appear every day, unleashing absolute chaos. Later, she discovers that another of her clients, affected by senility, possesses supernatural powers that could cause the end of the world. The situation becomes even stranger when she must face dentures that attempt to control the minds of the elderly. Each story is an independent piece that, taken together, builds a narrative universe where the everyday is distorted until it becomes unrecognizable.
Main Themes
- Aging and senility from a grotesque and surreal perspective.
- Social criticism of the loneliness and abandonment of the elderly.
- Dark humor as a vehicle to explore psychological horror and the absurd.
- The fragility of sanity and the fine line that separates reality from dementia.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at adult readers interested in experimental manga, psychological horror, and dark humor with a critical edge. It is ideal for those looking for groundbreaking visual narratives, far from the conventions of mainstream comics, and who appreciate the work of authors such as Junji Ito or Hideshi Hino. It will also be attractive to those who wish to explore social issues from an artistic and provocative perspective.
What this book offers
- A unique reading experience that combines horror, absurdity, and social criticism in an unmistakable visual style.
- An original and disturbing perspective on elder care and its emotional and social implications.
- A display of the talent of Shintaro Kago, a key figure in avant-garde manga and experimental graphic narrative.
- Brief and impactful stories, perfect for fragmented but intense reading.
- An uncomfortable and necessary reflection on dementia, senility, and the place of the elderly in contemporary society.
Technical Specifications
- Author: Kago, Shintaro
- Publisher: Ponent Mon Cómics
- Language: Spanish
- Subject: Graphic novels, Manga, Comics and graphic novels
- Collection: Del Este
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication Date: March 2020
- Number of pages: 296
- Weight: 545 g
Editorial Review
"Dementia 21" is a work that leaves no one indifferent. Shintaro Kago once again demonstrates his mastery in constructing oppressive atmospheres and unpredictable narratives. The choice of the elderly as the thematic axis, treated with dark humor and visual rawness, makes this volume a relevant piece within creator-owned comics. For followers of the most experimental and transgressive manga, this edition from Ponent Mon is an essential opportunity to access one of the most unique talents on the contemporary Japanese scene.