Made in Heaven #4

Volume 4 of Ako Shimaki's Made in Heaven, published by Éditions Akata in 2019, presents a striking cover portrait of a figure dressed in an elaborate traditional Japanese ensemble — deep blue robes adorned with a circular mon crest, quiver of arrows at the back, and delicate floral hair ornaments framing a composed, refined face. The cover text offers a quietly intriguing cultural note: in classical Japanese, the word for "mother" can also be translated as "the original breast," hinting at the layered themes of identity and tradition woven through this series. A beautifully presented volume that blends historical aesthetics with thoughtful storytelling.