Au temps de Botchan

Written and illustrated by Jirô Taniguchi, this five-issue series from French publisher Seuil (2002–2006) offers a meditative, slice-of-life portrait of early 20th-century Japan, inspired by the world of Natsume Sōseki’s classic novel Botchan. Taniguchi’s delicate, panoramic art and unhurried storytelling capture the quiet rhythms of daily life in a rapidly modernizing country, making it a standout work of historical manga. It matters as a graceful, character-driven exploration of a pivotal era, rendered by one of the medium’s most revered masters.