NonNonBa

Shigeru Mizuki's NonNonBa is a poignant, semi-autobiographical graphic novel from Drawn & Quarterly, originally serialized in Japan and translated by Jocelyne Allen. Set in 1930s rural Japan, it follows a young boy's encounters with a local wise woman who introduces him to the world of yokai—supernatural spirits from Japanese folklore. This work, deeply personal to Mizuki, blends childhood nostalgia with his lifelong fascination with the supernatural, offering a gentle yet profound look at belief, tradition, and the loss of innocence. A quiet masterpiece from the legendary creator of GeGeGe no Kitaro, it stands as a vital entry in Mizuki's exploration of folklore and memory.