Showa: A History of Japan

Spanning four volumes from 2013 onward, Shigeru Mizuki’s Showa: A History of Japan is a monumental graphic memoir published by Drawn & Quarterly. The series—written and drawn by Mizuki, with translation by Zack Davisson—interweaves his own life story with a sweeping account of Japan’s Showa era, from the 1920s through World War II and beyond. It stands as a deeply personal, historically grounded work that blends folklore, autobiography, and political commentary, showcasing Mizuki’s singular ability to make history vivid and human.