Premier mangaka Tatsuki Fujimoto is making an oddball choice to be sure with Goodbye, Eri, his newest graphic novel; why would the creator of Chainsaw Man decide to put his dark fantasy gorefest spectacular on the back burner in favor of a whimsical coming-of-age yarn? The answer lies within the story itself, a naturalistic wonder of emotion that ultimately showcases one of the best examples of meta-narrative in contemporary manga. Now receiving a proper overseas release from Viz Media,Goodbye, Eri is one of the most evocative stories on the market, and it is squarely posited as a mature book for younger readers.
The tale of social outcast middle-schooler Yuta and the mysterious film enthusiast Eri, Goodbye, Eri follows the filmmaking exploits of Yuta after he is gifted a smartphone by his dying mother. While this underpinning invites an atmosphere of tragedy, this story instead provides a perfect balance of intricate narrative against an experiential stream-of-consciousness style of psychological quandary that demonstrates a certain ineffable spark of honesty. It is this fundamental absurdity, grounded in the often devastating realities of life, that pushes this story to a sense of poignancy greater than the sum of its parts. Those expecting Fujimoto's usual fare of action will be disappointed, but those who love his nuanced philosophical perspective will find the same irreverent undertones Fujimoto typically employs, albeit in a more focused and perhaps thought-provoking fashion.
Goodbye, Eri Is A Story of Fitting In
Goodbye, Eri begins with a simple concept: middle-schooler Yuta is asked to film his mother’s last days at her request, only to unexpectedly turn the film into a mistimed absurdist statement by adding himself escaping from the hospital where she is being treated in on the day of her death amidst a torrent of fake explosions. Finding himself a pariah among his classmates after showing the film at a talent show, Yuta meets his classmate Eri, who decides to attempt to teach him how to make a real film. Her curriculum? The same as any other teacher of the arts might employ: practice, practice, practice.
Goodbye, Eri Is A Social Commentary Worth Recording
What makes Goodbye, Eri such a worthy piece is the way it discusses how smartphone-produced art ultimately can prove to be a force that breaks down the barriers between people, rather than being a vehicle for alienation. While it would be easy to look at the young Yuta as being too callous, inconsiderate, or lacking artistic discipline, what ends up coming to the forefront is a certain rawness of existence that Yuta must contend with while growing up and watching his mother die quite suddenly at a young age. When this somewhat painful process of growing up is then transferred over to his study of film and friendship with Eri, as they collaborate on his newest film together, what becomes apparent is Fujimoto’s love of the smaller moments. How, when these small but powerful moments are put together, those seemingly banal if not pleasant experiences can also become greater than the sum of their parts, serving as a strong foundation for real personal development and progress.
While it may not seem like a complex, comprehensive opus on the surface, Goodbye, Eri is a brilliant celebration of what makes storytelling such a unique process. Suitable for younger readers, Goodbye, Eri is on sale now from VIZ Media, wherever books are sold.