After discovering a red-light district of Tokyo through The Cop of Roppongi, we invite you this time to discover a post-war Japan ravaged by flames in Higher than the sky. 
Higher Than the Sky is a three-volume series by Ishikawa Saburo. Published between 2017 and 2018 in France by Black Box Edition, the series has been available since 1995 in Japan.
"March 10, 1945. Tokyo is bombed by the US military. The air raid that decided the defeat of Japan caused between eighty and one hundred thousand deaths. The city is completely destroyed by explosions and fires. The vast blue sky contrasts with the rubble. The survivors wander among the ruins. Immerse yourself in this romantic story that follows the lives of eight orphans in the post-war turmoil."
A post-war Japan!
Higher than the sky takes us into a Japan plagued by despair, famine and epidemics. Indeed, the story begins on March 10, 1945, when the city of Tokyo was bombed. We then follow eight orphans who will do everything to survive. The author plunges us into the atmosphere of the series from the first pages since we discover with horror the chaos of the bombing. We discover one of our orphans fleeing the bombing with his mother. Unfortunately, the latter sacrifices herself to save her son. The representation of this scene is particularly touching. Indeed, the graphics plunge us into this district of Tokyo ravaged by flames and the reactions of the characters gave us, we must admit, goosebumps. From the start, the author plays with your emotions and encourages you to discover the complicated daily life of survivors. However, many series talking about this period are on a rather "sad" register. However, in Higher Than the Sky, it is not at all the first emotion. Indeed, the manga is rather focused on happiness and the positive. This is quite astonishing given the dark times in which we are immersed. We remind you, thousands of deaths are to be deplored, famines and epidemics are also part of the game. But in this first volume, we follow orphans who manage at all costs to survive and enjoy the small pleasures that are available to them. It makes you think, we assure you. We do not yet know how the next two volumes will evolve but the introduction of new characters just as interesting as those already present seem to announce twists, action and emotion.
A surrogate mother?
All the "thugs" we follow are therefore orphans. In their adventures, they will meet a young mother and her daughter who, like them, are in poverty. Through their adventures, our orphans will do everything possible to help this family get by, so that they do not spend the winter in the cold and sinister underground of Tokyo. Our thugs call this woman "The mother" and her daughter calls our vagrants "big brothers". Despite the hell of the situation, the orphans have not lost their humanity and do everything possible to save a child who still has his mother. This humanity is very appreciable and we hope that their future will be brighter. In addition, we must admit that our characters are very endearing. Whether by their situation (loss of their family) or by their personality, following the adventures of our eight vagabonds is a real pleasure. Indeed, the author gave them a nickname related to their former life or personality (as for Nico who smokes cigarettes, "nicotine"). These small details help make these characters attractive and unique. In addition, as their adventures progress, we discover a little more their character or their talents. However, some characters seem to have a past to flee, apart from the bombing. This adds a new dimension to the series and makes it all the more intriguing.
Historical references!
One of the strong points of this first volume is that the author mixes both narrative and historical facts. Indeed, Ishikawa Saburo guides us in time with historical landmarks. Specific dates are quoted and allow the reader to discover Japanese history and to situate himself in a time in full change. For example, a very important date is given at the beginning of the volume, August 15, 1945, the date on which Japan surrendered unconditionally to the Allied forces. However, unlike some very precise historical series, which drown the reader under a flood of information, the author of Higher than the sky has been able to gauge the important information and gives only what is necessary to understand and appreciate the story. Higher than the sky volume 1 is a quality work that will immerse you in a story mixing action, emotion and historical facts. This first volume has everything you need to please you, a quality scenario, successful graphics and endearing characters. We can not advise you enough to discover this series as soon as possible.
