Fukushima Devil Fish

深海魚

Shinkaigyo

More than twenty years before the 2011 nuclear meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi plants, cartoonist Katsumata Susumu used his drawing skills to warn Japan about the dangers of atomic power. Drawing on his own physics background and on-site research at the notorious facility, *Fukushima Devil Fish* opens with two storylines from the 1980s focusing on the "nuclear gypsies"—laborers who endure hazardous conditions to keep Japan's reactors running. The collection then moves to the late 1960s and early 1970s, featuring tales originally published in the legendary alternative manga magazines *Garo* and *COM*. These stories delve into figures from Japanese folklore and the lives of rootless young men without families or homes. Blending eerie and gentle moments, the book showcases Katsumata's skill as a lyrical comics artist and his commitment to speaking for those impacted by Japan's swift industrialization. The volume closes with essays from the artist himself, historian Asakawa Mitsuhiro, and critic Abe Yukihiro, providing perspective on Katsumata's creative path and the relevance of his work in post-Fukushima Japan.

Background

Shinkaigyo was published in English as Fukushima Devil Fish by Breakdown Press.

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