Dead Flowers

Perfect cohesion to satisfy ones senses, be it the visual delectation or simply a stimulus for your intellectual or even introspective needs. Tsutomu just further proves his sense for utilization of art to enhance the story.

Given the short duration, it quickly focuses on the important aspects of what it tries to convey. Apathetic stance towards life, and on the other side -- very close to it -- creation of our personalized worlds which provide us with comfort.

All of it is portrayed via two characters whose fate becomes interwoven by a sporadic event, and as such it shows us that no matter what kind of ordeals and dull existence life makes us experience, it can also show us new paths and necessary sense of purpose.

First of all, how come this doesn't have a mature warning? o_O

Anyways. It's psychological, in an abstract way. It's weird, in a "..is that it?" way. And it's drama in a rather terminal tragedy kind of way.

The story, I give a 9. Not that I would preach what this story seems to condone, but in that it seems to hold its own as stories should. I'm impressed by certain techniques used so boldly. Though that's probably just my liking towards foreign psychological films and short films speaking.

The art, 9. Just take a look for yourself. Everything seems to have it's own soul. But perhaps I'm overenthusiastic.

Character, 7. It is two chapters, but the psychological abstractness of it all seems to compensate. Though, even at that, you wonder if you know anyone that could act so calmly in some situations.

Enjoyment, 8. I liked the abstract. I liked the psychological bits. I liked the art. I didn't enjoy the theme more than I should, but it is admirable for such a daring story. Of course, when I say "I didn't enjoy it more than I should", I mean it - hence the minus 2 points.

Overall, 8.5. I won't say it's a must read, but I can't help but give credit where it's due. Such a daring story, such a great standard of art, - what more can you ask of a manga? And only two chapters at that.

The themes in this drives me to recommend it towards only the mature.
As an indirect audience recommendation, I'd have to say that this is one of the more enjoyable psychological drama/tragedies I've read.

Though... 'enjoy' might not be the word most people would use.