PART 24 of 52 ONESHOTS in 52 WEEKS
ハロルド作石の『アンダー・ザ・ブリッジ』 “Under the Bridge” by SAKUISHI Harold
Harold Sakuishi is a mangaka known for the series Beck, which follows the musical exploits of a group of teenagers who form a rock band. Beck spanned 34 volumes during its publication from 1999 until 2008 and remains a much loved work. About halfway through it’s publication, the author was offered the chance to meet his music idols, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with his publisher asking him to illustrate a oneshot detailing his experiences at the meet-and-greet.
The resulting oneshot was titled Under the Bridge and appeared in the monthly edition of Young Magazine in 2003. Harold Sakuishi recounts what would become one of his most memorable days, as he struggles to meet deadlines and motivate his assistants while working on Beck, before journeying to see his idols. Along the way, the author reflects on his youth and how the music of the Red Hot Chili Peppers had inspired him.
Under the Bridge (named after both the Chili Peppers song and an overpass in the author’s hometown) opens with Harold Sakuishi receiving the dream offer, but elation quickly spirals into panic and then disaster on the appointed day, as the author’s plans unfold sideways. The event becomes quite an escapade, narrated across 47 pages with comedy and some rousing insight into the author, who professes that almost one hundred percent of the oneshot is true to life.
It’s an enjoyable autobiographical piece that doesn’t rely necessarily on any prior knowledge of the author or its subjects, with Harold Sakuishi’s passion for the Red Hot Chili Peppers both sweet and well expressed. Mostly, the oneshot’s magic is in its portrayal of the often indescribable but always palpable strength of music, and the rosy idolisation of our personal heroes. It has an almost slice-of-life aspect in its presentation of a day unfolding, where the commonplace is made remarkable with humour and wisdom.
The oneshot is illustrated well, with all members of the Chili Peppers faithfully rendered. The author depicts himself in an exaggerated comical manner, with many creative and hysterical expressions. The art reminds me often of Minoru Furuya’s work, whose manga briefly featured alongside Sakuishi’s in Weekly Young Magazine during the late 90s. The two author’s have a penchant for humorous character guises, with a skilful command of tone and ink in their shading.
Under the Bridge isn’t the most abiding autobiographical work, but it’s touching and funny in its mundane-turned-extraordinary scenario, with the author’s passion shining through so well that it’s like eagerly listening to a tale from friend.
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Morning, Roo 