Remembering Hiroshima: The Powerful Message of 'Barefoot Gen' Manga

On August 6, 1945, the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

There are numerous movies, novels, and other works that depict Hiroshima on August 6, but the one that stands out most vividly in my memory is the manga "Barefoot Gen." If you haven't come across it yet, I strongly recommend giving it a read.

Based on the real-life experiences of author Keiji Nakazawa, a survivor of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, it is a remarkable work that delivers a powerful message about the horror of nuclear weapons and the significance of peace.

What sets this manga apart is its unflinching portrayal of the tragic reality of Nakazawa's own experience with the atomic bombing, which serves as the central theme of the work. The manga depicts in detail the horrors, fear, and cruelty of the bombing, including the burns, skin decay, and infestation of the body by insects that the people of Hiroshima endured as a consequence. It also doesn't shy away from addressing the health consequences caused by radiation, effectively expressing the terrifying realities faced by the victims of the atomic bomb through Nakazawa's skillful storytelling.

While Nakazawa's bold expressions have faced various objections, he maintains, "If I don't depict the true horror of the atomic bombing, then there is no point. Ignorance is truly a terrible thing. I must convey the horror of the atomic bombing to children." Driven by this strong belief, he continued to create his works.

These powerful message-driven works were published weekly in shōnen manga magazines, which were targeted at children at that time. Despite the controversial subject matter, Nakazawa's works received high acclaim and were utilized as educational materials for peace education in Japanese elementary schools and other educational institutions, making them accessible to children in school libraries and gaining popularity among young readers.

The shōnen manga magazine where Nakazawa's serialized works were published later became known as the magazine that featured internationally popular Japanese manga works like "Dragon Ball," "One Piece," "Naruto," and "Jojo's Bizarre Adventure."

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the serialization of "Barefoot Gen," which depicted the devastating aftermath of the Hiroshima atomic bombing. This work has been translated into numerous languages worldwide and can be read beyond Japan's borders. If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, I strongly encourage you to do so.

Our brand name, "Heiwa", means peace in Japanese. We sincerely hope that such a tragedy will never occur again, and we strive to promote peace in our daily lives.