Norakuro Corporal & Platoon Leader - 2 early Mangas - (1933/1936)

Item Details

Tokyo, Dai Nippon Yubenkai Kodansha, 1933/1936, Hardcover

1st edition, very good

• Norakuro Gocho (Norakuro Corporal) - Tokyo, Dai Nippon Yubenkai Kodansha, 1933
• Norakuro Shotai-cho (Norakuro Platoon Leader) – Tokyo, Dai Nippon Yubenkai Kodansha, 1936

Both books retain their original colophon pages with publisher information and inspection stamps.

First serialized in the early 1930s, Norakuro became one of the most popular Japanese comic characters of the pre-war period. Tagawa's work is particularly important in the development of long-form Japanese children's comics and is now regarded as an important part of early manga history.

These volumes contain numerous richly printed color illustrations and comic sequences. Despite the considerable wear to the bindings and covers, the interior artwork retains remarkably attractive colors, giving a vivid impression of Japanese popular visual culture in the 1930s.

The books are also fascinating period documents, combining humorous cartoon storytelling with scenes of military life, aviation, towns, crowds and everyday culture in pre-war Japan.

Both books show age-related wear. The covers have heavy rubbing, staining, small losses, fraying and damage to the edges and spines. There is some foxing, staining and discoloration throughout. Please carefully examine all photographs for the exact condition.

The interior illustrations are highly appealing and colorful.