Title

Barefoot Gen

Also known as: Hadashi no Gen, はだしのゲン, Barefoot Gen - Bomb on Hiroshima, Gen: Gutten fra Hiroshima, Gen Pés Descalços, Gen di Hiroshima, Yalınayak Gen, Босоногий Ген, Gen d'Hiroshima, Pies descalzos: Una historia de Hiroshima, Bosonogi Gen, Barfuß durch Hiroshima

by Keiji Nakazawa

Score from AniList: 79/100finished10 volumes54 chapters

Drama

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1945, Japan. Gen Nakaoka is a spirited six-year-old boy who lives with his poor yet loving family in wartime Hiroshima. As the second World War rages on, Gen's father Daikichi stands among the few outspoken who are opposed to the emperor and stand for the innocent civilians bearing the brunt of the war. However, in a society with nothing but feverous support for their nation, Gen and his family are ostracized as traitors. Unbeknownst to them, a terrible fate awaits the people of Hiroshima... One quiet morning, the US forces drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. In an instant, the city is completely destroyed, leaving thousands dead and many more exposed to radiation. Though Gen manages to survive the blast, he finds his life irreversibly changed. Regrouping with what's left of his family, Gen must now grapple with starvation, destitution, and an unsympathetic public who see survivors as little more than disease-ridden beggars. Based on author Keiji Nakazawa's real-life experiences, Hadashi no Gen follows Gen and his fellow survivors in their struggle to survive in post-war Hiroshima. Gen resolves to soldier on with unwavering determination, while never forgiving those who caused the atrocity, never forgetting the pain of the bomb, and never letting his spirit be broken by the tragedy.

Chapters available: 54
Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 4.5/5

A powerful, heartbreaking manga about a boy and his family in wartime Hiroshima, drawn from the author's own memories, asking hard questions about war with remarkable grace.

Pros

A deeply humane, autobiographical story
A powerful portrait of family and resilience

Cons

The harrowing scenes are very hard to read
The tone is grim throughout

Read this if you liked:Grave of the Fireflies cocoon

Read the full take

1945, Japan. Gen Nakaoka is a spirited six-year-old boy who lives with his poor but loving family in wartime Hiroshima. As the war rages on, his father Daikichi stands firm against the militarism of the time. That opening is warm and tender, and the story knows exactly how much it is about to ask of its readers. The premise is grounded in the author's own memories.The strength is the humanity. The family's love and stubborn spirit give the book its heart, and the everyday details of life under war feel vivid. The storytelling is direct, and the emotional weight builds chapter by chapter.The weaknesses are real. The harrowing scenes are very hard to read, and the tone is grim throughout. Some readers will find it overwhelming, and it asks a lot of emotional endurance.Recommended for readers who want an essential, honest account of war. Read with care and make room afterwards.