Animation master Hayao Miyazaki hasn’t done that much manga, and of the stuff he has done, only Naussica is available here in the U.S. So whenever anyone makes an effort to translate his work into English, it’s always cause for celebration. Which brings me to this translation of his short 1994 manga “The Return of Hans”:
The story takes place during the days immediately following the surrender of Berlin at the end of World War II. Hans, a young German chief tank mechanic, and Rosa, a girl living near Berlin, try to make their way to western Germany in an abandoned tank that Hans has repaired. But will they be able to escape the advancing Soviet army?!
I love the way Miyazaki incorporates the lettering into the panels so it feels almost as alive as the characters themselves. It’s something I wish more Western artists did.
