The picture book “The Tears of People” (text by Rintaro Uchida, published by Doshinsha Publishing, 2024) which nakaban (who illustrates the serialized comic “Tangible & visible” in Subsequence) illustrated has just won the 30th Japan Picture Book Award.

nakaban’s story depicts a near-future world where robot soldiers and drones head into war. As the robots fight, functioning without hesitation based on their programming, we humans can divert our gaze from the truth and simply enjoy peace and safety. There is no doubt that this book’s sharp story filled with Rintaro Uchida’s (children’s author, born in 1941) antiwar sentiments and nakaban’s fantastical yet serious illustrations will remain in your memory.

“The Tears of People” (Hito no namida) (Doshinsha Publishing)
Text: Rintaro Uchida / Illustration: nakaban
Doshinsha Publishing