This is a historical fiction about a young Japanese man during the start of World War II. He had a defect from birth, a crippled leg. His father was a high ranking general in the Japanese military. When World War II broke out, the young man was unable to enlist due to his condition, and brought great shame and disappointment to his family. He had to stay home with the women and children when all of his male relatives and friends went off to war. He soon learns that his father was killed in combat, and at the funeral, he decides he needs to do something. He decides that the only way he could do anything of value and to win back honor for his family is to enlist as a kamikaze pilot. Considering himself a failure his entire life, he could at least die with purpose and make his existence worthwhile. The moment of truth finally comes, and he's over some south pacific islands in his plane and his target is chosen. As he swoops down, he is shot out of the sky. The plane veers off target and he crashes into the water. His body is washed ashore on one of the islands and he opens his eyes. He has failed once again. Not only did he miss his target, but he didn't even die. But as he lies there in the shallows, a new thought comes to his mind. He's dead. As far as anyone knows, anyways. He's the only one who knows of his survival. His mother, his wife, his government and platoon all think he's dead. This can be a new beginning for him. He no longer has to live with the disappointment and shame he's caused his family. He sits up in the water, the will to live flooding back into his body. A strange feeling, having embraced the idea of death for so long. He's been reborn.This is the 1st part of a planned four part graphic novel. The rest follow his escapades as he encounters some dangers and trials, and he looks for a way of escape.
I had four parts illustrated for my thesis, just excerpts to show the story. The graphic novel will be , for the most part, wordless.
