PLINIVS

A manga about the life of Gaius Plinius Secundus or Pliny the Elder. He was a Roman philosopher and the father of the Encyclopedia.

Mari Yamazaki has experience with Roman characters in her comedy Thermae Romae and with biographies in her adaptation of Steve Jobs. Apparently she really wanted to draw a serious story about Roman times and thought Pliny was a perfect subject. It’s co-created with Miki Tori. 

I really liked this book but it was a little difficult to follow all the characters and politics happening. The plot follows both Plinius and the Roman Emperor of the time Nero so there’s a lot of backstabbing and scheming drama. I will say Yamazaki has a unique skill in making real life people like Nero or Steve Wozniak very cute.

I plan on reading more!

~dakazu