Matorism

Matorism

A manga about 2 narcotics officers and the people they arrest who abuse illegal drugs.

We’ve discussed this on a recent episode.

This series is done by Masakazu Suzuki. I thought his series “Kodomo wo Koroshite kudasai” to iu Oyatachi, about adults with mental issues, was really well done. I’m slightly less enthusiastic about this manga because I feel the message about drug abuse is outdated.

The series follows different people as they either get involved with drugs or are in proximity to some kind of drug addiction and/or abuse. Some of the stories were very good but others were more than a little absurd. One story follows a teacher who confiscates marijuana from a student, only to later partake it himself. By the end of the story he was using cocaine and heroin and it’s hard not to roll your eyes when you’re saying that smoking a joint is a gateway to hardcore substance abuse. It seems like a narrative straight out of the 50’s.

I wonder if Suzuki is either ignorant of different drugs and their effects or he’s simply propagating a narrative that’s in line with Japanese policy. In any case it’s a shame because I think he’s a talented storyteller who’s been misinformed about certain drugs. Also I don’t think you can just mail order drugs like in this manga.

~dakazu

“Kodomo wo Koroshite kudasai” to iu Oyatachi

“Kodomo wo Koroshite kudasai” to iu Oyatachi

Tales about two social workers who work with parents dealing with children who have grown to become emotionally disturbed adults.

As someone with experience with social work, I really appreciate how the creative team of artist Masakazu Suzuki and author Takeshi Oshikawa take time to address the issue of these troubled adult from all sides. Many stories include the problems with parenting that help foster these violent behaviors. They even cover how mental care workers and doctors can be neglectful and release patients from care before they are ready.

Many tales end in tragedy but they all address the importance of mental care and healthy family relationships. I think this manga is very informative.

~dakazu