Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist’s Journey, Vol. 5
- Downloads：6435
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2022-01-10 09:51:04
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Akiko Higashimura
- ISBN：1642750735
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
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Reviews
Ren （A Bookish Balance）
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4。5/5 stars
Bear Mcbearington
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It's easy to 'know' that time and life goes on for others when we aren't around。 It's absolutely impossible to understand it though。 It's easy to 'know' that time and life goes on for others when we aren't around。 It's absolutely impossible to understand it though。 。。。more
Des Fox
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Wonderful。 The whole series would benefit from being collected in a single volume。 It's a great bit of autobiographical slice of life， with a hopeful message。 I think a lot of people could benefit from sensei's advice。 I'm inspired to make art， and that must be the point。 Wonderful。 The whole series would benefit from being collected in a single volume。 It's a great bit of autobiographical slice of life， with a hopeful message。 I think a lot of people could benefit from sensei's advice。 I'm inspired to make art， and that must be the point。 。。。more
Donna
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The wrap-up of Akiko's autobiographical manga includes the death of her sensei。I'm giving this volume five stars because I felt like I had a real glimpse into the life of an artist here: what their days would be like， the things that are important to them， and the work that's gone into it。 Akiko is not always likeable， but she's very relatable and I'm glad I read this series。 The wrap-up of Akiko's autobiographical manga includes the death of her sensei。I'm giving this volume five stars because I felt like I had a real glimpse into the life of an artist here: what their days would be like， the things that are important to them， and the work that's gone into it。 Akiko is not always likeable， but she's very relatable and I'm glad I read this series。 。。。more
Kayt O'Bibliophile
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Full Series Review （Volumes 1-5）An autobiographical manga following creator Higashimura from a high schooler who dreams of making manga to young adulthood as a debut creator， this was a solid and entertaining story， an intriguing look at the manga industry in Japan， and， as an adult， an all-too-relatable look back at a past self we sometimes wish we could punch in the face。The story begins with Higashimura in high school: she has big plans to become a popular manga creator before she even gradua Full Series Review （Volumes 1-5）An autobiographical manga following creator Higashimura from a high schooler who dreams of making manga to young adulthood as a debut creator， this was a solid and entertaining story， an intriguing look at the manga industry in Japan， and， as an adult， an all-too-relatable look back at a past self we sometimes wish we could punch in the face。The story begins with Higashimura in high school: she has big plans to become a popular manga creator before she even graduates， but she needs to get much better at drawing if she ever wants to reach her goal。 Assuming her talent is innate， she looks for an easy fix and signs up for an art class， thinking all her problems will soon be solved。 She's in for a surprise: her new instructor is a bamboo sword-wielding taskmaster who doesn't care about manga one bit。 But maybe this unconventional art teacher is just what she needs to realize her dreams！Simply by reading this series， we already know that she does， eventually， draw manga professionally。 That's made clear even if you're not familiar with Higashimura's other works--in America， she's probably best-known for Princess Jellyfish and Tokyo Tarareba Girls， series about adult women living lives， being a bit awkward， and having friends--and Blank Canvas is narrated by the now-middle-aged Higashimura。 Occasionally she'll bring the story to the "present" （2014， when she was creating this） and compare her life or work now to what's happening in the story-past。 The comparison of the unpublished or newly-published past！Higashimura with the current professional！Higashimura adds depth to the story and its topics。There's also a sense of wistfulness that permeates the series。 Higashimura doesn't hate her past self， but with the benefit of hindsight is often clearly exasperated: this seemed such a big problem then， but it's so simple。 I spent four years bumming around and doing nothing in art school while my parents paid for everything， why was I so dumb when I had it so easy？ Why didn't I go see Sensei more？ Why didn't I do this？Sensei， her art teacher， is such a fantastic character。 Strict and inflexible， he also genuinely cares about his students and keeps in touch with her all through college and after。 His methods （even apart from hitting her with a bamboo sword） are unconventional， yet his assumption that she can and will be able to succeed regardless of circumstances shaped her life。 She got flustered and frustrated with his assumption that she would continue coming to the art studio and could fit her own manga work in around teaching， yet she directly credits her current ability to work in a variety of settings to that past experience and her own inability to tell him no。And Sensei is a good character， although from a modern perspective some of his methods--hitting students with a blunt bamboo sword and berating some students to the point of tears--are uncomfortable， even though Higashimura has decided to forgive him。 He's larger than life， blunt and honest and assuming everyone else is too。 The respect and fondness she has for him come through on every page， but it's impossible to notice that her recollections are tinged with regret， and it's only at the end of the 4th book/beginning of the 5th book that we find out why: （view spoiler）[he's dead。 Diagnosed with cancer shortly after she makes her manga debut， he didn't live long enough for Higashimura to mature and realize how much he shaped her life and career。 He didn't get to meet her son or to see her reach critical acclaim。 Her memories of him are entwined with the knowledge that she missed her only chances for telling him how much he and his support affected her。Because the series uses the past tense when referring to him， and because of the regret that permeates the narration， I knew his death was coming， but I still cried。And it's not that Higashimura was callous on purpose。 She asserts multiple times through the series that young people are selfish， thinking only about themselves， and she means herself。 Sensei was such a big person in her life， she could hardly conceive of a world where he wasn't there， where she wouldn't have another chance to sit and talk with him， until it happened。Oh， don't mind me， just sitting at the table eating lunch and crying into my limeade。 （hide spoiler）]The whole story was beautiful and mature， not in an X-rated way， but because the creator is distinctly narrating from her present as a middle adult， even while the series mostly deals with being a teenager and young adult。 。。。more
Geena Hollis
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Not gonna lie， I did tear up for this。 It was a great conclusion to this autobiographical manga series。
Michelle
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I loved this volume。 I was shocked that the Akiko didn't stay with her sensei。 I didn't think the art matches how much sensei changed because of the cancer。 It also wraps up what happened to the students。 The message at then end was so beautiful。 I loved this volume。 I was shocked that the Akiko didn't stay with her sensei。 I didn't think the art matches how much sensei changed because of the cancer。 It also wraps up what happened to the students。 The message at then end was so beautiful。 。。。more
Gaz Watson
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Heartbreaking end to a great mango。
David Doel
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I expected to like this better。 The series is a paean to Akiko Higashimura's sensei （her art teacher in this case）。 It succeeds admirably in that purpose， but Akiko is so unlikable that she diminishes the tribute and makes the story too much about herself。Akikio sums herself up in the quote， "When you're young， well to be blunt， you don't think about anyone but yourself。" There is significant truth to this observation。Hidaka-sensei is not perfect， but his dedication to his students and to his ar I expected to like this better。 The series is a paean to Akiko Higashimura's sensei （her art teacher in this case）。 It succeeds admirably in that purpose， but Akiko is so unlikable that she diminishes the tribute and makes the story too much about herself。Akikio sums herself up in the quote， "When you're young， well to be blunt， you don't think about anyone but yourself。" There is significant truth to this observation。Hidaka-sensei is not perfect， but his dedication to his students and to his art are amazing。 We all tend to undervalue the contributions our teachers have made to who we are。 。。。more
Howard
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If I could give this volume 10 stars I would。 I perfect final volume for this series。
Axelle Lenoir
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Un merveilleux récit autobiographique en 5 tomes aussi bien dessiné que scénarisé。6 étoiles sur 5 pour les lecteurs qui sont soit auteurs de bd， soit passionnés par le processus de création du manga。Préparez-vous à rire et sortez vos mouchoirs！7 étoiles sur 5 pour son sensei。 Un humains des plus étranges， fous et adorables。
Deeja
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A really lovely end to the retrospective memoir of Akiko's "Artist's Journey"。 I believe she has really stuck the landing with this final instalment， the exact correct mix of regret and hope is housed in this volume to reiterate her final and ever-present lesson that to be an artist you must keep creating art。 The relationship she has to both her craft and her most memorable instructor is beautiful and heart-breaking in equal parts but her honest self-rebuking is my favourite part of this book， A really lovely end to the retrospective memoir of Akiko's "Artist's Journey"。 I believe she has really stuck the landing with this final instalment， the exact correct mix of regret and hope is housed in this volume to reiterate her final and ever-present lesson that to be an artist you must keep creating art。 The relationship she has to both her craft and her most memorable instructor is beautiful and heart-breaking in equal parts but her honest self-rebuking is my favourite part of this book， she concedes that young people do bad things and tries to come to terms with it but doesn't let up on the fact that she no longer sides with the actions of her youth。 I think a lot of people can relate to this and seeing an artist of such a high calibre showing herself warts and all in the context of her craft like this is refreshing and endearing。 。。。more
Kiri
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This series was a really great look into manga artist Akiko Higashimura’s life。 It revolves around her art teacher Hidaka-sensei and how she became a manga artist。 I found the reflection of her life to be interesting and engaging and there were moments that really pulled on my heartstrings。 It really makes me wish I had someone in my life who was as influential as Hidaka-sensei was to her。
Liadan
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Very sad and moving conclusion to this series。 I appreciate Higashimura's brutal honesty in telling this story。 It's a rare thing these days。 Very sad and moving conclusion to this series。 I appreciate Higashimura's brutal honesty in telling this story。 It's a rare thing these days。 。。。more
Loz
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This series is a masterpiece and this concluding volume is perfect。 The pain， the catharsis， the yearning， the need， the anguish， the homage and appreciation， all shine and vibrate。 I cried。 Highest recommend。
Beth
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Hayashi's neglect of Sensei continues all the way to the literal end。 As usual with her work， there are elements that are all too relatable， and also kind of infuriating。One of the best things about this manga is the depiction of the idea that someone can change and influence you for your whole life， in ways that are individual to you and not just a mirror reflection of that person and their values。 Years can pass， decades， and they are still a part of you。 Hayashi's neglect of Sensei continues all the way to the literal end。 As usual with her work， there are elements that are all too relatable， and also kind of infuriating。One of the best things about this manga is the depiction of the idea that someone can change and influence you for your whole life， in ways that are individual to you and not just a mirror reflection of that person and their values。 Years can pass， decades， and they are still a part of you。 。。。more
Rod Brown
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A beautiful examination of the teacher/student relationship and how someone can be a huge influence on you -- shaping your entire life -- while simultaneously becoming a small part of your day-to-day existence， often going underappreciated until its too late to fully express your gratitude in person。
Dominique
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After reading the final volume I can see why this manga won an award。 The storytelling is so good and the mentor/student relationship is just so precious。 I feel we can all relate to Aikko's regrets with people who we love and don't get enough time to say things we wanted to say in a moment and then looking back on it feeling regret。 It was very fun read to see her journey into manga artist and also seeing just how much her mentor's influence had her to this day， especially saying， "Just Draw。" After reading the final volume I can see why this manga won an award。 The storytelling is so good and the mentor/student relationship is just so precious。 I feel we can all relate to Aikko's regrets with people who we love and don't get enough time to say things we wanted to say in a moment and then looking back on it feeling regret。 It was very fun read to see her journey into manga artist and also seeing just how much her mentor's influence had her to this day， especially saying， "Just Draw。" I think this is a great read for any one who loves art and wants to read a story about self-journey and mentor/student storyline with great comedy。 。。。more
Destiny
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I loved this series from beginning to end。 Seeing her thoughts and regrets are all too relatable， and I enjoyed seeing her journey to who she is today。 Just keep drawing！
Emmen
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This was a great conclusion to a great series！ I feel like this volume did a great job of explaining why Akiko was compelled to make this memoir。 The events of this volume were heartbreaking， but the use of humour stops it from becoming too heavy。 This series is really good not only because of it's insights into a creative discipline， but also because it is a memoir told with a surprising amount of honesty。 I really recommend it！ This was a great conclusion to a great series！ I feel like this volume did a great job of explaining why Akiko was compelled to make this memoir。 The events of this volume were heartbreaking， but the use of humour stops it from becoming too heavy。 This series is really good not only because of it's insights into a creative discipline， but also because it is a memoir told with a surprising amount of honesty。 I really recommend it！ 。。。more
Deanna Perkins
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I cried。。。a LOT！ This was the part of the story the whole series was building towards and was heartbreaking。 The selfish nature of our youth makes us do things that we do later regret in life and Akikosan is no exception。 I lead with empathy in my life so her regret and remorse was fully felt and I do believe this was a beautiful tribute to her sensei。 This is by far one of my favorite series I’ve ever read。 Then in the world of Manga。。。while this was my first experience， it will be hard to find I cried。。。a LOT！ This was the part of the story the whole series was building towards and was heartbreaking。 The selfish nature of our youth makes us do things that we do later regret in life and Akikosan is no exception。 I lead with empathy in my life so her regret and remorse was fully felt and I do believe this was a beautiful tribute to her sensei。 This is by far one of my favorite series I’ve ever read。 Then in the world of Manga。。。while this was my first experience， it will be hard to find anything that could live up to this。 。。。more
Shae
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This series is perfect in every way。 Please support this title！ Higashimura truly shared her honest experience and it is glorious！
Suhail
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This last installment made me want to cry。 Higashimura sensei writes about the last part of her rookie days and her own sensei's deteriorating health。 Just read it already， you'll see。 This last installment made me want to cry。 Higashimura sensei writes about the last part of her rookie days and her own sensei's deteriorating health。 Just read it already， you'll see。 。。。more
Nat
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Ara mateix sóc tot llàgrimes i mocs。
Aleksandra
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Wonderful heartfelt series with a thread of sadness connecting everything。 I’m so happy I’ve read this manga。 It’s a complete five volume autobiographical manga and I highly recommend it to everyone。 I’m sure everyone can learn from Akiko’s journey。
Dani
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This series is exactly what I needed to read at the time in my life I needed to read it the most。 I've been having trouble with making video games。 I have my own passion project， but I've had the hardest time trying to get my code to work， dealing with trolls telling me my coding sucks， and being told by someone I love that "making games in a waste of time。" All of this has caused me to come to a shuttering stop in doing anything game related outside of playing games after work。 But reading this This series is exactly what I needed to read at the time in my life I needed to read it the most。 I've been having trouble with making video games。 I have my own passion project， but I've had the hardest time trying to get my code to work， dealing with trolls telling me my coding sucks， and being told by someone I love that "making games in a waste of time。" All of this has caused me to come to a shuttering stop in doing anything game related outside of playing games after work。 But reading this series， which broke my heart at points and hit too close to home at others， made to remember something from my childhood。 When I was growing up， my grandfather， my PopPop， was the father figure in my life。 When I would cry and say I couldn't do something， he would say "Stop saying you can't。 You can！ If you believe you can， then you can！" Reading this series makes me feel like he was my own sensei。 Even though he died when I was 6， I can still remember his voice saying those words。 "You can！ If you believe you can， then you can！" In a way， it's my own version of "Just draw。" So I'm going to stop thinking that I can't code my games。 I can code them。 I believe I can， so I know I can！ And if I get stuck， there's TONS of help out there that can show me the way through。 Thank you PopPop for being my sensei。 And thank you Higashimura-san for writing this。 It's the perfect start to a new decade。 。。。more
Arianna
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I truly enjoyed this manga。 Beautiful， hear breaking， with a touch of irony and self analysis。 It is so full of feelings and those are just coming through the drawings in a spectacular way。 From the messiness of the university years， to especially the days at the Hidaka school， helping the teacher。 An introspective trip which starts from high school time， up to adulthood with a lesson spread through the whole manga。 I see this story has a great tribute to Akiko's and many others super hero， an e I truly enjoyed this manga。 Beautiful， hear breaking， with a touch of irony and self analysis。 It is so full of feelings and those are just coming through the drawings in a spectacular way。 From the messiness of the university years， to especially the days at the Hidaka school， helping the teacher。 An introspective trip which starts from high school time， up to adulthood with a lesson spread through the whole manga。 I see this story has a great tribute to Akiko's and many others super hero， an extraordinary， extravagant， yet simple man， who has inspired students revealing skills that themselves didn't know they had。 An amazing masterpiece on so many levels， for which the only valid words to say is: read it！ 。。。more
Kristin
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Read scanlations。
Eressea
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充滿對恩師的思念還有親不待的悔恨但是千金難買早知道啊！是說東立出電子書的標準好謎啊這套也不是多紅吧作者其他更紅的漫畫卻不出電子書
Pollapollina Books
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