Issei Sagawa’s (second) Manga
Japanese cannibal Issei Sagawa is known for his celebrity status almost as much as his crimes. Convicted of murder and cannibalism while in University in Paris, he spent time in prison before being extradited home to Japan. Upon his arrival, he departed the airport a free man. No police to arrest him, or doctors to bring him to a mental health facility. Sagawa was a notorious criminal known across the country - and he had to figure out how to survive. Given the difficulty of finding employment with such a negative reputation, he leaned into the negativity and paid his bills through his reputation. Film and television appearances, adult videos, magazine articles, artwork, and books - Sagawa covered many creative bases. Most notorious perhaps was his Mangan, which not only retold the story of his crime but did so with accompanying illustrations.
While this publication is his most well known, it sometimes overshadows the fact that Sagawa released a follow up - a second manga in a more limited run. This second manga is less often seen due to its limited print run. According to several Japanese websites, this book was produced in a limited run of 800, whereas his first manga was successful enough to warrant multiple print runs.
From left to right: Slipcover of Manga 2, cover of Manga 2, signature from Issei Sagawa inside a copy of Manga 2.
In addition to its small print run this book has several other notable features. Each book was printed in hardcover and included a slipcase, an upgrade from the very traditional paperback formatting of the first. Also included with each copy of the manga is a hand drawn frame from inside. (include frame, and drawing to accompany)
From left to right: Finalized pages published in the manga. Original illustration panel.
In 2023, his manga was translated into English for the first time by the efforts of Serial Pleasures - whom also have released translations of his novels ‘In The Fog’ and ‘Paris Cannibal Massacre.’ Sagawa’s second manga is yet to receive an English translation.
Purchase a copy of the manga here.
Purchase an autographed copy of the manga here.
Purchas a copy of the manga with an original illustration here.
