Blue Literature - No Longer Human (Episode 1 to 4) Preview

Here's a sneak peek of the first story arc in the Aoi Bungaku series:
Osamu Dazai's "No Longer Human"!

UPDATE: Fourth Episode Plot and Screenshots; and DVD!

(novel cover illustrated by Takeshi Obata)

No Longer Human (人間失格, Ningen Shikkaku) is a Japanese novel by Osamu Dazai. Published after "Run Melos" and "The Setting Sun", "No Longer Human" is considered Dazai's masterpiece and ranks as the second-best selling novel in Japan, behind Kokoro.

This novel, despite it being serialized as a work of fiction in 1948 is narrated in the first person and contains several elements which betray an autobiographical basis, such as suicide—a recurring theme in the author's life. Many also believe the book to have been his will, as he took his own life shortly after the last part of the book (it was serialized) was published, in June 13, 1948. This is not accurate, though, as he had started work on it long before.

"No Longer Human" paints the portrait of the life of Ōba Yōzō (大庭葉蔵), a troubled soul incapable of revealing his true self to others and who is instead forced to uphold a facade of hollow jocularity. The name of the main character, Ōba, is actually taken from one of Dazai's early works, "Petals of Buffoonery".

Ōba refers to himself throughout the book using the reflexive pronoun "Jibun" (自分), whereas the personal pronoun "Watashi" (私) is used both in the foreword and afterword to the book by the writer, whose name is unclear.

Dazai might have been a sufferer of Complex post-traumatic stress disorder whilst writing the book. Mike Lew has praised the book for expressing male sexual trauma.

Here's the cover of the translated version of the novel:

Translation is by Donald Keene and you can see a preview of it at Google Books!

This has a manga version as well:

Usamaru Furuya published a manga version of No Longer Human in Comic Bunch magazine beginning in 2009's volume 10.

The Novel's plot:

The novel is composed of three chapters, or "memorandums", which chronicle the life of Ōba from early childhood to late twenties.

• First Memorandum - Overcome by an intense feeling of alienation and finding it nearly impossible to socialize with those who surround him, Ōba can't but resort to buffoonery in order to establish interpersonal relationships and engage in a vain attempt to forget the abuse he was subjected to by a female servant during his childhood.
• Second Memorandum - Ōba becomes increasingly concerned over the potential penetrability of his cheerful facade. He neglects his university studies. Under the influence of a fellow artist he meets at a course, Horiki, he descends into a vicious cycle of drinking, smoking and harlotry, culminating in a one-night stand with a married woman with whom he intends to commit double suicide by drowning. Though he survives, she dies, leaving him with nothing but an excruciating feeling of guilt.
• Third Memorandum - Several years later, Ōba is expelled from University and falls into a relationship with a young and naïve woman. Ōba stops drinking and things seem to work out well until Horiki shows up, turning Ōba to self-destructivity again. Feeling distant from his wife, Ōba is once again driven to the verge of committing suicide, but unable to do so, he becomes an alcoholic and a morphine addict. He is eventually interned in a mental institution, and, upon release, moves to an isolated place, concluding the story with numb self-reflection.

The Anime:

The first episode of this arc will premiered last october 10 It will be consisting a total of four episodes.

DVD:

The first Blue Literature DVD will be on sale on January 29, 2010!
Aside from the episodes, it will have special/bonus videos like interviews, dubbing, live-action portions, etc.
Other benefits include the jacket image, special booklet, special book cover, special bookmark, and special postcard.

Anime Staff:

Original Character Design: Takeshi Obata
Director: Morio Asaka
Script: Satoshi Suzuki
Character Design: Masanori Shino
Cast: Masato Sakai, Wataru Takagi, Romi Paku, Aya Hisakawa, Mamiko Noto, Atsuko Tanaka, others

The Characters:

Unfortunately, I can't translate or can't find translations of them.

The First Episode Plot:

The first story, "Kamakura's mind," Sun October 10 broadcast

I came to send a life full of shame -.

Oba leaf collection was born rich. He is beyond the study of human life, was a man of such species.
Donations from people in order to exploit the poor to participate in the leftist movement真似事, live in the day ... .... Showa four years, summer.
And the play as usual, leaf collection sponge gold. In order to arrest the movement appeared suddenly anti-social, but are not enough of Tokkou Kosuge,
Be fit to flee. Contact fled was a woman that Tsuneko cafe.
Leaf collection will匿Wa. Although Gomakaseta once, immediately noticed that the出奔庇Wa to Tsuneko again. Along the way, he recalled.
To make yourself smile. Mysterious U嗤with a touch of their maid. Tsuneko just returned, two that night, to both the pillow.
After the affair, you're pure, she smiled, remembering to kill the leaf collection.
And to remind the past that angered his father, who made himself his feelings of shame in being alive.
Tsuneko and leaf collection. Both mutter Futari no one. "I want you to die together."

Episode 2:

The second episode airs on October 17!

The Second Episode Plot:

Leaf collection lost consciousness, and in the back! Sense, make your own thoughts on the past. That show great humorist, one thing could just lead to a human. In one, the man he already knew to be a clown, one that bamboo -. The collection leaves "ghost" Takeichi say. The得心that's right, that was around哄笑leaf collection. And get a feel, leaf collection had been lying on the bed. Tsuneko died and been told, Er-Tai and leaf collection. Also abandoned by their parents will be passed through a room with a monitor. So he is "haunted" I saw a vision of. Once again, remember the leaf collection around him. Takeichi the "ghost pictures" to see the Van Gogh self-portrait presented as leaf collection and will also draw a picture of my monster. The painting is ... well, she was his own. Living in a world of ghosts is what humans can not. Ask yourself, was once his feet toward the source of ivory should Horiki. For the eye-rolling is the Horiki, leaf collection will which was堪Renaku.そして、それを見ていた一人の女――。

Episode 3:

The second episode airs on October 24!

The Third Episode Plot:

Life, where what seemed to be human ... .... Shizuko and their daughter, Shigeko. Collection was living with two leaves. Among such, the father "earn the money guy is disqualified as a human being," the word torture him. Shizuko there is going to pitch a cartoon depicting a leaf collection. The trip offers a variety favorable results. Appeared "ghost"貸Sazu to listen to, easygoing days, the collection is to enrich the primed leaves. Stuck in there gave the Horiki "public" was the word. Which brought the cartoon editor of "public" and the mouth, touching the cases of suicide come Kamakura. Leaf collection is "The world according to their own ghosts to" alcohol and呷Tta. In addition, rumors of the murder is asked to Shigeko "O父Chan really want" that innocent褪Meru Aoi cruel words. "World" run away from something that leaf collection. "I'm sorry been born." Chi himself, in the snow, lying helplessly. At that time, the world Shirogane, were drawn a vivid red. Looking into him in the red umbrella, or goddess, or the devil.

Episode 4:

The second episode airs on October 31!

The Fourth Episode Plot:

Time has passed. Now is holding a leaf collection and Yoshiko residence. He wanted someone else to live for the first time. Draw a cartoon that plays a clown, be accepted by the public -. Chose such a life. Horiki久Shi振Ri visit there. Leaf collection, thanks to Yoshiko, "world" began to speak without worries and to be overcoming. However, just lie in the plane Horiki, look a little strange. Horiki it had come to convey the news of his father's collection of leaves. Listen to it, leaf collection to laugh like crazy. Yoshiko ask him, but the invisible hand that is forcing ... .... Leaf Collection Horiki words more spectacular. Horiki is going to the army. All lost leaf collection is missing something yourself as a person - or "disqualified person" that is leading. Pharmaceutical finally drank and attempted suicide, such a person he says. "We know of leaf-chan is a very straightforward, well pretty good, even if drinking alcohol in there, no, to drink, I was a child ... like God".

I see an interesting and intriguing psychological story! It seems to be a tragic tale of an unfortunate character. I already love it from the spoilers! And I really like it that the anime gave it a horror theme! It looks more awesome that way! And the cast has been really great!
Too bad serious and intellectual stories like this aren't the type of the majority. And I believe it also has mature scenes, and that will be make it not recommendable to innocent and young ones. Ehehehe. Hmm . . .to be safe for me as well, I should watch this without my parents around. Hehe.
This series had already impressed me so much even if I didn't understand a thing. And I loved it even more when I watched them subbed and when I've finished the novel! This is certainly a very wonderful arc in this series~

Sources:
~ Aoi Bungaku Official Site
~ Anime News Network
~ Wikipedia
~ Anime Newtype Channel
~ Vague Translations by Google