⚠️ I use a translator
To celebrate the release of Volume 2, we’re currently holding a special campaign where the entire first volume of L'Heure Bleue is available to read for free!
This manga is a pastiche work based on Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables, focusing on the early days of the Friends of the ABC, and interweaves original elements with the source material.
At present, the series is only available in Japanese, and while an English edition has not yet been confirmed, we are aiming to make one a reality in the future. While reading in Japanese may be challenging, we hope this campaign gives those who are curious about the story a chance to take a peek!
Please note that the website is entirely in Japanese, but no login is required to read the free version. We are unable to verify access from outside Japan, so if you encounter any issues viewing the content, we would be very grateful if you could let us know.
To begin reading, please visit the linked page and tap the banner indicated in the image.
The free viewing period will be available until the end of April 21st, Japan time.
It's spring, let them enjoy it 🌸
In my intro of my blog, I talk about the utilisation of Les Misérables for the purpose of giving political statements being available to search on my account. (Usually via the hashtag 'protests')
I'm just going to create a separate list (this one) compiling of information that I found which talk of certain events in countries across Asia. (as the list I have now in my intro largely limits itself to adaptations/translations only) If anybody has anything else to add, please tell me!
The following will have different levels of research be put into it. I've put a link to the post which has the most relevant information regarding to the matter for a quick link to the research, however it necessarily won't be the only informative post about it.
It's definitely a work in progress! Think of it as a blog update.
Otherwise, here's the list thus far:
1868 Armenia -> Pro-literacy movement via translation and how Les Misérables was used for political criticism and national consciousness
#1868 translation
1903 China -> Criticism of the Qing Dynasty & International relations (Western countries and influence on China)
#Su Manshu
1926 Vietnam -> Combatting the post-colonial state from the French Empire and Criticism of the Nguyễn Dynasty
#Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh and #Hồ Biểu Chánh and #Ngọn Cỏ Gió Đùa
1938 Japan -> Anti-war messaging.
#kyojinndenn
1945-9 Indonesia -> (Real world comparison to:) War of Independence / Indonesian National Revolution and the Dutch colonisation and Japanese occupation
#Indonesia independence
1955 India -> Criticism of the British colonisation and the representation of the Quit India Movement (Heavily incomplete- I need to do much more research regards to the historical background and setting)
#Kundan
1957 Malaysia -> (Real life comparison to:) Declaration of Independence (Merdeka) and ethnic & patriotic unity and the British colonisation
#Malaysia
2019 Japan -> Contemporary Japanese identity; protests and earthquakes (still largely incomplete)
#owarinaki tabiji
2019-20 Hong Kong -> Independence Protest ('dyhtps')
#Hong Kong protests
2020 Thailand -> Critiques systems of inequality, selective morality, (youth and women's) incarceration, women's rehabilitation centers. (Heavily incomplete- I haven't read the book yet nor have I researched Thailand's modern political climate regarding these themes.)
#A wish in the dark
Honourable mentions: Yang Kui (Taiwan: 1895-1945); Gezi Park Protests (Türkiye: 2013); Candlelight protest for the Impeachment of the President Park Geun-hye (S. Korea: 2016-7); Aragalaya protest (Sri Lanka: 2022).
Non-Asian shoutout: Fabrika's protest against President Mohamed Morsi's government and suppression on artistic expression (Egypt: 2013). [Context: It was in the midst of Calls for Resignation for the President.]
[These are put into 'honourable mentions' because Les Misérables was more of a mention in the protests or rebellion, rather than it being a consistent and a major factor for a cause or political belief.]
Maybes:
1996 S. Korea -> 70s-80s South Korea (Most likely a criticism of the political climate, but I haven't watched enough episodes to comment.)
#1996 Korean tv series
you pick a les mis cast recording at 16 and that’s the one you’re stuck with for the rest of your life i fear
why you so nervous?
Gotta say I am both very dubious of, and fascinated by, the concept of a "Jean Valjean Prequel". like...are we gonna focus on the grueling poverty of his life as a peasant in the Ancien Regime? Are we going to watch as multiple generations of his family are literally killed by deprivation and overwork? See the faint echoes of the revolution from the POV of a family that is not at all involved in the politics ? Are we going to just...spend those 19 years he was in prison IN PRISON? Every beating and escape attempt? the casual corruption and cruelty of the officials and guards? Might we get sort of meta and see some riff on Claude Gueux play out there?
the thing is we do actually know what happens to JVV before the book starts and it's all bad, grindingly exhaustingly bad ; if they're committing to that then Respect, honestly, it's not like "poverty and prison are soul crushing" is less relevant these days
And/but if they're not committing to that...what the heck are they gonna do with it ??
The Dreamers
Hehe mini enjolras
Talking to people outside your fandom about your media of choice is always so interesting because after a while in fandom, you get used to the same old discourse but in real life you will be hit with some completely orginal and insane takes. I was taking about Les Misérables to some family friends over Christmas and they tried to argue that Javert was a completely unnecessary part of the plot. Like he didn’t need to be there at all. Truly a level of discourse that some of you on tumblr could only dream of coming up with
nel || 19 || they/them || aroace || every once in a while I scream about something other than Les Miserables || if you know me irl no you don’t
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