Miri Masuda (1969.1- ) "Mariko, It Will Be Fine" Shinchosha, Published July 2018, 208 pages

Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Mariko, It Will Be Fine"
Shinchosha, Published July 2018, 208 pages
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4103519819
https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/351981/

"If I work hard, will it pay off?
What does it mean to work?
Second year, 12th year, 20th year in the workforce. Three Marikos working at the same company.
"I couldn't voice my opinion in the meeting again today"
"I feel like my 'work self' is about to take over my real self"
"I have more juniors now, but I don't feel like a senior"
Their questions make my heart waver.
Surely, we are another Mariko.
A storm of empathy even before release!
A work-themed manga that will gradually fill you with courage when you read it."

"Table of Contents
What does it mean to be an adult?
To think the day would come when I'd fill the silence with talk about the weather
Things you see when you've been at a company for a long time
How can I become good at my job?
There are so many old men and women at the company...
I don't want to go back to my 20s
Age shows on your back, doesn't it?

I have my own opinions too, you know
I want to be thought of as a kind senior, but
At the company, I feel kind of adrift
I don't get asked questions anymore
'You're doing fine' isn't a compliment, you know
Our generation is
Won't everyone just retire early?
What's the character setting for a 34-year-old?

I want to go back to university
I want to quit my job, I want to quit today
There are words you shouldn't use when apologizing
Changing my appearance didn't change anything
I keep deciding to work, over and over
That person's present is my future
I keep making subtle appeals
Does it even have any meaning?

I want to be relied upon, but
Sometimes I'm called, sometimes I'm not
What am I running away from?
So the company just goes on forever
The true nature of this heaviness in my chest
For our sake
Mariko, here I go
From the narrowly opened window"

https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/mariko/
You can read a trial version up to chapter 5 at this link.

Finished reading on May 25, 2022
Itoshima City Library collection
1 reservation at Fukuoka City General Library

Serialized in 'yom yom'
vol. 33 (Summer 2014) to vol. 48 (February 2018 issue).

This is the 24th book by Miri Masuda,
born in Osaka Prefecture in January 1969 and a graduate of Kyoto Junior College of Art,
which I started reading in March 2022.
It is a series of 31 stories about three Marikos,
in their 2nd, 12th, and 20th years of working at the same company.

'Koharu Nikki' (KADOKAWA, Oct. 2017),
which I read yesterday (May 24, 2022),
https://note.com/fe1955/n/n76c4b1b03e5c

is a series of 65 stories depicting girls aged 15-17 (middle and high school students).
As someone born in 1955, I tried to remember myself at that age,
and I was stunned by the differences in the situations of men and women,
and by my own male self, who had been unaware of those differences.

Are 24-year-old Mariko Okazaki,
34-year-old Mariko Yabe,
and 42-year-old Mariko Nagasawa,
the future of Koharu, who is 15 and 17 (the day before her 20th birthday on the final page)?

"Mariko Yabe: By us walking,
are we at least creating a light breeze?"
p. 195, 'From the narrowly opened window'

"When I created the interview collection 'Children!'
['Children! 174 children aged 10 to 15 speak out', Shobunsha, July 1985]
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07H1S8VWM

I remember being surprised that even from elementary school age, girls had a strong interest in human relationships—that is, relationships with friends, parents, and teachers—and were skilled in the delicate techniques of reading what lies behind the surface, and then reading what lies behind that as well.

Boys are completely incompetent. They are just one-sidedly having their inner thoughts read by girls, and one can hardly feel any desire on their part to try to read into the depths of human relationships."
Kaitaro Tsuno (1938.4.6- )
'Basic Interview Techniques'
'Proposals for Editing', Kokucho-sha, March 2022, p. 53
'Science of Thought', December 1989 issue
https://note.com/fe1955/n/n58bcec8e9560

"Until I read Tatsuki Uchida's (1950.9.30- )
'The Flying Classroom', I had never found stories with a boy protagonist interesting. Even when I read 'The Adventures of Tom Sawyer' or 'Treasure Island', the protagonists weren't particularly charming.
Well, they are pleasant characters, but they lack intellect. You know, boys are basically idiots, aren't they? (laughs). They have no inner life. If they think of something, they act on it immediately, right? They don't hesitate.
It was only when I read Kästner that I encountered a 'boy with an inner life' for the first time. 'The Flying Classroom' was the first time I met boys who hesitated."
Tatsuki Uchida & Keiko Takemiya, 'Manga Culture Theory of Bamboo and Tree', Shogakukan Shinsho, Dec. 2014
p. 78, 'Chapter 3: The "Work Power" That Grabs Readers'
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4098252228

"If you only eat at the company cafeteria, it gets suffocating, doesn't it?
Company cafeterias are cheap and all, but"
p. 34, 'There are so many old men and women at the company...'

Since "yom yom" is a Shinchosha magazine,
is the company cafeteria where Mariko and her friends eat so often,
modeled after the Shinchosha company cafeteria, which is famous for being well-equipped?

Yoko Hiramatsu, Silver Plate: Half a Century of the Shinchosha Company Cafeteria
http://www.shinchosha.co.jp/nami/tachiyomi/20170727_2.html
http://www.shinchosha.co.jp/nami/tachiyomi/20170828_2.html
http://www.shinchosha.co.jp/nami/tachiyomi/20170927_1.html
https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/nami/tachiyomi/20171027_1.html
"Nami" August-November 2017 Issues, Shinchosha

"September 28 (Thu) Chinese Lunch, 283 customers. The noble shrimp chili.
This is the specialty dish of Shinchosha company cafeteria chief chef Shigeyuki Aoki (50), who is formerly of the Tokyo Kaikan and has experience serving as a chef for the Emperor. To think that the shrimp chili once eaten by their Majesties the Emperor and Empress would be served here in Yaraicho—.

It was no ordinary shrimp chili. It was a luxurious version stir-fried with two types of seafood: plump, firm shrimp and thick squid scored with a knife to bloom like a flower. The mild spiciness and gentle sweet-and-sour flavor seeped in deeply.

In addition, there was Chinese cabbage and dried shrimp stew, seaweed soup, pickled mustard greens, rice, and even mango pudding for dessert. Despite being a meal that would be faultless even at a price of 1200 yen at a city restaurant, it costs only 200 yen per meal ticket. It is no wonder that 70% of the employees flock to it."

Bookmeter
Miri Masuda's Bookshelf (94 registered books, in order of publication date)
https://bookmeter.com/users/32140/bookcases/11802704

Manga Bookshelf (1793 registered books, in alphabetical order by author name)
https://bookmeter.com/users/32140/bookcases/11091192

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nd81cf8bcdd38
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Su-chan"
Gentosha, Published April 2006, 126 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nffff534c576f
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The First Bite"
Sekai Bunka Sha, Published October 2007, 160 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n884bfdd74b60
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Is It Okay Not to Get Married?
Su-chan's Tomorrow"
Gentosha, Published January 2008, 128 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/ndf2554dff0dc
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"My Ordinary, Laid-back Writer Life"
Bungeishunju, Published March 2009, 160 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n251e77c6c1f0
Miri Masuda (1969.1 - )
"Words I Can't Say"
Shueisha, Published August 2009, 152 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/na52279aee201
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Weekend, in the Forest"
Gentosha, Published September 2009, 158 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n6d61d390cecc
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Youth, Too Late"
Kadokawa Gakugei Shuppan, Published April 2010, 160 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/ne4e472cefcf1
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Nakimushi Chieko-san 1-4"
Shueisha, 2011.12-2015.9

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n3914a52feeac
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Otona Shogakusei" (Adult Elementary Student)
Poplar Publishing, Published February 2013

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n51363d897dde
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Sawamura-san-chi no Konna Mainichi: Heikin Nenrei 60-sai" (Such Days at the Sawamura House: Average Age 60), Bungeishunju, 2014.5
"Sawamura-san-chi wa Mou Inu o Kainai" (The Sawamura House Won't Keep a Dog Anymore), 2015.7
"Sawamura-san-chi no Hisashiburi no Ryoko" (The Sawamura House's First Trip in a While), 2017.6
"Sawamura-san-chi no Sorosoro Gohan desu yo" (It's Almost Time for Dinner at the Sawamura House), 2018.11
"Sawamura-san-chi no Tanoshii Oshaberi" (Fun Chats at the Sawamura House), 2021.5

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n811668adea05
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Kimi no Tonari de" (Next to You)
Gentosha, Published March 2016, 144 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n7c814f94da40
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Ocha no Jikan: Cafe ga Jibun no Heya-ka Shiteiru Koto nai desu ka?" (Tea Time: Do You Ever Feel Like a Cafe Is Your Own Room?)
Kodansha, Published June 2016, 152 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n76c4b1b03e5c
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Koharu Nikki" (Koharu's Diary)
KADOKAWA, Published October 2017, 144 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n8c06e4c313b9
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Eien no Odekake" (An Eternal Outing)
Mainichi Shimbun Publishing, Published January 2018, 160 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nff4e81ad1fc0
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Chiisai Koto ga Ki ni Narimasu" (I Worry About Little Things)
Chikuma Shobo, Published November 2019, 176 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n6c63e0621acd
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Kangaegoto Shitai Tabi: Finland to Cinnamon Roll" (A Trip Where I Want to Think: Finland and Cinnamon Rolls)
Gentosha, Published December 2020, 196 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n34187f2568ca
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Time Travel: Sekai Achikochi Tabi Nikki (Mainichi Bunko)" (Time Travel: Travel Diary Around the World)
Mainichi Shimbun Publishing, Published July 2022, 240 pages

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n4e6e744ed0ee
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"What Should I Have for a Snack Today? (Gentosha Bunko)"
Gentosha, Published March 2023, 192 pages
Below are works currently being serialized that have not yet been published in book form

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n399595d6e705
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time [Tempura Bowl]"
Shosetsu Gendai, March 2020 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n068291e7316c
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 2 [KUA AINA]"
Shosetsu Gendai, April 2020 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/na6befc784b54
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 3: Napolitan"
Shosetsu Gendai, May 2020 Issue
Yoshio Kataoka "Road to Napoli"
Tokyo Shoseki, 2008.9
Ernest Hemingway
"Big Two-Hearted River"
"In Our Time / Men Without Women
Hemingway Complete Short Stories 1 (Shinchosha Bunko)"
Shinchosha, 1995.10

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nfbfd3aebe82e
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 4 [Pork Hamonado]"
Shosetsu Gendai, June/July 2020 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n087c30666d4f
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 5 [Pizza]"
Shosetsu Gendai, August 2020 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n908a935b56a0
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 6 [Takoyaki]"
Shosetsu Gendai, September 2020 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nec394cf38006
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 7 [Beef Bowl]"
Shosetsu Gendai, October 2020 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/ncbf91b91383b
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 8 [Mos Burger]"
Shosetsu Gendai, November 2020 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nacaf68d1e5b7
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 9 [CoCo Ichibanya]"
Shosetsu Gendai, December 2020 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nbd2fcd9e4211
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 10 [Pierogi]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" January 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nec9dd72b6a7c
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 11 [Gracoro]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" February 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/ne5400d5af35d
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 12 [Tianjin Rice]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" March 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nb88e6343d220
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 13 [School Lunch]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" April 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n7456d99b0005
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 14 [Fried Rice]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" May/June 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n2054f533c8b5
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 15 [Mapo Tofu]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" July 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nbd0fd3d5f69f
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 16 [Red Bean Paste and Butter Bread]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" August 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n87be8c828aa7
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 17 [Kalbi Bento]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" September 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n833424124017
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 18 [Frozen Bread Set]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" October 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nb1a9c4cfa40f
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 19 [Lu Rou Fan]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" November 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nbd8d8621d388
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 23 [Tacos]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" April 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n64bc7e7ff617
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 24 ["Exploring the World's Kitchens"]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" May & June 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n04b87e0790bc
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time Part 25
[Ginza West Toast Ham Sandwich and Half & Half Cream Puff]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" July 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nf3d217db4377
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 26 [Nakameguro "Bakery & Cafe Sawamura"
Milk Stick and Cold Turnip Soup]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" August 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n9b6506ff5053
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 27 [Delicious Fruit Sandwich]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" September 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n728e1500f005
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 28 [Pork Vindaloo Curry]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" October 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n9122198db38f
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"Lunch Time
Part 30 [Gucci Osteria]"
"Shosetsu Gendai" December 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n4005d030b2cc
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa
Part 1: Gumball Machine"
"Shosetsu Shincho" April 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n287c38765724
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa
Part 2: Camping"
"Shosetsu Shincho" May 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n70ab569a2d77
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa
Part 3: Fruit Sandwich"
"Shosetsu Shincho" June 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nb2333a394bc0
Miri Masuda (1969.1 - )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa,
Part 4: Bonsai"
Shosetsu Shincho, July 2021 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n03e0124711c3
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa,
Part 15: Tambourine"
Shosetsu Shincho, June 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/nc3ff62945455
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa,
Part 16: Maneki-neko"
Shosetsu Shincho, July 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n8f35950361cf
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa,
Part 17: Ice Cream"
Shosetsu Shincho, August 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n437f97a6bf2f
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa,
Part 18: Wallet"
Shosetsu Shincho, September 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/naae9d704c6ab
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa,
Part 19: Telescope"
Shosetsu Shincho, October 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/na24d0b12715b
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa,
Part 20: Donut"
Shosetsu Shincho, November 2022 Issue

https://note.com/fe1955/n/n820ad67ad799
Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa,
Final Episode [Part 21]: Walnut"
Shosetsu Shincho, December 2022 Issue

Miri Masuda (1969.1- )
"The Life of Natsuko Tsuyukusa"
Shinchosha, Scheduled for release June 29, 2023
272 pages, 1,980 yen
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4103519827
"Without expecting anything, without despairing, people can still go on living— A moving masterpiece, the author's longest work to date, with unexpected developments! Natsuko, a 32-year-old manga artist, spends the second spring of the mask-wearing era. Feeling uneasy about social inequality and pondering over someone's casual remark, Natsuko draws 'now' in her manga. Because by drawing, she can face the world, someone else, and herself. 'Why is it so wonderful to be able to understand each other?' A story dedicated to 'you' who lives by cherishing your own 'likes'."