A Spirit of the Sun

"A Spirit of the Sun" (Taiyou no Mokushiroku) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kaiji Kawaguchi. Set in the early 21st century, the story revolves around Japan being devastated by a series of massive earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. The protagonist is Genichiro Ryu, a resourceful young boy who strives to survive in the aftermath. Japan is split into two, with the north controlled by China and the south by the U.S., the economy collapses, and millions perish. Amidst this chaos, Genichiro displays incredible adaptability and optimism, asserting that "Above the clouds and ash, the sun still shines and the sky is still blue." The manga was serialized in Shogakukan's Big Comic from 2002 to 2008, with a total of 17 volumes. A second part, "A Spirit of the Sun 2: Foundation Chapter," was serialized from 2008 to 2010. Additionally, a 2-episode anime TV special adaptation was produced by Madhouse and aired in 2006. The series has won the 51st Shogakukan Manga Award in the General category, as well as the Grand Prize at the 10th Japan Media Arts Festival.