Naoki Urasawa is no longer to be introduced. The famous mangaka of Monster, 20th Century Boys or Pluto is a major author of Japanese comics. His characteristic style, his narration and his Western influences allowed him to impose himself very quickly. He is an author particularly appreciated by the general public, no need to be a manga reader to get used to it. We find him with his collection of short stories ATCHOUM ! released on September 25, 2020 by Kana. Sneeze! / sneeze / kushami : Escapes impromptu. Refers to short stories, as opposed to serialized long stories. "Temporarily distorts any face, even that of the most beautiful women." 
These are not his first short stories. Before his long, resoundingly successful series, he had already set about the task. The author has never really detached himself from this format and seems to be comfortable with it. This collection allows us to enter into the intimacy of the author, within his personal universe. With these short stories, he takes us from laughter to tears. Several facets of the author then open to us, Naoki Urasawa shows us here his talent.
SNEEZE! or the ode to life
8 stories, 8 destinies, 8 notes. Naoki Urasawa is passionate about music, and especially rock, especially 60s-70s, we often find this theme and / or references in his works. His stories flow naturally like musical notes. These stories mixing fantasy, humor, morality, nostalgia or sorrow carry an intriguing sensitivity. 
Through classical storytelling, the artist takes us out of reality with these touches of fantasy. But these stories are well done, sometimes deviated from their initial trajectory with a touch of humanity that embellishes this atmosphere filled with sincerity. In this collection we find the first story, (DAMIYAN) with a father enlisted in the mafia who does not often see his family and who hires two brothers, one of whom has a psychokinetic power. In the second story, (Aim for the Moon!) It's about a thrilling thriller with a journalist and an old soothsayer! In the rest of the stories, we discover among other things the personal life of Urasawa with trips to rock concerts. He puts himself on stage in his musical journey to Los Angeles with the meeting of talented musicians. There is also the tribute to his late musician friend Kenji Endo in It's a Beautiful Day, a touching passage where the author gives himself a little more. In another genre, a story of Kaiju (The Kingdom of Kaiju), these giant monsters out of the Japanese cinematographic imagination with a Frenchman as the main character! We know the interest of the author for the France especially with Angoulême. The collaboration for a sci-fi story (Solo Mission) with a French publisher and therefore read from left to right, is an equally original perspective! Not to mention the story of two mice (Henry & Charles), coveting a strawberry cake reminding us of some Disney. The use of watercolor gives a humorous and pleasant tone to this mini-adventure. The author tries different artistic styles that allow us to confirm all his talent as a draftsman and director. We find the expressions given to the characters which are a great strength of the artist. These ephemeral stories are subjects that question in the long term, we can wonder indefinitely about their meaning. This anthology allows fans to discover the different facets of the author and at the same time to find a summary of his influences and his past works.
