Sawako Honna: Age 42, Single, Female
Sawako Honna is a dedicated employee at Girlfriend, a prominent film marketing company. Her job consumes her life as she races to organize film premieres, covers for her unreliable male colleague Umeki, and manages demanding clients. One morning, Sawako wakes up with her heart racing. After yet another stressful day, her younger colleague Mitsuki notices Sawako sweating profusely and asks if she’s okay, suggesting it might be menopause. Following a frightening episode, Sawako finds herself in the emergency room late at night. The doctor reassures her that everything is fine, but Sawako realizes a harsh truth: tomorrow could be her last.
Confronting Change
In her struggle to come to terms with her health, Sawako thinks about writing a will and begins decluttering her apartment. However, she faces challenges due to the numerous signed items she has collected through her job, including a light-up Tardis. At the hospital, she spots Tomoyuki Arioka, a man from Iwada Entertainment, who had previously offered her encouragement after the last film premiere she arranged. Although she considers approaching him, she ultimately decides against it.
Toko Komiya’s Journey
Toko Komiya is a 42-year-old housewife with a student daughter, Yuki. With her husband sent abroad for work for six months, Toko feels aimless and decides to take a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant. While her kitchen coworkers are also in their forties, most of the staff are younger men, prompting Yuki to deliver pointed warnings: “Nobody’s looking at anyone our age anyway.” Toko reminisces about her youth, longing for the days when she felt like a flower blooming for the first time. For reasons she can’t explain, she recalls her middle-school friend, Sawako Honna, who once joked, “I wanna die when I’m fifty-five.” Amused by this memory, Toko resolves to reach out to Sawako after all these years and suggest they meet.
Unexpected Encounters
Meanwhile, Sawako continues to endure various health issues. Is it “frozen shoulder forties,” or is it merely the result of accumulated stress? One day, she unexpectedly encounters Tomoyuki Arioka, who invites her to dinner. Curious about his intentions, she accepts, only to be blindsided when he presents a list of his film-related collectibles and asks if she’d like any titles. He then reveals a shocking truth: he has terminal cancer. Overwhelmed by this news, Sawako bursts into tears, as this revelation is the last thing she expected. Despite her sorrow, Arioka remains calm and determined, eager to pursue a long-held dream: making a film.
Reconnecting with the Past
Eventually, Sawako opens Toko’s letter. Is it too late to reconnect? Is it wise to meet after so many years apart?
A Realistic Portrayal
Don’t be fooled by the charming, flower-filled pastel cover art; Sumako Kari’s portrayal of Sawako experiencing “the change” is refreshingly realistic and unfiltered. The narrative includes humorous touches, such as Yuki’s playful jabs at her mother, while also depicting their mother-daughter relationship in a genuine, affectionate light. Although Sawako and Toko’s experiences resonate particularly with women in their forties, the story appeals to a broader audience. It’s refreshing to have a series that focuses on the everyday lives of women beyond their twenties, presenting them in a relatable and realistic manner.
Sumako Kari: A Talented Mangaka
Sumako Kari has a lengthy career as a mangaka, having created numerous josei and Boys’ Love titles. Some of her BL works, including Lying Devil and All That Pierces the Heart, are available in English on futekiya. Her distinct and minimalistic art style allows her to convey deep emotions in characters’ expressions with just a few strokes of the pen. She masterfully tells a compelling story through visuals.
Translation and Availability
The translation by David Bove for Tokyopop flows smoothly. The second volume (of four) is already available digitally, with the paperback set to follow in April. A charming bonus page from the mangaka humorously addresses her personal experience with shoulder problems, which many readers can relate to.
Conclusion
Though Since I Could Die Tomorrow centers on a forty-something protagonist, it explores themes of aging and the meaning of life in a light-hearted yet insightful manner. The story offers an uplifting perspective on life, making it a worthwhile read for all. It won the 23rd Japan Media Arts Festival Excellence Award and was nominated for the 2020 Manga Taisho Award. I wholeheartedly recommend it—not just to those in their forties.
