"I realized it one day. The lyrics I struggled to create are only made up so I would have something to sing. Nothing genuine can come out of these flat and boring and ambiguous lives we're living, out of faking your worries for the sake of it".

The works of Asano Inio are very often different on the uptake of life and society and this was no exception.On the surface, this is a story about a couple in their twenties who are in the midst of self exploration.Some things happen and then the story takes a slightly different route.It is a relatively short manga with only 2 volumes(28 chapters in total) but I think that it was never meant to be long.

The feelings of anxiety,uncertainty,mediocrity,hopelessness etc. which plagues the minds of the younger people nowadays is more or less perfectly displayed through the various panels of the manga.The central theme of the manga is linked to music though it does not drag it down to the ground.

The characters themselves are flawed which makes them realistic to their cores.The monologues in the story are nicely written and at various points add to the melancholic atmosphere.

The art is unique and supplements the manga very well.Some panels are very beautifully drawn.Inclusion of some photos in the later chapters and tuning them to be in sync with the style of the manga was also a nice effort.

Well I can't say that I didn't enjoyed Solanin but it left me with some uneasy feelings.On the whole it was a nice experience and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to read some slice of life done in a slightly different way.