Barefoot Gen Vol. 4: Out Of The Ashes

Even though I had to skip volume 3 (Apparently the library hasn't got it back), volume 4 is still easy to follow along. Gen continues trying to survive with what is left of his family and some of his new friends. The stories are humorous but still heartbreaking. I agree that the physical violence shtick gets old quickly, but looking past that (a remnant of old timey cartoon humor, I believe) the characters are full of heart and spirit. And as usual, the message of pacifism and the unequivocal rejection of war and war-mongers is what really makes this books. Along with a intimate and honest look at post-war Japanese every day life.
Easy to read and fun... get on it, people!

By now we know all the obvious stuff. And the story starts exposing some of the more unexpected things: The rejection that hibakusha (bomb survivors) faced in Japanese society, the corruption of the medical profession, the experiments and exploitation the americans started and how the Japanese happily played along.
Although the tone is light and friendly, the deeper subject matter gets darker and more horrifying.

Two years after the war, the life for the Nakaokas has settled somehow. They are still struggling to survive, and this volume centers more on the chaos unleashed after society has been broken. Yakuza mafias are taking over and there's little that police or authority can do to help. Although the bomb is still ever present, looming over everything in the story, we are now into society dynamics, into loyalty friendship and love.
I absolutely love this Barefoot Gen series and kind of wish that everyone read it at least once. It is simple and clear: War is wrong and it only hurts all of us.