: Originally published in Japan in 2000, English translations exist but are often out of print and considered rare collector's items.
: A recurring theme in reviews is the author's apparent lack of guilt. The narrative is presented without the moral condemnation usually found in the genre, which readers describe as "chilling" and "uncomfortably detailed". Critical Consensus
" is the only true comic-style work, Sagawa authored several other books detailing his life and crime, often found in PDF or paperback formats:
It is important to approach these materials with caution. Issei Sagawa was never convicted for his crimes due to being declared legally insane in France, and his subsequent return to Japan allowed him to profit from his notoriety for decades. The manga often reflects this lack of remorse, which can be deeply upsetting for many readers.
Arrested by French authorities, Sagawa was deemed unfit for trial due to mental insanity. After spending time in a French asylum, he was deported to Japan in 1984, where Japanese authorities declared him sane but could not hold him due to lack of proper extradition paperwork. He walked free.