Afghanis-tan (Afghanistan)
Japanese edition cover
あふがにすタン
(Afuganisu-tan)
Genre
Manga
Written byTimaking (ちまきing)
Published bySansaiBooks
MagazineOnline
Original runOctober 2003 – February 2005
Volumes1
Manga
Pakis-tan
Written byTimaking (ちまきing)
Published bySansaiBooks
MagazineOnline
Original runFebruary 2005 – Late Winter/Early Spring 2005
Volumes1

Afghanis-tan (あふがにすタン, Afuganisu-tan, see note on name below) or Afghanistan is a Japanese yonkoma manga, originally published as a webcomic, by Timaking (ちまきing). It is also the name of the protagonist of the manga. The manga is nicknamed Afgan (あふがん, Afugan)

Background

Afghanis-tan illustrates the modern history of Afghanistan and its neighboring countries, starting from the imperialist era in the 19th century, through moe anthropomorphism. The title character, a short and clumsy bishōjo, is a national personification of Afghanistan. Other female characters personify the nearby nations of Central Asia, such as Pakistan and Uzbekistan. Nations that have fought wars in Afghanistan at various times, such as Britain, the Soviet Union and the United States also make appearances. The Taliban regime and Al-Qaeda terrorist group are also represented in the comic as feral cats.

Each yonkoma strip is accompanied by an "Afghan Memo" that explains some of the background and history of the nations depicted. Additional pages give short biographies of the characters.

The fact that it is a moe manga depicting international conflict, and the fact that it personifies countries, has drawn some criticism. However, it has also drawn attention for its attempt to blend an appropriate depiction of the history and background of each country with the personality of its characters.

Afghanis-tan has finished, and work on its sequel, "Pakis-tan" (ISBN 4-86199-116-1), was suspended after four editions but was released in 2008 by the company SansaiBooks. The author of both the comics caught a virus on his computer that leaked his personal info, after which he took down his website and moved on from associating with the comics.

On July 26, 2005, after several delays, the series went on sale as a comic book, "Afghanis-tan" (ISBN 4-86199-009-2).

Characters

Afghanis-tan (あふがにすタン, Afuganisu-tan, represents Afghanistan)
The protagonist of the series, an unfortunate girl surrounded by neighbors with strong personalities. According to her character description, "she trips and falls a lot". Her design appears to be based on Sharbat Gula, an Afghan woman whose iconic photo appeared on the cover of the June 1985 issue of National Geographic.
Pakis-tan (ぱきすタン, Pakisu-tan, represents Pakistan)
Boastful, and often feels lonely, especially without Kashmir. Likes Afghanis-tan.
Uzbekis-tan (うずべきすタン, Uzubekisu-tan, represents Uzbekistan)
Stubborn and a sore loser. Often quarrels with Pakis-tan. Idolizes "Older-Sister Russia".
Tajikis-tan (たじきすタン, Tajikisu-tan, represents Tajikistan)
A salt-of-the-earth Edokko type, quick to argue and quick to make up. Has girlish tastes.
Kyrgyzs-tan (きるぎすタン, Kirugisu-tan, represents Kyrgyzstan)
Quick-thinking and sharp-tongued. Always riding on a wooden horse.
Turkmenis-tan (とるくめにすタン, Torukumenisu-tan, represents Turkmenistan)
A girl with a mysterious personality. One never knows her true thoughts. (Cf. Saparmurat Niyazov)
Meriken (めりけん, represents the United States)
The richest person in the neighborhood and a bully.
Al-Nyaida (あるにゃいだ, Arunyaida, represents Al-Qaeda)
A group of feral cats causing trouble in the neighborhood. Come to live in Afghanis-tan's house while she is out.

Reception

Around the time when the book was published by Sansai Books, part of the intention was to provide information about the current state of Afghanistan.

There is criticism that using the style of moe trivializes the situation. In particular, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 were depicted as "an incident where a cat called Al-Qaeda bit America", a fact which was severely criticized in the secondary work, "Introduction to the Kashmir conflict (カシミール紛争入門, Kashimīru Funsō Nyūmon)".

Collections

No. Title Release date ISBN
1Afghanis-tan (あふがにすタン, Afuganisu-tan)July 26, 2006978-4-8619-9009-0
2Pakis-tan (ぱきすタン, Pakisu-tan)August 30, 2008978-4-8619-9116-5

See also

References

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