Another amazing work by Tsukumizu

Shimeji Simulation is the spiritual and emotional successor to Girl's Last Tour (Even featuring cameos of Chito and Yuuri themselves) and a wonderful piece by Tsukumizu.

The manga doesn't have too much of a linear plot, as it is more of a series of ideas separated in each chapter. The story follows Shijima (Or Shimeji-chan), a shut-in who after being in her closet for years grew a pair of shimejis out of her head, and Majime, a cheerful girl born with a sunny-side up egg on her head. It follows a surreal depiction of everyday school life, where every chapter focuses on a different strange idea or scenario.

The art itself is very freeform and simplified, and Tsukumizu uses it to capture emotions more than any physical imagery. The cityscapes and characters all feel dreamlike, with everything often just barely resembling what we see in our everyday lives. The content behind it all seems pretty nonsensical and meaningless, while still fitting the calming nature of the series. Every chapter you dont know what to expect, but every chapter always seems fulfilling in it's own special way. Everything is incredibly relaxing, and reading Shimeji Simulation constantly feels like an escape in it's own right.

The concepts the surrealism covers are all seemingly odd. From fish to language to God to really deep holes, on paper, none of it fits together in the slightest. And yet, despite that, everything on every panel, everything said, each thing pictured, seems to be deliberately structured into one whole cohesive world. None of Shimeji Simulation seems "unnecessary" or "filler," yet at a glance none of it seems super plot-relevant either. It all interlocks together perfectly, yet never in a way you would imagine things fit together. It is like a concoction or an amalgamation of both complicated ideas and simple figures, yet when thrown together creates one perfect Shimeji cake.

Wording this all is difficult. However, Shimeji simulation is an experience that is difficult to put into words. It is more than what it seems at first. It's not for everyone, it truly isnt, but if you liked Girl's Last Tour, I would highly encourage checking Shimeji Simulation out. Tsukumizu is one of my favorite artists and a massive inspiration, so I hope everyone else can experience the same odd sense of joy I did.

My final words, Shimeji Simulation is a piece of art that you will never find anything similar to. It is one of the most unique things I have ever read, and I want to tell anyone I can about it. If you have yet to check out Shimeji Simulation, I tell that you please do. I believe it needs more recognition.