Dokuoya Survival

In Dokuoya Survival, author Mariko Kikuchi presents a powerful manga anthology born from deeply personal interviews with ten individuals who endured and ultimately survived toxic upbringings. Including Kikuchi herself, the collection brings together eleven voices—ranging from well-known public figures to everyday people—each carrying distinct emotional scars inflicted by the very parents meant to protect them. Rather than presenting a single narrative, the work weaves these individual accounts into a compelling visual exploration of familial trauma and resilience. The stories within the manga confront a wide spectrum of parental abuse, illustrating how differently these wounds can manifest. Readers encounter harrowing accounts of children raised by alcoholics, as well as those subjected to relentless verbal assaults and physical violence. Other chapters delve into the suffocating reality of parents who unilaterally force their own values onto their children, or those who continuously exploit their offspring for financial gain. Perhaps most devastating are the accounts of caregivers who simply turned a blind eye, allowing such destructive environments to persist unchecked. Through its honest and unflinching portrayal of these experiences, the manga stands as both a testament to survival and a profound reflection on the lasting impact of abusive households.