Doing Time

Doing Time is a semi-autobiographical manga based on the real-life experiences of author Kazuichi Hanawa, who was arrested and detained for violating firearms possession laws. The story centers on a protagonist driven by an intense, unwavering passion for collecting guns. Despite living in a country where private firearm ownership is strictly prohibited, he finds himself entirely unable to suppress his deep-seated fascination with weapons. For the main character, this hobby is not merely a passing interest but an irresistible compulsion that defies legal boundaries. He understands the severe risks involved in pursuing such a collection within a society that outlaws it, yet he feels powerless to change his own nature. With no viable way to abandon his obsession, he chooses to continue acquiring firearms in secret, constantly hoping that his illicit activities will go unnoticed by the authorities. Ultimately, fortune does not favor him, and his worst fears are realized when his actions catch up with him. Following his arrest for bearing arms, the narrative shifts its focus to his subsequent incarceration. The manga chronicles his firsthand experience navigating the rigid routines and stark realities of prison life, offering a grounded and personal account of the consequences born from an unyielding obsession.