A Surprising Discovery in a Tokyo Bookstore Led Me to the Mountains

The topic is documentaries.

It is Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 4:30 am.

My trip to a Tokyo bookstore was unexpected.

Six Australian filmmakers are traveling the world to make short films.

This is William He's experience in Japan.

Some people might find this article distressing.

I am on a train to Mount Mitake, outside Tokyo, to be alone.

I visited a rare bookstore in Tokyo to make a film about manga artists.

I found a rare book that became my focus and a moral dilemma.

The book is an autobiographical manga written by a cannibal.

One image from the manga is less horrific than the others.

The manga describes the author's crimes and feelings in detail.

The book appeals to people due to morbid curiosity and fascination.

I was initially fascinated but soon felt ashamed.

The book profits from a crime without acknowledging the victim's suffering.

The author built a career from his infamy, including films and books.

Reading the story can make you feel sick.

By producing content about this story, I am also profiting.

I don't typically make films about such stories, but I took on the challenge.

The bookseller says most media coverage was for a 'quick buck'.

The bookseller considers the book a 'slice of history' despite feeling gross.

The bookseller has become desensitized to horrific content.

The book is a historical account, albeit a strange one, in manga form.

There is a balance between confronting horrific things and being offensive.

The bookseller has become desensitized over the years.

He admits to being 'a bit jaded'.

I felt the same sentiment while editing the film.

I had to read the book multiple times and felt less disgusted each time.

I was searching for clearer air at Mount Mitake.

It's easy to become desensitized to terrible things, especially in media.

We see similar narratives in news coverage of war zones.

I hope my film sparks discussion about these issues.

I'm getting off the train at Mount Mitake, hoping for fresher air.

William He is a contestant on ABC iview's Race Around The World.

It is Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 4:30 am.

It is Friday, July 17, 2026, at 7:21 am.

See more ABC coverage in your search results.

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A Surprising Discovery in a Tokyo Bookstore Led Me to the Mountains

The topic is documentaries.

It is Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 4:30 am.

My trip to a Tokyo bookstore was unexpected.

Six Australian filmmakers are traveling the world to make short films.

This is William He's experience in Japan.

Some people might find this article distressing.

I am on a train to Mount Mitake, outside Tokyo, to be alone.

I visited a rare bookstore in Tokyo to make a film about manga artists.

I found a rare book that became my focus and a moral dilemma.

The book is an autobiographical manga written by a cannibal.

One image from the manga is less horrific than the others.

The manga describes the author's crimes and feelings in detail.

The book appeals to people due to morbid curiosity and fascination.

I was initially fascinated but soon felt ashamed.

The book profits from a crime without acknowledging the victim's suffering.

The author built a career from his infamy, including films and books.

Reading the story can make you feel sick.

By producing content about this story, I am also profiting.

I don't typically make films about such stories, but I took on the challenge.

The bookseller says most media coverage was for a 'quick buck'.

The bookseller considers the book a 'slice of history' despite feeling gross.

The bookseller has become desensitized to horrific content.

The book is a historical account, albeit a strange one, in manga form.

There is a balance between confronting horrific things and being offensive.

The bookseller has become desensitized over the years.

He admits to being 'a bit jaded'.

I felt the same sentiment while editing the film.

I had to read the book multiple times and felt less disgusted each time.

I was searching for clearer air at Mount Mitake.

It's easy to become desensitized to terrible things, especially in media.

We see similar narratives in news coverage of war zones.

I hope my film sparks discussion about these issues.

I'm getting off the train at Mount Mitake, hoping for fresher air.

William He is a contestant on ABC iview's Race Around The World.

It is Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 4:30 am.

It is Friday, July 17, 2026, at 7:21 am.

See more ABC coverage in your search results.

Promotion

Top Stories

Family Law

Federal Government

LIVE

Oil and Gas

Analysis by Michelle Grattan

Top Stories

Family Law

Federal Government

LIVE

Oil and Gas

Analysis by Michelle Grattan

Just In

Telecommunications Services Industry

It is Friday, July 17, 2026, at 12:10 pm.

Music Industry

It is Friday, July 17, 2026, at 12:08 pm.

Domestic Violence

It is Friday, July 17, 2026, at 12:00 pm.

BREAKING

It is Friday, July 17, 2026, at 12:14 pm.