Donten ni Warau

Donten ni Warau, known in English as Laughing Under the Clouds, was created by the mangaka Karakara Kemuri and originally serialized in the monthly magazine Comic Avarus between 2011 and 2013. Set during the early Meiji era, the series explores a period of rapid modernization in Japan, centering on the three Kumo brothers who act as guardians of the gate to the prison at the center of Lake Biwa. The narrative deftly blends historical fiction with fantasy elements, focusing on the emotional weight of family duty amidst a shifting political landscape.

The series is celebrated for its distinctive visual style, characterized by Kemuri’s fluid, expressive character designs that lean into a bishōnen aesthetic while maintaining the gritty atmosphere of historical drama. The manga was well-received upon its release, leading to a successful transition into various media formats including a stage play, an anime adaptation by Doga Kobo, and a live-action feature film. Its success established Kemuri as a notable voice in the genre, effectively capturing the transition from the samurai era to the modern age through the lens of fraternal loyalty.