Ressentiment

Ressentiment is a psychological seinen manga series written and illustrated by Kengo Hanazawa, serialized in Big Comic Spirits between 2005 and 2006. The narrative explores the social isolation and existential malaise of a middle-aged protagonist who finds solace in a high-fidelity virtual reality dating simulator. By focusing on the intersection of technological escapism and the lonely reality of the modern Japanese worker, Hanazawa captures a poignant, often uncomfortable critique of late-stage bachelorhood and the digital mediation of human connection.

The artistic style of Ressentiment reflects Hanazawa's signature attention to mundane details and raw, grounded character expressions, which serve to heighten the contrast between the protagonist's drab daily life and his curated virtual fantasies. Upon its release, the series was recognized for its dark humor and psychological depth, cementing Hanazawa's reputation as a keen observer of societal fringes. It is widely considered a precursor to his later, more internationally renowned work, I Am a Hero, sharing thematic threads regarding the struggles of disconnected, ordinary individuals.