Screw-Style

Screw-Style, or Neji-shiki, was published in the June 1968 issue of the legendary alternative manga magazine Garo. Created by Yoshiharu Tsuge during a period of deep personal introspection, the work marked a pivotal shift in the medium of manga. Tsuge drew from his own subconscious and recurring nightmares, specifically a dream about being bitten by a jellyfish, to construct a surreal, disjointed narrative that abandoned traditional linear storytelling in favor of psychological exploration.

The visual style of Screw-Style reflects the author’s attempt to capture the uncanniness of the subconscious, utilizing stark, gritty realism to depict environments that shift abruptly in logic and geography. Upon its release, the story was highly polarizing, confusing mainstream readers while simultaneously establishing itself as a foundational text of the gekiga movement. It is now widely regarded as one of the most influential works in Japanese literature for legitimizing manga as a serious vehicle for avant-garde and experimental expression.