Do you all know about ”Taroman”? He is that ”extraordinary” tokusatsu hero who suddenly appeared on NHK E-Tele in the summer of 2022 and instantly became a hot topic on social media. This character, who seems to embody the spirit of Taro Okamoto himself, has now returned in book form. That is ”Taroman: What is This? An Introduction.” Even from the title, it lightly leaps over common sense, but there is no doubt you will be even more surprised once you turn the pages.

The charm of this book lies in the fact that it is more than just a character book. At first glance, it looks exactly like a children's book from the Showa era. However, it has been reconstructed with modern sensibilities, blending nostalgia and novelty in an exquisite balance. It feels as if Shogakukan's ”Introductory Encyclopedia Series” from the 1970s has time-traveled directly to us. The editorial team's playfulness and serious commitment ooze from every page.

You won't be able to stop turning the pages as you are drawn in by mysterious headlines such as ”The 8 Nonsense Brothers” and ”Strange Beasts of the Jomon Period.” As you read on, you will surely find yourself pulled into the world of Taroman before you know it. Moreover, the content of this book is surprisingly deep. The satire and artistic spirit hidden behind the surreal visuals give even adults something to think about. It is a rare book that makes you laugh like a child while making you groan in admiration from an adult perspective, thinking, ”This is amazing.”

This book can be recommended to anyone. For children, it offers pure excitement with its ”extraordinary” visuals and bizarre developments. For adults, it provides Taro Okamoto-esque philosophy and respect for expression that transcends eras. The greatness of this book is that it can be enjoyed from different angles. You will be startled by the cover itself, thinking ”What is this!”, but after reading, a mysterious reading experience awaits where you strangely find yourself convinced, thinking, ”So this was Taroman......”

For those who have not yet experienced Taroman, this book is the perfect entrance. It’s a chance to savor the impact and laughter felt in the video works, this time thoroughly on paper. And for those who are already hooked, it is a valuable book both as a collection item and as reading material. Above all, every time you turn a page, words like ”nonsense,” ”strange,” and ”imagination” truly jump out at you. You simply have to read it.