またまたLINEの貼り付けで恐縮だが、先日、ある人物とこんなやりとりをした。 Once again, I’m afraid I’m pasting something from LINE, but the other day I had an exchange with someone that went like this.
I remember the ABC Book series very well. The illustrations were so realistic that they were actually quite scary. When I asked ChatGPT about it, here’s what I learned:
Overview of the “ABC Book” series Publication period: A complete 26-volume series published between 1966 and 1967 (Showa 41–42). Structure: Large-format hardcover books with orange covers. Each volume begins by introducing the uppercase and lowercase forms of a letter, with unique, beautiful illustrations and designs for each volume. Each two-page spread features an English word corresponding to that letter, accompanied by an illustration. The word then forms the basis for a story. At the end of each volume is a five-page vocabulary section illustrated by a different artist. Just before the back cover, there’s a map showing the story’s country of origin along with playful drawings.
The series presents folktales and stories from around the world in meticulous, detailed illustrations. Each volume is highly polished, with designs that can excite and move even adult readers.
さて、この話、つづきがあって、、 Now, this story has a continuation…
「主人公が助かるため?いくつもの試練を受けて、最後の関門が自分の母親(化身)を全裸にさせる…その化身が最後のショーツ1枚は勘弁してくれと泣きながら懇願する…いたたまれない主人公は許してしまう…でもってそれまでの試練克服が水泡と化してしまう…」 For the protagonist to survive—perhaps?—they must undergo a series of trials. The final challenge requires them to strip their own mother (in disguise) completely naked… but this disguised mother tearfully begs, “Please, at least spare my last pair of shorts.” Unable to bear it, the protagonist allows her to keep them… and as a result, all the trials they had overcome up to that point are rendered meaningless.
むしろ、内容的に当時のマンガなどではないかという気もする(当時は結構えぐいものがあったから…)。 こんな話、聞いたことある人いますか? As I mentioned in my LINE reply, I don’t think this is from the ABC Book series. Even ChatGPT couldn’t identify it. When it comes to stories involving parents, I personally think of Toshishun, but the story is quite different. I actually suspect it might be from a manga of that era instead—back then, some stories were surprisingly intense. Has anyone ever heard of a story like this?
Addition: I found a blog listing the lineup of ABC books, but it seems that the story above still does not belong to the ABC books. ABC Book “A”–“Z”, Complete 26 Volumes, Sekai Publishing https://booksalba.exblog.jp/20910439/