A young man's desperate attempts to find meaning and connection in a world he perceives as alien and hostile drive him to increasingly self-destructive behaviors. Yozo Oba believes that to survive, he must constantly perform, masking his true feelings with a facade of humor and subservience. This internal struggle isolates him, pushing him further into a cycle of alienation, addiction, and despair as he grapples with his own perceived inadequacies and the superficiality of human relationships.

Usamaru Furuya's adaptation of Osamu Dazai's seminal work is widely recognized for its powerful and unflinching portrayal of existential despair. Critics and readers alike have praised Furuya's distinctive artistic style, which masterfully captures the psychological turmoil of the protagonist, Yozo Oba. The manga is noted for its faithful yet visually dynamic interpretation of Dazai's themes of alienation and the struggle for human connection. This adaptation is often considered a significant work within the genre, offering a compelling visual narrative that resonates with the original novel's enduring impact.