Huge huge HUGE thanks to Yen Press for sending me this to review!!
About the Mangaka
Azuma Kiyohiko is the creator of Azumanga Daioh as well as Yotsuba&!, as well as other hentai manga as well. Due to the way he writes his name there has been debate over whether he was a guy or gal.
He has several websites, the first, is the website of studio. The second, is his personal website. Both are in japanese.
About the Manga
When I first heard of Yen Press picking up this series I wasn’t to impressed, or interested. For Me, Yotsuba&! didn’t look all that impressive to me. Also, it was incomplete and looked unlikely ever to be finished. However when Yen picked it up I sort of grew interested. All I can say is WHY DIDN’T I PICK THIS UP EARLIER!!
This series is amazing, and is nothing more than a giggle fest from the first to the last.
What really interested me initially were the cover designs, which are different to what we usually see on manga. I really like the designs, and they drive home this being a slice of life manga, as well as introducing us to Azuma’s rather unique art style.
I have to admit I initially wasn’t to impressed with the art style, it felt like he wasn’t trying. However within a few chapters I’d changed my opinion on this. Rather than not trying, Azuma has put a lot of thought and work into his art and I really grew to love it.
The art breaks with normal traditions of shojo and shonen manga, and paves it’s own path. The result is some really interesting character designs, especially Yotsuba. Her character design is pure cuteness to the max. In all six volumes I had no complaints about any of the characters. Which is damned rare for me, I can count on one hand the series where that’s happened.
While reading the first volume I was concerned over one element, and that that was Yotsuba would be the only comic relief in the series. However what makes this series so awesome is that there are plenty of comic relief elements for all of the cast, though as you can guess Yotsuba is the main source.
Asagi is awesome, the way she manipulates Yotsuba into tormenting Fuuka is awesome, and is usually the cause of hilarity.
What this series excels at though is that it’s empty. There’s no real story involved, it simply follows the daily life of Yotsuba, her dad and their neighbours. And that’s why I think it works so well. There’s no supper powers, nothing special, it’s simple fun at it’s best.
The story is episodic, with each chapter having a title and the chapter being relevant to the title in some way. Usually I don’t like episodic stuff, as it tends to not flow very well. However I really liked the way this series flows. There’s no lurching or jagged feel to it.
I do have to admit I have a minor gripe, but this a personal dislike rather than a fault with the manga itself. That is the way the neighbours are introduced. Initially it’s just the sisters, and then mom appears. Nothing major there, however a big fuss is made over the missing dad. And I got the impression that they were trying to cover his death up to protect Ena who believed he was working. Everything about the way that scene and scenario played out leads to that conclusion. Then a few chapters later he suddenly appears, overall I thought it could of been handled a bit better.
It’s very hard to write a review for a series where nothing happens hehe.
Yen Press rereleased the original five volumes, along with volume six this month, and I have to say I’m impressed. While I haven’t read the original ADV translations, but I have to admit I love Yen’s work on this series. The fact they keep all the honorific’s and titles, especially the oneechans and stuff, really makes my day. I hope this carries on into their other releases.
My only gripe is the translation notes. For some reason this series they did away with the glossary, and rather had titchy notes on the page. At times these are hard to read, and I think would have been better off with the usual glossary of terms.
Yen release this with an ‘A’ rating, meaning it’s suitable for all ages, and I cant agree more. I think this is a great introduction to manga for kids, since it doesn’t have any violence, bad language or sex in it. Adults and manga fans can enjoy it because of the comedy sides.
Needless to say this series makes it to my Essential Read list, as well as taking the number two spot on my all time top five favourite manga (XXXHolic has the top spot!!).
Where to Buy
This series is due for release on September 15th 2009. Be careful when ordering as all of the listed stockists mix the ADV releases with the Yen Press ones. Always double check before you hit the checkout button!!
August 21, 2009 @ 02:33.
A year or so ago, over at stoptazmo, we were discussing if Yotsuba’s dad and Fuuka will become a couple…still hasn’t happened yet and maybe never since it would shift the focus away from our favorite chibi.