Sunday, 3 November 2024

Manga Review - 'Yotsuba&!, Vol. 1' by Kiyohiko Azuma

There's not a lot I can say about 'Yotsuba&!, Vol. 1', other than it is one of the funniest manga I have ever read. I actually laughed out loud a few times. I wouldn't dare spoil any of the comedy - I would never spoil and attempt to explain any of the jokes. That would defeat the purpose. Just read it for yourself and see; have a good laugh at the fresh surprises.

'Yotsuba&!' is about the most lively, sprightly, curious, naïve and ADHD little girl ever, Yotsuba Koiwai, and her daddy moving to a new home in Japan. Their neighbours are three sisters of different age groups, and their mother. And that's all I'm going to reveal. The slice-of-life, all-ages (a few questionable jokes (of what you'd expect of Japanese humour) aside) sitcom-style manga starts from that premise.

It is by Kiyohiko Azuma, the creator of 'Azumanga Daioh', the anime of which I saw over ten years ago now (wow do I feel old - where did my anime-watching youth go?), and read the first manga volume at around that time, and I haven't thought about the franchise since.

But 'Yotsuba&!, Vol. 1' is peak comedy I will remember for ages. It is also genuinely adorable and sweet (even mysterious...). So it is a keeper for me. I'm glad to have finally given the classic manga a chance.

Final Score: 4/5

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