Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 6, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: August 2015

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: Yes.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 5. 7.

Goodreads Synopsis:

I can't write, can't write, can't write at alllllllll!!

Handsome young calligrapher Seishuu Handa has returned to Tokyo for a calligraphy competition. But being away from the island is preventing him from perfecting his work...?! Meanwhile, Sensei's sudden absence is causing turmoil for his island neighbors!
The Sensei of the city and the people of the island unfurl a mature, heartwarming island comedy as a bountiful autumn approaches in Volume 6!!

Review:

This series has bought me. I’m sold, and I’m so glad.

Handa left for Tokyo, and he didn’t say anything to anybody. When the village finds out, they’re all bummed out. Naru is sulking. Miwa and the group won’t even go to his house as their base anymore. Hiro is the only one who knows where he’s went and when he’s coming back.

Most of this volume does feature Handa in Tokyo. We see him and Kawafuji and Kousuke hanging out, trying to help Handa figure out what to do for the calligraphy contest. He apologizes to the director that he slapped at the beginning of the series. And we get to meet his parents, who seem really great. His mom is understandably worried about him and doesn’t want him to go back to the village. I hope that they come down to visit and meet everyone.

Throughout all this, we get chapters of the village people. Moping, and then planning to go see Handa, until they realize he’s coming back soon. Messing up his house, then halfhazardly cleaning it up. They send him a care package, and then the scene when they greet him home is really sweet. That, along with what Handa comes up with as his contest piece, really show what they all mean to each other. They’ve become a family. 

This volume was so much fun, and I loved all the subtly sweet moments mixed in. I’m excited for the next one.