Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 18, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: August 2019

Volumes: 18 (+1).

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 17. 18+1.

Goodreads Synopsis:

It's been a year since Handa arrived on the island, and a lot has changed for the residents of Nanatsutake Village. Hiroshi's in Tokyo, Miwa and her friends have graduation on their minds, and Naru and her classmates are going into their second year of elementary school. With everyone looking to the future, the time to say goodbye approaches in the final volume of Barakamon.

Review:

Everyone's moving on, accepting where they'll be as their lives move forward, in this final volume.

Tama and Miwa are settling into their new school and a new routine. Also as upperclassmen, when Tama's little brother doesn't want to hang around them. Tama is getting closer to her mangaka dreams, and Miwa is resolute in her goals to reopen her family shop. Naru and the kids are in a new year, only their school is having less and less new kids every year, and that's something they have to deal with. And Sensei is still learning how to be a good sensei.

Naru makes some important steps forward with her father in this volume, and they're starting to grow a real relationship. Similarly, Miwa and her father have to come to a related agreement. The father/daughter relationships in this series are quite important, and I really like how they end up.

This was a really sweet conclusion to the series. It all ends rather easy and sweet, with a lot of fun along the way.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 17, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: February 2019

Volumes: 18 (+1).

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 16. 18.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Spring is coming, but without Hiroshi, the villagers are in a bit of a funk. What will Handa-sensei do to cheer everyone up? Find out in Volume 17 of this hot 'n' hearty island comedy!

Review:

Everyone's feeling Hiroshi's absence, and Handa attempts to make his mother feel better by being him, though that fails, of course. Handa-sensei is not the same as Hiroshi, even with blond hair.

Aside from that bit, a new film-making couple arrives in town, and invades their space. Of course, there's some misunderstandings, since this is an odd small town. We also get to see some fishing, and later everyone gets together to clean up the village. They're a very close-knit group of people.

I believe the next volume is the last, and I look forward to seeing how this series wraps up. It's been a lot of fun, and the characters have gone through a bit of growing and change.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 16, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: September 2018

Volumes: 18 (+1 extra).

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 15. 17.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Now that Hiroshi has graduated, he's off to Tokyo. It's Rina's last chance to tell him how she feels, and she's going for it! Meanwhile, Handa-sensei hasn't given up on recruiting students to his calligraphy school, and he's not above handing out candy to do so. But with his personal chef and food supplier leaving soon, how will Handa-sensei survive? It's a bittersweet farewell in Volume 16 of this hot 'n' hearty island comedy!!

Review:

It's graduation! Which means that Hiroshi is finally graduating, and going off to Tokyo to pursue his dreams and grow up. It's a big move, both sweet and sad, although of course with some odd mess-ups and humor thrown in. Like when a girl who's had a crush on him forever kind-of confesses, and he mistakes it for something else.

He's so dumb sometimes. Him and Handa, honestly.

Among all the reminiscing, and the fun other plots in the volume, there are still these sweet little moments. Like all the angsting Handa does regarding Naru's dad, but in the end we see the joy she gets anyway, whether he's hiding his efforts from her or not. It's sweet.

I really do quite love this series. It's mostly fun and a bit crazy, but there's also sweet moments in it. It's very easy to come back to.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 15, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: February 2018

Volumes: 17+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 14. 16.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Severely overestimating the villagers' wealth, Handa-sensei finds himself quite short on students for his calligraphy school upon announcing his exorbitant tuition rate. But as his hopes begin to fade, a savior appears!?

Review:

(New volume is out, so I better review the last one, ahhhh...)

The harsh realities of life are crashing down on the villagers. Hiroshi's graduating soon, and he'll be off to Tokyo. Handa-sensei is now attempting to be a teacher, on his own, and now he's being told he has to pay his own rent. Ahhh, life.

Handa is attempting to find students, and has to set up a classroom. Thankfully, Kawafuji shows up to help, as Handa really has no sense on how to do any of this. Kawafuji also gives him a reality check, in the form of what each student should actually be paying for the classes. Handa was practically in some other world for his budget.

Even though some real progress is being made, it's still crazy and hilarious. The antics and the everyday life of living in the village, with festivals and weather changing.

I just love this series. It's so fun, and I forget between volumes, just how much I enjoy it.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 14, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: September 2017

Volumes: 16+

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 1. 13. 15.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Reality is tough, but...surely, the future must be bright.
Handa-sensei has returned from Tokyo with a new declaration--he's going to start his own calligraphy school! But will he find any students!? But when an unusually cold winter brings rare snow to the island, is Handa prepared to hibernate the time away...?

Review:

Handa and Naru get home from their trip to Tokyo, and are reminded that Kousuke showed up as they left, and has been staying at Handa's place. It's a mess, and Kousuke is being a spoiled child.

Now that Handa's back, he's going ahead with his plans to start his own calligraphy school, though there really aren't that many students on their tiny island. He also has very high expectations; he's a big dreamer.

Quite a bit is progressing in this series. Handa is moving forward in his dream; Kousuke has decided what he wants to do. Handa finally gets to face off with his old rival on the farm. And then Miwa's dad makes a surprise announcement, and we get to see Miwa grow some enthusiasm. The volume ends on a very good note, though, with a little celebration and everyone in a pretty good spot.

This is always a fun series, and I'm looking forward to the next one.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 13, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: March 2017

Volumes: 15+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 12. 14.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Ya can't see the sunset from here.

Tagging along on Handa-sensei's visit home, Naru finally arrives in Tokyo! Trains, tall buildings, the zoo-the big city's full of amazing first experiences! But what will Handa decide when his dad asks him to come back to Tokyo? Volume 13 promises growth, courage, and farewells!

Review:

So Handa and Naru are heading off to Tokyo, while Kanzaki decides to run away to the island.

Handa is helping out on Kirie's team, and for his fathers next showing. Naru is left hanging out with his mother during most of this, aside from the times that Handa is free and takes her out. We get a surprise meeting with Handa's previous marriage proposal, who turns out to be a super sweet girl, and I really like the relationship that they form. It is funny how very non-sexual Handa can be, though, and how oblivious.

At the same time, Kanzaki is just messing everything up. He's driving Hiroshi crazy, in particular, and is a pain in general.

In the end, though, Handa makes a rather big decision about his future, when he realizes what he really wants to do. It should be nice to see him pursue it back at the village.

This is a very sweet and funny series. I'm looking forward to the next one.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 12, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: October 2016

Volumes: 14+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 11. 13.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Santa, huh...? Guess each household tends to have its own customs....
Jingle jingle jingle jingle....Christmas has come to the island!Handsome young calligrapher Seishuu Handa tries his hand at the Santa business for the first time! But could it be that Handa Claus isn't the only one who's come to visit all the nice little children...? The love of every dad warms the world in Volume 12 of this hot 'n' hearty island comedy!

Review:

Oh man, I didn't expect this to be so emotional.

Most of this volume is rather lighthearted. Naru and Hina are learning new things in school, it snows in town and everyone gets excited, no matter how little there actually is. Christmas comes. The big surprise here, though, is that Naru's father shows up in town. But he won't talk to Naru, and instead stalks her, because she doesn't remember him.

This whole plot line is extremely sad to me. It's mostly used lightheartedly, of course, but there's one scene that just got me. Aw man. I just love Naru and her relationship with Handa. It makes some sense, as well, since we've never heard anything about her parents, and we still don't know anything about her mom. The volume ends with the new year, and Naru and Handa's coming trip to Tokyo. That should be really fun.

I love this series. We finally got some character depth here, and it just hurt it was so sad and adorable. I'm excited for the next one.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 11, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: June 2016

Volumes: 14+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 10. 12.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Damn it!! I'm getting married and leaving this crazy island!!!! (teary)

Handa's parents' true motivation for coming to the island is made clear-an arranged m-m-m-marriage?!!

Will handsome young calligrapher Seishuu Handa find the resolve to meet his fate?!

Add in a fight with the neighboring village's own handsome young guy, Kazuma Higashino, and Hiroshi's spate of delinquency, and you get the super-chaotic Volume 11 of this hot 'n' hearty island comedy!!

Review:

Kawafuji and the parents are still visiting for the first half of this volume. Sensei's mother is still acting nice while horrified that her son is living there. Kawafuji has an odd relationship with his parent, as well.

After that, there are lots of antics with Naru. Hiro goes through a wild phase, as he is still struggling to find some success with his future. Handa has a competition with a farmer, where he attempts to grow some vegetables, which he's never done before. And then they go fishing for octopus, which is quite interesting to see.

This series is easy and fun. I'm quite enjoying each volume, and I'm always looking forward to the next one.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 10, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: April 2016

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: Light.

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

Volume: 1. 9. 11.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Don't lose sight of what you set out to do!

The cold north wind sets in on the island and handsome young calligrapher Seishuu Handa longs for his winter clothes. But instead of Kawafuji making the delivery, Handa's parents decide to make their island debut--and come bearing much more than just winter clothes...! Double the trouble arrives on the island in this chaotic, hot 'n' hearty comedy! Go back to the country and back to the basics in Volume 10 of Barakamon!

Review:

I just eat up every volume of this series. I love it so much at this point.

This was another humorous, fun volume, full of antics.

In this volume, the main point is that Handa’s parents come to town. They get to see the place that Handa has been living, the tiny town he’s staying in, and the group of people that he’s formed friendships with. It’s not quite what they expect, and his mother especially doesn’t know how to handle it. Naru, in particular, gives her a huge scare at one point.

Handa also forms an understanding with his father, whom he has always thought didn’t like him and who he’d never measure up to. Being forced into a calligraphy competition with him shows him a different side of his father, while also an ego-blow at times.

Then there was that cliffhanger…

I can’t wait for the next one, this series is always a delight to read.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 9, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: February 2016

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 8. 10.

Goodreads Synopsis:

No matter if you win or lose, today only comes once!

The villagers have chosen handsome young calligrapher Seishuu Handa to compete in their famously competitive sports-festival relay race! While Handa strives to keep his morning practices out of the public eye, Hiroshi goes job hunting, Tama writes a manga, and the kids do their best to keep up with the adults!

Everyone's hard at work in the ninth volume of this super-popular, hot 'n' hearty island comedy!

Review:

This series gets better and better with every volume, and at this point I’m just plain following it. It’s adorable and hilarious and I love it so much.

In this volume, there’s a town sports festival, where they’re competing with rivaling towns. It’s very serious, with age groups, and they convince Handa-sensei to partake in it. He’s a good team player, too.

Meanwhile, Hiroshi goes out of town for an interview, and he freaks out a little bit. Tama needs some stress relief and encouragement after her loss in the manga contest. And a new guy shows up in town with an interest in Handa-sensei, seeming oddly similar to a rival he had in high school and Kawafuji just told the kids about.

This series is just a surprising delight and I’m really glad I stuck with it. Can’t wait for the next one.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 5, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: June 2015

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: No.

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

Volume: 1. 4. 6.

Goodreads Synopsis:

This is the most realistic Tarzan make-believe I’ve ever seen……

Gaining tremendous inspiration from nature, handsome young (and bug-hating) calligrapher Seishuu Handa makes strides in his creative endeavors. But while anguishing over the individuality of his calligraphy, he receives a phone call from Tokyo, and…?!! The tale of bumbling Sensei, who doesn’t even hold back against children, and his warm island neighbors trundles into the last days of summer, which bring with them bittersweet memories!

Review:

This series is definitely growing on me. To the point where I’m looking forward to the next one.

The main characters are definitely Handa and Naru. They get the most attention, and their relationship is important to the series. But there are so many other characters, and I like that they all get enough attention. I like Miwa, who enjoys teasing Handa, and has a crush on Hiro. I think Hiro’s a fun character—he’s his own guy, and he’s cool with that. He’s a teenage guy, growing up, and I like his friendship with Handa. There’s Tama, with her yaoi imagination, even if she doesn’t realize it.

Handa has grown close to everyone there, for a reason. They’re all pretty much an extended family. There’s a lot of comedic one-chapters here; Naru’s birthday comes, Handa gets lost in the woods, Naru gets picked on and Handa and Hiro end up having a rivalry with the middle-schoolers, there’s another festival. And then there’s the cliffhanger.

When something significant and important happens, when we get real development, it’s subtle. What with all the comedy, I think it works well. And given the way this volume ends, I imagine we’ll get something in the next volume, subtle but meaningful. I’m looking forward to it.

Manga Review: Barakamon, Volume 4, by Satsuki Yoshino

Rating (Out of 5): ~3.5

Publisher: Yen Press

Release Date: April 2015

Volumes: 13+

Spoilers?: Some.

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

Volume: 1. 3. 5.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Aiming for an autumn calligraphy exhibition, handsome young calligrapher Seishuu Handa sets out to get in touch with his creative side. Meanwhile, a man whose appearance screams yakuza, landing him well out of place on the peaceful island, puts in a "request" to have Handa write the name on his boat...!? With the prickly-sweet--prickly-useless, more like--Sensei in tow, the overindulgent islanders unfurl a mature, heartwarming island comedy that fumbles blindly in the dark in Volume 4!!

Review:

This series is slowly growing on me. I want it to grow faster, though.

These are definitely episodic chapters, though with some running jokes and recurring characters. Handa has to call Kawafuji when his computer goes out, having to run to the convenience store and figure out how to use an old rotary phone. He starts practicing for a calligraphy contest, with a renewed sense of purpose and courage. A child gets lost and Naru leads her to safety, kind of. Handa gets pushed into writing the name on a boat for Miwa’s intimidating father. There’s an Obon festival of sorts, where we get to see a more serious aspect of Naru’s life; Handa decides to start gardening, after realizing so many others grow fresh vegetables.

My favorite chapter is when Handa tries child-proofing his house in an attempt to keep Naru and Miwa and all the other kids from showing up in the house and waking him every day. He thinks it’s all good—he fixes the broken board Naru sneaks in through, the windows and doors are locked, but it never stops them from coming in. Only to find out that they all have keys, and there is no stopping them, they know the house better than he does.

This series is very slice of life, with slow moments of character growth, a lot of country life with kids, and a lot of hilarity. There’s a lot to love here, and it’s growing on me. I’m rather enjoying it.