Azuma, Kiyohiko. Yotsuba&!. First published in Japan in 2003 by Media Works, Inc. English translation by Hachette Group, Inc. Yen Press, 2009. Paperback $10.99, ISBN 978-0-316-07387-5.
What’s it about?
Yotsuba is a green-haired little girl with an infectious zest for life who has just moved into a new neighborhood. She makes friends with the family next door, and learns about all sorts of things, like swings, cicadas, and air conditioning—which might just be THE ENEMY OF THE EARTH! 0_o
Find out more:
Yotsuba&! is a manga set in Japan about ordinary events and objects seen through the eyes of a lively little green-haired girl named Yotsuba. The story opens with Yotsuba and her single adoptive father moving into a new neighborhood. Yotsuba quickly makes friends with the neighbors and their three daughters, Fuuka Ayase, a high school student who first meets Yotsuba climbing up and down an electrical pole, Ena, who is closest to Yotsuba’s age, and Asagi, the oldest—who Yotsuba embarrassingly refers to as “the pretty one.” This first volume consists of brief episodes in which Yotsuba becomes familiar with her new surroundings, and, in words of her father, “finds enjoyment in everything.”
This manga is accessible, funny, and has broad appeal. For readers familiar with the manga series Azumanga Daioh, Azuma’s comedic genius, won’t come as a surprise. Azuma has a gift with turning the ordinary into laugh out loud situations with his great sense timing and quirky cast of characters, with their wildly exaggerated expressions. This is slice of life and comedy manga at its best. Tweens, teens and adults will enjoy Yotsuba&! even if they are new to manga. This manga is rated all ages, making this a great choice for parents concerned about the content of many graphic novels and manga titles. Yotsuba is a unique character whose wide-eyed exuberance translates well to manga. Fans clamoring for an anime of this title will be disappointed; the creator Azuma has no plans for adapting Yotsuba&! into an anime.
Genre: Slice-of-life comedy
Reading level/ Interest level: Ages 9 & up
Subjects/themes: Japan, children, neighbors, humor
Read-alike series:
Azuma’s Azumanga Daioh
Barasui’s Strawberry Marshmallow
Kakifly’s K-ON!
Kobayashi’s School Rumble
Awards/reviews: Starred review in Publisher’s Weekly
Series information: There are currently 9 volumes translated into English, with the 10th volume on its way
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