Manga Review: Yotsuba&! #1 by Azuma Kiyohiko

English Title: Yotsuba&!

Japanese Title: よつばと! [lit. Yotsuba and!]

Writer & Artist: Azuma Kiyohiko

Released: 2003

Length: ~224 pages

Publisher: ASCII Media Works (Japanese), Yen Press (English)

Yotsuba&! is an ongoing manga series that began in 2003, written and illustrated by Azuma Kiyohiko, the creator of Azumanga Daioh (1999–2002).

To date, 16 volumes have been released. Like Azumanga Daioh, it is a slice-of-life comedy but it is not in yonkoma format.

The first chapter introduces the titular character Koiwai Yotsuba, about five years old, and her father moving into a new home in the suburbs. Her father has a friend affectionately called Jumbo; he is exceptionally tall and visits occasionally.

Yotsuba and her father meet their new neighbors, the Ayase family, in particular the three sisters: Asagi, Fuuka and Ena. So far, they interact more with the middle child, Fuuka, who is a high school student.

The first chapter begins in the summer break, which corresponds to July. Each chapter is a standalone short story with a particular focus as revealed by the chapter titles; for example, “Yotsuba & Moving”, “Yotsuba & Shopping”, “Yotsuba & Television”.

However, in this first volume at least, there is some sense of temporal progression as Yotsuba and her father settle into their new home and neighborhood. For example, they have to deal with a broken lock and get to know their neighbors. But there does not seem to be an overarching arc so far.

The humor is centered on Yotsuba’s innocent silliness. Although she at times knows well enough, she is also conveniently a little too ignorant at other times. For example, for a child raised in Japan by a kindhearted father, one expects her to actually know her manners even at her age.

In any case, the humor is simple, innocent and seemingly lighthearted. It plays on Yotsuba’s ignorance and her attempts to grasp the situation, and given her happy and energetic disposition, the humor also plays on the irony although it could go further with that.

The art is essentially the same style as Azumanga Daioh. Yotsuba resembles Chiyo-chan and the younger female characters have those larger and rounder eyes reminiscent of 80s anime.

It does not, of course, look dated. The environment, exterior and interior, such as the streets, houses and shelves and other furniture all look great with enough details. The linework is refined and clean with just enough shading and hatching. It never looks cheap or too busy.

So far, it is a decent slice-of-life comedy. It is not intensely hilarious but it is presumably not intended to be. It is very well drawn, easily accessible and enjoyable. Those who prefer a central focus that comes with an overarching arc might find it a little too episodic but the work seems to be intended as such.

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