Manga: Barakamon

I was first introduced to Barakamon by its anime, which plays to some of my favorite themes—sensitive artists, childish antics, small towns, and self-discovery. So I began collecting Satsuki Yoshino’s manga. Having grown up in the country, I “get” a lot of the humor on a very personal level. Handa-sensei’s uneasiness with island life rings true. If you like easy-paced, episodic stories, this series teeters between heartwarming moments and kid-powered hijinks. It’s a lot of fun!

I’m currently reading Volume 7.