House of Five Leaves

http://www.otakunovideo.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/House-of-Five-Leaves-Vol-1-9781421532103-208x300.jpg

Artist/Writer: Natsume Ono

Year: 2006–2010 (Japan), 2010–present (America) (Manga)

American Publisher: Viz Media

Genres: Seinen, drama, slice-of-life

Volumes: 7, still being released in America

Manga Review (Volume 1)
What's the premise? This first volume centers on Akitsu Masanosuke, a timid samurai ronin (ronin meaning a samurai without a lord, who takes whatever work he can find). The phrase "timid samurai" should be a contradiction of terms; the rigors of samurai training should burn timidity out of anyone. Akitsu's timidity is mostly introversion. He's uncomfortable around other people, and doesn't like to make a fuss, which makes it very difficult for him to find work.

Without spoiling the plot, Akitsu gets involved with some sketchy characters, particularly a laid-back swordsman named Yaichi, and finds himself unable to extricate himself from their company. He's stuck.

What's the theme? Being stuck, actually.

What's the tone? It strikes an unusual balance between slice-of-life conversation and comedy, while a melancholic mood pervades the entire volume. Akitsu is going through an existential crisis: his career has stalled. I suspect this is one of its attractions for modern readers. Should he pursue another line of work? Or is that giving up?

Is it boring? It can be; it's certainly not a shonen action title. There's only one real action sequence in the manga, which lasts barely two pages. It's quiet and thoughtful.

What's the art style like? Weird. Often sketchy, with minimal details and bizarre camera angles. It works, though I occasionally had to read a page two or three times to understand it. Also, the word balloons have tiny tails, so I sometimes had to re-read (or read very closely) to figure out who was talking.

Can I show it to my Mom? Sure. She might like the odd art and colorful cast.

Can I show it to my kid brother? Yep, but it probably wouldn't do much for him. Lots of talking.

Can I show it to a non-manga fan? It's quirky enough--and so Japanese--that this will be a crap shoot. It does look something like an indie comic, though.

Does it have any memorable moments? Several, particularly involving Yaichi. He's an enigmatic yet likable man. That's hard to do.

Availability: Easily available on sites like Amazon and RightStuf.

Manga Review (Volume 2)
The atmosphere in this volume is even more quiet than the earlier one, as Akitsu remains bed-ridden for most of the volume. This allows the storyline with Goinkyo and others to blossom.

Is it confusing? The plot itself is clear, but the characters use a lot of nicknames. I had some trouble keeping track of them at several points.

Can I show it to my Mom? Sure. She might like the odd art and colorful cast.

Can I show it to my kid brother? Yep, but it probably wouldn't do much for him. Lots of talking.

Can I show it to a non-manga fan? It's quirky enough--and so Japanese--that this will be a crap shoot. It does look something like an indie comic, though.

Does it have any memorable moments? Several. The story involving Goinkyo's back story, and how that relates to several other characters, creates a tense, dark plot. The payoff satisfied my sense of justice, while remaining ambiguous enough to keep me thinking about the ethics of it all.