Yotsuba&! Recommended

Publisher
ADV Manga
Writer
Kiyohiko Azuma
Artist
Kiyohiko Azuma
Country of origin
Japan
Year
2003

Yotsuba&! (Yotsubato) Volume 3

By David Rasmussen
29th Jul 07

The last two eligible years in the Best Of competition had been good to Kiyohiko Azuma’s Azumanga Daioh. A favorite series of both fans and critics alike, this highly praised series had received a lot of good words from people, and in my own in house yearly awards (The Best Of Awards) it had won twice for Best Manga and once for Best Anime for it’s respective years (2003 and 2004).

But Yotsuba&!(?) It hasn’t been so blessed, especially with the long hiatus it suffered through from 2005 to today with it’s relaunch in July of 2007. But that is all done with now that your wait is over, with Yotsuba making her return this July with a brand spankin’ new Volume 4 on it’s way to you!
ADVManga is proud to present the return of Kiyohiko Azuma’s “Yotsuba&!”, and I am proud to refresh your memory as we look back at reviews past and new reviews. Here’s the review of the last book to release before the long hiatus, Yotsuba&! Volume 3.

Graphic Novel 3
After the events of Yotsuba&! Volume 2 we catch up to Yotsuba and “Yotsuba and Souvenirs”, in which (in return for what she was given by Asagi last volume) she is out to get Asagi a souvenir. Along her quest, however, she makes friends with Asagi’s strange tough chain smoking yet a wee bit soft spoken Torako.

She sticks about abit since Asagi brings back fireworks for everyone to enjoy which leads to abit of a flashback on Asagi and her mom (and abit of dangerous fireworks useage on top of Torako’s car) in “Yotsuba & Asagi”.

Think you know Jumbo? You don’t? You don’t want to? Me either.

But learn abit more about Jumbo you will as we find him in the family business of… flowers.

Yes, flowers, and this is about as good a time as any to finally crush his last hopes with Asagi by telling him that she’s got a boyfriend. Crushing.

But it’s not the end of flowers, as in “Yotsuba and the Bon Festival” we find that Yotsuba has brought home a wide warehouse load of flowers from the caper to Jumbo’s family flowershop, in which she must become the “Flower Fairy” in order to try and get rid of the excess flowers (and spread goodwill as she does).

In “Yotsuba & the Elephant”, Yotsuba is going to the zoo… fear for the animals.

Finally in the two part “Yotsuba & the Fireworks show” (Part 1 = ? While Part 2 = !) we not only see the long awaited arrival of the father/husband of the ladies next door, we also see Jumbo do something we’ve never seen him do before… make a near fatal mistake (hitting Yotsuba too hard by accident)!

But that’s not the only mistake as Yotsuba almost gets lost in a crowd at a festival (mentioned above), but gets back to her family and friends in time for the fireworks.

And then we go on to Volume 4 (which I reviewed) and wait for the coming of Volume 5.

I still think you’re not listening to me. I don’t think I can rave enough about this title, and I know I should have because if I raved about this title more it wouldn’t have gone into such a long hiatus between 2005 and now! Once again, hopefully to turn some more sales on this title once Volume 4 launches because I can’t take another long hiatus without Yotsuba(to).

One more time, because this is worth mentioning to you once again.

Yotsuba&! is a truly priceless treasure of a read, this one has the most beautiful writing laced with genuine humor that really makes you laugh (or in my case smile widely since I’m not really the laugh out loud kind of guy), and is a brand new addition to your nightstand for that nightly read that’ll put you to bed in a good mood. A wonderous read, filled with characters that are lovable and who’ll easily find a place in your heart as character you enjoy reading about (now that it‘s making a comeback with Volume 4 this July)!

With storytelling that is divine, artwork that is beautiful and captivating (sorry, no 4 panel strip format ala Azumanga Daioh), and a cast of characters you’ll never forget this is a series you must have because it demands a place in your collection! Without a doubt Kiyohiko Azuma’s latest Yotsuba&! Is a wonder to behold and something you have to read to believe. It’s all good, without a shadow of a flaw or something negative to push readers away, a must have for all ages that is for the ages. Just plain excellent!

Yotsuba&! Volume 3 launches up into the air 4 crowd pleasing mega fireworks out of 5.

See you when Volume 5 launches in the near future!

-- David Rasmussen 29th Jul 07