Daisuke Igarashi

I just love this series so far. The art is gorgeous, particularly the parts that are in the ocean, which actually makes up a fairly large part. I really like Ruka’s character as well and seeing the interactions between her, Umi, and Sora. Of course the mystery is a big pull in the series as well. And I love learning and reading about the science behind things and how we are all “star stuff,” everything being composed of the same materials and looking at how that causes us to interact show more with the universe around us and vice versa. This series gets pretty deep into that.

The birth of galaxies, the fact that over 80% of the universe is something we can’t see (dark matter), a connection between the life-giving aspects of creatures begot of ocean begot of space. Honestly just the general tone of these books and the movie as well…it feels meandering in a sense but it in the best kind of way. Like floating on the surface of water, gleaming epiphanies from the shapes in the clouds. show less

I saw the 2018 Korean film adaptation of this manga and absolutely loved it, so I thought I'd give the source material a read. "Little Forest" is a slice-of-life story stuffed with recipes, farmland, the countryside, and a slow, gentle meditation on the links between food and memory. Igarashi does such a beautiful job at illustrating the wilderness of nature and the personalities of each season that it's easy to fall right into the pages. Same with the food - it's drawn and talked about with show more such tenderness that you can tell the author cares a lot about these things. My favorite parts were actually the two pages at the end of each chapter that included photographs from Igarashi and his own cooking and farming experiences; those aspects remind me of food memoirs like “Relish” by Lucy Knisley.
If I had to pick, I’d say I actually enjoyed the film more than the book, but only because the screen really gives the story a chance to be just packed with sounds and sensory experiences that bring the little forest alive. If you watch the film and are craving more then definitely read this! show less

Graphic novel/series. Stunning artwork, tells the story of two children who were raised by manatees, who are more at home in the water than on land, and the amazing, mysterious (terrible?) thing that is happening to them and other sea life.

Like the first volume in this manga series, I read this gripping mystery in one sitting, only to find myself eagerly anticipating the next installment. This volume gives some background on the two apparently supernatural boys who were raised by duogongs (related to manatees) and netted by fishermen in the South Pacific. But things have taken a turn for the worse. Sora has disappeared, Umi can't remember him and the meteor that Sora had their friend Ruka swallow is speaking to her and leading show more her further down into the depths of the sea. Again, the intentions of the adults involved in the care of these children is greatly suspect. show less