Rate this book

Barakamon #1 (2012)

by Satsuki Yoshino(Favorite Author)

4.2 of 5 Votes: 3

languge

English

genre

Humor

publisher

Ki-oon

series

Barakamon

review 1: I was... underwhelmed by this start to what sounded like an appealing series. The art is sweet and the island setting is fun and lighthearted, and I absolutely adore Naru. But I just wasn't feeling an intense connection to the story, which seemed disjointed. The use of vernacular language in the English translation didn't help much, either, and was actually more distracting than helpful in adding to the setting. Handa could have also had a little bit more sensitivity, though I understand the exaggerated city slicker characterization they're trying to give him.After finishing the volume, I went and watched the first episode of the anime, just to see how it compares. Definitely watch the anime!! I don't know if I was just in a funk when reading this, but the anime was adorab... morele whereas the manga was just... meh. Post-anime, I'll definitely return for volume two, but without the positive influence of the lighthearted anime, I don't know that I would have chosen to continue with this series.
review 2: The better humor of BARAKAMON is surprisingly subtle. The comedic timing requires some patience and although most characters are very likable, they're all quite awkward.Yoshino's art is surprisingly polished in the areas manga-ka typically cut corners, specifically with the occasional moments of slapstick, as when Naru, the misfit islander kid, routinely overreacts to something. I would also mention that in spots where the camera trucks out and pans the scene, Yoshino does an excellent job of keeping the proportions visible and appropriate. Yoshino draws children very well, which helps substantially.There are some downsides, though. For starters, BARAKAMON's translation is pretty loose. I don't mind having to read a whole page of translation notes at the end, but it's when there are a dozen of other oddities or loose ends, in addition to the notes, that I begin to question how succinct the literature is. To be fair, I can't imagine this book was easy to translate. Every character except for the main (Seishuu Handa) speaks with an islander accent, which to most western ears is presumed analogous to a southern accent. And to be frank, its use doesn't always stick and isn't presence always consistent.I also have a significant problem with the lettering. The editor(s) really dropped the ball on this one. The number of font types used in this book is astounding. In every manga, you'll have characters yelling, whispering, speaking excitedly, speaking sarcastically, or thinking aloud. But that doesn't necessarily mean you use a different font type, different font size, and different font decoration for every kind of utterance. That would be irresponsible. The permutations would be endless. And yet . . . here we are. BARAKAMON has a heavy share of dialog types, but the editors really need to simplify the lettering for clarity. Don't be surprised to find five or six different dialog types on a single page. less

Download links for: Barakamon #1

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