Ano Ko no Ie

Manga and anime mean different things to different people. Some see them as an escape from difficult lives, some see them as a way to make friends and find things in common with people, and so many more things. To me, manga and anime are a medium where some of the best stories can be told. As a writer myself, seeing these beautiful things and reading/watching these incredible stories and following along on fantastical journeys is magical. In this medium of fiction, anything is possible. Ano Ko no Ie is an example of that. With such a simple premise, this manga still manages to conveyso much. While some of the child's inner monologues were unrealistic for a child to have, this is an interesting look into the mind of a child. Depending on what you take out of it, the story can be confusing, nonsensical, or very tragic. The characters are simple, yet incredibly charming. Without telling us anything straight, the author manages to show us who these characters are and how they think. The art is also simple, but considering the perspective we are shown, it fits incredibly well. This may not be a masterpiece, but things like this are the reason that as I get older and start thinking of my future, I know that I won't ever "grow out" of manga and anime. There's just too much to see.

Ano Ko no Ie is a beautifully told coming of age story. While it may seem directionless at first, understanding the character's motives is the real story and what their choices mean tells the real story. It's difficult to take the story at face value and a lot goes unsaid, but the MC's introspection provides the reader with the context to understand and empathize with her. Story The story is rather direct, but that suits its narrative style just fine. For a short manga it can be frustrating for stories and characters to seem irrelevant but nothing goes to waste in the manga's narrative. Everything has purpose andmeaning to it. At the risk of sounding so vague as to be meaningless, the ending may or may not be satisfying. It's all about how you take the overall message of the final chapter. Art The art style is simplistic and some characters are deformed stylistically. This suits the manga just fine. The art does a fantastic job of setting the tone, almost moreso than the character's expressions do. Whether it's a sleepy village or an overwhelming and stressful forest. Character The characters are relatable and enjoyable with the MCs introspection providing narration for their personality. Enjoyment This manga was incredibly enjoyable for me. It's an introspective piece about aging and the anxieties that come with it. Each of the characters seems to represent a different manner of anxiety that comes with living. Whether it's maturity, loneliness, or being relied upon. I feel like that's the overall message of the series, what it means to really interact with people at different stages of maturity and how to be mature yourself.