Dagashi Kashi (2016)

[だがしかし]

Volume 5

Author/Artist: Kotoyama
Publisher: Shounen Sunday Comics

Synopsis:
Hotaru wakes up to find herself in the Shikada Dagashiya.

Story/Characters:
Perhaps the highlight of this volume is the four-chapter typhoon arc, the longest continuous story since the summer festival. There are plenty of nice moments with our core quartet and also a chapter for You and Tamai, which is nice. I do like that the Marble chapter was crafted particularly with the anime in mind and it didn't actually get adapted into the anime. (It won't be the last time this happens.) We also have an episode at the Endou Twins' grandmother's, which provides the opportunity to feature particularly old dagashi. There's a two-parter where Hotaru's asked to help develop new flavors for Butamen and Baby Star Ramen, one of the first times we really see her in her role as heir presumptive to the Shidare Company.

Art:
The art continues to deliver. I'm sure fanservice-minded readers are going to be most interested in Hotaru and Saya sharing a bath. There are some really nice chapter covers this volume. (The chapter covers are usually nice, but perhaps because Tamai gets featured on one, I felt like drawing attention to them.)

Other:
We get four 4-koma. I particularly like the one referencing the Dagashi Kashi anime. Tou makes exactly the sort of observation you'd expect from him.

Conclusion:
This is another entertaining entry in the series. We get lots of nice character moments and fans are sure to be glad to have this in their collection.

Rating:
Own It