Yotsuba&! (2021)

[よつばと!]

Volume 15

Author/Artist: Kiyohiko Azuma
Publisher: Dengeki Comics

Synopsis:
As it starts to get colder, Yotsuba's father gets out the kotatsu.

Story/Characters:
We start off with that mainstay of Japanese winters, the kotatsu. After that, they go shopping for a blender and antics with Yanda ensue. Next, Ena and Miura join Yotsuba on a rock-hunting trip. I love how easygoing things are where kids can just go off on a trip like this with no one worrying. Later, when Ena and Yotsuba are going over their catch, Yotsuba learns about studying for exams by sitting in on Fuuka and Shimau's study session, being as helpful as you'd imagine a child that age to be. Later, inspired by Ena, Yotsuba decides to take up painting and her dad takes her to the art supply store. This dabbling in art prompts her dad to show her how to make her own picture book. We close with Yotsuba and her dad going shopping for a backpack as she'll be starting elementary school soon. Parents will sympathize with the complicated feelings Koiwai is going through. The last page says "To be continued", but it may well be that we're nearing the end of the series. There would certainly still be more than enough material if we continued to follow Yotsuba into her school years, but I don't think that's what the series is about. It's about those carefree days before children start to get burdened with the responsibilities leading them to adulthood and for Yotsuba, those days are running out. You can't blame for Koiwai for getting a little misty-eyed thinking about that.

Art:
The art is as good as ever. The vistas in the rock-hunting chapter are particularly nice. Yotsuba's expressions never get old.

Conclusion:
With three years having passed since the last volume, you can imagine what a big deal it was in the bookstores when this first dropped. Not too many series enjoy that kind of love, but longtime fans know it's entirely worth it. As I noted above, we may be getting close to the end, but there hasn't been the slightest drop in quality in all this time. Anyone who enjoys the simple pleasures of this series don't have to think about it twice. Add this one to the collection.

Rating:
Own It