MANGA REVIEW | "Mission: Yozakura Family" - Volume Thirteen
Is it a good or bad thing when a series’s side stories wind up being more entertaining than the main plotline? I ask this because whenever I read Mission: Yozakura Family, I tend to pay more attention to the self-contained chapters rather than the ones that move the plot forward. Am I spotting a weakness in Hitsuji Gondaira’s writing capabilities? Possibly, but it doesn’t take away from the fact that Volume Thirteen of Mission: Yozakura Family is packed with crazy stupid fun.
There are a couple of chapters here that place a focus on the aftermath of the Tanpopo fiasco. Both narratives deal with the current Yozakura family members facing off against their ancestors. One resides in an old mansion, which has the habit of making visitors vanish. The other is in the family’s silk mill, where said relative has a hold on Mutsumi’s well-being. While these are run-of-the-mill tales with plot devices, they do serve as what will entail for the next big story arc.
However, it’s when Mission: Yozakura Family gets off-track when we see the heart (and funny bone) of the series in full swing. A day cleaning the house reveals a hell of a lot of bad habits from each Yozakura. Everyone has a shot at being the worst hoarder in the family, but it’s when we see what Mutsumi has been hiding where a horrid truth about her is revealed, and it’s one similar to her oldest brother’s problem. Fortunately, Taiyo has such a pure heart, that he easily overlooks this new found issue with Mutsumi.
Kengo winds up taking over for arguably the most character-driven chapter in this volume. As the pretty boy in the family, getting a pimple is no laughing matter. But after watching one hilarious attempt at reclaiming clear skin, it’s a heart-to-heart with Futaba that reveals the real reason behind the zit. For a silly chapter, its wrap-up surprisingly goes for a successful gut punch that makes Kengo a lot more likable and grounded.
Meanwhile, Nanao plays the “villain” when it’s time for everyone to take their shots. With syringe in hand, the bucket-headed brother takes on one family member after another, making sure they all have the latest vaccination in their systems. Arguably the cutest story in the volume is Ai’s first errand, a staple of Japanese children traditions. Not only does she take on the task with the greatest of feats, it winds up moving both Taiyo and Mutsumi to literal tears to see why she took on the errand.
Honestly, I think I’d prefer it if Mission: Yozakura Family got off the beaten path more often. With this and the previous volume, this Shonen Jump series not only finds its stride, but also its spirit. Yes, we all want to see what happens in the overall narrative, but said narrative needs to bring the same level of entertainment as these side stories. So until Gondaira can deliver that, I’m very much okay with Mission: Yozakura Family taking more detours. Bring on the stupid fun, I say!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
