MANGA REVIEW | "Hirayasumi" - Vols. 5 & 6
There’s nothing wrong with trying your best. However, there is such a thing as pushing yourself too hard, to the point where we lose ourselves. As someone who has basically done this website solo for well over a decade (podcast notwithstanding), how the characters in Hirayasumi’s fifth volume really resonated with me. And even with all the characters running ragged, it somehow managed to deliver some of the most heartfelt moments this series has ever had.
Hideki and Hiroto take the spotlight for the most part of the fifth volume. The former is now trying his best to balance fatherhood with his job. But when fatherhood is being done right, his work suffers; and vice versa. In fact, the stress and frustration bother him so much that he temporarily blocks Hiroto on his phone. Knowing Hiroto, he’s not the kind of guy who takes this news well.
It’s here where Hirayasumi shows the basic theme of Volume Five: to never keep troubles to oneself. For starters, we have the issue with Hideki, and the moment he’s in trouble makes Hiroto reflect back to when he first quit being an actor. The words that Hideki had for him back then now must be given back, as they’re a reminder of why it’s important to have moments of laid-backness. A chat near the watering hole also inspires Hideki to do something drastic, but it’s an act that will aid in him rediscovering his purpose and — most importantly — his happiness.
With that being said, Hiroto should take his own advice sometime. On top of taking care of the apartment and cooking for Natsumi, he takes on multiple jobs to initially get the water heater fixed. But even when it’s finally working again, Hiroto finds it hard to stop. It gets so bad that he winds up passing out at his part-time restaurant gig. And then, an old vision of his old lady friend appears, giving him a swift reminder to take a break and dance like no one’s watching.
Natsumi’s also got her fair share of issues. While she hopes to debut as a manga author that year, the prognosis isn’t that good. She’s accused of ripping off another writer with her latest submission, a harsh call that literally freezes her for one hour. But all she can do is take a deep breath, view the cherry blossoms, and move on to hopefully better things.
Not everything comes from Bummertown in this volume of Hirayasumi. Love blossoms between Yokoyama and Yamada, news that gets the whole class excited. Then there’s Tachibana, who does a little housecleaning with writer Ishikawa, and finds themselves getting closer. However, Hiroto keeps appearing in her life, meaning she may have to make a choice over who she wants to date. While both men are worthy candidates, readers will already know exactly who to root for.
Once again, Hirayasumi demonstrates a plethora of great slice-of-life moments. While it has its stressful parts for its characters, Volume Five shows that there is a way to get to the light at the end of the tunnel. Not only does it teach these lessons well, but they’re showcased in a way that delivers much-needed truths in a warm, comfortable way. Considering how many people have been on the stressful end of life these days, I’d say that reading Hirayasumi is a necessity for those wanting to claw back towards happiness.
VOL. 5 RATING:
VOL. 6 REVIEW:
In life, there are things you need to do, and things that you want to do. The necessities always take top priority, whereas the wants are placed on the back burner, waiting for their moment to shine. This often happens with me, as the things I need to read, watch, and play often overtake the things I want to be entertained by. But Volume Six of Hirayasumi taught me something: sometimes, it’s okay for the wants to take top priority.
Hiroto checks out of the hospital and finds himself wondering what to do next. Obviously, he needs to focus on one career rather than a bunch of them, but something is eating him inside. As Hiroto watches an old student film he made, he realizes that his acting career may be finished, but it’s also not a book that’s fully closed. That’s when he and Hideki decide to make one last film, and a zombie one at that!
Although Natsumi agrees to help, she’s not in the best mindset. Her manga submissions are no longer being given proper criticism, meaning that she’s stuck in a rut. Things explode when she fights with Hiroto during the making of the film. When asked for the point behind him wanting to make this film, Natsumi is shocked by Hiroto. Temporarily, a rift is placed between the two of them, until Natsumi realizes that her problems shouldn’t cause her to make problems for others.
Tachibana has a couple of moments in Hirayasumi, as her lunch meeting with Ishikawa ends with an awkward gift and a crick in her neck. A coincidental run-in with Hiroto lifts her spirits, but the guy winds up confessing to Tachibana just when the liquor’s about to black her out. Does she remember the confession when she wakes up? It’s not entirely clear now, but there’s a pretty good chance it’s lodged somewhere in her brain.
One chapter that stands out focuses on Natsumi’s editor, Nikaido. Before he gives Natsumi the quick rundown on her recent manuscript, he meets an old colleague that’s made it big. While the writer has become super popular, it doesn’t keep Nikaido from sharing his honest opinion about the author’s recent chapters. (Note to every manga author, including the Shonen Jump ones: take his advice on showing instead of telling! It’s a comic book, not a damn novel!)
Although it’s not as focused as the fifth volume, Volume Six of Hirayasumi offers plenty of life lessons when it comes to desires overtaking necessities. And in some cases, it’s good to embrace the wants rather than the needs…so long as it doesn’t involve missing bill payments, of course. Naturally, Hirayasumi finds a way to show that in some cases, getting a want done may spark a need to be completed soon afterwards. Who knows? Maybe Hiroto got bit by the acting bug again, or perhaps Natsumi will finally figure out what kind of manga she wants to write. One can only hope!
VOL. 6 RATING:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
