よつばと! 7
Yotsuba&! volume 7 has been out in Japan for a few months now. I was able to pick up a copy from Tower Records when I got the new Onsoku Line single. Actually I got 2 copies, one for myself and the other for my friend who introduced me to the series(I wanted to give it to him as some delayed birthday present/christmas present or something in return for letting me read the first 6, but he insisted on paying me -__-).
As you can see it came with a bunch of paper inserts, one in particular advertising an upcoming calendar. It will be arranged like a few other wall calendars have been in relation to the series. The cool thing is the fusion of photograhy and Kiyohiko Azuma's art: in the insert, Yotsuba is seen running past a dog. An image of Yotsuba is placed in a real life photo, to make things simple. A new figurine set is coming out as well and I hope I can get the one for Fuuka <3
(Spoilers alert if you haven't read it btw)
The chapters for this one are Denwa, Keirou no Hi, Netsu, Pachishie, Otsukai, Shuupatsu and finally, Bokujou. Denwa was Yotsuba experimenting with those cup phones, and her initial reactions to them were priceless. It grabbed my attention within the first few panels and kept me glued to the rest of the book. The rest of the chapters centered around but weren't entirely encompassed by Touchan's promise for Yotsuba to see a farm. Yotsuba is constantly watching things about animals and inquires about milk at the start of one chapter and Touchan promises to take her to a farm, "a place where cows are", is how he puts it. The next day the trip is set back by Yotsuba getting a fever, of course, she is not too happy about this herself and wails her eyes off in as many ways possible until she can go to the farm. The other chapters leading up to the trip were quite fun as well. Fuuka, one of her friends, Ena, and Yotsuba all try to make the greatest cake ever and fail, topping the cake with an egg and pocky sticks. My favorite was when Yotsuba is sent out by herself on an errand to the grocery store to get some instant ramen for lunch and ends up short on money because she buys one too many extra candies for herself. The clerk tells her to "put away your least favorite item" and Yotsuba puts back the Ramen for her dad. Easily the stories best laugh. Yanda, Touchan's friend and Yotsuba's arch nemesis goes along with Jumbo and the two of them to the farm. Along the way the tension Yotsuba and Yanda create a lot of laughs. The farm seen is really funny because of all the ways Yotsuba gets to interact with animals(she finally finds out where milk comes from...). The story cut off while they are still exploring the farm, so I can't wait until volume 8 is out. My friend told me the tankoubans take some time to release, so it may be awhile to get my fix.
I really liked volume 7 and would say that the $5 or so I spent on it was repaid 10 fold in the first chapter alone. For those who want to read it, I'm sure scanlations are out there for this volume and beyond so be sure to check those out, it's a great read. Still havent seen the newer releases in English. Meh T_T
The last thing I wanted to discuss was an image I found in a headphones related megapost the other night. Most were snippets from a calendar that had all of the pictures on it but someone was able to post each individually. A few had the girls and headphones accompanied by an album. I didn't recognize any except for one, and I have to say I am really impressed by this reference or dedication of sorts. Here is the aforementioned picture, along with what I think is the album:
Coincidence? I am convinced this has to be the back of Quruli's "Nikki", unless someone can refer me to another album that could be related. I love allusions like this. (However, why couldnt they have done "The World is Mine"???? Ot at the least "Antenna"...But then again I am not complaining).
I'm also attempting NaNoWriMo. Attempting, and you can track my progress at my profile, Zetsu...Itoshiki Nozomu. I'm aiming at least half the requirements and a half decent plot line that isn't as boring as it is turning out to be. Ah well, knowing me I might drop out tomorrow but it is something productive to do. Well then, Sa-yo-na-ra.
~hideki~