Ponkotsu Ponko

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Ponkotsu Ponko is a very cute slice of life manga about an off-model housekeeping robot nearing the end of her useful lifespan. Ponko's last job sees her assigned to Gen-san, a grumpy old man in a small countryside village by his late wife as according to her will. Initially very cold and harsh toward Ponko, as they spend more time together, the two grow closer.

I especially enjoy watching the two main characters grow. Ponko becomes more and more human-like every day, learning new emotions and feeling new feelings. Gen-san learns to open up to his new friend, and with the introduction of his beloved granddaughter, ... even tries things he's never done before.

There are many side characters in the town, all with their own personalities, hopes and aspirations.

The art is very cute, if a little simple at times. However, all characters are distinct and memorable, and Ponko especially is one of the cutest characters I've ever seen.

The story ranges from crazy humour to dramatic to relaxing slice of life to melancholic, and handles and transitions all of these feelings with ease. The melancholic scenes are especially touching, as both Gen-san and Ponko near the end of their respective lives.

Who knows how the story will go as the years go by? Will it end on a cheerful note? A melancholic one? Or perhaps, the most likely, a bittersweet end? Regardless, I am fully looking forward to every chapter, and every day I aspire to be as good as Ponko.

A cute, relaxing, heartwarming slice of life drama/comedy that's well worth reading. Especially for Iyashikei fans. Think Dragon Maid crossed with Yokohama Kaidashi Kikō, to an extent.

Honestly my main concern going into this was whether the heavy melancholy vibes were going to be too much. We're not dealing with kids here, the whole vibe is as much end-of-life as it is slice-of-life. It doesn't hammer this point home though and in fact leaning into it really made it more enjoyable. The sci-fi element really helps with this too.

The characters are all so well fleshed out even someone with a terrible memory had no issues remembering ... them all. Ponko is adorable and, to be honest, had a bit of a Jim Henson vibe with adorable muppetry. Gen is far than your stereotypical curmudgeon too, though it takes a bit to get there.

Simply put, read it. It's a funny, weird manga that's going to click especially well for fans of YKK.

He names her Ponko which is a pun for ponkotsu which means useless piece of junk. After many different things... happen (with lots of comedy) the old man get to the point where he misses her when she is off someplace. Even his granddaughter and the townspeople accept her, even when she is in a rock band and acts as a backup generator as well.

Useless Ponko is a cute slice of life comedy series set out in a small town with an atypical grumpy old man. As Ponko is around him we find out more of her back story and who and ... how she was sent out to help him. Since she is an old model, there is always talk of trading her in for a new model but then there would be no comedy as her head falls off etc.

With everything from loneliness and health scares to farting as she flies Useless Ponko shows that is in not really useless as she entertains and makes you laugh.

Ponkotsu Ponko is a slice of life kind of manga, there are happy fun times and sad times. This work is not the usual high school romance and or fun but the twilight years of an old man and an old robot.

The story telling of this manga is very nice, though not mind boggling like other shows it lets you enjoy the moment as you continue to read before it leads you to its melancholy and are reminded of how it is nearly time for our characters to move on.

The art is somewhat simplistic but still appealing, giving plenty of attention to detail. The ... wrinkles and folds, the lines of tiles, smoke from cigarettes, and even the fine polish of floors.

The characters are not so amazing to where you immediately find the one which is your favorite. but you do find each character's place in the story, their personality, and how they fit as people in the town.

I especially enjoyed how even though the characters are not the youthful teenagers that we are used to the author still comes up with ways to hook you into the story. Constantly you are reminded that the main characters are way past their prime and are slowly but eventually coming to their end; and even though you may enjoy the silliness of the beginning of the chapter as Ponko messes up in some way or form, you are left with a satisfying melancholy as you await the character's and manga's end.

Ponko is a very satisfying manga to read, I enjoyed the moments it gave me the multitude of stories it told and how it reminds you that eventually we will all run out of time so to enjoy the moments you have and are given.

What gives a being value? Is it simply usefulness? Ponku is certainly trying very hard to be useful, and wears a brave face, comforting herself with the knowledge that, if she is melted into scrap metal for 500-yen coins, at least that's a way to be useful to people. It will take her a while to realize that what really needs isn't so much to be useful itself, but home, community, belonging, and affection.

In the meantime, she is going to be a ridiculous goofball and smile widely as she trips over her own head, which keeps falling off on a regular basis.

Ponkotsu Ponko is a wholesome and adorable read!
It’s a comedy slice of life with a sweet (and ‘useless’) older model robot maid, Ponko, sent out to live with a more bitter old man, Genji. Reading on, the story will introduce more of what led up to Ponko to be sent out to Genji and their friendship.
The reader will get introduced to a few side characters throughout the quiet town that our characters reside in resulting in Ponko making friends. Although she is deemed useless, everyone in town is quite fond of Ponko!
There is the right amount of comedy with shenanigans our main ... characters get into because of Ponko but a good amount of sadness as we dwell into the past but also as we move forward in Genji’s life as well.

It's so sweet.

Cute, hilarious, sad, poignant and beautiful, Pokotsu Ponko is a gentle, pleasant manga that truly lives up to the idea of Iyashikei. The story of an old, clumsy robot girl trying too be useful to humans and an old man enjoying his last years can be gut-bustingly funny sometimes, but most of the chapters are an easygoing slice-of-life story that is occasionally melancholic, but will never leave you without a smile. All the secondary characters are equally lovable and charming, seeing all the small ways Ponko changes their lives is adorable.

Underneath the cuteness, lies a story with a lot of real heart, with ... a meaningful message about the impermanence of life, the search for meaning and purpose, and the value of all the little happy moments of everyday life.

At 10 volumes, Ponkotsu Ponko is a brisk, pleasant read that any fan of Iyashikei and slice-of-life will enjoy. 10/10, we all could use a Ponko in our lives.

Very good manga with good story and easy to reading. I enjooyed the adventure of Ponko, it's about how she become more human as character and ended with people as part of them.

The story is humoristic with moments of drama, loneliness and nostalgia. Could have more chapters about Genji's kids families and contacts between them. For slice of life manga 79 chapters are not much.

The art is very good, even if there were changes, I haven't noticed them. There are many pages with only art and for sure speed up reading of the chapters. Maybe for that it was light for reading compared to ... the previous mangas I've read.

In my opinion, one possible mark of a truly great comedy is when it manages to interweave poignant moments within, tugging on the heartstrings without delivering tonal whiplash.

To that end (and many others), Ponkotsu Ponko is a fantastic manga. The comedic elements are never far away and land practically every single time. There exists a wide array of interesting side characters, all bringing something to the table with their banter and quirky personalities.

The dynamic between Yoshioka Sr. and Ponko is incredibly sweet, even if the former often refuses to respond with much beyond irritation or indifference. Coupled with the close-knit small town they live in, ... the resulting feel is very warm and homely.

As far as the story goes, it's extremely simple and makes for an easy to read - I finished all 79 chapters in a few days at most.

No complaints about the artwork; crisp and high quality throughout.

Ponkotsu Ponko is a heartwarming, comfy story about the importance of family and forming human connections - one so genuine in its ability to please the reader, that I'd heartily recommend it to just about anyone.

Plot: 7
Characters: 8
Art: 8
Enjoyment: 9