Hirayasumi

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TLDR; Finding beauty in the mundane.

Some quick backstory on the author Shinzo Keigo and Hirayasumi. The manga author recently just overcame cancer during the pandemic. Keigo's experience in the hospital at the time was described as boring and uneventful. Keigo missed being able to just "live" his life outside. After overcoming his battle, Keigo was inspired to write Hirayasumi on his way home from the hospital by simply looking outside his window in his parents' car. A central theme of Hirayasumi is enjoying the present or basking in the moment. That moment isn't necessarily epic or grand in scale, but just like us, the ... moments he illustrates the most are the moments we wouldn't think twice about (having a nice walk, enjoying the scenery around yourself, enjoying the fresh air, etc.). Moments where you look around and say I am glad I am here right now in this moment. Those moments were gone for Keigo when he was hospitalized, and now realizing how beautiful these moments are and how he took those moments for granted he writes and draws Hirayasumi.

Now onto the Manga. There is something about Hirayasumi just makes me feel at ease. The art style is so simple yet pretty. The characters feel relatable and realistic. The story isn't too complex nor does it have unnecessary drama. Hirayasumi perfectly encapsulates the feeling of slice of life. Hirayasumi carries this vibe that makes reading each chapter more and more enjoyable than the last.

Hirayasumi is so far very wholesome and just relaxing to read after a long day of work. It makes me thankful that I am still alive, still able to exist in this planet with others and it reminds me to enjoy the present while it lasts. Hirayasumi silently screams to me to slow down and enjoy the little things you walk right by every day.

At the expense of rising in popularity, both the manga and the anime industries started to grow a bit convoluted in recent years. It doesn't necessarily mean it's bad, but due to its growth, most authors are fixated on the competition and ever so slightly forget the significance of their individual expression.

Hirayasumi is a rare find in these conditions. With modest yet charismatic art drawn over straightforward yet engaging dialogues, it's the author's love letter for the things we take for granted in our lives. It's a love letter for the lonely old lady next door who loves to cook warm food for a complete ... stranger. A love letter for the beautiful mornings that we miss due to punctualities we need to attend to. A love letter for the stillness that we scorn for being boring and unproductive. A love letter for the delicate rain that gardens countless flowers. A love letter to the life that we lost to the pressures of having to perform like an adult.

It's an ingenious look into the simple pleasures of life; abundant and accessible yet overlooked due to its rather candid nature. And if someone's so inclined, one might even call it a case study -- of how the contrived society psychologically conditions us into only finding fulfillment from entertainments with price tags attached. And although subconscious, how it makes us hostile toward our own biological needs for lethargic resets and reasonable rest.

Just a quiet story about the daily life of two cousins.
With currently 5 chapters this story is leaving a very good taste in my mouth, with a refined art style and a calm and realistic story,i think it has a promising future.

Story (8): Until now it hasn't been so developed but i like the feeling it leaves me when i read it,i feel like i'm really experiencing the day-to-day life of the characters,something that didn't happen to me with other slice of life stories.

Art (9): Despite looking "simple" it is charming and very appropiate for this type of story,it somehow reminds me of Inio Asano ... and Yamamoto Souichirou.

Characters (7): They feel quite real and i'm quite interested in seeing how their lives unfold and solve their little daily problems.

Enjoyment (10): I'm really enjoying it. After reading very exhausting things like Chi no Wadachi or SUFFERING from how other are developing *cough* *cough* Kanojo Okarishimasu,i really needed something like this.

If you're looking for a peaceful and charm current manga give it a chance :)