Alice-san Chi no Iroribata

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There comes a point in life when you've just.. had enough. The modern world is full of exciting and fun things, but it can also get quite suffocating; and when you start contemplating your life and questioning your choices, something has to change. But, above all, you want comfort and reassurance.

Story:

This story is very warm and easily pulls at your heart's strings, making you reminisce about a wide variety of things, like school, love, family and friends. The daily life of a young woman is the focus of it; although episodic in a way, there is continuity and coherence, with a nicely executed, although ... slow build-up towards the end. A somewhat familiar premise is explored through the viewpoints of not only the MC, but also those that surround her. There are inner monologues and retrospection, providing the reader with additional information and helping with creating the bigger picture. With a few tropes here and there, the story pulls you in and keeps you there. The ending might have been an expected one, but that doesn't make it any less enjoyable. There isn't a single thing that feels 'overdone' or 'unnecessary'.

Art:

The art is very pleasant and a bit on the cute side, adding to the overall atmosphere of the story and the characters' personalities. Close-up panels and focus points are all justified as in you know why it's there at that specific moment, which allows for a better grasp of the situation and a sense of closeness to the characters. Everything looks clean, and some very rare doodles are sure to make you chuckle.

Characters:

Now, the characters feel so familiar, and it's so easy to relate to them and their lives/motives/reasoning. They are so well-written, giving you just enough to get the gist of what kind of person they are, without burdening you with too much detail that doesn't contribute to the plot. Both main and side characters feel realistic, there is depth to them, and they're not there just to fill up the space, but rather to contribute to the story's progress and overall quality. You understand what drives them, what has shaped them, and what they're trying to do. It would be so easy to find yourself in their shoes, because life is just like that, unpredictable. All with their own problems, small secrets and feelings of guilt, self-doubt and insecurities, they change and grow as they try to live as their true selves, to the best of their ability.

Enjoyment:

I did not expect I'll enjoy this story as much as I did. It's super nice and fun, I've read it in one sitting. If you wish to escape for a bit, get warm and cozy, or just read a feel-good story about people finding happiness in unexpected places and small things, then give this manga a try, it will not disappoint you. This story feels comforting, it makes you ponder about the things we rarely have any time to think about in our busy lives, and gives you hope that maybe, just maybe, a different approach to life is all you need to start feeling happy again. 'The road less traveled' and what might come out of it really fits the story to a tee.

Comfort and courage, that’s s the true meaning behind Alice-san Chi no Iroribata.

If you have read either Yakumo-san wa Ezuke ga Shitai or Aikagi-kun to Shiawase and enjoyed it you will like this manga as well. This is very much a Slice of Life in the country that focuses on a small cast of characters who just want to eat food and relax.
It executes this perfectly as it doesn’t overstay its welcome, with just 30 chapters of rather monotonous routines. While I did enjoy watching the different ways an Irori could be used and all the great looking food being cooked, there’s only so ... much you can do with that. I think the author realized this as the tone shifted around halfway through and focused on the more personal aspect of the story. Now I can’t put my finger on it, but something just felt like it was missing from this manga. It did an excellent job pacing wise, but I feel that especially in the later stages of the manga story beats were just sort of ticked off a list. However the characters are pretty relatable and likable so that does help.
Alice-san is a silly and endearing person, Harumi is more taciturn yet has a calming personality. As for the supporting cast, they’re not bad. Nothing special or outstanding but they do their jobs as secondary characters.
The art might be the weakest part here. I personally did not like it much. Apart from the food shots, nothing really stood out to me and I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a good looking manga.

I still think for 30 chapters this is without a question worth the read but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little disappointed but that’s just me.

This was recommended to me tagged as a Josei - it is very much not that.

I think Alice-san Chi no Iroribata seems like a warm story, one that wants to tell a tale about reconnecting, patience and everyday life and the relationships we have in them through Alice and Harumi, moreso Harumi. Don't get it twisted, Harumi is the main character - not Alice. How we, as readers, see Alice is through Harumi's eyes.

Which I'd say is my biggest turn off of the manga. I was already confused why a supposed "Josei" and "story about Alice" was opening the first page with a direct ... shot of her, thankfully clothed, breasts. Strange, obtuse even. This random shot of her chest carries on through all of the chapters I read, having random shots that emphasis her size and it just felt - I keep saying weird but thats EXACTLY what it was.
My big "I'm not doing this anymore" was when in chapter 4 they take it past the point of whatever into the realm of shounen level stupid when we get a full view of one of her bra cups. It was made in 2020, not the 2000's and I'd really like to keep that immature sh-t back to the 2000's.

I think if you're looking for a soft ecchi that probably has a really good story underneath with art that just melts your heart from it's warmth this is for you.
If you're looking for a manga that is tasteful in it's portrayal of the supposed main character, this is not for you.