Sora wo Matotte

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8.5/10

I’ve read an eerily similar manga to this with the whole nude-drawing, age-gap, etc. tropes, and I’ll be honest, I didn’t like the story one bit. I gave a half-assed review on why I didn’t like it and moved on with my life; as for this, I expected the same thing to happen, so I never wanted to click on the first chapter, but when I did, I was simply enthralled and hooked.

Nudity in a manga is usually used in a direct and straight-forward way/reason — get the horny boys active. Yet, in this manga, despite nudity being so prominent, I was never once aroused ... or were my hormones pumping, since the art was simply beautiful, and I could only help to admire it. Because of this, the story wasn’t hollow in any way and wasn’t trying to go for a simple cop out for appeal.

The plot is one of the more unique things about this — though it is somewhat predictable at times, it has such depth due to the characters and their actions/development. Each character has been readily introduced and developed to become something much more than a one-dimensional/purpose character, and it’s simply lovely. All of them have their own backstories, making you feel quite the emotional experience for each of their desire and motive. They seemed straight-forward at first, but they get better as the story continues.

I am by no means an artist nor do I like dense/detached from women characters, but this was an absolute goldmine in all of its interactions. Though there is tons of sublime nudity, not once was the manga overstepping its boundaries; for the love of God, give this a shot despite the genre, since it’s just so well-written, captivating, and unique.


You guys know this is just my opinion, right?

Reading Rankings (Portnoy inspired + A Huang-Teizan Original)
10 - God’s penmanship
9 - Must-read. Drop everything else.
8 - Instant bookmark
7 - Entertaining
6 - Good to pass time
5 - Why are you reading this?
4 - Bad.
3 - Typical garbage.
2 - My head hurts.
1 - Retirement is a thought.
0 - “Did they even give you a story?!”

It's common for authors to give the advice to aspiring writers to write what they know, so it isn't all that surprising to find manga about art (or the process of making manga aka Bakuman). The main focus of Sora wo Matotte is pretty much about what it takes to become an artist. While the story is still at its infancy (the main character has yet to make it to art school), from the artwork, paneling and pacing, this is a fine and decent work that dives into the eccentric and fragile mind of artists trying to find their own voice, be inspired, and learn ... the skills to just be able to make good art. It is pretty much just like its more popular cousin, Blue Period (or the most closely related and underrated Alabaster no Kisetsu)... aside from one caveat. The main protagonist is completely obsessed with nude paintings.

It's interesting because nudity and its relation to the artistic project is usually not covered much in commercial manga and it is great to have more interesting and varied perspectives about the art scene. But the manga's interest in this topic is ultimately a caveat because the protagonist (and story) is so utterly obsessed with this topic that the manga seems to go beyond mere interest in the genre to the point that it seems to be the center of all events and circumstances in the manga - directly affecting the structure of the manga, the main character's actions and behaviour, who the main character is introduced to, etc. The manga's overall structure seems to be at a loop of introducing women for the protagonist to paint in the most convenient, overly structured and manufactured way.

I get that the story at this point isn't trying to capture the reality of artists in the same way Blue Period does. This is a way more light hearted and 'shonen-esque' approach to this genre. But when the manga is trying to deal with the nuances of creativity, the creation of art, and is depicting an artists' day to day in a rather 'real' way, this artificial structure and exaggerated character trait of the main character detracts from the other more nuanced aspects of its story. It creates a tonal whiplash of sorts that emphasises the artifice of the story and its characters.

Still, Sora wo Matotte is an entertaining manga. Though its choice of topic and its structure limits the potential of its story, the characters are likable and have some depth (though... their being and conflicts always seem to be in service of the protagonist rather than to simply exist as themselves). This was overall a rather light and pleasant read.

Now this is a manga that truly steps into the world of fine artistry. Sora wo matotte is a manga that can be compared to Blue period in the aspect that they are both art mangas however their form of art being pursued in is very different. to compare, I recalled a certain art piece from blue period that appeared to be a furnace with powerful heat and warmth that engulfed my fibers of being, whilst the portraits and the nude is done exceptionally captivatingly by sora wo matotte. it delves deeper not just in the philosophy of the artworks being created but as well ... as the subtle and minute technical yet appealing aspects that include forms of sketching with coals, leads, and graphite while conveying the difference of motion and "feel" they convey, Chapter 8 is an exceptionally good example of the contrasting art styles and approaches to the mediums.

Again it is important to note as I have in the notes that I am not a manga or anime expert, I am merely a lover of art, particularly portraits and the nude.

Furthermore on the topic of plot and story.
The plot of it is a tad bit nonsensical as its beginning is our boy being captivated by what is said to be a witch's nude and art.
The pacing is slower and can be compared to slowly appreciating the taste of warm chamomile tea.

In conclusion, "do you like art? Do you like portraits? Nude? hell this is for you chief"