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Oyasumi Punpun is something I won't ever get tired of, no matter how many times I read it. I don't know if it's due to the perfectly drawn backgrounds, the sometimes calming but yet depressing atmosphere, the highly realistic characters, the fact that it goes through many stages of life including its pros and cons or maybe something else. But it doesn't matter, as long as I can enjoy it as much as I do.

The story sounds actually quite simple and follows the life of a "bird" from his days in school to his adulthood. But it's not as simple as it sounds, there's ... much more into it but before I start to spoil something; just go and read it, it's totally worth it, especially if you're looking for a great coming-of-age story with somewhat a form of "social critism".

Oyasumi Punpun's artstyle is the best I've seen so far, as expected from Inio Asano. The backgrounds harmonize beautifully with the mood. The character design is also pretty unique and you won't see something alike in any other manga. Punpun changes quite a bit during the story and so does his look. Inio Asano changes his look symbolically. I'll use Punpun's triangle form for example: when Asano drew him this way, Punpun was in a stage of his life where he didn't know where to go, or better said: he couldn't (let) go. We all know the reason: Aiko. Yet he had another girl: Sachi. Punpun had to make a decision wheter he takes Sachi or Aiko (who was nowhere to be found at that point). If he could just forget Aiko he would be able to break free of that triangle he's in that brings him back at the point he was before. After he spent some time with Sachi he finally made it: he changed his life to a point where he no longer needs Aiko and suddenly he's falling out of his isolated triangle form. Well, that was my interpretation and doesn't mean it has to be right, everyone's got another one. The reason Asano drew the MC as a bird can have different interpretations as well.

Enough talk about the character design, let's move on to the characters. As I've already mentioned before, they were written to be as realistic as possible. Many writers fail to accomplish that, but Asano did a fantastic job there. The characterization for each character was well-done and their development was natural, not some "I change due to stupid reasons because the author wants it" kind of bullshit. You could really feel to be a part of the world thanks to the great storytelling and worldbuilding, which made the development even more natural.

The saddest part with Oyasumi Punpun isn't the ending, it's the fact that you'll never read something similar.

"You reap what you sow" - 9-10/10

I didn't expect Yuusha-tachi (or let's just call it "The Heroes") to be great, since it's just a one-shot. But that's okay. You do not read The Heroes for the plot, you read it for best girl. Best girl is a cute bunny-looking adventurer.

The story's about animals, fighting against darkness. Yep, it sounds bad, which it is - for the most part. At least it had some good elements, too, like some of the scenes were a critic to society. But as I mentioned before: you don't read it for the plot - you read it for best girl.

The art is definitely the ... point where it shines the most, but it's by Inio Asano, so I already was expecting some superb art. The background was really well drawn, maybe that's one reason why it took me so long to get through the ~20 pages. I found myself not caring about anything, but the background. Just starring at it, doing nothing. But hey, I did the same thing with best girl, you just can not stop looking at her. I mean, come on, you can't deny she is one of the cutest things you have ever seen.

Since we're already there, let's talk about the character design.
It was something unique - something you don't see often. Ofc this could mean it's bad, too, since being unique isn't all it takes to be "good". But well, I liked it. I thought Asano did a great job there (especially with best girl).

The atmosphere was something I found to be really good. To be honest, I would contuine reading this Manga just for the atmosphere (and for best girl, of course).

In the end I'd say, that "The Heroes" is something you can read for the art, the atmosphere and best girl; but if you're looking for something with a great plot, you should probably stay away from this.