“In a small town where the fantastic and the mundane blend together, young Hana's everyday life is one of exploration and discovery. As she encounters fragments both bitter and sweet, the shape of the world slowly comes into view…” (Yen Press)
Buy This Title
Marking one of those special titles that only comes along so often, “Hana-chan and the Shape of the World” is a masterfully crafted story that uses vignettes to capture the imagination of youth. With this title existing as the sole entry of Ryotara Uedu in Western databases, the work is deceptively masterful. Consequently, if this is Ueda's first title, it is quite the impactful release with many attributes that makes it a true stand-out in the medium.
Where “Hana-chan” excels is in its ability to appeal to all ages while offering deeper value to mature readers. The work can be taken at face value, speaking to childhood flights of fancy which will be appreciated by everyone. Adversely, the book can also be interpreted as children dealing with trauma among a changing landscape that fades with age. Perhaps the best example of this comes from ‘Hana-chan ‘s Disaster in the Weeds' which, taken on basic level, is a tale of children fighting against robots trying to get rid of their play area. However, it is easy to also see an adult's inability to understand the importance of such spaces for children to harbor imagination. In addition, this short points to issues of both corporate greed and environmentalism which will go over the head of children but will resonate deeply with adults. Overall, “Hana-chan” is one of the idyllic titles that explores informative years in a multifaceted manner that will resonate with all readers.
This ability to offer broad appeal translates to the various comedic and dramatic moments within the book as well. While the title does deal with the occasional heavy theme, the ability to tap into the cute and comedic moments that comes with trying to interpret life through the eyes of a child is certainly not lost. Certainly the book can be used as a bonding experience and a way to educate early on certain subjects tied to emotional development, but it is foremost an entertaining title that can be enjoyed at face value.
Uedu's artwork mimics the chilhood reflection approaching the characters, in a rather simplistic manner. However, the beauty in the work lies in the mangaka's landscapes and background. Undeniably, the scope of the world is different in the eyes of a child and there is a certain sense of wonderment about nature and the landscape around children, that dulls as people grow. Consequently, Uedu's art is one of the few titles to capture that sense of space and relationship kids have with the world around them; when it rains it pours, flowers grow beyond reach and cars are in movement as soon as they are occupied. Ultimately, the mix of simple drawings and engrossing background work makes “Hana-chan” a gorgeous book that shows its beauty as the reader unravels the visual cues with the ingenious narrative.
“Hana-chan and the Shape of the World” is a deeply insightful and gorgeous title that will speak differently to readers based on their age while maintaining appeal for all. Books like this are a rarity; as such, the release is a perfect addition to both a family library or for the avid manga fan. I can't recommend this title enough, it deserves greater recognition and is a title that is meant to be cherished at all stages of life.
