Yotsuba to! (Yotsuba&!) - Azuma, Kiyohiko

Synopsis

While most people find the world mundane, five-year-old Yotsuba Koiwai sees it as a treasure trove of amazing bustle and wonderful places to explore. When she and her adoptive father, Yousuke, move to a new city, the energetic young girl naturally sets out to investigate the neighborhood on her own.

After a few incidents at the local park, the Koiwais become acquainted with their neighbors, the Ayase family. Their three daughters—mischievous college student Asagi, responsible high school student Fuuka, and kindhearted grade school student Ena—eventually all take a liking to Yotsuba and join in on her antics, despite their sheer ridicule.

From learning how to use a swing to figuring out how to stop global warming with air conditioners, Yotsuba's ability to infallibly find fun in everything, both amazes and annoys the people around her. Along with Yousuke, the Ayases, and friends she makes along the way, Yotsuba embarks on daily adventures, each one a step in her quest to enjoy the simple things in life.

[Written by Animeranku Rewrite]

Background

In 2006, Yotsuba to! received an Excellence Award in manga category at Japan Media Arts Festival where the jury citation praised the vivid characters and gentle atmosphere the manga has. In 2008, the series was nominated for the 12th Osamu Tezuka Culture Award and the Eisner Award "Best Publication for Kids" category, but did not win either one. It was also a runner-up for the first annual Manga Taishou award. In 2016, the series, along with Hanagami Sharaku, was awarded the 20th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize Grand Prize.

The series was first published in English by ADV Manga as Yotsuba&!. Six volumes were released from June 6, 2005 to October 31, 2007 before publication was discontinued. Yen Press has published the series since September 15, 2009. It has also been published in Spanish by Norma Editorial since November 2005. It has been licensed in Polish by Wydawnictwo Kotori.

Characters