Boku to Jinginaki Ojisan
Me and My Gangster Neighbour

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Often times, there are works that try to strike a mix of comedy and seriousness. They create characters with unique, distinct quirks, that when interacting with each other, they make for a really fun environment. Many fail at that mix, and end up with quirks so unique that may feel that they oppose what the character is, like they flip a switch and they're a completely different person.

This manga is the rare example of the perfect blend.

An obvious problem that occurs when mixing comedy and seriousness, is the absurdity of the former, diminishing the emotional impact of the latter. This manga, however, avoids this entirely ... by just having characters that are perfectly shaped into those quirks, which makes for an extremely enjoyable experience. You'll laugh with them, you'll understand them, and you'll cry for them, as well. It doesn't push those moments as well, they just naturally happen throughout the story.

It creates a world so beautiful, yet so believable, that doesn't feel as if it is a different world that only suits that mix of people; And although not much people read manga for their likeness to reality (probably the opposite), it makes their interactions, their existence, their problems and their solutions, all feel real. And that real, is something that you can relate to like no other. The pains and trouble that are represented, the way that they are dealt with so much care, and how "to the point" it presents those moments, is something to be praised. When reading it, a core idea will be reinforced from time to time: Acceptance. Of others, of your mistakes, and of yourself.

It may come as a surprise that such a simple, even dumb premise, could evolve to something that holds so many sweet and endearing moments.

In short: simple, sweet, and funny. 10/10.