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Very solid Fantasy manga that is strongly reminiscent of Sousou no Frieren, and in some ways this is superior. There's slowburn worldbuilding, much of the action is slow slice of life and while there are background conflicts (that the protagonist is reluctantly drawn into), the main driver are the characters and their transformations.

Another fantasy that it has some similarities to is Dungeon Meshi, though this is more grounded. The manga shares the same obsessions with food (and makes you care, even though you will never be able to eat any of these dishes), and details. When the main character gets the skin of a monster, ... we learn about the challenges of turning this into armor. When the character visits villages, the manga is careful to give us enough information about the geography and economy of these villages so as to make them real, without overwhelming us. And the monsters (if they truly are monsters) are depicted carefully, with the manga always careful to make sure we don't understand anymore than the main character (whose views evolve through the manga).

Then there's the central character who's just a good dude. He likes people, but he's no pushover. He's old (well middle aged), and is fine with that and has become wise with age. And he's just good company - as a reader you never doubt that people would be drawn to him and would follow him. His charisma is there on the page for you to see. There's a hint that maybe there's more to it, but frankly the manga doesn't need it.

And finally the art which is beautiful. The manga would be fine with weaker art, but the art raises it to a whole other level. Every panel is gorgeous, and meaningful and drives the story. Fight scenes are (mostly) easy to follow, and the world breathes on every panel.

Highly recommended manga for adult fans of fantasy.

Excellent world building, interesting characters and beautiful art make this something special. So far this has avoided the many cliches that fantasy Manga tend to fall into. It can easily stand up to Frieren, My Metal Alchemist (though it's much gentler), or Nausica. More people should be talking about this.

The art in this manga is some of the best I've seen in a long time. The landscape and cities are rendered so that you feel you could step into them. This is not a manga you read quickly, but one where you linger on every panel drinking in the details.

Characterization is also excellent, with the ... central character somehow managing to transcend the essential Mary Sueness, through a convicting depiction of 'good'. In addition by showing us how the character struggles to overcome (the many) challenges, and other characters who are (at least on paper) superior, it gives us a character that we can root for. Things don't come easily to him - he has to work at them (mostly). Other characters (mostly - there are a few flat exception) have enough detail, and quirks, to be convincing. This could be better (a couple of characters hint at cliche), and so it's possible that this might be something that ultimately drags this manga down. I hope not.

And finally the story. As someone who finds depictions of the importance of reading incredibly trite and irritating, to my surprise I actually am engaged by the importance this manga puts on books and libraries. Part of this is due to the richness (and enthusiasm) demonstrated by the mangaka as she weaves in historical details on books, writing and the evolution of the written word. And I was fascinated by how she depicted the various facets of book culture in this world. I want to visit these bookstores.

Recommended - with the proviso that this only has 30 chapters, and so the early promise may not be fulfilled.

Strangely addictive manga series about twin real estate agents who find apartments in Tokyo for their clients (always female for some reason). These clients always have a reason for why they're moving, though its not something the manga is hugely interested in (reasons include divorce, overbearing parents, or the various challenges of being a women in Japan).

The main characters are rather subversive by Japanese standards. They're overweight, have zero interest in getting married and are perfectly content as they are. One of them really likes sex (and has no trouble getting boyfriends), the other doesn't. And they're fun companions; cheerfully (and often gluttonously) telling their ... clients about all the wonderful things in each district.

There's also a subplot about their refurbishment of the house that they inherited from their parents. It's fine, if pretty superfluous. The finished house is pretty nice though.

Each issue you get to see a new area of Tokyo which they will demonstrate to their client is far superior than their original choice of Kichikouji. Usually you'll get to see some sites, a shopping area and some restaurants. And that's it really. If you like architecture, Tokyo or just wish to live vicariously and imagine living in one of the world's more exciting cities - then its pretty great. Just don't expect drama, or much plot.