During the spring of Rinko's tenth year, her mother takes her to a carnival where she wins a goldfish. The mother explains to her that when they get home they will put the fish in a bowl and have to change out a little bit of the water at a time until all the water is clean. The mother tells Rinko that the reason you have to change out a little bit of the water at a time is so that the fish will grow used to the new water bit by bit in their home. The following year the mother decides that she is going to leave (abandon) her eleven-year-old daughter (Rinko) by getting her used to living alone. After several steps of leaving a little more money each time and the mother not coming home a little longer each time she one day leaves Rinko with a large amount of money (500,000 yen) and after several days of the mother not coming home. Rinko comes across someone who is in an even worse predicament than she is, Haruno who is a homeless kept-man. Feeling a deep sense of loneliness and longing for companionship, Rinko makes an unconventional decision to hire Haruno. The dynamics between Rinko and Haruno unfold in a manner that is as incomprehensible as it is heartwarming. Despite the taboos and legal complications that surround them, the joy, compassion, and hope that they share shine through the darkest corners of their lives.
Originality: 9
The idea of a divorced parent abandoning a child in Japan isn't original, not even a grown man taking care of an abandoned/runaway child is original. The unique twist that this author has presented us with is that the protagonist hires someone to take care of her until her mother returns so that she won't be lonely.
Plot: 8
The plot of the manga is constructed with a clear, concise, and compelling storyline that has a recognizable main arc with a convincing conflict and crisis. Throughout the storyline, there are several obstacles for the protagonist to overcome with their conflicts, crises, and resolutions.
Theme: 8
While exploring themes of loneliness, loss, and unconventional human connections, "Rinko-chan to Himosugara" also delves into the complexities of societal expectations and the struggles faced by individuals who exist outside the conventional norms. Through nuanced character development and intricate storytelling, the manga provides a stark yet empathetic glimpse into the lives of Rinko and Haruno.
Character Development: 10
The main characters are memorable with unique and complex personalities. As a result of the complex nature of the characters, the reader typically has positive emotions for the MC. Throughout the manga, the dialogue contributes to the rich and vivid world created.
Art, Setting, and Atmosphere: 9
Readers will undoubtedly be engrossed in the detailed and expressive artwork that brings the characters to life, while the sophisticated narrative style paints a vivid picture of their experiences. The manga's seamless integration of drama, school life, seinen, and slice-of-life genres adds depth and nuance to the overall storytelling, creating an engaging and memorable reading experience.
Mechanics: 8
I do not speak Japanese but in the translated version that I read, it was very easy to follow and understand what was happening with no spelling, grammatical, or punctuation errors
Passion: 9
The author is very adept at making you care about what ultimately becomes of the protagonist throughout the manga. The author expresses his passion through the development of the plot and the theme of the manga which is interesting. More specifically, the protagonist is abandoned by her mother and to defeat the overwhelming feeling of loneliness that she encounters she decides to hire a kept man.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
