Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
Beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. Although, I must admit, as someone who just recently spent months researching werewolves, I couldn't help but think how this book might have applied to my own thesis. But that aside, I liked seeing how Yuki and Ame took different paths, as they were both figuring out how to live with these two identities within themselves, and learned to accept themselves, each other, and in the case of Yuki, to accept his mother. Charming, funny, both heartwarming and heartbreaking tale of love, loss, parenthood, and family...this is the perfect example of the beauty and power of this format of storytelling...brilliant.I would like to also state that I did see the wonderful film of the same name before I read this manga and while there are some added tidbits in the manga, it is essentially the same story told on screen (it's a wonderful film and if you can find it, see it!)I like manga and I also like comic books, but there is something missing in comic books that manga has (comics are slowly catching up) and that is the 'slice of life' genre. Wolf Children is a prime example of this genre and also shows the reader perfectly how powerful a simple tale such as this actually can be:1) The world is beautiful created both by the Hosoda and Yuu. They framing, line work, dialog creates a Japan that is both familiar but fantastical. It feels real but supernatural at the same time. The closest comparison I can make is Neil Gaiman with it's magical realism. It's a wonderful world that you will fall into.2) The story is amazing, it will make you smile, it will make you cry and it will make you feel all the range of emotions that a good story will elicit. The artwork compliments it wonderfully, the character design is spot on for the story. It is a simple tale about a mother and her children, about loss and family. I don't know what else to say other than this is a slow boil story...you won't find huge action and tension in this book, what you will find is a real story about a family. This is what the 'slice of life' genre is, telling human stories and making us feel. It's a wonderful story...just read it.3) The characters are amazing, and this is where manga and visual storytelling offer something that only the written word cannot. When we think of characters in manga we must also think about the character art and design and in the case of Wolf Children, it's beautiful. Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, famous for creating the characters of Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water (watch it, it's good) here creates Hana, Yuki, and Ame beautifully. So, full of character and emotions their visual portrayal on page just makes them immediately relatable and lovable...you will love them. The dialog and also the quite scenes without dialog (which is only available in visual storytelling) are wonderful. They are real and you will feel for them.Manga is a special format, though it is storytelling through sequential art just like Western comics, it's differences are substantial and sometimes not apparent. However, if you give this format at chance you will notice that the range and genre is so much more wider than that of comic books (which I wish would change), quiet moments can be found in manga which is often very lacking in comics. Regardless of your preference, give this book a chance if you want to be moved...I challenge you not to tear up at least once when reading this wonderful manga.Onward to the next book!
What do You think about Wolf Children: Ame & Yuki (2012)?
This book made me happy and sad all that same time, what a good read.
—samm_gee
Amazing story and art! It's a masterpiece that should be seen by all!
—leannecassell
This gave my heart so many pleasant feelings!
—SleepyRanma
