October has been a busy month at work for me, so I’m glad to see it wrapping up, but even better is the fact that it means it’s time for another manga giveaway here at Experiments in Manga! This month you’ll all have the chance to win a copy of Satsuki Yoshino’s Barakamon, Volume 1 as published by Yen Press. And, as always, the giveaway is open worldwide!
I grew up in a rural area and, for the most part, have fond memories of living in a small village in the countryside. Currently I live and work in a small city, which certainly has its benefits, but occasionally I find myself yearning for less people, more green, open spaces, and a somewhat slower pace of life. In part because of this, I find particular enjoyment in manga series like Barakamon which largely take place in the country; they remind me of living “back home.” There don’t seem to have been very many of these manga translated, so I especially appreciate them when I do happen to come across one.
So, you may be wondering, how can you win Barakamon, Volume 1?
1) In the comments below, tell me about your favorite manga that has at least one countryside or rural setting in it. (If you don’t have one, simply mention that.)
2) If you’re on Twitter, you can earn a bonus entry by tweeting, or retweeting, about the contest. Make sure to include a link to this post and @PhoenixTerran (that’s me).
It’s as easy as that. You all can earn up to two entries for this giveaway and have one week to submit your comments. Comments can also be sent to me directly at phoenixterran(at)gmail(dot)com if you have trouble with the comment form or if you prefer. I will then post your entry below in your name. The giveaway winner will be randomly selected and announced on November 4, 2015. Best of luck to everyone!
VERY IMPORTANT: Include some way that I can contact you. This can be an e-mail address in the comment form, a link to your website, Twitter username, or whatever. If I can’t figure out how to get a hold of you and you win, I’ll just draw another name.
Contest winner announced–Manga Giveaway: Barakamon Giveaway Winner
I can totally identify with having grown up in a rural setting – and the effects of it. Now as an adult, although I want to live in a city or a close as possible, I need green in that city, trees, and sky. I spend a lot of time in Mumbai, India, though, and it’s hard to get that there.
I can’t say I’ve read a manga that, while being in a rural setting, actual had any plot devices that responded in true acknowledgment to that, but when I think of rural, I automatically go to Toru Honda from Fruits Basket living in a tent in the forest! I love that series – manga and anime (sub, not dub).
The manga that comes to my mind is Shiki by Ono Fuyumi and Fujisaki Ryu (not licensed in English but luckily, for me, licensed in German). Also set in a remote village but the outlook on the village life is completely different from the one in Barakamon:’).
retweeted you @busha69
Hmmm, how about Mushishi! The first episode was meant to take place in a very remote area but in modern day, but it ended up getting turned into taking place in olden times. Even the “cities” in Mushishi are rural by today’s standards, some even more remote than others.
Does manhwa count? I can’t think on the top of my head, but the manhwa Untouchable (Massstar) has a countryside setting in it around chapter 50ish.
Oh man, I feel like half of everything I watch/read takes place in the countryside (and the other half in Tokyo….) but I think my favorite all around story has got to be Silver Spoon which embraces its setting so much and truly understands how a person’s physical world affects their entire life.
And I RT’d under @wanderindreamr as per usual
1) Rumiko Takahashi’s Mermaid Saga takes place mostly in the countryside, be it in the past or the story’s “present”. I always enjoyed that, as it made the creepy parts of it seem creepier, being out where there were lots of wooded areas or even caves.
2) RTed at my Twitter, @bunnycartoon. :D
Yotsuba&! feels like it’s in more rural area, but I’m honestly not sure?
Otherwise, I’m with the person listing Silver Spoon! Great slice-of-life~ish series in an agricultural school of all places
RTed as persoconchii
Posted on behalf of Joseph:
I haven’t read any manga with rural settings, but I just started reading them so it’s good to know there are stories with that setting out there.
People have already mentioned all the other series I know, so I’ll go with Kamikaze Girls. I have a nostalgic soft spot for the manga, even though I much preferred the book after I finally got my hands on it.
now I’m kicking myself for not thinking of that one! Especially since in the novel Momoko rants for 3 pages per chapter about living in middle of nowhere & rice fields and hicks ….(altho the english translated title is still ridiculous?)
When I think rural, I think of the enchanting Mushishi. I’ve read the manga and watched the anime. It never paints these settings as ideal, however there is a sense of serenity and a connection to nature.
Retweeted: @forbescheryl19
Flowers of Evil is so messed up and bizarre, but I think I loved it. And it’s rural, secluded, small town setting is vital to the main characters issues.
Mushishi is my favorite rural manga, hands down.
I also read Nonnonba recently, which fits the bill too.
1) I don’t have a favorite manga with rural setting. Except if a manga like Hunter x Hunter can be accepted. I have watched though the anime adaptation of Barakamon (sweet and fun anime) and Shiki (really loved it).
2) https://twitter.com/Majenta_Dream/status/660397442970468352
I’m going to shout out to Moyashimon, another ag school story. It’s much more fanciful than Silver Spoon but I swear the faculty at those Japanese ag schools must be a lot of weirdos, as that is a common element in both stories!
(I also retweeted as @librarywise to my tens of followers!)
I’m only a few volumes in but I’ve really been enjoying 20th Century Boys. Most of the flashback scenes are set in a rural area.
tekkonkinkreet or black n white by Taiyō Matsumoto anime by Michael Arias the scences are amazing and the story is one of my no. 1 s heres my art page kink https://www.facebook.com/ROOFTOPBANGBANGCHRIS/?ref=hl
Hiiii :D My favorite manga is Naruto and it’s set in the Village of Konoha also known as the Fire Country. I love Barakamon so much more because it reminds me of my home town every time I watch it! Luckily I belong to a sea side town. I miss my place so much when I am not there. I wish there’s a season 2 for Barakamon and more manga!! Re-tweeting and following you ASAP!!