よつばと！第１番

I recently finished reading よつばと！・Yotsuba-to! or "Yotsuba&!" in Japanese. Compared to past manga volumes I've read for 聲の形 or "A Silent Voice", よつばと！, at least this first volume, was enjoyable! I don't mean because of the content – although its comedy and lighthearted, slice of life stories definitely helped – but because I could read it and not have to look up translations at least 80% of the time! I felt close to a native reader. I want to say that the 7 issues inside took me roughly 3 hours at a very leisurely pace to complete over the span of a few days.

I had read the series up to volume 15 in English 2 years ago and loved it. I heard the Japanese version is a great "first manga" to read when learning the language. After this experience, I agree. I was going in the deep  endin with 聲の形 as my first read... よつばと！ volume 1 is estimated to be at the high N4 level, while 声の形 is firmly estimated in the middle N3 level.

I'm excited to continue よつばと！in its native language. There are many jokes and puns that are very dependent on the language and culture, and I appreciate understanding them in that original context. At the same time, while I don't remember the details, I do remember laughing and enjoying the English translation a lot – so I all the more am impressed with the translator's skill.

I had physical copies shipped from Japan since I couldn't find a Kindle version. It took a month of sea shipping and a little over $100 for 15 volumes! I'm glad I got them – they are used but in great condition, and it's always nice to read comics in physical form and take a break from screens.