My rating: 9.2/10

At first, I was hesitant about reading Houseki no Kuni because I was unsure about the story and its quality. Yet, after reading this work, I can confidently say that this manga is a masterpiece, and I believe that HnK is a manga worthwhile for anyone who has ever felt lost or hesitant about their place in the world. HnK captures a familiar struggle in a sublime way, and I believe that the story is a masterpiece at understanding what makes people feel the way that they do.

HnK is a manga with excellent growth on behalf of its protagonist, and this manga is at its best when it examines human struggles. Watching the characters struggle to find a sense of self-worth and purpose eloquently highlights a critical part of being human-- the desire to belong somewhere. That desire is heavily built upon in the manga, and I would recommend this story for anyone who appreciates characters that parallel human qualities.

Phos's journey is one that anyone can relate to because it represents the hardships of life and the pain of losing a part of yourself. Constantly breaking apart and rebuilding captures the essence of human emotion, and the dialogue between the characters emphasizes the struggle of trying to convey the soul in a world without worthwhile connection.

Phos's journey to attain human connection and purpose is a heartfelt story that can resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or unable to explain themselves. Even in a story with rock characters, Haruko Ichikawa perfectly captures the human emotion surrounding those character's pain, and HnK is a story built on finding humanity in the most desperate circumstances. I feel like it would have been easy to make the characters seem alien or out-of-touch, yet the lack of human characters in this manga somehow makes the story feel more lifelike; in fact, the story is bolstered by the idea of finding humanity in creatures that struggle to convey their feelings.

I also applaud the way that guilt is used in the story, and again, broken pieces and characters symbolize the guilt of not being able to protect others or assist friends, a struggle that Phos deals with in their quest to become something valuable. The idea of gems finding real worth is one that is thought-provoking, and the character's shiny, polished exterior contrasts their uncertain, blemished in a way that relates to how humans wear a "mask" in their daily lives.

All in all, HnK is a manga that should be appreciated for its characters, and I would recommend this manga for anyone who wants to experience a story of growth and vulnerability. Human emotion is the center of this story, and HnK is a story that masterfully portrays that emotion in a sophisticated way.