A kid at heart

Going about a narrative from 29-year old freeter Hiroto and 18-year old college freshman Natsumi's perspectives, the story does well appealing to both a teenaged and adult audiences. Perhaps plagued by school, work, interpersonal or personal issues, one can't help but gravitate towards these two encountering the aforementioned problems. Finding a social clique can be daunting, having no clear direction as an adult is frustrating and losing a family-more-than-friend a tragedy. Though, in the midst of it all, there's light at the end of tunnel, rather the chapters in this case.

Despite the shortcomings of life, Hiroto and Natsumi find sanctuary in each other and the mundane moments of their days. With a sibling intimacy that inspires pangs of envy in only-child readers, the cousin duo often banter, perhaps due to Hiroto's childishness and Natusmi's solemn personality despite her young age, though potent traces of concern are woven in their back-and-forths. Though, when need be, Hiroto displays admirable maturity and thoughtfulness. Bringing in flower and visiting the lonely, elderly and hospitalized Wada, bringing a frustrated Natsumi on his random excursions, Hiroto is worth more than what he might value himself at.

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Never stop growing

As if to add onto Hiroto's playful nature, Keigo Shinzo lays bright analog coloring to his color page spreads. Oft using a range of soft palette colors, these spreads visually condenses Hirayasumi's quiet, slacken-paced personality. Not to mention, Keigo gives fashionable conscientiousness to his characters, a rare sight in manga these days, gifting Hiroto some classic B&W 'Old Skool' Vans, a glaring pair of burnt orange trousers, among other stylish pieces riddled throughout the series. With a very modern fashion style grasped in one hand and a universal sense of nostalgia-or-another on the other, Hirayasumi is very much a series for most age groups. The scarce coloring aside, Keigo's character design is just as well-mentionable. Keigo perhaps draws with ambient music playing in the background and a pot of tea nearby, with the overwhelming smooth, bubbliness left behind by his pen. Opting for a sense of roundedness and a speck of chibi, his art style is match made in heaven with Hirayasumi's lightheartedness.

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Here's Keigo doing some coloring! ___

Conclusion

In a similar vein as Yotsuba&!, Hirayasumi sells itself as a soothing iyashikei. Though, the difference is that while Hirayasumi retains the genre-universal relaxation, it's also unafraid of depicting the sullenness of life. With playful and thoughtful writing, Keigo Shinzo scripts a fantastic up-and-coming slice-of-life for any audience.