════ ⋆★⋆ ════ Considerations ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ ● This is a spoiler-free review. ● 90+ in my rating means "masterpiece." ● I've got to read this work on a friend's recommendation. I didn't look too much into the synopsis and just started reading.
● That's by far the hardest review I've had to do so far. I had to withhold a lot of information because I believe the true appeal of this manga lies in its mystery. ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ The Story ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ " There is an inn that you can visit where you'll find old things you thought were lost forever. "
That's the AL synopsis, and I think that is true for this work. When I saw this synopsis, I thought about something simplistic, especially considering the number of chapters and something that would be a SoL (Slice of Life). I couldn't be more wrong.
The story of Usemono Yado is filled with mystery. Each of the three volumes reveals another part of the drama. And the story needs this mystery. The lack of information is something that makes this manga shine as you create your own interpretations.
The story was absolutely amazing. Although the start is episodic, seeming like each chapter tells a different story without any apparent connection, soon you start to understand the ideas converging and drawing the plot.
I dare say that if you look right and analyze each situation in this manga, you can see some lessons that you can put into your life. And that's why I was able to give it a 90+. A masterpiece, in my view, needs to be a work that has either a distinguishing trait or you're able to take something from the said work.
════ ⋆★⋆ ════ The Art Style ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ The art style is good. I didn't find any information on assistants, so I'm assuming that's a one-man team.
Characters are designed in a very good manner, with nice highlights, shadows, and characteristics. I felt that while reading it, I was able to differentiate between each character and had no problems in that department.
Backgrounds are also pretty well done, though they can be a little simpler and lack detail at times (especially outside). That's not necessarily a bad thing, as characters are still pretty well used and you won't feel like it's lacking. ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ The Characters ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ That's the hardest part to talk about.
For the sake of mystery and complexity, characters are intended to be dense, and for the sake of mystery, I can't say much.
I'll say that there are a fair number of characters. They are well developed, and the core characters are really well made. ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ Conclusion ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ If you're like me, you skip everything and read only the conclusion because you don't want to get spoiled with other themes. So I will try to be brief on this point:
Read it. When I started reading, it just took me about 3 chapters to understand that Usemono Yado was a really good work, filled with mystery and philosophy. I was overly entertained by the turn of events and how it ended.
If you like mystery, drama, and philosophy, this is the manga for you.
