© Ryotaro Ueda 2019

23rd Manga Division Jury Selections

Hana-chan and the shape of the world

UEDA Ryotaro [Japan]

Outline

Elementary school girl Hana-chan put chocolate barley snacks in a camphor tree hole in the schoolyard as an emergency food for typhoons. At night, in the storm, Hana-chan goes to school in raincoat and boots to eat the snacks. The world’s fun and mystery seen from a child’s point of view is depicted with characters drawn in soft lines and detailed backgrounds that include stains and scratches. A poetic story with short but striking dialogue.