©AZUMA Kiyohiko

10th Manga Division Excellence Award

YOTSUBA &!

Story manga [Japan]

AZUMA Kiyohiko

Reason for Award

This work should be read by every generation. It does not have a new concept or make full use of elaborate drawing and structural technique, but all the characters are vividly depicted, which gives exhilaration to the work and the whole atmosphere has a gentleness. The way of presentation of ordinary, decent people is nothing new, but this work does not feel old. I greatly value the fresh feeling of its preserved cross-section which makes us feel “there was such a way of presentation.” This is a work which convinces us there are no limits in the presentation of the manga.