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With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child #8
With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child
While trying to create a place in society for her autistic son, Hikaru, has been an uphill battle, Sachiko Azuma has long known that perhaps the toughest place to find acceptance for him is within her own family. Despite some progress made, Sachiko's mother-in-law still treats her grandson as a nuisance and sees him in many ways as inferior to his little sister, Kanon. Now that the Azuma family has moved into Masato's childhood home, Sachiko must not only adapt to life with her mother-in-law - she also must help Hikaru, whose developmental disabilities make it notoriously difficult for him to accept changes to his routine, adapt to this new living situation and a new school. As Sachiko tries to balance caring for Kanon and Hikaru in the face of her mother-in-law's constant disapproval, will the Azuma family emerge from what seems like the darkest of tunnels into the light? Told in completed chapters as well as unfinished pages that the creator drew while battling a long illness, this final volume of With the Light serves as a legacy to the late Keiko Tobe's inspiring dedication to bring to light the hardships and joys of raising an autistic child for readers around the world.
304 pages, Paperback
Published September 20, 2011
About the author
Keiko Tobe
24 books38 followersKeiko Tobe (1957-January 28, 2010) was a mangaka who wrote primarily josei manga. She was best known for creating With the Light, which won an Excellence Prize in the Japan Media Arts Festival Awards in 2004 from the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and inspired a television drama.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 18 reviews
February 21, 2012
I was so said to have to finish the series, especially knowing that the story wasn't finished before the author died. There were several times over the course of the series that I cried a little bit, for more reasons than one. It breaks my heart to know that this is the last book, and that I will likely never know for sure how things turn out for the characters.
This series is heartwarming and very touching, and I would recommend it to everyone.
This series is heartwarming and very touching, and I would recommend it to everyone.
January 7, 2012
I had waited so long for this volume's release yet, when I received it at Christmas, I found myself putting off reading it because I knew it to be the last volume before the author's death, which occurred before she was able to complete the story as she originally intended. I recall thinking, when I picked up the first extremely large volume, "How in the world can there be this much to write about an autistic child?" Well, after reading volume 8, there's still SOOO much more I wanted to know that will be left forever unanswered. That leaves me very sad at the conclusion, although I can hardly take away stars when the author was turning out pages even as she lay in her hospital bed.
As had been noted by some other reviewers, there tends to be an optimistic bent to the characters which isn't always true in real life but it's nice to hope we'll someday meet those standards. Knowing children in my family with Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD and Sensory Integration Disorder, I frequently noted how similarly people react (and are intolerant of) disorders that - with a few adjustments in their way of interacting with these children/people - could make everyone's lives more fulfilling.
I just noticed that my review may be a little "heavy" so I should note that there are many light, loving and heartwarming moments in this series. You'll fall in love with Hikaru and his family, and maybe even find another way of looking at other people. The series is definitely a keeper in my collection.
As had been noted by some other reviewers, there tends to be an optimistic bent to the characters which isn't always true in real life but it's nice to hope we'll someday meet those standards. Knowing children in my family with Asperger's Syndrome, ADHD and Sensory Integration Disorder, I frequently noted how similarly people react (and are intolerant of) disorders that - with a few adjustments in their way of interacting with these children/people - could make everyone's lives more fulfilling.
I just noticed that my review may be a little "heavy" so I should note that there are many light, loving and heartwarming moments in this series. You'll fall in love with Hikaru and his family, and maybe even find another way of looking at other people. The series is definitely a keeper in my collection.
July 11, 2026
With the Light: Raising an Autistic Child is an amazing series about an autistic child named Hikaru, his family, and the community around them who embrace him for who he is.
This is, unfortunately, the final volume in the series. If it were up to me, the series would continue until Hikaru reaches adulthood instead of the end of junior high. I started this series with somewhat low expectations due to some of the reviews I read of the first volume. I didn't expect it to be very neurodiversity-affirming, but in many ways it certainly has been, especially given the time period it was published. I feel so grateful to have stumbled upon this series and to have been able to spend all these months immersed in Hikaru's world and his community. I only wish for it not to end, and perhaps for the last few chapters to have been fully fleshed out. I found it confusing to read the storyboards. I read that the final chapters were eventually finished, but I can't seem to find them anywhere online to read.
Though I wanted to write reviews myself, I found it immensely difficult because of my "just right" OCD. However, I knew that I was going to start graduate school and undoubtedly have to write, and that therefore this may be the best time for exposure therapy. I started seeing a therapist for my OCD and began writing these reviews as my "exposure homework".
This volume focuses heavily on perceptions of autism (especially Azuma-san's perceptions) and the relationships between family members. Throughout the series, Azuma-san , Masato's mother, has continued to be an oppressive, somewhat domineering figure in the Azuma family. She has been highly critical of Sachiko's parenting, judgmental of Hikaru for how his developmental conditions present, and has treated them both differently than she treats Masato, her son, and Kanon, her neurotypical grandchild.
Masato's mother's perceptions of autism shift a bit when she visits Okumura-san, her dance partner, who is staying with Tsubasa Ryoumou, a renowned mystery novelist with Kasuga Publishing, who has "Asperger's" and ADHD. He's extremely clumsy and inattentive, as is evident by his spilling miso soup on himself, bumping into objects around his house, and wearing his shirt inside out. He struggles immensely with socializing (being very blunt) and frequently misunderstands other people's communication since he is such a literal thinker. He is also sensitive to sensory input - especially light - so he wears sunglasses even when he's indoors. Despite all of this - to Azuma-san's shock - he is also extremely intelligent and creative, often hyperfixated on his passions that he pursues in his work. He has an engineering doctorate.
Okumura is a gentle, kind soul who deeply understands Ryoumou-san and clearly has admiration and respect for him as well as other autistic folks. To Azuma-san's (Masato's mother) surprise, Okumura asks that next time she visits, she bring along her grandchildren. Even though he knows that one of her grandchildren is autistic, he is not deterred in the slightest.
When Azuma-san returns from her trip, she's shocked to find out that Hikaru is now able to water her plants all on his own. Initially irritated with the signs Sachiko put up about her garden while she was away, she stops removing them when she notices Hikaru using them to guide his watering task. She recalls how her instructions for him to go "over there" (in the last volume) were ineffective and how exasperated she was that he kept drenching her plants and watering the same area over again. It's obvious that Okumura-san's perspective and knowledge about autistic folks, as well as meeting the famous mystery author who is also autistic, were very impactful for Azuma-san, who began to notice Hikaru and his abilities in a softer light.
Sachiko notices this and thinks,
As expected, her mother-in-law's tenderness hardens when Hikaru "embarrasses" her during the Azuma family's visit to their ancestor's grave, where they all perform a complex cleansing ritual. During a moment when everyone was focused on prayer, Hikaru walked away and swapped flowers between different graves in the graveyard, to his grandmother's dismay and horror. The woman who brought Casablanca lilies for her mother's grave casually relays this occurrence to the woman in charge of the temple (the priest's wife). Sachiko beats herself up about this mishap, dejected because she knows that once again her mother-in-law will scorn and criticize her parenting when Masato isn't around. At the restaurant they visit afterwards, Masato and his mother-in-law get into a dispute about Hikaru.
Masato, exhausted, says,
To which his mother responds,
Masato, exasperated, says in response,
Sachiko determines from this conversation that she needs to also "stand firm" against her mother-in-law, because ultimately she's raising her children for themselves, not for anyone else. I do wish that for Hikaru's sake she had come to this determination years ago, but I don't doubt how difficult it was and continues to be as they are more reliant on her than ever, now living with her.
This is, unfortunately, the final volume in the series. If it were up to me, the series would continue until Hikaru reaches adulthood instead of the end of junior high. I started this series with somewhat low expectations due to some of the reviews I read of the first volume. I didn't expect it to be very neurodiversity-affirming, but in many ways it certainly has been, especially given the time period it was published. I feel so grateful to have stumbled upon this series and to have been able to spend all these months immersed in Hikaru's world and his community. I only wish for it not to end, and perhaps for the last few chapters to have been fully fleshed out. I found it confusing to read the storyboards. I read that the final chapters were eventually finished, but I can't seem to find them anywhere online to read.
Though I wanted to write reviews myself, I found it immensely difficult because of my "just right" OCD. However, I knew that I was going to start graduate school and undoubtedly have to write, and that therefore this may be the best time for exposure therapy. I started seeing a therapist for my OCD and began writing these reviews as my "exposure homework".
This volume focuses heavily on perceptions of autism (especially Azuma-san's perceptions) and the relationships between family members. Throughout the series, Azuma-san , Masato's mother, has continued to be an oppressive, somewhat domineering figure in the Azuma family. She has been highly critical of Sachiko's parenting, judgmental of Hikaru for how his developmental conditions present, and has treated them both differently than she treats Masato, her son, and Kanon, her neurotypical grandchild.
Masato's mother's perceptions of autism shift a bit when she visits Okumura-san, her dance partner, who is staying with Tsubasa Ryoumou, a renowned mystery novelist with Kasuga Publishing, who has "Asperger's" and ADHD. He's extremely clumsy and inattentive, as is evident by his spilling miso soup on himself, bumping into objects around his house, and wearing his shirt inside out. He struggles immensely with socializing (being very blunt) and frequently misunderstands other people's communication since he is such a literal thinker. He is also sensitive to sensory input - especially light - so he wears sunglasses even when he's indoors. Despite all of this - to Azuma-san's shock - he is also extremely intelligent and creative, often hyperfixated on his passions that he pursues in his work. He has an engineering doctorate.
Okumura is a gentle, kind soul who deeply understands Ryoumou-san and clearly has admiration and respect for him as well as other autistic folks. To Azuma-san's (Masato's mother) surprise, Okumura asks that next time she visits, she bring along her grandchildren. Even though he knows that one of her grandchildren is autistic, he is not deterred in the slightest.
When Azuma-san returns from her trip, she's shocked to find out that Hikaru is now able to water her plants all on his own. Initially irritated with the signs Sachiko put up about her garden while she was away, she stops removing them when she notices Hikaru using them to guide his watering task. She recalls how her instructions for him to go "over there" (in the last volume) were ineffective and how exasperated she was that he kept drenching her plants and watering the same area over again. It's obvious that Okumura-san's perspective and knowledge about autistic folks, as well as meeting the famous mystery author who is also autistic, were very impactful for Azuma-san, who began to notice Hikaru and his abilities in a softer light.
Sachiko notices this and thinks,
"The way my mother-in-law looks at Hikaru seems to be a bit more tender now."
As expected, her mother-in-law's tenderness hardens when Hikaru "embarrasses" her during the Azuma family's visit to their ancestor's grave, where they all perform a complex cleansing ritual. During a moment when everyone was focused on prayer, Hikaru walked away and swapped flowers between different graves in the graveyard, to his grandmother's dismay and horror. The woman who brought Casablanca lilies for her mother's grave casually relays this occurrence to the woman in charge of the temple (the priest's wife). Sachiko beats herself up about this mishap, dejected because she knows that once again her mother-in-law will scorn and criticize her parenting when Masato isn't around. At the restaurant they visit afterwards, Masato and his mother-in-law get into a dispute about Hikaru.
"Oh well. At least the grave is all clean now.. but still, we embarrass ourselves in front of the priest's wife.
Masato, exhausted, says,
"That again?"
To which his mother responds,
"But Masato.. Ryoumou-san is autistic too, but he's so different from Hikaru. He does things that make me upset, but he's a popular writer and a scientist. I wish Hikaru were like him."
Masato, exasperated, says in response,
"So, what? Are you saying you wish Hikaru didn't have a learning disability? Or do you want him to have a special skill? ... Give me a break! Even if he were like you want him to be, there would always be more things to worry about. Sure, sometimes it's tough on us too, but Hikaru is Hikaru. What's the point of comparing him to others?"
Sachiko determines from this conversation that she needs to also "stand firm" against her mother-in-law, because ultimately she's raising her children for themselves, not for anyone else. I do wish that for Hikaru's sake she had come to this determination years ago, but I don't doubt how difficult it was and continues to be as they are more reliant on her than ever, now living with her.
December 30, 2015
So sad that the series has come to an end. I wonder how much further Keiko Tobe intended to take the story of Hikaru.
November 23, 2018
A beautiful series that I think everyone should read. It gets all the bits about autism correct and as someone with Asperger Syndrome, I can't fault this series.
I didn't mind at all that half of this book was preliminary sketches accompanied by an English translation of the dialogue. In fact, I think it was really daring of them, and I applaud them for taking the risk that it wouldn't go over well.
The reason I gave this four stars over five is because I felt like a few plotlines were too easily resolved. Particularly the subplot concerning Eri Katakura and her family. I liked the twist that was presented in this book which ultimately led to the resolution of that situation, but it felt too much like a deus ex machina. (Trying to avoid spoilers here, which is why I'm being rather vague.) In essence, the situation is resolved through Tsuchiya-sensei, the school nurse, becoming a role model for the young Eri, and Eri explains after the fact that Tsuchiya-sensei was the only one who knew a specific location. I feel like this might not have been a problem had Tobe-sensei been able to finish drawing these chapters, because then we would have seen the configuration of the scene and been like "Oh yeah, you can easily see this place from the street." However, I would have preferred if we had seen Eri showing it to Tsuchiya-sensei in a previous volume so Tsuchiya-sensei wasn't just like "Eri showed this place to me the other day when we were shopping together so that's how I knew where it was." I mean, I get that the main focus of this entire story was on Hikaru and his struggles with autism, but we did spend a significant amount of time with Eri and her problems, too. Or maybe I'm the only one who feels this way. *shrug*
Oh, and by the way, this volume also contains two short manga stories that Tobe-sensei wrote before With the Light was serialized. One story, entitled "Thank You, Sensei!" shows the struggles of a sixth grade class when their longtime substitute teacher's contract runs out and the homeroom teacher doesn't come back from maternity leave. The other, which I believe is called "Flower Blossom Gramps" (though don't quote me on that) shows how a surly old man who loves gardening becomes more honest and open after befriending a young boy. In particular, I loved Tobe-sensei's depiction of how Suguru (the boy) grieves for the old man after his death. This volume might be worth picking up just for these two stories alone, but the conclusion of the series itself is heart-wrenching and quite fitting.
I didn't mind at all that half of this book was preliminary sketches accompanied by an English translation of the dialogue. In fact, I think it was really daring of them, and I applaud them for taking the risk that it wouldn't go over well.
The reason I gave this four stars over five is because I felt like a few plotlines were too easily resolved. Particularly the subplot concerning Eri Katakura and her family. I liked the twist that was presented in this book which ultimately led to the resolution of that situation, but it felt too much like a deus ex machina. (Trying to avoid spoilers here, which is why I'm being rather vague.) In essence, the situation is resolved through Tsuchiya-sensei, the school nurse, becoming a role model for the young Eri, and Eri explains after the fact that Tsuchiya-sensei was the only one who knew a specific location. I feel like this might not have been a problem had Tobe-sensei been able to finish drawing these chapters, because then we would have seen the configuration of the scene and been like "Oh yeah, you can easily see this place from the street." However, I would have preferred if we had seen Eri showing it to Tsuchiya-sensei in a previous volume so Tsuchiya-sensei wasn't just like "Eri showed this place to me the other day when we were shopping together so that's how I knew where it was." I mean, I get that the main focus of this entire story was on Hikaru and his struggles with autism, but we did spend a significant amount of time with Eri and her problems, too. Or maybe I'm the only one who feels this way. *shrug*
Oh, and by the way, this volume also contains two short manga stories that Tobe-sensei wrote before With the Light was serialized. One story, entitled "Thank You, Sensei!" shows the struggles of a sixth grade class when their longtime substitute teacher's contract runs out and the homeroom teacher doesn't come back from maternity leave. The other, which I believe is called "Flower Blossom Gramps" (though don't quote me on that) shows how a surly old man who loves gardening becomes more honest and open after befriending a young boy. In particular, I loved Tobe-sensei's depiction of how Suguru (the boy) grieves for the old man after his death. This volume might be worth picking up just for these two stories alone, but the conclusion of the series itself is heart-wrenching and quite fitting.
Read
September 27, 2021In the 7th grade one of my friends would lend me manga to read in class when I was bored. The first volume of this series was one of the ones she lent me and I had always wanted to read the rest of the series. I just finished reading all 8 volumes in 3 days. Overall I liked it but I wish there had been more from the perspective of the autistic kids and kids with learning disabilities instead of it only being from the perspective of their parents and teachers. It's unfortunate that the author passed before she could finish the story. I wish we could've seen the kids go on to high school and college/work.
March 14, 2017
Now that the series has come to a close I feel like the story is half finished the reader doesn't get to see the challenges that hikaru will go through in high school and as an adult. In addition to that the growth of sachiko feels stagnant at this point and completely complacent with taking emotional abuse from her mother in law because she loves her husband. The thing that bothers me the most Is the Grandma who admits she is wrong in how she treats hikaru in vol. 7 but we don't see any change or her even attempting to change and accept him for who he is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2021
I would’ve loved to see more. The mangaka passed away before fully finishing this story. It was beautiful regardless!
I loved seeing everyone grow. There was lots of characters and character development.
This is definitely worth the read (even without a concrete ending).
If you have someone in your life with autism or you’re just curious about learning disabilities, I definitely recommend this story. 4/5 stars overall!
I loved seeing everyone grow. There was lots of characters and character development.
This is definitely worth the read (even without a concrete ending).
If you have someone in your life with autism or you’re just curious about learning disabilities, I definitely recommend this story. 4/5 stars overall!
May 22, 2018
This is such a diverse and well researched manga. It’s a tragedy Keiko Tobe passed before she could complete it.
The “Bonus Chapters” at the end of other one shots she did were cute and powerful too. She was a talented mangaka!
The “Bonus Chapters” at the end of other one shots she did were cute and powerful too. She was a talented mangaka!
December 11, 2018
I am pretty heartbroken that Tobe died and couldn't finish this work. It was all so amazing and well-researched.
November 22, 2015
It was so hard to read this volume, knowing it was the last and Mrs. Tobe died before it could be finished. I was glad we had the outline of the next two chapters as it helped to ease the feeling of loss. There were a lot of side characters in the series, and it was wonderful we get an update on several.
With the Light is a series I can't recommend enough (or read enough of). I started reading it my sophomore year of college. While it took a while to get all the volumes (aka last week), there's no doubt its one of my favorite books (series) and one of the ones that have had the most impact on me. You see, I'm a Special Education teacher, specifically I'm a teacher in an Autism classroom. I also love Japanese culture.
As a teacher, I only see my students for 6 hours. That's not a lot of time. I work everyday with my students on daily living skills in addition to academic skills. Behavior management is another. At the end of the day, they go home. Seeing the parents perspective in "With the Light" has helped me greatly as a teacher. The parents of children with Autism have to make decisions we don't. They may be unable to do many things outside the home. It's also a reminder to me of what skills I can help my students with that are important in the long run such as shopping, cooking etc.
"With the Light" doesn't just focus on Hikaru, but on his family so the story itself never feels like the same thing. It highlights the struggle of getting older, staying in touch, finding resources and balancing family, life and work. Sachiko and Masato have their faults, but Kannon and Hikaru have two fantastic, supportive parents. "With the Light" shows them in their struggles and successes,never letting negativity linger.
There are differences in American (being a teacher in the US) and Japanese perspectives on Autism and what it looks like in schools, but this series is still one I think should be in any school library or should be read by any aspiring educator. I see a lot of methods I use on a daily basis in the books (i.e. visual schedules, practicing, transitions etc.) and similarities in Akio-senpais classroom and mine. I could write a lot on this, but to keep things short, this book is spot on in a lot of ways and continues to remain current, even if it was published several years ago.
On a lasting note, there is no ending to the story, so as readers, we have to draw our own conclusions about what happens next. I think Masato and Sachiko encounter more obstacles, but never give up. I believe Hikaru does become a cheerful, working adult as his parents dreamed. I want to believe the best for all the characters and that they stay in touch, even if its only for small gatherings every year or two. I also, for some reason, think Kanata eventually retires from fame and settles down into a slower pace.
It's hard to leave the characters in limbo in a sense and say goodbye. However, in doing so, I believe in my theories about what would happen next as each reader will create their own beliefs. For now, I close volume 8 and know I'll reread it again and again in the years to come.
With the Light is a series I can't recommend enough (or read enough of). I started reading it my sophomore year of college. While it took a while to get all the volumes (aka last week), there's no doubt its one of my favorite books (series) and one of the ones that have had the most impact on me. You see, I'm a Special Education teacher, specifically I'm a teacher in an Autism classroom. I also love Japanese culture.
As a teacher, I only see my students for 6 hours. That's not a lot of time. I work everyday with my students on daily living skills in addition to academic skills. Behavior management is another. At the end of the day, they go home. Seeing the parents perspective in "With the Light" has helped me greatly as a teacher. The parents of children with Autism have to make decisions we don't. They may be unable to do many things outside the home. It's also a reminder to me of what skills I can help my students with that are important in the long run such as shopping, cooking etc.
"With the Light" doesn't just focus on Hikaru, but on his family so the story itself never feels like the same thing. It highlights the struggle of getting older, staying in touch, finding resources and balancing family, life and work. Sachiko and Masato have their faults, but Kannon and Hikaru have two fantastic, supportive parents. "With the Light" shows them in their struggles and successes,never letting negativity linger.
There are differences in American (being a teacher in the US) and Japanese perspectives on Autism and what it looks like in schools, but this series is still one I think should be in any school library or should be read by any aspiring educator. I see a lot of methods I use on a daily basis in the books (i.e. visual schedules, practicing, transitions etc.) and similarities in Akio-senpais classroom and mine. I could write a lot on this, but to keep things short, this book is spot on in a lot of ways and continues to remain current, even if it was published several years ago.
On a lasting note, there is no ending to the story, so as readers, we have to draw our own conclusions about what happens next. I think Masato and Sachiko encounter more obstacles, but never give up. I believe Hikaru does become a cheerful, working adult as his parents dreamed. I want to believe the best for all the characters and that they stay in touch, even if its only for small gatherings every year or two. I also, for some reason, think Kanata eventually retires from fame and settles down into a slower pace.
It's hard to leave the characters in limbo in a sense and say goodbye. However, in doing so, I believe in my theories about what would happen next as each reader will create their own beliefs. For now, I close volume 8 and know I'll reread it again and again in the years to come.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2012
With The Light is the story of Sachiko Azuma and her family and their lives including the adorable Hikaru, an autistic boy. The story is touching and clever and brings sad tears, over joyed tears and frustrated tears easily to the eye.
The Azuma family have moved into the house of Hikaru's paternal grandmother (Masato's mum) with a smoother transition than expected in the case of Hikaru. It is Sachiko who struggles with a mother-in-law who can never give her a passing grade. After meeting the writer, Ryoumou, grandma Azuma returns home with dreams of Hikaru having a hidden artistic talent.
Long before I even purchased this volume I learned that the creator died before she could finish the series in the way she originally wanted to. I had hoped to read the series through until Hikaru became a happy working adult (a dream for the future Sachiko has for her son in volume one) but unfortunately Tobe-sensei was unable to last that long. She did manage to storyboard two more chapters before passing away, and Yen Press have included these in this final volume for her fans to enjoy. These storyboarded pages bring us to a nice conclusion which resonates well with the opening.
Sachiko seemed a little more down on herself in this final volume, though it is understandable considering her mother in law, I'm just used to her being a bit more plucky. I did love in the storyboarded pages however that she was going to start building a 'Sunshine House' of her own in her new area with some friends. This was such a wonderful note to end on.
So, while I'm disappointed I only get to imagine Hikaru as a happy working adult, I'm still happy with the ending.
Even though she will never have the opportunity to know this, I want to thank Tobe-sensei from the bottom of my heart for writing this magnificent series. It has taught me so much and made me so happy.
I recommend this book/series to lovers of manga, anyone who wants to try manga but wants to start with something great and anyone interested in the tale of raising an autistic child.
.
There are also two follow up stories at the end that were originally published before Tobe-sensei began work on With The Light.
The first one, 'Thank-you Sensei' tells the story of substitute teacher Hiromi Yamamoto and her students and the upheaval when she is forced out of her position as teacher. This story makes me think Tobe-sensei must have a passion for teaching since it plays such an important role in this tale and With The Light.
The second is a bittersweet tale of a grumpy old man meeting a lively young boy and while we can all see the boy warming the old mans heart the end and method are different to the usual way this tale is told. I love whne the little boy referenced chikorita (the pokemon).
The Azuma family have moved into the house of Hikaru's paternal grandmother (Masato's mum) with a smoother transition than expected in the case of Hikaru. It is Sachiko who struggles with a mother-in-law who can never give her a passing grade. After meeting the writer, Ryoumou, grandma Azuma returns home with dreams of Hikaru having a hidden artistic talent.
Long before I even purchased this volume I learned that the creator died before she could finish the series in the way she originally wanted to. I had hoped to read the series through until Hikaru became a happy working adult (a dream for the future Sachiko has for her son in volume one) but unfortunately Tobe-sensei was unable to last that long. She did manage to storyboard two more chapters before passing away, and Yen Press have included these in this final volume for her fans to enjoy. These storyboarded pages bring us to a nice conclusion which resonates well with the opening.
Sachiko seemed a little more down on herself in this final volume, though it is understandable considering her mother in law, I'm just used to her being a bit more plucky. I did love in the storyboarded pages however that she was going to start building a 'Sunshine House' of her own in her new area with some friends. This was such a wonderful note to end on.
So, while I'm disappointed I only get to imagine Hikaru as a happy working adult, I'm still happy with the ending.
Even though she will never have the opportunity to know this, I want to thank Tobe-sensei from the bottom of my heart for writing this magnificent series. It has taught me so much and made me so happy.
I recommend this book/series to lovers of manga, anyone who wants to try manga but wants to start with something great and anyone interested in the tale of raising an autistic child.
.
There are also two follow up stories at the end that were originally published before Tobe-sensei began work on With The Light.
The first one, 'Thank-you Sensei' tells the story of substitute teacher Hiromi Yamamoto and her students and the upheaval when she is forced out of her position as teacher. This story makes me think Tobe-sensei must have a passion for teaching since it plays such an important role in this tale and With The Light.
The second is a bittersweet tale of a grumpy old man meeting a lively young boy and while we can all see the boy warming the old mans heart the end and method are different to the usual way this tale is told. I love whne the little boy referenced chikorita (the pokemon).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2011
I can't believe I finished the final volume of With the Light in one sitting, but this series has been that engaging. This volume is not like the others in that it is not complete, but it was satisfying nonetheless.
Those fammilar with the series know how much trouble Sachiko has had with her mother-in-law, and it is little changed in this final addition to the series. Mrs. Azuma is making efforts to understand Hikaru and his habits, but she is as deeply rooted in her way of doing things as he is and Sachiko is the one who is the brunt of her criticism and frustration as a result. Even though Mrs. Azuma complains almost constantly to her daughter-in-law, particulary about how she thinks Sachiko is neglecting Kanon (Sachiko's daughter and Hikaru's sister) in favor of Hikaru, she tries to make things run more smoothly by offering to take Kanon to activities she wants to do. Though it is obvious Mrs. Azuma favors Kanon, her attitude toward Hikaru has significantly softened even if the same high expectations and embarrassment remains.
Masato also got a nice subplot, dealing with a coworker of his who has developed a crush on him due to his kindness in regards to her brother developing a disability due to an accident. Masato makes it clear that he thinks of Oka as a daughter and wants her to find her own happiness. Oka says goodbye to him, a little bit broken-hearted but filled with resolved.
The family and publishers of Keiko Tobe were kind enough to include in the final volume scripts and sketches she worked on while she was on her sickbed. They give us a glimpse into the wonderful stories Tobe had planned to finish but was unable to, which include Masto's sister and her family's surprising acceptance of Hikaru due to their living in the U.S. and its more widespread acceptance of autism compared to the of Japan's, a conclusion to Eri's sad story that offers some hope, and a look back on friends Hikaru and Sachiko have had to leave behind as time has passed.
Also included in this volume are two short stories Tobe wrote and drew before the serialization of With the Light. I won't spoil them here, but both are well written and touching in their own ways. Even before she became famous for With The Light it was obvious then the talent she possessed.
It goes without saying that if you want to read this book you should read the others first. Even if you are not looking to learn more about autism and just want a good manga to devour, this series is one I recommend.
Those fammilar with the series know how much trouble Sachiko has had with her mother-in-law, and it is little changed in this final addition to the series. Mrs. Azuma is making efforts to understand Hikaru and his habits, but she is as deeply rooted in her way of doing things as he is and Sachiko is the one who is the brunt of her criticism and frustration as a result. Even though Mrs. Azuma complains almost constantly to her daughter-in-law, particulary about how she thinks Sachiko is neglecting Kanon (Sachiko's daughter and Hikaru's sister) in favor of Hikaru, she tries to make things run more smoothly by offering to take Kanon to activities she wants to do. Though it is obvious Mrs. Azuma favors Kanon, her attitude toward Hikaru has significantly softened even if the same high expectations and embarrassment remains.
Masato also got a nice subplot, dealing with a coworker of his who has developed a crush on him due to his kindness in regards to her brother developing a disability due to an accident. Masato makes it clear that he thinks of Oka as a daughter and wants her to find her own happiness. Oka says goodbye to him, a little bit broken-hearted but filled with resolved.
The family and publishers of Keiko Tobe were kind enough to include in the final volume scripts and sketches she worked on while she was on her sickbed. They give us a glimpse into the wonderful stories Tobe had planned to finish but was unable to, which include Masto's sister and her family's surprising acceptance of Hikaru due to their living in the U.S. and its more widespread acceptance of autism compared to the of Japan's, a conclusion to Eri's sad story that offers some hope, and a look back on friends Hikaru and Sachiko have had to leave behind as time has passed.
Also included in this volume are two short stories Tobe wrote and drew before the serialization of With the Light. I won't spoil them here, but both are well written and touching in their own ways. Even before she became famous for With The Light it was obvious then the talent she possessed.
It goes without saying that if you want to read this book you should read the others first. Even if you are not looking to learn more about autism and just want a good manga to devour, this series is one I recommend.
May 30, 2015
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2468998.html
Sadly the last of the series of manga about bringing up an autistic son in today's Japan, curtailed by the untimely death of the writer Keiko Tobe in 2010. At this stage, the setting of wrestling with Hikaru's special education needs was sometimes becoming background scenery for other dramas to play out in the foreground - a younger work colleague's crush on Hikaru's father, for instance, or an abusive relationship between two of his classmates. But the tricky family dynamics are still there, particularly between Hikaru's mother and her mother-in-law, cooped up in a rather small house together and trying to find a modus vivendi. And the book ends, or would have ended, on a note of reconciliation between the generations which is rather sweet.
We also get as a bonus two of Keiko Tobe's earlier stories for the monthly For Mrs. magazine where With the Light was published, one fairly slight piece about a teacher and a difficult class, the other more accomplished about an elderly man who befriends a young neighbouring child. It's good to have all of the stories together, though it's a shame that there won't be any more.
Sadly the last of the series of manga about bringing up an autistic son in today's Japan, curtailed by the untimely death of the writer Keiko Tobe in 2010. At this stage, the setting of wrestling with Hikaru's special education needs was sometimes becoming background scenery for other dramas to play out in the foreground - a younger work colleague's crush on Hikaru's father, for instance, or an abusive relationship between two of his classmates. But the tricky family dynamics are still there, particularly between Hikaru's mother and her mother-in-law, cooped up in a rather small house together and trying to find a modus vivendi. And the book ends, or would have ended, on a note of reconciliation between the generations which is rather sweet.
We also get as a bonus two of Keiko Tobe's earlier stories for the monthly For Mrs. magazine where With the Light was published, one fairly slight piece about a teacher and a difficult class, the other more accomplished about an elderly man who befriends a young neighbouring child. It's good to have all of the stories together, though it's a shame that there won't be any more.
April 26, 2013
This book was a major disappointment. The author died before the story could be finished, and rather than choosing someone to finish out her vision, this book collects the unfinished story pages. Even with translations, it is pretty much unreadable without knowing Japanese. Sad and abrupt end for a good story.
December 25, 2011
Loved loved loved this series, and I wish all the best to Hikaru and his family (though his bitchy grandmother is welcome to take a hike). I wish the author had been able to actually finish (she died instead), but it allows me to believe that Hikaru had a long, healthy, happy life.
August 21, 2016
Excellent - as is this whole series. Sadly, this was the final and abbreviated final volume due to the author's death. I can't say again how thankful I for finding this series. It gave me another boost and filled me with hope. What a great reminder that autism touches lives all around the world.
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