And the Strange and Funky Happenings One Day

by Natsujikei Miyazaki, 宮崎夏次系, Zhuchka (Translator)

Natsujikei Miyazaki has been hailed as one of the most imaginative new cartoonists of her generation, and their works have been recognized on industry best-of lists and at the Japan Media Arts Festival.

...AND THE STRANGE AND FUNKY HAPPENINGS ONE DAY brings to life 33 small sci-fi fragments infused with an ecstatic sense of playfulness and wonder which slice through that mysterious, inescapable thing "everyday life". A collection of short story masterpieces showcasing the dynamism of ordinary people under mundanely extraordinary circumstances.

A girl with near-nonexistent supernatural powers is actually just a normal kid, a potter who keeps breaking his own pottery, a man whose job is to put protective cling film on things yet struggles to protect what he treasures most, a boy who wakes up one day with a tag hanging from his ear labelled "Pull", two people that are the only ones left on the planet and consider whether to risk meeting up in person, a group of planets return to their "home" orbit for a long overdue stardust reunion, and many, many more. Gorgeous and eclectic, these stories almost casually affirm what it means to live, and all ways of life.

Genres: Manga

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2024

About the author

Natsujikei Miyazaki (宮崎夏次系), also known by her former pen name Natsuji Kei, is a Japanese manga author.
She was born in 1987 in Miyagi Prefecture and debuted in comics in 2010. Miyazaki's distinctive style has made her an important figure in the alternative manga scene. among her works Holy Town, Comic S, Yume Kara Sameta Ano Ko to wa Kitto Umaku Shaberenai, Henshin no News, and Boku wa Mondai Arimasen.

Reviews

[Sara Mchl · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was so good and so weird???? oh my god it was so weird i loved it

[Larakaa · Rating 3 out of 5]

those short stories were indeed rather strange and weird...

[Aglaé · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short stories compilation was delightful to read through. It ranges from the dumbest set ups and punchlines to nuanced, intriguing and bittersweet slices of life.

A whole lot of love and nostalgia.

[A T · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, so charming. It’s silly, surreal, and captures quirks of humanity that typically go unnoticed. My fingers are crossed that we’ll see more of this mangaka’s work in English.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some great cartooning in this but all of the stories end just as they're getting interesting.

[Liv · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great and silly collection of short stories. Jealous of the writing.