Folk Remedy: Book 1

by Jem Yoshioka

The world is changing…can you keep up?
 
Meet Maple, apprentice apothecary who unearths a lost yokai with questionable motives and a penchant for mischief. Fans of Netflix's  Thundergod's Tale and Pilu of the Woods will delight in this new graphic novel series inspired by Taisho Era Japan.

At twelve years old, Maple Akimura’s future has already been decided. With her mother insisting she become an apprentice at the family apothecary business, Maple sees a small life in her village ahead of her.  
 
Maple would rather spend her time with Kunio, her new friend visiting from Taisho City, than study her family's history. Her mother insists she reads the family book detailing the Akimuras’ relationship to yokai (spirits and supernatural beings) over generations. To Maple, the stories of the yokai are just a remnant of traditional village living, amid 1920s Japan’s rapidly advancing technology and the glamor of modern urban life—especially in bustling Taisho City. But Maple’s encounter with a mischievous yokai named Ember sweeps the pair into the hidden spirit world, with only Maple's family stories to guide them. 
 
Now, they must navigate hidden dangers, strange creatures, and dark secrets to send Ember home and empower Maple to find her own path.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Comics, Fiction, Mythology, Young Adult

Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[DianaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fun first volume in a new middle grade/YA graphic novel series revolving around yokai that reminded me fondly of inuyasha, one of my favorite anime/manga series💖 i’m excited for book two after that cliffhanger!

[Chenoa · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute

[Adam Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review being submitted to School Library Journal for an upcoming SMS article.

[yien · Rating 2 out of 5]

saw this in the library and thought the art is cute! not super sure about the plot yet though

[Meggie Ramm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the author’s debut comic, and I’m excited to see what their next series looks like. There is a lot that needs to be ironed out: a lot of the female characters have the same personalities and the speech balloons could have benefitted from another pass. I think I liked Anzu and the Realm of Darkness a bit more as a comic that dealt with Oni, but I'm excited to see how the author’s skills grow in the next book.

[Andrea Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adventure fantasy featuring a young girl and her adventures with Yokai, magical creatures from Japanese folklore. It's an engaging story with appealing art, but unfortunately, it's just the beginning of the story. There's no resolution at all, so readers will have to wait for the next volume to know where the story is going.



My thanks to Andrews McMeel Publishing for granting me an ARC of this title.

[Michael Doane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Folk Remedy is a visually rich and emotionally grounded graphic novel about inheritance, change, and choosing one’s own path.

Set against the tension of Taisho era Japan, Jem Yoshioka balances historical transition with mythic imagination. Maple’s conflict caught between familial obligation, rural tradition, and the pull of a modernizing world feels immediate and relatable, especially for middle grade readers navigating expectations placed upon them before they fully understand themselves.

What stands out most is how gently the story treats tradition. The yokai are not framed as relics to be discarded nor as simple sources of danger. Instead, they represent living histories that require engagement, responsibility, and discernment. Ember’s mischief adds humor and momentum, but the narrative never loses sight of the emotional stakes beneath the adventure.

The artwork complements this tone beautifully. The spirit world feels layered rather than overwhelming, and quiet moments reading the family book, moving through the village carry as much weight as the supernatural encounters. The pacing allows Maple’s internal growth to unfold naturally alongside the external journey.

Folk Remedy succeeds not just as the beginning of a fantasy series, but as a thoughtful exploration of how young people negotiate change without losing connection to where they come from. It will especially resonate with readers who enjoy folklore infused stories that honor both curiosity and care.

[Dolores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maple Morimura's family have served as apothecaries to their village for many generations, and her mother assumes that Maple will assume the mantle. But Maple isn't sure that is what she wants. The world is changing and moving forward, but her mother is so old-fashioned, she is afraid of the telephone and still believes in Yokai. Maple wants more than spending her whole life stuck in the same small village. But when Maple releases a spirit that has been trapped in a lantern for 300 years, everything changes. Suddenly she is on an exciting quest and finding Yokai everywhere.
Maple's journal was a great way to introduce readers to different Yokai and their various characteristics, and the art here is adorable. A fun adventure with plenty of humor and heart, and an enticing start to the series.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Japanese legends and mythology? I’m in. About 244 pages with a dark autumn but soft color scheme. Great for all ages. Maple is all for the modern world, electricity, and cities. She doesn’t believe in Yokais. Learning about her ancestors’ medicine journals and stories, she is willing to let that magic be within her, too. Still, trying to prove to her mother that yokais don’t exist, she ends up releasing the one in the lantern. They go on an adventure. Some panels are hilarious.
From the art, we as readers seem to realize something that Maple doesn’t. Who to trust and who NOT to trust. We learn about some of the most famous yokais.
Wow…. Great ending with a major surprise for book 2.

[Rebecka]

This graphic novel was such a cute and quick read. I love anything that dives into Japanese lore, so this one was instantly right up my alley. The art style is adorable, the characters are fun, and there were plenty of little moments that actually made me laugh. My favorite character was definitely the Tanuki, with absolute chaotic cutie energy.

I loved following Maple as she stumbled into the world of the Yokai. The plot is light, whimsical, and just magical enough to keep you hooked. And that cliff hanger twist at the end? Rude, but in the best way. I will definitely be picking up book 2.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this DRC from Edelweiss.

This was a fun start to a story about a girl learning that yokai are real. So many yokai were introduced already, which was fun. And I liked the setups for reveals to come later involving character backstories and motivations.

[Alisha (booksmellz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Maple Akimura will become the apprentice at the family apothecary business according to her mother. But, Maple is more interested in spending time with her new friend, Kunio, a visitor from Taisho City. Her mother believes Maple’s old enough to read the family’s book detailing the Akimuras’ relationship to yokai (spirits and supernatural beings) over generations. To Maple, the stories in the book are just that - stories about traditional village life. Right now, amid 1920s Japan, technology is rapidly advancing and there’s so much glamour in modern urban life! But then Maple meets a mischievous yokai named Ember and the pair get swept into the spirit world with only Maple’s family stories as their guide.

Inspired by Japanese Folklore, this graphic novel is a fun read with beautiful, soft (but also dark) color schemed panels. We as readers do get a little insight with the art to stuff that Maple doesn’t seem to notice (at least not right away). A few of the funnier panels were always showing great emotions.

I did find Maple’s character a bit funny in the sense that she was so against believing in the yokai until she met Ember and then was like - nope, they’re real - and then goes on an adventure with them. Kind of makes you think she didn’t really not believe.

Overall, a beautiful graphic novel dipped in Japanese Folklore that though aimed at Middle Grade readers, I think those of an older age range will also enjoy it - including adults! I’m quite excited for the next volume, this will definitely be a series I’ll keep track of going forward.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first graphic novel in a new series, inspied by Japanese folklore. I loved the representation of yokai, but the plot that ties it together is a little flimsy. I feel like Ember and his relationship with Maple is very Inu-Yasha inspired, which is not at all a criticism.

[Jennybeast · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weirdly, this book is more show than tell and it feels more like watching an anime than following a story. No doubt, very appealing to the intended audience, and it's cool to learn about the yokai. However, low on plot, low on character development. Mostly a lot of running around yelling.

[Lexi M · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book has an interesting premise, but the pacing is way off. Book one introduces you to lots of characters and the world of the yokai, but the plot is very minimal. It feels like an anime that is stuck in the “bad guy of the week” plot loop. Unsure if I will continue.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

ahhhhhhhh I need the next book! The art is gorgeous and the storyline is amazing! I am learning more about different beings of Japanese folklore in this fantasy book. I can't wait to see what happens next to Maple!

[DB (DB's Guide to the Galaxy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

she was so against thinking yokai weren't real and then she embraces them with open arms 😅

but cute!

[Meg]

Beautiful art but I'll definitely have to warn kids it ends on a cliffhanger

[Jen Nishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book a lot. Any time I see my Japanese culture represented is a win for me! Enjoyed all the yokai and loved the cliffhanger at the end.

[Rummanah (Books in the Spotlight) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute illustrations but the plot and pacing are a mess. I won’t be continuing this series.

[Austen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, colorful, magical, truly a unique and wonderful graphic novel!! So excited for vol 2!!!

[skcocnaH · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5