What do you think?
Rate this book
ばらかもん [Barakamon] #14
Barakamon, Vol. 14
Librarian's Note: The ISBN-10: 0316511218 and ISBN-13: 978-0316511216 for this book were also used by "The World of Watteau, 1684-1721" by Pierre. Schneider.
Reality is tough, but...surely, the future must be bright.
Handa-sensei has returned from Tokyo with a new declaration--he's going to start his own calligraphy school! But will he find any students!? But when an unusually cold winter brings rare snow to the island, is Handa prepared to hibernate the time away...?
Reality is tough, but...surely, the future must be bright.
Handa-sensei has returned from Tokyo with a new declaration--he's going to start his own calligraphy school! But will he find any students!? But when an unusually cold winter brings rare snow to the island, is Handa prepared to hibernate the time away...?
224 pages, Paperback
First published December 12, 2016
10 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Satsuki Yoshino
80 books93 followersYOSHINO Satsuki
Name (in native language): ヨシノサツキ
Zodiac: Gemini
Name (in native language): ヨシノサツキ
Zodiac: Gemini
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 29, 2024
Back on the Island....Handa realises his important decision may have financial setbacks.
July 12, 2019
In which Handa is weirdly mature.
March 16, 2018
I am a big fan of this series, but felt that this volume was weak. The last third was back to the standard that I expected, but the first parts were fatiguing.
I am still looking forward to volume #15.
I am still looking forward to volume #15.
October 8, 2017
This volume was way too mild for its own good. All the ingredients that I usually like are present, but the resultant dish is bland and disappointing. Here's hoping to a return to form next volume.
February 24, 2018
I'm excited for the next volume coming out soon. :D
September 18, 2019
Things change and life goes on.
World: The art is fantastic once again. I love the small emotions and they are well done. The world building is also well done with it once again being character based and also plays with the changing times of small towns in Japan.
Story: A story of change and finding one’s way. Last book we left with the idea of a school and we get more of that here, we also get the Daikon story and also the Liquor story story. All these are about change and how small towns in Japan is changing much like a lot of the world. I love the small emotions and the feels that are brought up. I also really enjoy the focus on Tama and her future.
Characters: Wonderful character work once again with some nice emotions and family bonding. This book is so good at these small emotions.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is fantastic once again. I love the small emotions and they are well done. The world building is also well done with it once again being character based and also plays with the changing times of small towns in Japan.
Story: A story of change and finding one’s way. Last book we left with the idea of a school and we get more of that here, we also get the Daikon story and also the Liquor story story. All these are about change and how small towns in Japan is changing much like a lot of the world. I love the small emotions and the feels that are brought up. I also really enjoy the focus on Tama and her future.
Characters: Wonderful character work once again with some nice emotions and family bonding. This book is so good at these small emotions.
Onward to the next book!
February 24, 2020
This manga series will always make me happy no matter what. Is it time for a Barakamon rewatch? I think so
March 4, 2022
Chronique à venir (j'en ferai une groupée pour toute la série quand j'aurai terminé).
September 19, 2017
Barakamon is my favorite series of all time, no exaggeration there. I waited a few months for this volume and was very excited when it arrived in the mail today. After reading it, I must say I'm quite disappointed, and this has never happened while reading Barakamon before. Everyone seemed a bit out of character, and this time it just didn't feel like the series I know and love. I still have hope for the next volume though! I'm excited to see the characters grow, even if it's a bit different from what I liked.
September 19, 2019
Pretty great adorable slice of life manga, really love it!!😻😁📖🖋
August 28, 2019
Winter encroaches further, as Handa-sensei and Naru return to the island after an extended trip to the big city. Regrettably, the quiet life isn't as quiet as it once was . . . largely because of an annoying little jackass (Kousuke) who idolizes and annoys sensei so much it's a wonder the kid is permitted to survive long enough to leave. In any case, BARAKAMON #14 is a casual reintroduction of readers to the rural life: odd local traditions, farming, Handa-sensei freaking out over something minor, and an unsuspectingly touching revelation.
Whether sensei successfully turns the corner on this new chapter in his life — away from competitive calligraphy and more toward the needs of the community — seems less and less up to the gumption of a twenty-something creator and more up to the whims of those whose support upon which he relies. The rural community is slowly fading away (schools are consolidating, businesses are closing) and yet here lies a vestige of creativity and curiosity run by one of the area's most youthful residents. BARAKAMON #14 proffers a fun (if temporary) reversal of auspices: the jaded artist is poised to breathe life into the quiet lives of locals.
This volume has its quirks of excitement but nothing compares to the closing drama concerning the future of the Yamamura Liquor Store. There's plentiful discussion surrounding Iwao's strong desire to provide for his family and a space for Miwa to grow into whatever future she sees fit for herself. It's a rather somber note, laced with humor, and frames the manga's emotional travails quite succinctly. That is to say, the passing-on of instinct and tradition, of fear and ambition, from one generation to the next, steeling its grip against the winds of time.
Yoshino's layout and composition smartly pace the book's dynamics such that readers never get too far ahead of the dramatics sure to shake up these character's lives. Further, sensei actually does calligraphy in this volume, and the results subtly show off the young man's incredible growth and knowledge of his craft: "As always, ya know m' tastes real good. Now this is how ah like it!" (Iwao).
Whether sensei successfully turns the corner on this new chapter in his life — away from competitive calligraphy and more toward the needs of the community — seems less and less up to the gumption of a twenty-something creator and more up to the whims of those whose support upon which he relies. The rural community is slowly fading away (schools are consolidating, businesses are closing) and yet here lies a vestige of creativity and curiosity run by one of the area's most youthful residents. BARAKAMON #14 proffers a fun (if temporary) reversal of auspices: the jaded artist is poised to breathe life into the quiet lives of locals.
This volume has its quirks of excitement but nothing compares to the closing drama concerning the future of the Yamamura Liquor Store. There's plentiful discussion surrounding Iwao's strong desire to provide for his family and a space for Miwa to grow into whatever future she sees fit for herself. It's a rather somber note, laced with humor, and frames the manga's emotional travails quite succinctly. That is to say, the passing-on of instinct and tradition, of fear and ambition, from one generation to the next, steeling its grip against the winds of time.
Yoshino's layout and composition smartly pace the book's dynamics such that readers never get too far ahead of the dramatics sure to shake up these character's lives. Further, sensei actually does calligraphy in this volume, and the results subtly show off the young man's incredible growth and knowledge of his craft: "As always, ya know m' tastes real good. Now this is how ah like it!" (Iwao).
January 31, 2024
Handa's attempts to start his school are going as well as one can imagine on a small island! He doesn't get off to the biggest start on account of being snowed in with no water.... once again delighting us in his struggle to survive!! No wonder his mother is worried about him being alone!! I am curious to see how and if he actually does get his school going....
February 12, 2021
I did drop this manga. Picked it up again today and wow, did I miss it. It's not the strongest entry of the series. I stand by what I said that this series needed to end several chapters ago. But it's still has some funny bits that made me chuckle.
May 13, 2017
Maybe Handa is experiencing a quarter life crisis or something. But it is good that he is trying to reach his own goals, whatever they are.
June 8, 2019
Back to village life and the story seems to be flat.
July 20, 2020
3.5 stars
January 12, 2021
I just love Naru.
August 28, 2022
actually sad that i'm reaching the last volume. best slice of life manga i've read in a long time after yotsuba&!
May 23, 2023
our characters are growing and evolving. i'm not ready to say goodbye to them since we only have a few more volumes left before its all over. :(
January 4, 2025
あああ、だから最近の書道の話があまりない、半田先生は書道家を辞めるから。
どんなぐらい辞めるかな？
書道教室を開いているつもり？村で？どうやって？人数が足りないでしょう？あまり考えてないよね。半田のいつものようにあとを考えず暴れるよね。
どんなぐらい辞めるかな？
書道教室を開いているつもり？村で？どうやって？人数が足りないでしょう？あまり考えてないよね。半田のいつものようにあとを考えず暴れるよね。
January 23, 2018
In Summary
A new dream for Handa means a new arc for Barakamon! Opening a calligraphy school out in the sticks poses a whole different set of challenges for our displaced Tokyoite, starting with securing his teaching space from Farmer Mush and defending his decision against Kanzaki’s protests. While the daikon showdown is quite a bit more fun than I expected, Kanzaki’s whining gets irritating fast, and it’s a relief when he finally leaves the island at the end of the volume.
The Review
Handa’s returned to the island! However, he is a (somewhat) changed man with a new dream. Before he was an artist striving to find inspiration and his own unique means of expression. Now Handa’s quitting contests and commissioned work to open his very own calligraphy school!
It’s a well-established fact that Handa has no practical skills to speak of and that the Kawafujis have always handled the business end of his calligraphy. That combined with Handa’s unrealistic expectations regarding his new endeavor now gives readers the beginnings of an extended arc with a lot of potential. But before Handa can attempt to recruit Gotou students for his ¥20,000 per month (approximately $200 per month) lessons, he has two obstacles to contend with: the daikon bet and Kanzaki.
The daikon bet was struck a couple volumes back between Farmer Mush and Handa and further complicated by Kanzaki’s thoughtlessness. With Handa certain that Mush will ask for the rights to his house if the daikon are not up to snuff, Yoshino-sensei packs quite a bit of tension into the daikon picking. However, the ultimate outcome culminates in a hilarious illustration that took me completely by surprise. Chapter 103 mixes up the fallout from the bet with the village children’s tag game, which, though not quite as funny as Chapter 102, still incorporates a lot of entertaining action.
As for Kanzaki, he can’t bear to see the artist he idolized leave the calligraphy world. And unfortunately for Handa, a blizzard snows them in so he’s stuck having to listen to Kanzaki’s protests. While it’s funny watching two hapless city boys trying to cope when the water pipes freeze, Kanzaki’s whining comes off as annoying and shrill rather than comical, so it’s a relief when he finally flies back to Tokyo.
Extras include bonus manga on the inside of the cover flaps, translation notes (which are for some reason placed between Chapters 106 and 107), and another installment of “Barakamon News.”
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
A new dream for Handa means a new arc for Barakamon! Opening a calligraphy school out in the sticks poses a whole different set of challenges for our displaced Tokyoite, starting with securing his teaching space from Farmer Mush and defending his decision against Kanzaki’s protests. While the daikon showdown is quite a bit more fun than I expected, Kanzaki’s whining gets irritating fast, and it’s a relief when he finally leaves the island at the end of the volume.
The Review
Handa’s returned to the island! However, he is a (somewhat) changed man with a new dream. Before he was an artist striving to find inspiration and his own unique means of expression. Now Handa’s quitting contests and commissioned work to open his very own calligraphy school!
It’s a well-established fact that Handa has no practical skills to speak of and that the Kawafujis have always handled the business end of his calligraphy. That combined with Handa’s unrealistic expectations regarding his new endeavor now gives readers the beginnings of an extended arc with a lot of potential. But before Handa can attempt to recruit Gotou students for his ¥20,000 per month (approximately $200 per month) lessons, he has two obstacles to contend with: the daikon bet and Kanzaki.
The daikon bet was struck a couple volumes back between Farmer Mush and Handa and further complicated by Kanzaki’s thoughtlessness. With Handa certain that Mush will ask for the rights to his house if the daikon are not up to snuff, Yoshino-sensei packs quite a bit of tension into the daikon picking. However, the ultimate outcome culminates in a hilarious illustration that took me completely by surprise. Chapter 103 mixes up the fallout from the bet with the village children’s tag game, which, though not quite as funny as Chapter 102, still incorporates a lot of entertaining action.
As for Kanzaki, he can’t bear to see the artist he idolized leave the calligraphy world. And unfortunately for Handa, a blizzard snows them in so he’s stuck having to listen to Kanzaki’s protests. While it’s funny watching two hapless city boys trying to cope when the water pipes freeze, Kanzaki’s whining comes off as annoying and shrill rather than comical, so it’s a relief when he finally flies back to Tokyo.
Extras include bonus manga on the inside of the cover flaps, translation notes (which are for some reason placed between Chapters 106 and 107), and another installment of “Barakamon News.”
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2019
Maybe only 3.5, I started out pretty depressed and nothing in this volume really made me feel better about the calligraphy school situation, plus I don’t know how to deal with grumpy Kawafuji. :( Kousuke was light-hearted fun at least, and Handa showed he does still have a feel for creating good calligraphy. Mush is becoming a favorite, he brings out a different juvenile behavior from Handa than the kids.
The translation notes hidden before the last chapter was a bother. The way the volume was so crammed they had to have the little end comics on the inner covers instead of at the end made me assume they’d cut out the notes for space and for once I really felt the need to look something up.
The translation notes hidden before the last chapter was a bother. The way the volume was so crammed they had to have the little end comics on the inner covers instead of at the end made me assume they’d cut out the notes for space and for once I really felt the need to look something up.
May 14, 2017
sudah mulai agak jenuh dengan Barakamon. :/
October 28, 2017
Good volume.
November 19, 2017
Wooh, did Handa actually crack jokes and act like an adult in this volume?! (For while anyway).
February 26, 2019
Great Manga
If you watched the anime and wanted to see how it ends, this is great. It is translated well, and I enjoyed reading it.
If you watched the anime and wanted to see how it ends, this is great. It is translated well, and I enjoyed reading it.
June 16, 2018
solid entry in a delightful series
August 13, 2019
Yay! Not the best one, but Miwa's getting a plot, so I'm okay with that.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews