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ガイコツ書店員 本田さん [Gaikotsu Shotenin Honda-san] #3
Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san, Vol. 3
When you work in a Japanese bookstore like Honda-san, there are a million and one things to keep track of. Managing new releases, accounting for the revival of titles from the grave, understanding the unique(ly maddening) quirks of each manga publisher-it's enough to leave anyone bone-tired!
176 pages, Paperback
First published September 27, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
August 31, 2025
By this point, you know the premise: these stories are taken from real life. Names and faces have been altered for privacy considerations. If you've ever worked retail, you will feel these stories in your soul. Some of the job specifics may be peculiar to the bookstore trade and/or Japanese culture in general. But customers and sales reps are universal.
Truthfully, the series may be starting to falter a bit. Three volumes in, Honda-san seems to be running out of anecdotes. From the bonus materials at the back of the book, I get the impression that this volume was originally planned to bring the series to a close--Honda-san is supposedly no longer working at the bookstore by the end of it. But a possible anime deal prompted them to extend the run. We'll see what happens with volume 4.
Not a lot more to say, really. If you've been reading the series so far, you'll probably keep doing so no matter what I say. It's not a continuity-dependent story, so I suppose you could start anywhere. That said, volumes 1 and 2 do all of the heavy lifting in terms of establishing characters, so they're probably better starting points than this one.
Truthfully, the series may be starting to falter a bit. Three volumes in, Honda-san seems to be running out of anecdotes. From the bonus materials at the back of the book, I get the impression that this volume was originally planned to bring the series to a close--Honda-san is supposedly no longer working at the bookstore by the end of it. But a possible anime deal prompted them to extend the run. We'll see what happens with volume 4.
Not a lot more to say, really. If you've been reading the series so far, you'll probably keep doing so no matter what I say. It's not a continuity-dependent story, so I suppose you could start anywhere. That said, volumes 1 and 2 do all of the heavy lifting in terms of establishing characters, so they're probably better starting points than this one.
May 13, 2026
"Maybe there is no age, sex, or nationality... when it comes to pure love for what we like. While working in the manga department, that thought often crosses my mind. The brightness of our customers' love always overwhelms me."
I let this series fall to the bottom of my TBR – because of its heavy emphasis on text, sometimes it takes me a lot more focused attention and time to read it. But now that I’ve finished reading this volume, I regret subconsciously putting it off so much, because I really do love this series so much. Honda has such an effortless charm in her writing, combining informational blurbs with relatable workplace anecdotes. Paired with the stylish, dynamic, and delightful artwork, it’s really hard to pick up a volume of Skull-Face that isn’t a win. Honda’s honesty in her work is nothing short of refreshing, and I’d honestly read anything written by her.
I’m a library worker, not a bookseller, but honest to god, I relate so much to a lot of the stories that she tells chapter-to-chapter. The endless laundry list of sorting and shelving, the complex customer service interactions, the dread and fear of taking on a new task that you feel you might not be well-suited to, the pain of weeding books that don’t circulate – I totally get it all. I think for that reason, the chapter about what qualities a person “needs” in order to work at a bookstore resonated the most with me. Though, it also made me laugh how Plague Mask said that anyone could work at a bookstore besides “thieves, violent people, or people who are fugitives”. That’s pretty real, in its own right, haha.
And as a side note about the artwork, that I really love all of the chapter covers in this volume!! Honda has such great compositional strengths. Honestly, I would love a nice art book of Skull-Face illustrations, printed on glossy paper. Honda-sensei, please do something like that in the future, okay!?
I also-also want to add that this book motivated me so hard that I put it down about halfway through and I ended up moving around my personal manga shelves, so I have Honda to thank for slightly more organized shelves. I just really love this series, I think it’s such a treat – it’s rare to get such an honest depiction of a workplace, and I always admire the contrast of her earnestness and her frankness. It’s just such a gem.
March 25, 2021
Funny & superbly relatable. We’re passing it around our store now - informative for folks not as knowledgeable about bookstore basics who are just sort of curious as well as for folks who don’t have a lot of knowledge on manga and how complicated it can be to keep track of! Loved reading this to bits and pieces
March 17, 2020
Welp. Continues to be super relatable and entertaining.
March 10, 2026
There is a few entertaining chapters and also gross chapters. Informative but a bit boring just like previous 2 volumes.
October 24, 2021
La librera calavera sigue siendo súper divertida. En este tomo a demás hace más hincapié en el trabajo de librero que no situaciones con el cliente, lo que me ha gustado especialmente. Quiero mucho a mis libreros 💖
April 27, 2020
This was still funny, but I felt that the art and flow were rougher this time around -- it felt a bit rushed.
October 19, 2020
On a le meilleur résumé du métier de libraire dans ce tome. Je me marre tellement quand je le lis 😂
March 10, 2020
This collection dives more into the inner workings of the store regarding how books are shelves, what books are stocked, and how different sections are organized, all while still being whacky and funny. It looks like there will be another volume and I can't wait to follow more of Honda's adventures, no matter what they're about!
August 16, 2021
So many comics are being published these days, so how does a bookstore select what to sell? This volume Honda-san addresses the cycle of a book’s life on the shelves of bookstores, from their stocking as a new release to the waves of demand a book experiences after publication. Honda sheds some light on the concept of “initial sales,” the number of copies sold in a book’s first week of publication. This discussion sheds some light on recent trends, in which traditional wisdom on the stocking is being challenged by erratic changes in customer’s purchasing habits.
Compounding this problem is the challenge of swapping in newer releases on a consistent basis, trying to balance making an aesthetically-pleasing display shelf while still highlighting as many new books as possible. Even though the new titles need space, it’s still a big no-no to run out of Detective Conan, for example. For a bookstore, a good book is one that sells consistently well for a long time, and the challenge booksellers face is keeping them on the shelves while cycling new stuff in.
The constant influx of new books also means that those that aren’t selling fast enough must be returned, which can cause headaches later if the book suddenly becomes in demand again. Honda uses some great examples, including a timely anecdote about the renewed interest in a book about a deadly virus, to highlight different situations in which a book’s lifespan can be renewed. Booksellers have to make difficult choices to keep certain titles on or off their shelves, and Honda-san’s exploration of the topic helps illuminate common situations customers encounter while looking for a hard-to-find book that they may take for granted.
Another big topic in this volume concerns the daily duties and qualities of a bookseller. Honda-san has consistently shown that being a bookseller requires a lot of organisational skills and physical labour, and these points are expanded upon through a detailed rundown of the non-customer service tasks involved in a bookseller’s daily routine. Honda-san guides readers through job requirements people who don’t work in bookstores don’t normally consider and posits what type of people are a good fit for the job. Honda doesn’t shy away from the reality that the work they do is not adequately compensated for how labour-intensive it is, though they do refrain from deeper criticisms. Instead, they use the example of Full-Face, a thoughtful and organisationally-minded member of the staff, to highlight how a considerate person may be the best fit to work in a bookstore.
Flexibility and knowledge-ability are also huge requirements, as the schedules and release patterns of the books other publishers put out are distinct and specialised. A bookseller must stay on top of trends and learn as much as they can about the books they’re selling to do their job efficiently. In their experience, Honda was often put in charge of titles they didn’t have much familiarity with, but they become more knowledgeable about them over time. These anecdotes highlight that curiosity and a willingness to learn about new things is also a key asset in the book selling business. Moreover, it’s because of all of their experiences in different sections that Honda was able to get a clearer understanding of the publishing industry and the nuances of different publishers and the world of bookstores, which has proven to be a huge asset in writing their manga. Honda-san posits that you can always learn something from your experiences and apply them to other areas of your life and career.
Lastly, Honda-san explores the work booksellers do when the store isn’t open, specifically during closing time. This section sheds some light on the important role part-time workers play in the store’s ecosystem, handling clean-up tasks like directing customers out the store totalling sales numbers, and cleaning and restocking inventory. There are some amusing anecdotes told about dealing with customers wandering into the store and cash discrepancy problems, common goofs that nonetheless show how vigilant bookstore employees always have to be. Honda-san really celebrates the hard work of those whose jobs are normally taken for granted but are just as essential a part of the industry as the creators and publishers themselves. As the medium through which books exchange hands, their dedication to promoting and selling books to as many customers as possible can’t be understated. The series highlights how customer service is just a fraction of the work that goes into making sales possible, and that every employee plays an essential part in making a bookstore functional.
Honda-san successfully communicates its messages through endearing humour and visual information. Goofy expressions are Honda’s bread-and-butter, be it the grimaces of disappointed customers, the tearfully anguished faces made by Paper-Bag and Armor-Mask, or the pensively depressed look of Ko-omote-san. Honda’s probably the loosest they’ve ever been with their art in this volume, best evident by how frequently Honda’s skull-face is super-deformed to a more ovalish-shape with simple lines. However, they’re able to use this simplicity effectively, giving these moments a lot of character. This volume also features some really fun and clever sight gags, like the tail of Bandages-sempai’s word balloon piercing Honda’s skull and causing them to gush blood out their nose and mouth. Another great moment illustrates a book being returned, literally showing Honda (representing their series) being thrown by Bandages to the wholesaler, who swiftly dodges the return, as they make a beeline back to their shocked editor Seal-san. There are also tons of fun sign gags, where humorous text appears on characters’ clothes or on the front of books, underscoring or embellishing other jokes being made in the scene.
These elements all highlight Honda’s artistic playfulness, which is really emphasised in the stylistic shift taken in one of the bonus chapters. In this alternate-universe what-if, Honda uses much thicker brush strokes and heavier blacks with minimal screen tones to communicate an otherworldly, underground feel that makes the chapter feel distinct from the main series. Honda also plays around with their panel layout to give this chapter more of an action-manga feel. One particularly striking page shows Manager Reed Hood blocking an angry customer’s attack with their business card, the centre panel flanked by large kanji for “CLANNG” to their top left and bottom right in a really dynamic composition. Especially since it’s removed from the edutainment context of book selling, this chapter reinforces how Honda-san’s appeal lies just as much in its art as it does in its content.
There’s an air of pensiveness and finality to the final pages of this section, musing about one day ending so the next may start problem-free. Honda notes in the bonus chapters that they left their book selling job between publishing different chapters in this volume and intended to end the series with the “Closing Time” chapter. However, their editor has requested they continue the series to cross-promote the (then) upcoming anime, which leaves the series in a curious spot. It feels as if Honda-san has told all the stories they could tell about the world of book selling, so what territory could the fourth and final volume explore? Regardless of where it goes, I’m confident Honda-san will continue to be a great guide into the world of the publishing industry, and an instructive resource for fans wanting to learn about how books make their way onto shelves and the hard work of the people who put them there.
Compounding this problem is the challenge of swapping in newer releases on a consistent basis, trying to balance making an aesthetically-pleasing display shelf while still highlighting as many new books as possible. Even though the new titles need space, it’s still a big no-no to run out of Detective Conan, for example. For a bookstore, a good book is one that sells consistently well for a long time, and the challenge booksellers face is keeping them on the shelves while cycling new stuff in.
The constant influx of new books also means that those that aren’t selling fast enough must be returned, which can cause headaches later if the book suddenly becomes in demand again. Honda uses some great examples, including a timely anecdote about the renewed interest in a book about a deadly virus, to highlight different situations in which a book’s lifespan can be renewed. Booksellers have to make difficult choices to keep certain titles on or off their shelves, and Honda-san’s exploration of the topic helps illuminate common situations customers encounter while looking for a hard-to-find book that they may take for granted.
Another big topic in this volume concerns the daily duties and qualities of a bookseller. Honda-san has consistently shown that being a bookseller requires a lot of organisational skills and physical labour, and these points are expanded upon through a detailed rundown of the non-customer service tasks involved in a bookseller’s daily routine. Honda-san guides readers through job requirements people who don’t work in bookstores don’t normally consider and posits what type of people are a good fit for the job. Honda doesn’t shy away from the reality that the work they do is not adequately compensated for how labour-intensive it is, though they do refrain from deeper criticisms. Instead, they use the example of Full-Face, a thoughtful and organisationally-minded member of the staff, to highlight how a considerate person may be the best fit to work in a bookstore.
Flexibility and knowledge-ability are also huge requirements, as the schedules and release patterns of the books other publishers put out are distinct and specialised. A bookseller must stay on top of trends and learn as much as they can about the books they’re selling to do their job efficiently. In their experience, Honda was often put in charge of titles they didn’t have much familiarity with, but they become more knowledgeable about them over time. These anecdotes highlight that curiosity and a willingness to learn about new things is also a key asset in the book selling business. Moreover, it’s because of all of their experiences in different sections that Honda was able to get a clearer understanding of the publishing industry and the nuances of different publishers and the world of bookstores, which has proven to be a huge asset in writing their manga. Honda-san posits that you can always learn something from your experiences and apply them to other areas of your life and career.
Lastly, Honda-san explores the work booksellers do when the store isn’t open, specifically during closing time. This section sheds some light on the important role part-time workers play in the store’s ecosystem, handling clean-up tasks like directing customers out the store totalling sales numbers, and cleaning and restocking inventory. There are some amusing anecdotes told about dealing with customers wandering into the store and cash discrepancy problems, common goofs that nonetheless show how vigilant bookstore employees always have to be. Honda-san really celebrates the hard work of those whose jobs are normally taken for granted but are just as essential a part of the industry as the creators and publishers themselves. As the medium through which books exchange hands, their dedication to promoting and selling books to as many customers as possible can’t be understated. The series highlights how customer service is just a fraction of the work that goes into making sales possible, and that every employee plays an essential part in making a bookstore functional.
Honda-san successfully communicates its messages through endearing humour and visual information. Goofy expressions are Honda’s bread-and-butter, be it the grimaces of disappointed customers, the tearfully anguished faces made by Paper-Bag and Armor-Mask, or the pensively depressed look of Ko-omote-san. Honda’s probably the loosest they’ve ever been with their art in this volume, best evident by how frequently Honda’s skull-face is super-deformed to a more ovalish-shape with simple lines. However, they’re able to use this simplicity effectively, giving these moments a lot of character. This volume also features some really fun and clever sight gags, like the tail of Bandages-sempai’s word balloon piercing Honda’s skull and causing them to gush blood out their nose and mouth. Another great moment illustrates a book being returned, literally showing Honda (representing their series) being thrown by Bandages to the wholesaler, who swiftly dodges the return, as they make a beeline back to their shocked editor Seal-san. There are also tons of fun sign gags, where humorous text appears on characters’ clothes or on the front of books, underscoring or embellishing other jokes being made in the scene.
These elements all highlight Honda’s artistic playfulness, which is really emphasised in the stylistic shift taken in one of the bonus chapters. In this alternate-universe what-if, Honda uses much thicker brush strokes and heavier blacks with minimal screen tones to communicate an otherworldly, underground feel that makes the chapter feel distinct from the main series. Honda also plays around with their panel layout to give this chapter more of an action-manga feel. One particularly striking page shows Manager Reed Hood blocking an angry customer’s attack with their business card, the centre panel flanked by large kanji for “CLANNG” to their top left and bottom right in a really dynamic composition. Especially since it’s removed from the edutainment context of book selling, this chapter reinforces how Honda-san’s appeal lies just as much in its art as it does in its content.
There’s an air of pensiveness and finality to the final pages of this section, musing about one day ending so the next may start problem-free. Honda notes in the bonus chapters that they left their book selling job between publishing different chapters in this volume and intended to end the series with the “Closing Time” chapter. However, their editor has requested they continue the series to cross-promote the (then) upcoming anime, which leaves the series in a curious spot. It feels as if Honda-san has told all the stories they could tell about the world of book selling, so what territory could the fourth and final volume explore? Regardless of where it goes, I’m confident Honda-san will continue to be a great guide into the world of the publishing industry, and an instructive resource for fans wanting to learn about how books make their way onto shelves and the hard work of the people who put them there.
July 11, 2020
Selling books is hard work. Not to say there was ever any doubt, but as readers learn in SKULL-FACE BOOKSELLER HONDA-SAN #3, the science of ensuring there's decent stock on shelves and all customers locate what they need is a very imprecise science. Honda-san's anxiety over living up to the expectations the bookselling crew sets for itself makes for an array of hilarious tragedy paired with clever and purposeful insight into the way bookstores generally operate.
The current volume takes an interesting turn. Instead of focusing on the customers (volume one) or the greater industry forces (volume two) that shape bookselling, SKULL-FACE BOOKSELLER HONDA-SAN #3 sets its sights on the internal dynamics of the bookstore itself. How does one neatly organize a shelf when there are several tomes of different sizes? How does one place orders for recent releases (or old releases), knowing full well there will be gaps in volume availability for a longer series? How does management come to the complex decision of determining who the section runners are?
This manga is rather notoriously dense and difficult to finish in a single sitting, and the narrative detail tends to work against the title's likability in this regard. However, when assessing professional idiosyncrasies such as "safe and unsafe shelves" for minors and using break time to rest between restocking efforts, Honda-san's knack for detail has value. It's funny to see Honda-san fret and stress about the bookstore's strong emphasis on customer satisfaction when there's so much internal chaos to deal with on a day-to-day basis. But it's also incredibly refreshing to see the bookseller crew supporting one another through thick and thin -- even when it seems like certain booksellers (i.e., Honda-san) are not always suited to the profession itself.
The current volume takes an interesting turn. Instead of focusing on the customers (volume one) or the greater industry forces (volume two) that shape bookselling, SKULL-FACE BOOKSELLER HONDA-SAN #3 sets its sights on the internal dynamics of the bookstore itself. How does one neatly organize a shelf when there are several tomes of different sizes? How does one place orders for recent releases (or old releases), knowing full well there will be gaps in volume availability for a longer series? How does management come to the complex decision of determining who the section runners are?
This manga is rather notoriously dense and difficult to finish in a single sitting, and the narrative detail tends to work against the title's likability in this regard. However, when assessing professional idiosyncrasies such as "safe and unsafe shelves" for minors and using break time to rest between restocking efforts, Honda-san's knack for detail has value. It's funny to see Honda-san fret and stress about the bookstore's strong emphasis on customer satisfaction when there's so much internal chaos to deal with on a day-to-day basis. But it's also incredibly refreshing to see the bookseller crew supporting one another through thick and thin -- even when it seems like certain booksellers (i.e., Honda-san) are not always suited to the profession itself.
November 14, 2025
If you want to read a hysterically chaotic, quirky, and genuinely fun semi-biographical manga series packed with anecdotes, industry insights, and tons of references, I definitely recommend
Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san
by the former bookseller Honda themself.
I first discovered this story through the 11-episode anime of the same name, and I was immediately hooked. When I found out my local bookstore carried the physical volumes, I purchased all of them on the spot. I can’t say I know what it’s like to be a bookseller, but as someone who’s worked in customer service and deals with all kinds of customers every day, this series really resonates with me. The stories are hilarious, the pacing is energetic, and I absolutely love the dynamic between Honda-san and the rest of the bookstore staff. I also ended up learning a lot about how the manga industry in Japan works—the system, the publishers, the retailers, and everything in between.
Rating for Vol. 1–3: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
As for volume 4, it felt a bit underwhelming compared to the first three volumes—mostly because the story was originally supposed to end with volume 3. Even so, I still enjoyed it; it remains a fun, lighthearted read and continues the same charm that makes the series so entertaining.
Rating for Vol. 4: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
That said, this series might not be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to slice-of-life or lighthearted manga. It’s very talky, very behind-the-scenes, and very “industry.” But if that’s something you’re into—or at least curious about—Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san is an enjoyable and memorable read so far.
I first discovered this story through the 11-episode anime of the same name, and I was immediately hooked. When I found out my local bookstore carried the physical volumes, I purchased all of them on the spot. I can’t say I know what it’s like to be a bookseller, but as someone who’s worked in customer service and deals with all kinds of customers every day, this series really resonates with me. The stories are hilarious, the pacing is energetic, and I absolutely love the dynamic between Honda-san and the rest of the bookstore staff. I also ended up learning a lot about how the manga industry in Japan works—the system, the publishers, the retailers, and everything in between.
Rating for Vol. 1–3: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
As for volume 4, it felt a bit underwhelming compared to the first three volumes—mostly because the story was originally supposed to end with volume 3. Even so, I still enjoyed it; it remains a fun, lighthearted read and continues the same charm that makes the series so entertaining.
Rating for Vol. 4: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
That said, this series might not be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to slice-of-life or lighthearted manga. It’s very talky, very behind-the-scenes, and very “industry.” But if that’s something you’re into—or at least curious about—Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san is an enjoyable and memorable read so far.
February 21, 2022
The struggle of keeping up with the book trends... I get it. I make a list of all the books so much VIZ that are coming out that I want and even then some get delayed YenPress and new ones get added last minute Kodansha. Then the poor employees at the Barnes & Noble have to deal with me and my list and I've had an instance where they couldn't get me the books because EVERYWHERE was sold out and reprints weren't available or slow because Covid and shipping issues. (I love you guys ♥ Thanks for putting up with me -your most annoying customer)
As for the bit about the late shift... I totally get it. I'm (currently) a permanent late shift employee and getting people to leave at the last minute is a nightmare (cause we only have 2 employees, no part-timer army).
There's also some fun bonus material. My favorite was the third one.
This series has 4 volumes.
As for the bit about the late shift... I totally get it. I'm (currently) a permanent late shift employee and getting people to leave at the last minute is a nightmare (cause we only have 2 employees, no part-timer army).
There's also some fun bonus material. My favorite was the third one.
This series has 4 volumes.
Read
June 7, 2022En esta divertida serie vamos a conocer los entresijos de las librerías en Japón de la mano de la librera calavera.
Cada tomo tiene varios capítulos en los que se ven diferentes situaciones bastante cómicas sobre cómo se vive el día a día de una librera.
La librera calavera tiene la particularidad, además, de que es su experiencia personal por lo tanto hay bastantes personajes que no tienen rostro y están representados por diferentes caretas u objetos, solo los clientes son mostrados tal cual.
Me han gustado mucho todos, aunque el último es bastante de relleno, como menciona la propia autora, ya que ella contaba con terminar en el tercer tomo.
Si os gustan las historias sobre libros y librerías y queréis echaros unas buenas risas, este es vuestro manga.
Cada tomo tiene varios capítulos en los que se ven diferentes situaciones bastante cómicas sobre cómo se vive el día a día de una librera.
La librera calavera tiene la particularidad, además, de que es su experiencia personal por lo tanto hay bastantes personajes que no tienen rostro y están representados por diferentes caretas u objetos, solo los clientes son mostrados tal cual.
Me han gustado mucho todos, aunque el último es bastante de relleno, como menciona la propia autora, ya que ella contaba con terminar en el tercer tomo.
Si os gustan las historias sobre libros y librerías y queréis echaros unas buenas risas, este es vuestro manga.
March 23, 2022
It's been a while since I have read one of these, but it was nice to return. Each of the chapters is sort of a vignette covering different aspects of working in a bookstore/publishing manga.
I think if you have read this far, you know exactly what to expect. Honda-san manages to capture feelings of excitement and inadequacy in the work place that I think anyone can understand.
That said, nothing here stands out for the series, I liked the earlier volumes more, I think the customer examples were particularly fun.
I think if you have read this far, you know exactly what to expect. Honda-san manages to capture feelings of excitement and inadequacy in the work place that I think anyone can understand.
That said, nothing here stands out for the series, I liked the earlier volumes more, I think the customer examples were particularly fun.
January 30, 2021
Another lovely edition to the series, really evocative of common interactions for any booksellers out there and full of the silly humour you've gotten used to with the other books.
This one had a slightly dryer informational section, without many anecdotal cut-aways, about return policies. This lowered it from a 5stars for me but would be very interesting to someone who has any questions about that part of the job.
This one had a slightly dryer informational section, without many anecdotal cut-aways, about return policies. This lowered it from a 5stars for me but would be very interesting to someone who has any questions about that part of the job.
May 5, 2021
May 2021: 4 Stars
More bookstore shenanigans! As with the other volumes, I could definitely relate to Honda's struggles after working in an art supply store for three years. As usual, the humour was really fresh and fun, and I look forward to enjoying the next (and possibly final?) volume!
Also, the special bonus manga at the end was really neat. I'd be interested in reading a story with that kind of vibe from the mangaka in the future!
More bookstore shenanigans! As with the other volumes, I could definitely relate to Honda's struggles after working in an art supply store for three years. As usual, the humour was really fresh and fun, and I look forward to enjoying the next (and possibly final?) volume!
Also, the special bonus manga at the end was really neat. I'd be interested in reading a story with that kind of vibe from the mangaka in the future!
October 31, 2024
It's okay but I really thought I would find it a lot more interesting than I do. Work stories can be very hit or miss when you're telling them to people who aren't really in it, I guess. I'm still going to check out the final volume — I wonder what it's like considering the author quit while still writing chapters that appear in this one and thought the manga should have ended here. 2.5 rounded down because my bird brain doesn't like info dumps.
May 15, 2020
Same thoughts as the previous two volumes, I like this a lot. This time there was less relatable stuff because this volume had a lot of bookshop specific things in it plus I don't feel any sparkly feelings when there are kid customers. But the situations involving them were still funny. Profiling the different manga publishers was a great bit.
February 10, 2021
Cette fois le tome se concentre sur les réassorts et les retours. Comme les livres ont des cycles de vies en magasins assez long, il faut beaucoup de finesse dans la gestion de l’espace... surtout avec des séries un ont pléthore de tomes et dès parutions nombreuses haha
Ça a lair d’être un sacré casse tête !
Ça a lair d’être un sacré casse tête !
October 14, 2025
You know while I am having fun with this one (and I love seeing all the various people working at the shop, the various things that go on in a bookstore, and more), at times it is just too text-heavy for a manga and my ADHD just tunes out. But I really want to have this series finished (apparently there are just 4 volumes), so I thought it would be a nice spoopy read for Halloween.
October 17, 2020
Another fun volume! I like the bonus stories at the end of this volume, they were funny but also painted a picture of the mangaka who actually already quit as a bookseller. Let's enjoy one last volume!!
June 10, 2023
Es entretenido pero no le encuentro gran cosa memorable TuT.
Diría que para mí lo más memorable será el capítulo de los niños, el de los cambios de “puesto” y el empleado (creo que era máscara de soldar?) que ordena bien.
Diría que para mí lo más memorable será el capítulo de los niños, el de los cambios de “puesto” y el empleado (creo que era máscara de soldar?) que ordena bien.
February 25, 2020
It's always a pleasure to read what Honda-san puts on the page. His stories brighten my day and remind me of my own experiences working in a bookstore.
February 27, 2020
It's still my life in manga form!
June 16, 2020
A more detailed look into the bookselling business with some moments of sadness and finality and we get close to Honda leaving the bookstore permanently.
October 25, 2020
Another great installment! Hilarious and interesting.
December 10, 2020
This series is just not for me. I am notba huge fan of the artwork and the story/stories just aren't for me.
October 14, 2021
If the chapters were rearranged in a different order, I think it would feel like a smoother read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews