The Concierge At Hokkyoku Department Store, Vol 2

by Tsuchika Nishimura

"Mi chiamo Akino e lavoro in un normale grande magazzino i cui punti di forza sono l'ottimo assortimento di articoli e un servizio impeccabile. Ma c'è una particolarità: i nostri clienti sono tutti. Animali." Akino continua a imbattersi in altri esemplari di animali di specie in via d'estinzione: una storia visionaria e fantastica di uno degli artisti più interessanti del manga contemporaneo.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Young Adult, Japan

148 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2021

Reviews

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and adore everything about this! More thoughts can be found in this video! https://youtu.be/2viKS9JNinA?si=Vsr7z...

[Sol · Rating 5 out of 5]

"If history had been different... and no one had died... if we had ended up living alongside humans like this... if I could have worked with her.. perhaps it wouldn't have been so bad."

From a customer service worker's perspective, I just really enjoy this because I really feel like it shares a lot of my own values. I relate a lot with wanting to give your patrons exactly what they want, and going beyond service and into hospitality. It's more than just interacting with someone until they leave, and for me, more about wanting to make their life as easy and seamless as possible while they're with you. I think that this book captures that so well.

On a deeper level, though, this book just broke my heart. This is a book that looks right in the viewers' eyes and says, "See this overabundance of material goods? We slaughtered the animals and destroyed the Earth for this. Can you even imagine a reality where animals are treated with even a modicum of respect that humans get? Would animals need to become consumers and participants in capitalism themselves in order to earn that baseline level of respect and care?" It's really heartbreaking and poignant. This series and its commentary on the extinction of animals and the selfishness of humanity really hits home.

The department store represents an idyllic place where there is no want -- everyone gets the help that they need, and stands on the same ground despite the difference in our species. We don't just help others because it's our job, but because we're aiming for a deeper level of hospitality, a true sense of care that doesn't exist outside the workplace. I believe that this series' bottom line is that we need to care about each other on a deeper-than-surface level. We need to care not about the product, but the people around us.

In its own way, this series is really painful and real. I'm going to be chewing on some of the themes introduced in this volume for a long time, especially the way that they juxatposed the opening of the world's first department store with the extinction of the Great Auk at the same time. It was both excellent writing and amazing art. I think that this is an important read that will stick with me while I'm both at work and in the world.

[J MaK · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.4) I enjoyed both volumes but the plot does get a little redundant. Two volumes was just right.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The history and the WHY of the department store, humankind’s fascination with trends and each other. The dedication to work and helping others. I can’t really explain WHY this works, it’s a bit of magical realism combined with slice of life, it FEELS good. I’m happy to have found it and enjoyed it.

[Keen Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars!

I'd say that this starts to grow a little thin and pedestrian by the second volume, but still worth reading if you enjoyed the first instalment. There's just enough quirk, humour and charm to make this worthwhile.

[Gabbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this volume of "The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store" just as much as the first one. I wish there would have been more information about how the department store came to be and how extinct animals were brought back at all, but it really didn't negatively impact the story for me. I think I just don't want the series to be over.

If you're interested in a fun, lighthearted, cute manga about a well-intentioned but sometimes bumbling concierge and her animal clients, definitely give this a shot. I'll have to buy both volumes eventually because I will absolutely be re-reading this many, many times.

Date Read: 05/23/26

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

whimsical, funny and a lovely art style. Really enjoyed this read.

[Aurora · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Upbeat melancholy,” is that a thing? That’s what this series is. 😂

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

"We don't have much opportunity to learn what happens to our guests after they visit. Was the surprise a success or not? I always think about what's happening outside these doors. I hope that they're smiling somewhere."

Not as cute or as interesting as volume 1, but there are still cute animals in suits sooooo 3 stars? Yeah, that feels right.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful second volume! I love the alligators (and all the other animals) dressed in kimono! Different animals are showcased in this volume with facts included. I am so excited as well that this is being shown at the Japanese Film Festival! Can't wait!

[Anna Quilter · Rating 3 out of 5]

probably not comparable to anything else you've read.
Akino is the Concierge at the Hokkyoku Department Store..which seems to cater to a lot of extinct animals and their shopping needs.
two volumes and done.

[Shawna · Rating 4 out of 5]

We get an edge of commentary when the extinct animals review/discuss the humans and the concierge herself, but overall this is a light and fun book. I really loved the 'historical' advertisements for the store and its services at the front of the manga.

[Chelsey Hostetler · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork is just so nostalgic for me. I really enjoyed the slice of life aspect of the department store and its patrons. The floor manager Todo-san popping up out of plants and cupboards had me laughing so hard!

[Miranda Luparello · Rating 2 out of 5]

boring af

[Spudpuppy]

More adorable art with a really depressing story

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

some more cute stories, and I think I enjoyed this set of stories than the first! I think because it's more fleshed out and the guests more interesting. so adorable!

[Loz · Rating 4 out of 5]

charming and delightful

[Pat G · Rating 5 out of 5]

book club! volume two rips so much harder

[a ☕︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

whimsical and melancholy. i liked the final chapter, i felt it added more meaning to the overall concept, which is at oddds w itself when you think about it! very good 🦤🤍

[Chetana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

This volume had a couple of stories not canvassed in the movie of the same name and it was so wholesome. This short series was a cozy and wholesome read.

[scarlettraces · Rating 5 out of 5]

So beautiful and odd

[Happy Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I liked the first one better but this one was still definitely very cute!

[Giuliarum · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝔹𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕘𝕟𝕒 𝕔𝕠𝕞𝕡𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕕𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝕝’𝕒𝕟𝕚𝕞𝕠 𝕕𝕖𝕚 𝕔𝕝𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕚 𝕡𝕖𝕣 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕦𝕚𝕣𝕖 𝕕𝕚 𝕔𝕠𝕤𝕒 𝕙𝕒𝕟𝕟𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕖 𝕓𝕚𝕤𝕠𝕘𝕟𝕠.”

Titolo: The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store
Titolo originale: Hokkyoku Hyakkaten no Concierge-san 北極百貨店のコンシェルジュさん
Scritto: 2017 - 2020
Tankōbon: 2 (concluso)
Edito: @dynitmanga

𝕋𝕣𝕒𝕞𝕒

La protagonista, Akino, ha appena cominciato a lavorare come concierge (persona incaricata di accogliere i clienti e gestirne le richieste e i bisogni) nel prestigioso Hokkyoku Department Store, un negozio di vendita al dettaglio, nel quale è possibile acquistare una vasta gamma di beni di consumo. La particolarità di quest’ultimo è che la clientela è composta esclusivamente da animali, di cui una buona parte estinti!

🎨Le tavole sono composte da disegni di puro contorno: i chiaroscuro vengono minimizzati all’interno stretto indispensabile, cosicché l’attenzione del lettore si concentri sulle forme e sulle proporzioni. I personaggi sono delineati con morbidezza e affetto.

📚 I vari episodi contenuti nei due volumi rispecchiano, anche se in maniera inusuale, le difficoltà che si incontrano lavorando a contatto con il pubblico: le richieste più disparate, gli atteggiamenti sgarbati, ma, anche, la soddisfazione nell’assistere qualcuno, l’apprezzamento che si riceve quando si è svolto in maniera impeccabile il proprio lavoro.

⭐️ Avendo un impiego che ha a che fare con la clientela, ho sentito questa storia molto vicina.

[Ben Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was cute. It was simple and yet intricate. It introduced us to VIA’s, very important animals. We also learned that each and every one of these animals has gone extinct. Most of the time because of humans and their ignorance and greed. In these stories the animals are sentient and dressed in clothing like humans. They are treated with respect and care as if they were celebrities. And all of the concierges are humans. Humans serving extinct animals. Poetic and beautiful. Well done.

[S46354595 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more...

The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store Review

5/5 stars

This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!

This manga is about a lady who works at a department store that’s only open to extinct animals. I have no clue how that logic works. It just does. I loved this so much. Basically there are a bunch of customers who come in and want to buy something, but they struggle to clearly articulate what they’re looking for, or they don’t know exactly what they want. The workers then have to help them find what they want. Sometimes, the type of animal they are plays into it, but other times it’s just the concierges trying to read their personalities on the spot.

This is only two volumes, and I really wish there was more. I feel like this is similar to the manga Heaven’s Design Team that I read a little while ago, in the sense that each chapter is a new problem, and it involves animals. Also, I think there’s a movie based on this. So maybe that’s why they kept it short. I wish it was longer. It’s too cute to be this short!

Have a nice day/night everyone!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This went from a comfort read to something incredibly meaningful in the last section.

[marcia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vol. 1 ★★★☆☆

More of the same. If you like Vol. 1, you'll like this one too. I love how whimsical and charming this series is, like something straight out of a picture book. That said, there's a reveal near the end that re-contextualizes the story for me. I wish it's elaborated upon and skipped over.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is absolutely foul to only have two volumes.

[Abbey Laird · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a great little duology. really beautiful perspective on endangered species. the last section of this was definitely more intense tonally. so good!

[Holly Letson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sad this series is over. I wish it were longer.
I enjoyed it so much.