What do you think?
Rate this book
ハチミツとクローバー [Hachimitsu to Clover] #6
Honey and Clover, Vol. 6
With graduation projects in full swing, Takemoto and Hagu are face-to-face with their future. Takemoto's complete lack of job prospects are making a sad situation worse, and Hagu just wants to return to her home in the country to paint. With pressures mounting from the outside world, what life-altering choices will these two make?
200 pages, Paperback
First published May 19, 2004
3 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Chica Umino
64 books193 followersChica Umino (Jap: 羽海野チカ) is a Japanese mangaka.
Her real name is not disclosed, "Umino Chica" is a pen name.
She began work as a product designer and illustrator.
Umino has a unique drawing style, listing Studio Ghibli amongst her influences, and her characters are remarkably well-developed.
Her most famous series to date is Hachimitsu to Clover (English name: Honey and Clover), a 'slice of life' manga series which debuted in 2000 in Shueisha's manga magazine, CUTiEcomic. The series won the Kodansha Manga Award in 2003 and was nominated for the Tezuka Culture Prize and an award from the Japan Media Arts Festival. It was also adapted into an animated television series in 2005, a live-action movie in 2006 and two individual live-action TV series in 2008.
Her ongoing recent series is Sangatsu no Lion (English name: March comes in like a lion), which began serialization in 2007. The series won several important prizes including: the Manga Taisho prize and Kodansha Manga Prize (general audience) in 2011, the Tezuka Osamushi Cultural Prize in 2014, and the Bunkacho Media Geijutsusai Manga bumon in 2021.
Umino has also provided the illustration for the 2009 anime series Eden of the East by Kenji Kamiyama, as well as 'Tobira o Akete' and the Glass Heart series, including 'Boukensha-tachi', 'Netsu no Shiro' and 'Love Way'.
Her real name is not disclosed, "Umino Chica" is a pen name.
She began work as a product designer and illustrator.
Umino has a unique drawing style, listing Studio Ghibli amongst her influences, and her characters are remarkably well-developed.
Her most famous series to date is Hachimitsu to Clover (English name: Honey and Clover), a 'slice of life' manga series which debuted in 2000 in Shueisha's manga magazine, CUTiEcomic. The series won the Kodansha Manga Award in 2003 and was nominated for the Tezuka Culture Prize and an award from the Japan Media Arts Festival. It was also adapted into an animated television series in 2005, a live-action movie in 2006 and two individual live-action TV series in 2008.
Her ongoing recent series is Sangatsu no Lion (English name: March comes in like a lion), which began serialization in 2007. The series won several important prizes including: the Manga Taisho prize and Kodansha Manga Prize (general audience) in 2011, the Tezuka Osamushi Cultural Prize in 2014, and the Bunkacho Media Geijutsusai Manga bumon in 2021.
Umino has also provided the illustration for the 2009 anime series Eden of the East by Kenji Kamiyama, as well as 'Tobira o Akete' and the Glass Heart series, including 'Boukensha-tachi', 'Netsu no Shiro' and 'Love Way'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
August 1, 2024
Having read three volumes of this manga over the course of couple of weeks, the few things that don't particularly work for me are sticking out more, especially when it comes to the humor. Mario and Luigi, the dogs, the George Lucas analog, and Morita are all more annoying than funny. Morita's late-game turn into an occasional wiseman doesn't clarify his character all that much.
Takemoto goes on a "quest to find himself" when he rather impulsively decides to ride his bike away from his apartment and not look back. The story lampshades how common these journeys are (in Japan?) for young men, how they often don't provide answers to the nebulous "who am I?" questions that they're supposed to answer, and so on. But calling something out as a trope doesn't make it less of one. Takemoto has never been a particularly interesting character to me--his being a bland null entity among a bunch of quirky weirdos doesn't help!--and, at least so far, this storyline hasn't changed that.
Umino does add some interest though the pragmatic considerations Takemoto has to deal with along the way. As a couple of examples, when he ought to turn back (halfway through his savings, or longer?), what kinds of food will keep well and are high-calorie enough to sustain riding a bike all day, where to find inexpensive clothing, how to deal with saddle soreness, and so on.
While some of the storylines that have come up recently are a little stale and shallow (Hagu's is another), as a whole I'm still enjoying this depiction of a group of early 20-somethings figuring out what they want from life, whether from their career or their relationships, and how to go about achieving it. Or how to move on if they don't succeed.
Takemoto goes on a "quest to find himself" when he rather impulsively decides to ride his bike away from his apartment and not look back. The story lampshades how common these journeys are (in Japan?) for young men, how they often don't provide answers to the nebulous "who am I?" questions that they're supposed to answer, and so on. But calling something out as a trope doesn't make it less of one. Takemoto has never been a particularly interesting character to me--his being a bland null entity among a bunch of quirky weirdos doesn't help!--and, at least so far, this storyline hasn't changed that.
Umino does add some interest though the pragmatic considerations Takemoto has to deal with along the way. As a couple of examples, when he ought to turn back (halfway through his savings, or longer?), what kinds of food will keep well and are high-calorie enough to sustain riding a bike all day, where to find inexpensive clothing, how to deal with saddle soreness, and so on.
While some of the storylines that have come up recently are a little stale and shallow (Hagu's is another), as a whole I'm still enjoying this depiction of a group of early 20-somethings figuring out what they want from life, whether from their career or their relationships, and how to go about achieving it. Or how to move on if they don't succeed.
April 4, 2016
A fairly sad book in this series, but an expected sadness as everyone needs to find their place in life and Takemoto is having some problems doing so. He goes on a journey by bike - maybe to find himself? His place in the world? This manga is one I've really enjoyed.
June 25, 2013
Okay... so I've totally been sucked into the drama and the emo-ness of this series. I admit it ;-)
So a couple of volumes ago we find out that Mayama was working for Fujiwara Architects which is run by twin brothers, Mario and Luigi. Now, that was hilarious enough, but then you get to see them and how super gay they are (hey, I'm not making fun of gays! I love them! So don't start). But nothing could have prepared me for this:
Oh. My. Ra. I just about died. Absolutely brilliant and spectacular!! I love those guys so much!!! So hilarious!!
And that's really all I have to say about this volume ;-)
So a couple of volumes ago we find out that Mayama was working for Fujiwara Architects which is run by twin brothers, Mario and Luigi. Now, that was hilarious enough, but then you get to see them and how super gay they are (hey, I'm not making fun of gays! I love them! So don't start). But nothing could have prepared me for this:
Oh. My. Ra. I just about died. Absolutely brilliant and spectacular!! I love those guys so much!!! So hilarious!!
And that's really all I have to say about this volume ;-)
July 20, 2013
Life is hitting Takemoto hard from all sides. He still can't manage to land a job, and he's still working hard at his graduation project. He doesn't even know what he really wants to do with his life yet.
"One day, back when I was a little kid... I was out riding my blue bicycle... -my faithful companion wherever I went- ...when the thought suddenly occurred to me. If I never look back, even once... how far can I go?"
"One day, back when I was a little kid... I was out riding my blue bicycle... -my faithful companion wherever I went- ...when the thought suddenly occurred to me. If I never look back, even once... how far can I go?"
November 20, 2014
Takemoto went to find himself. Morita wanted to find himself too, but then got stuck in this job again, only this time, he was able to get away.
God knows what will happen since it looks like he was motivated by his memories related to Hagu this time.
Hagu is in this great battle with herself - what to do? Hell, we all could relate, I know. Choices. Options. Pressures. What we want, what they want, what is right.
God knows what will happen since it looks like he was motivated by his memories related to Hagu this time.
Hagu is in this great battle with herself - what to do? Hell, we all could relate, I know. Choices. Options. Pressures. What we want, what they want, what is right.
August 20, 2012
The Highlights
Characters: Emotionally rich, complex and believable.
Romance: Beautifully painted with a brush of authenticity.
Animation: Soft and visually pleasing.
Ending: Unsatisfactory but complete nonetheless.
http://www.nihonreview.com/anime/hone...
Characters: Emotionally rich, complex and believable.
Romance: Beautifully painted with a brush of authenticity.
Animation: Soft and visually pleasing.
Ending: Unsatisfactory but complete nonetheless.
http://www.nihonreview.com/anime/hone...
January 3, 2019
The opening chapter is challenging with Nomiya taking up Ayu's request to go somewhere. It is a delicate balance because Nomiya blunt and straight talking to Ayu. The episode reveals some uncomfortable truths for Ayu. It also leads to one of the best scenes from Morita. I generally tolerate Morita because I'm a Takemoto stan but Morita's best scenes are with Ayu. I feel like that is when we really get to see Morita at his best.
But the main reason that I love this volume is that Takemoto's troubles come to a head and it leads to my favorite stretch of the series where Takemoto is on a journey to find himself. Ah youth, indeed.
But the main reason that I love this volume is that Takemoto's troubles come to a head and it leads to my favorite stretch of the series where Takemoto is on a journey to find himself. Ah youth, indeed.
June 27, 2023
... How is this series so perfect it's still relevant to this day?!
August 13, 2024
Essa jornada do Takemoto Ç_Ç espero que dê em algum lugar.
Nomiya ganhou uns pontos no meu coração XD
Nomiya ganhou uns pontos no meu coração XD
November 3, 2016
Nomiya kíméletlenül szembesíti Ayut a lány érzéseivel,aminek megint csak Yamada sírása lesz a vége. Olyan sokat sír….mint én…://
Mayama és Morita eközben Miwakoval és Yamazakival iszogatnak és beszélgetnek,hogy Nomiya milyen ember is valójában??
Ayu eközben Nomiyával a hotelszobában ül,és felelevenednek benne az óriáskeréken átélt élmények,miközben az ottani óriéskerékről mesél neki Nomiya. Aztán csak sír,sír,sír, és sír…:(
Szegény Nomiyának meg mennyi kínt ki kell állnia…:D
Bírom Moritát,amikor komoly,oylankor hatalmas súlya van annak,amit mond,akárcsak most,amikor Ayuval beszél…Aztán persze újra bekattan és piszkálja Hagut..:D De pont ezért szeretjük :) Aztán komoly beszélgetést folytat a tanár úrral is.
Takemoto eközben figyeli,ahogy Hagu szinte összeomlik a munkája előtt,de nem megy oda hozzá. Ismét az animéből idézek: "Nem. Neki most nem arra van szüksége, hogy megszólítsam, és arról faggassam, mi a baja. Ezek a szavak nem érnek el hozzá, ő most a saját harcát vívja. Istenem, melyik a fájdalmasabb? Amikor azért sírunk, mert szeretnénk valamit, vagy amikor nem tudjuk, mit akarunk? Most csak egyetlen dolog biztos: ha a szavakat, amik bennem vannak, kimondtam volna, akkor se tudtam volna megállítani a könnyeit."
Takemoto nem bírja tovább,hogy nem érti mi élete célja,ezért biciklire pattan és elindul..kitudja hová.
Ezen a részen az egyik barátnőmmel régen rengeteget nevettünk,mindig mondogattuk,hogy: „Takemoto elindult megkeresni önmagát” és csak nevettünk,nevettünk. Máig sem tudom miért.
Elkezd nomád életet élni,de azért kap innen-onnan segítséget. Nomiya pedig Tottoriba utazik,egy szó nélkül!
Mayama és Morita eközben Miwakoval és Yamazakival iszogatnak és beszélgetnek,hogy Nomiya milyen ember is valójában??
Ayu eközben Nomiyával a hotelszobában ül,és felelevenednek benne az óriáskeréken átélt élmények,miközben az ottani óriéskerékről mesél neki Nomiya. Aztán csak sír,sír,sír, és sír…:(
Szegény Nomiyának meg mennyi kínt ki kell állnia…:D
Bírom Moritát,amikor komoly,oylankor hatalmas súlya van annak,amit mond,akárcsak most,amikor Ayuval beszél…Aztán persze újra bekattan és piszkálja Hagut..:D De pont ezért szeretjük :) Aztán komoly beszélgetést folytat a tanár úrral is.
Takemoto eközben figyeli,ahogy Hagu szinte összeomlik a munkája előtt,de nem megy oda hozzá. Ismét az animéből idézek: "Nem. Neki most nem arra van szüksége, hogy megszólítsam, és arról faggassam, mi a baja. Ezek a szavak nem érnek el hozzá, ő most a saját harcát vívja. Istenem, melyik a fájdalmasabb? Amikor azért sírunk, mert szeretnénk valamit, vagy amikor nem tudjuk, mit akarunk? Most csak egyetlen dolog biztos: ha a szavakat, amik bennem vannak, kimondtam volna, akkor se tudtam volna megállítani a könnyeit."
Takemoto nem bírja tovább,hogy nem érti mi élete célja,ezért biciklire pattan és elindul..kitudja hová.
Ezen a részen az egyik barátnőmmel régen rengeteget nevettünk,mindig mondogattuk,hogy: „Takemoto elindult megkeresni önmagát” és csak nevettünk,nevettünk. Máig sem tudom miért.
Elkezd nomád életet élni,de azért kap innen-onnan segítséget. Nomiya pedig Tottoriba utazik,egy szó nélkül!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2011
SO MEANINGFUL!!! I've read the first few volumes of the manga but hadn't realised -- or had forgotten -- that it has so much extra stuff that wasn't in the anime. The basic plot is the same, but I think, e.g., Hagu's dilemma wrt career choices is laid out more clearly here. I just love it. And Takemoto riding away ... Hagu and Takemoto are really the most compelling characters in this later arc, or maybe I just think so because pondering about art and work and the meaning of life feels more meaningful to me than unrequited love, which is a bit juvenile in a way, as Nomiya points out.
January 19, 2012
in which takemoto's long-awaited job offer is rescinded, and he hops on his bike and rides far far away. morita is jealous of the attention he receives and also runs away "to find himself." miwako-san and leader continue to crack me up.
January 30, 2014
Super story and character development.
The art is lovely as well.
a group of college students become friends and the story follows their individual progression as artists, friends, and at times, lovers.
The art is lovely as well.
a group of college students become friends and the story follows their individual progression as artists, friends, and at times, lovers.
August 2, 2009
Some of my favorite moments: the Ferris wheel, the beginning of Takemoto's journey, and the whole special chapter about Fujiwara Design.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2020
Mayama and Morita spend all night waiting for Ayu after Nomiya takes off with her. Peter Lucas takes Morita hostage again to make another movie.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2016
Sad, & somewhat confusing, but beautiful.
Read
July 19, 2017Honey and Clover 10 Volume Series by Chica Umino
The series was very bittersweet, and perhaps if you don't want a lingering unfinished romance set during college years, among artists, it's probably not for you. But I really enjoyed the soul-searching of a young architect who finds solace in temple restoration, and a petite sculptor who wants nothing more than to paint gigantic landscapes and flowers instead. There are others, and they all have their own journeys. It's slice-of-life, and there are some meandering romances, but I don't think any of them is ever really resolved. There's also a fairly bizarre parody of Peter Jackson/George Lucas that transported the series into Sci-Fi territory just to give a breath of air... I think.
Pages: 1,970 (Roughly 200 pages per volume)
Year: March 4, 2008 to June 1, 2010 (original run: June 2000 – July 28, 2006)
Publisher: Viz Media (original publisher in Japan: Shueisha)
Read: 31 December 2016 to 1 January 2017
Stars: 4.5 (adored it)
The series was very bittersweet, and perhaps if you don't want a lingering unfinished romance set during college years, among artists, it's probably not for you. But I really enjoyed the soul-searching of a young architect who finds solace in temple restoration, and a petite sculptor who wants nothing more than to paint gigantic landscapes and flowers instead. There are others, and they all have their own journeys. It's slice-of-life, and there are some meandering romances, but I don't think any of them is ever really resolved. There's also a fairly bizarre parody of Peter Jackson/George Lucas that transported the series into Sci-Fi territory just to give a breath of air... I think.
Pages: 1,970 (Roughly 200 pages per volume)
Year: March 4, 2008 to June 1, 2010 (original run: June 2000 – July 28, 2006)
Publisher: Viz Media (original publisher in Japan: Shueisha)
Read: 31 December 2016 to 1 January 2017
Stars: 4.5 (adored it)
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews