With the Light 6

Keiko Tobe – Yen Press – 2010 – 14 volumes
volume 6 is an omnibus that contains Japanese volumes 11 and 12

I do like this series. If nothing else, it’s a good window into a world of mothers acting like mothers and doing motherly things without the usual things that upset manga characters from their tasks. In that, it is unique, and I like reading it for its completely average, everyday cast of characters.

This volume is less preachy, and deals more with issues that spring up from Hikaru getting older and interacting with others more as an adult than a child. The solution to the problem is not making others aware, but to find alternative behavior patterns to steer Hikaru towards instead of something inappropriate. For instance, instead of stroking and smelling the hair of a stranger on the train, his mother knits him a soft cuff for his bag, so that he can feel the soft texture of that instead.

We also get to see a lot of Kanon and the angry grandmother. The grandmother obviously dotes on her granddaughter, and while she is moving more towards accepting Hikaru, she is still embarrassed to be seen with him in public and constantly criticizes Hikaru’s mother for not “making him well.” Kanon moves on from kindergarten to elementary school, and also begins after-school activities. She’s a hilarious and doting nag when it comes to Hikaru, it’s clear that she loves him and watches over him in a very adult way. She also doesn’t seem to mind that Hikaru gets more attention than she does, and understands, which is an interesting role for a small girl.

There’s a subplot where Hikaru’s mom suspects his dad is cheating on her, and some interaction with other parents at the Sunshine Center and giving advice to parents whose children have just been diagnosed with autism or other disorders, a small plot about being president of their housing situation…

As you might be able to tell, while it does offer a unique look at the everyday, some of the events can be quite mundane. And because I have to read a volume of manga in one sitting, I get 500 pages of relatively mundane events. Plot-wise, I do like the shift to the everyday concerns, less of Sachiko brow-beating the teachers into understanding and more of Hikaru being himself and becoming an adult.

It’s definitely a unique series, and completely unrivaled as far as its niche in the English manga market goes, but… I don’t think it’s something that really appeals to manga fans. I do hope it finds its way to people who would appreciate it and perhaps learn a lot from the lessons throughout the series, though. It is a valuable learning tool and resource.