Review of Blue Period

In today’s world, it’s almost laughable to see a realistic manga dealing with anime. The current trend is dominated by isekai (otherworld) works, and pieces that demand thought from viewers have long since become nearly extinct, with the 2010s marking the end of such works. Yet, despite this, a realistic manga aimed at those still craving such content was released in Japan. At the perfect moment when realism was needed, the author astutely grasped the demand and delivered this work. Plot Summary: Every night, Yaguchi, a high school junior, drinks and smokes with his friends in Shibuya while watching soccer, only to faithfully attend school inthe mornings. As he nears the end of his second year, it's time to choose a career path. One day, after realizing he left his cigarettes in the art room during class, he goes back after school and finds himself speechless at the majesty of a senior’s F100-sized painting. He wonders, “Could I ever create such a painting?” Later, when tasked in art class to create a piece of his own choosing, Yaguchi decides to capture the early morning scene of Shibuya. Despite his unfamiliarity with drawing, he uses a pencil to sketch the buildings and applies primary colors like sky blue and purple to the background. Though his drawing is amateurish, it gains unexpected recognition from others. For the first time, Yaguchi feels both pride in his work and the joy of being acknowledged, bringing him to tears.

Later, Yaguchi asks his art teacher an existential question: “There’s no guarantee I can make a living, so what’s the merit in going to art school?” The teacher responds, “You’ll get to see works from your peers, have hands-on experiences, and access resources and materials. You’ll also have many opportunities to showcase your work and learn a variety of techniques. That said, not going to art school doesn’t mean you can’t be a good artist. There are many great pieces made as a hobby. But, you see, ‘You can just keep it as a hobby’—that’s adult thinking. People who don’t put in the effort never truly like anything. Isn’t it natural to give the most weight to what you love in life?”

(When I first encountered this part, I thought it wasn’t just about art school. It’s a theme that resonates with students choosing between fields like business for job security or pursuing their dreams in humanities, such as literature, history, philosophy, or aesthetics. I was particularly struck by the phrase “keeping what you love as a hobby is adult thinking,” finding it to be incredibly profound. I think this concept can also explain the debate in reading communities about whether one should pursue being a writer or not.)

Inspired by the teacher’s words, Yaguchi quickly resolves to attend art school, though his family’s financial situation is not favorable. He sets his sights solely on Tokyo University of the Arts, the most prestigious national art school. The teacher warns him that the competition ratio is 200:1, trying to intimidate him, but Yaguchi doesn’t back down. From then on, he begins taking his first steps toward his dream, drawing large volumes of art every day.

Highlights of the Work:

The author, being a graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts herself, perfectly recreates the tensions, mindset, and various experiences of an art school aspirant.

Yaguchi’s daily struggles in preparing for the entrance exam will resonate with those studying for entrance exams today. It highlights the idea that studying is an endless dialogue with oneself—constantly questioning and thinking critically.

The portrayal of how the characters deal with the stress of exams and unexpected challenges is extremely detailed. Watching how Yaguchi and his friends each cope with these situations is a fascinating element of the story.

The relationship between effort and wandering. Goethe’s Faust comes to mind: "As long as man strives, he errs." Yaguchi continuously strives, yet constantly wavers. What is the relationship between effort and wandering? What do effort and wandering mean to people?

This manga shows the joy of both internal and external growth. Observing Yaguchi’s development and seeing him grow through his own eyes is a delightful experience.

Despair and realization. When does one feel despair? It differs for everyone. Yaguchi often feels despair when his efforts don’t bear fruit or when he feels inferior to internal rivals. However, through that despair comes realization—realizing that even the most brilliant people are still human, and that everyone struggles in their own way.

One of the messages this work conveys: college entrance is not everything. After entering university, new challenges and difficulties await the characters. University is merely the starting point, not the destination.

In today’s world, it’s almost laughable to see a realistic manga dealing with anime. The current trend is dominated by isekai (otherworld) works, and pieces that demand thought from viewers have long since become nearly extinct, with the 2010s marking the end of such works. Yet, despite this, a realistic manga aimed at those still craving such content was released in Japan. At the perfect moment when realism was needed, the author astutely grasped the demand and delivered this work.

Plot Summary: Every night, Yaguchi, a high school junior, drinks and smokes with his friends in Shibuya while watching soccer, only to faithfully attend school in the mornings. As he nears the end of his second year, it's time to choose a career path. One day, after realizing he left his cigarettes in the art room during class, he goes back after school and finds himself speechless at the majesty of a senior’s F100-sized painting. He wonders, “Could I ever create such a painting?” Later, when tasked in art class to create a piece of his own choosing, Yaguchi decides to capture the early morning scene of Shibuya. Despite his unfamiliarity with drawing, he uses a pencil to sketch the buildings and applies primary colors like sky blue and purple to the background. Though his drawing is amateurish, it gains unexpected recognition from others. For the first time, Yaguchi feels both pride in his work and the joy of being acknowledged, bringing him to tears.

Later, Yaguchi asks his art teacher an existential question: “There’s no guarantee I can make a living, so what’s the merit in going to art school?” The teacher responds, “You’ll get to see works from your peers, have hands-on experiences, and access resources and materials. You’ll also have many opportunities to showcase your work and learn a variety of techniques. That said, not going to art school doesn’t mean you can’t be a good artist. There are many great pieces made as a hobby. But, you see, ‘You can just keep it as a hobby’—that’s adult thinking. People who don’t put in the effort never truly like anything. Isn’t it natural to give the most weight to what you love in life?”

(When I first encountered this part, I thought it wasn’t just about art school. It’s a theme that resonates with students choosing between fields like business for job security or pursuing their dreams in humanities, such as literature, history, philosophy, or aesthetics. I was particularly struck by the phrase “keeping what you love as a hobby is adult thinking,” finding it to be incredibly profound. I think this concept can also explain the debate in reading communities about whether one should pursue being a writer or not.)

Inspired by the teacher’s words, Yaguchi quickly resolves to attend art school, though his family’s financial situation is not favorable. He sets his sights solely on Tokyo University of the Arts, the most prestigious national art school. The teacher warns him that the competition ratio is 200:1, trying to intimidate him, but Yaguchi doesn’t back down. From then on, he begins taking his first steps toward his dream, drawing large volumes of art every day.

Highlights of the Work:

The author, being a graduate of Tokyo University of the Arts herself, perfectly recreates the tensions, mindset, and various experiences of an art school aspirant.

Yaguchi’s daily struggles in preparing for the entrance exam will resonate with those studying for entrance exams today. It highlights the idea that studying is an endless dialogue with oneself—constantly questioning and thinking critically.

The portrayal of how the characters deal with the stress of exams and unexpected challenges is extremely detailed. Watching how Yaguchi and his friends each cope with these situations is a fascinating element of the story.

The relationship between effort and wandering. Goethe’s Faust comes to mind: "As long as man strives, he errs." Yaguchi continuously strives, yet constantly wavers. What is the relationship between effort and wandering? What do effort and wandering mean to people?

This manga shows the joy of both internal and external growth. Observing Yaguchi’s development and seeing him grow through his own eyes is a delightful experience.

Despair and realization. When does one feel despair? It differs for everyone. Yaguchi often feels despair when his efforts don’t bear fruit or when he feels inferior to internal rivals. However, through that despair comes realization—realizing that even the most brilliant people are still human, and that everyone struggles in their own way.

One of the messages this work conveys: college entrance is not everything. After entering university, new challenges and difficulties await the characters. University is merely the starting point, not the destination.