With the recent acquisition of Shoutarou Tokuno’s New Game manga by the publisher Seven Seas, I wanted to share one of my favorite short series by the same mangaka (with the hope that it too will get a future license).

Komorebi no Kuni (a.k.a. The Country of Sunlight Filtering Through Tree Leaves) is a “cute-girls-doing-cute-things” manga that takes place in an idyllic 19th century European town. It follows a company of delightfully nonchalant girls in their escapades around town. The setting is brought to life in a series of vignettes, which involve the characters making new friends, sculpting clay animals in art class, shopping at an outdoor market, enjoying an autumn picnic in the woods, basking in the beautiful sunset, etc. The bread and butter of a slice of life story are the simple pleasures in everyday life, which Komorebi no Kuni delivers in spades.



The passage of time is reflected by a distinct change in seasons, from verdant spring to winter wonderland. While there is no overarching plot, and no concrete beginning or end, there is a sense of progression that ties one vignette to the next: the subtle yet increasingly close bonds that form between these girls. But the spotlight is not always on the main characters; a decent amount of time is allotted to the secondary characters, who are just as integral to the town’s vibrant identity and flavor.

The artwork is a highlight of this series. From the painstakingly crafted bricks and cobblestones to the ornate stained glass to the beautiful outfits, Tokuno spared no effort in his attention to detail. Some of the full page spreads are of the same caliber as visual novel CGs, thanks to the use of lighting (to create depth of field) and gorgeous full color. It’s one of the best coloring work I’ve seen in a manga (manhwa is usually more impressive in that department, but this one is right up there). Unlike New Game, Komorebi no Kuni uses standard manga panel layouts, which I greatly prefer over the 4-koma style — it feels a lot more cinematic and engaging.



If I have one complaint, it’s that the chapters are a little too short. But I suppose it’s better for a story to leave me hungry for more rather than overstay its welcome!

Komorebi no Kuni is a textbook example of a good CGDCT slice of life series. The brevity of each vignette reminded me of the anime Aiura, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention K-On! as well, given the copious amounts of confectionery consumption and moe (and occasional fanservice) in this manga.

The bottom line is that I found myself pausing to take a screenshot of every other page and inexplicably smiling from the overwhelming cuteness. I would love to own an English volume one day and re-experience the pleasant and whimsical atmosphere with these endearing characters.

