minus-one

Yakkyoku no Pochiyamasan (Pochiyama-san at the Pharmacy) is the latest artwork of Yoshitoshi ABe (known for Lain, Haibane Renmei and Texhnolyze). Torrent here (English translation) (but it’s very slow, so if you’re impatient go find it yourself (tip: Google)).

It’s about hikikomori-girl Pochiyama-san, who runs local pharmacy. Hikikomori (引きこもり) is Japanese term for “social withdrawal”. Hikikomoris don’t like going outside and lead a secluded life. I am in a way hikikomori too, I like hikikomori-culture and pessimistic outlook on life and don’t like that meaningless interaction we’re exposed to in everyday life. So I’m into it. Summary from the usagi incidents:

Pochiyama-san works at a local pharmacy. Because she runs and owns it, she’s always there as her apartment’s right above it. She’s a hikkikomori – one who’s shut herself off from the rest of society, and she rarely says a word; instead writing all of her communication on paper and showing it to the other person when talking. So when one boy comes in looking for some medicine, her world changes entirely.

I like previous works of Yoshitoshi ABe (who doesn’t?), so have to read this. I’ll add my comments here, when I get it dowloaded.

Ok, I’ve read it. It’s nice. As expected. Not that “her world changes entirely” though… After all it’s the boy who forgot to buy detergent ;-). Pochiyama-san kawaii!