Danica Davidson
May 30, 2024 
Hirayasumi is a laid-back slice-of-life that follows two cousins who are living together, but who have very different lifestyles and views about the world. Hiroto is 29, has a part-time job, and once tried to make it as a professional actor. He got some bit parts, but it appears that that life is behind him now. He’s inherited a house from an old woman he used to hang out with, which gives him some freedom and stability he might not have otherwise.
Then his cousin Natsumi moves in. She’s 18, starting college, and wants to be a professional manga creator. However, she’s embarrassed to tell people this, and she gets anxious and worked up easily. She’s desperate to do something, whereas Hiroto just seems to be going with the flow.
Along with getting to know these characters, we also get to know some people in their periphery, like Hiroto’s friend since childhood who’s now getting ready to be a father. His settling down is juxtaposed against Hiroto’s carefree lifestyle, and both men seem to notice what can be positive about what the other is doing.
Hirayasumi doesn’t supply any answers on how a person might best live their life, but it shows how different people attempt it. Natsumi, who worries a lot, is amazed when Hiroto tells her he doesn’t worry at all.
Like Hiroto, the manga feels relaxed, easygoing, and free flowing. There’s no exciting action-adventure here, but there are plenty of real world things to deal with, like going to school or work. It might be interesting to learn more about Hiroto’s background wanting to be an actor and then ultimately deciding to drop out of that line of work. Hirayasumi has won awards and been nominated for awards in Japan, and it has a unique, carefree, happy atmosphere that can feel nice against the rat race of life.
Story & Art: Keigo Shinzo
Publisher: VIZ Media
Translator: Jan Mitsuko Cash
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
