Hojo Tsukasa is perhaps best known for CITY HUNTER, the manga about a lecherous sweeper with extraordinary aim and a heart of gold. While this remains his most widely known, and perhaps most successful title, Hojo has a number of other titles to his name, such as CAT'S EYE, RASH!, and KOMOREBI NO MOTO DE, not to mention a compilation of short stories. Aside from Hojo's trademark humor, many of his stories seem to share the same "heartwarming" theme, people trying to solve problems and heal wounds for those around them.
When Nishikujo Sara and her father arrive in town one day and set up the Komorebi flower shop, Tatsuya doesn't know what to make of her at first. Sara isn't your average 10-year-old: she has the unusual ability to talk with plants. Aside from giving her a green thumb, this power enables Sara to reach out to people in a way that others can't (on one occasion, Sara talks to a tree to locate a missing person. "It's as if she's using it as a pay phone," quips Tatsuya), and Sara uses her unique gift to work wonders to those around her, healing emotional wounds, reuniting friends, and restoring hope to those who've lost it. For instance, when Tatsuya blames a tree for his sister's accident (his sister fell from the tree and is crippled from the waist down), Sara asks the tree, then quietly tells Tatsuya that the tree actually saved his sister's life - by redirecting her fall away from the river below.
The mystery surrounding Sara deepens when Tatsuya discovers a photo taken by one of his teachers 7 years ago: the girl in the photo is definitely Sara, but she looks just like she does now - she hasn't aged! Or has she? One night, Tatsuya witnesses the spirit of a grown-up Sara emerge from the 10-year-old body, and tries to fit the pieces together. Who, or what, is this girl? Why doesn't she age? Why did she disappear from the neighborhood

"Forever young..." Is Sara's eternal youth a blessing or a curse?

7 years ago, only to come back? Tatsuya doesn't know what to make of Sara anymore. But when Sara uses her power to heal the relationship between Tatsuya and another classmate who has a crush on him, Tatsuya decides to let it be, and keep Sara's identity a secret. "Because," Tatsuya mutters to himself, "I don't want to spoil the part of me that likes her..."
Months go by. Tatsuya begins to fall in love with Sara, and Sara notices that Tatsuya has grown (while she herself has remained the same size). On one fateful day (with the cherry trees blossoming two months early), as the two are walking down a road, Sara mentions wistfully: "I wish time would stop, for the two of us." What does Sara mean? Will Sara have to say goodbye to Tatsuya, and depart the neighborhood as she did 7 years ago? Or will this relationship last...?
At only 3 volumes, KOMOREBI NO MOTO DE (English title: Under the Dapple Shade) is relatively short compared to CITY HUNTER'S lengthy 35, but if anything the smaller number of volumes should make this less of a considered purchase. During the years, Hojo has constantly improved his drawing style (which seems to have solidified around vol. 24 of CH), and as the story was written after the conclusion of CITY HUNTER, fans of Hojo's particular drawing style can rest assured that KOMOREBI NO MOTO DE is particularly well drawn. The story is exceptional as well. Sara's character has a unique childlike charm that draws the reader in, and Hojo is very accomplished at writing emotional stories that succeed in warming the heart and bringing tears to your eyes. KOMOREBI NO MOTO DE is, quite easily, the best manga story I've read in a long time. Hojo fans in particular who don't have this little gem in their collection will definitely want to get this title.

KOMOREBI NO MOTO DE (UNDER THE DAPPLE SHADE)
by Hojo Tsukasa
Jump Comics
ISBN4-08-871355-9 (vol 1)
ISBN4-08-871356-7 (vol 2)
ISBN4-08-871357-5 (vol 3)
¥390