Wazuka Icchomae

— Eric "Scanner" Luce

Stories by Hoshisato Mochiru are at once easy and somehow difficult to categorize. Usually his works are best described as romantic comedies with at least one twist to them and usually several emotional right turns. His earlier works, of which WAZUKA ICCHOMAE is one, tend to be a bit more whimsical and deal with a generally younger cast of characters.
The beauty and draw of this story lies in its apparent simplicity. The number of mysterious plot angles is kept to a minimum. There is really only one real secret in the story and that one can be picked up fairly early on. The main character is Wazuka Yukawa, a young girl who is virtually living by herself since her mother is continually at work in some place or another and is never home to see her daughter, even on her daughter's birthday. This is how the story begins. Wazuka stops by a local store on her way home to buy some chakin-sushi. The store owner comments to Wazuka that chakin-sushi is a really strange thing for a dog to like. This introduces at least the name of one of the other primary characters: Wazuka's dog, Mahha-gou. (His name translates as "Mach-number," which is a strange name for a dog, but then Hoshisato likes to use strange names in one way or another for his characters.)

Wazuka's dog, Mahha-gou.

On her way home she sees some boys from her school picking on what they call a "mouse." This mouse however is a bit larger than your typical mouse. Approximately three feet larger. Wazuka intervenes and makes the kids stop teasing the animal. They then start to pick on her as they run away. Wazuka gives the strange animal one of the pieces of chakin-sushi and it scurries off, bowing to her all the way. Next we see Wazuka giving the remaining sushi to Mahha-gou as an offering at his grave and bursts into tears.
In heaven, a heartbroken Mahha-gou watches. He is startled by God berating him for always watching Wazuka. Mahha-gou replies that she is very miserable by herself since she has no father and her mother is always away. God reminds Mahha-gou that if he had not been so careless he would not have been hit by a car. Mahha-gou's attempts to soften God's heart are unsuccessful. Back on earth, Wazuka gets a phone call from her mother. She assures her she'll be celebrating her birthday with friends and they'll watch "Kiki's Delivery Service." But Wazuka is not celebrating with her friends, she is alone, as always. The curious animal that Wazuka saved earlier watches from the rooftop.

The next day Wazuka encounters the three bullies that she saved the animal from. The leader of the gang ends up getting in to a "is not!" "is to!" yelling match over whether she called him 'short' or not. He is the fourth main character, Daiichi Ban (yet another name-pun meaning "Number one"). Seeing this, Mahha-gou wishes he could be there to help Wazuka. The goddess takes pity on him and tells him that he can go back to earth, but not for very long. She gives him a collar which has a number of stars on it. He will be able to stay on earth until all the stars have vanished, which would be about a year.
Mahha-gou falls out of heaven and through the pavement, surprising a couple. Not only does he find that he is incorporeal, yet visible, but he is also able to speak (and people understand him.) Mahha-gou rushes off to try to save Wazuka from being bullied only to arrive too late as a hooded animal disperses the bullies with moves that would make Kamen Rider proud. Wazuka is at a loss for what to call her savior, who is the very animal she rescued from the bullies the previous day. The animal tells Wazuka that he is Mahha-gou and he has come back for her sake. He leaps away in his best Kamen-impression as the surprised Wazuka says "Mahha-gou..." Witness to all of this is the real Mahha-gou. His thunder thorougly stolen, he sits in the bushes unsure of what to do.
This sets off the beginning of the story and things proceed to go many angles from here, but mainly it is about the characters growing up. Daiichi matures and gains confidence enough to show concern for Wazuka. Mahha-gou gives up his role of being eternally by Wazuka's side and admits that he is dead. As for Mahha-gou-ni-gou (Mach-number-number-two), he learns that saving the day is not always saving the day.

It is a tender story that is simple yet bound up with a humor that gives the story a telling depth. Hoshisato's art, although it becomes more refined in later works, is always marked by how with such simple lines he can evoke telling emotions. Unlike many artists, however, who use simple fine lines to hint at the expressions the characters have, Hoshisato has a much heavier line that still conveys great expression. This art style makes his manga as enjoyable and humorous to look at as well as read. Hoshisato can tell with a single wordless expression what many artists need to take up several panels and two word balloons to achieve a similar effect.
While other stories of Hoshisato's carry far more emotional punch or raw humor, WAZUKA ICCHOMAE is one of his best efforts because of its simplicity, humor, good pacing, and length. As an added bonus, the story is self-contained and very easy to read, making it a good recommendation for the Japanese-learner wanting to be challenged but not rebuffed by their reading material.