Dagashi Kashi (2016)

[だがしかし]

Volume 6

Author/Artist: Kotoyama
Publisher: Shounen Sunday Comics

Synopsis:
When the typhoon knocks down the sign to the Shikada Dagashiya, Hotaru comes up with a solution.

Story/Characters:
The bubblegum chapter is probably one of the funnier ones in the series. We get two whole chapters of Kokonotsu being an overreactive moral guardian, which I find to be an amusing character trait of his. I especially liked the flashback to when Hotaru was ten. All this leads up to the fireworks festival, which marks one of the biggest shifts in the series and leaves us closing on a melancholy note, the likes of which you wouldn't normally expect from a light-hearted comedy like this.

Art:
I have nothing but praise for the artwork as usual. As the fireworks festival is such an important beat in the story, there are some rather powerful panels. I also want to make note of a rather creepy panel where Kokonotsu is moping afterward. One of the chapter covers features a design that was apparently the winner of a contest. It's rather striking to say the least.

Other:
We get four 4-koma as usual. None of them dramatically stand out but they serve as 4-koma should.

Conclusion:
This volume leaves a particularly strong impression because of how it ends. We'll be seeing a shift in the story from here on out, which may not appeal as much if you really liked the old formula. Anyway, this is one for the collection, so get it.

Rating:
Own It