If you, like I, enjoy the occasional manga in which nothing at all happens, and everyone’s drama is very small and very personal, and most of it is just plain nice, then you too will enjoy Himawari-san, Volume 6. In previous volumes, we met high schooler Matsuri who has become a little besotted with the introverted bookseller across the street from the school. Under the name “Himawari-san” taken from the bookshop’s name, that bookseller who kept to herself almost to the point of being  a shut-in, has changed with Matsuri’s influence. In Volume 6 we see that Himawari-san isn’t the only one who has changed over time.

The book begins with a look back at Himwari-san’s older brother, now a successful author. He tells us of how his life was positively affected with he was encouraged by the former Himaari-san.

We then segue into Matsuri’s final high school festival. Her friend Rikka is a talented fashion designer and she gets a chapter, in which it appears that Fuuko, Matsuri’s younger sister is also starting to find herself. But it is Matsuri who interests me most, as she’s almost relegated to a supporting role in this volume. Not because she’s not important…but because she is. We see how Matsuri has influenced the people around her, Fuuko, Rikka, her friend Ami and most of all Himawari-san herself.

Himawari-san, who began this series extremely introverted, has grown. She looks at Matsuri differently now, and the girl looks back at her differently. They don’t necessarily share the same feelings,  but their affection for one another is obvious. For the first time, one imagines that maybe they might, one day, be a good couple, and that they already make a good partnership.

Ratings:

Art – 9
Story – 7
Characters – 8
Yuri – 3
Service – 1

Overall  – 8

Matsuri’s graduation is just around the corner and I have to admit, I wonder what will happen.