かくかくしかじか

KAKUKAKU SHIKAJIKA

MANGA

STATUS
COMPLETE
VOLUMES
5
RELEASE
January 28, 2015
CHAPTERS
34

DESCRIPTION

High schooler Akiko has big plans to become a popular mangaka before she even graduates, but she needs to get much better at drawing if she ever wants to reach her goal. Looking for an easy fix, she signs up for an art class, thinking all her problems will soon be solved. She’s in for a surprise: her new instructor is a sword-wielding taskmaster who doesn’t care about manga one bit. But maybe this unconventional art teacher is just what she needs to realize her dreams!

(Source: Seven Seas Entertainment)

Notes:

Kakukaku Shikajika is an autobiography detailing the life of author Akiko Higashimura.
The manga won the Grand Prize at the 8th Manga Taisho Award in 2015.

CAST

Kenzou Hidaka
Akiko Hayashi
Futami

CHAPTERS

REVIEWS

Benkei
99/100
This is a story of trials, dedication, and regrets. A look-back on youth.
════ ⋆★⋆ ════ That is literally the first time that i do a review. That's how important this work is IMO. ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ I started reading Kakukaku Shikajika as a challenge. I didn't do too much of a search; I just found the plot interesting and went right into it. I expected something at least enjoyable, as it was an award-winning manga. I didn't expect something SO good. ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ The Story ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ At the beginning of the story, you meet the "main characters," who are Akiko (the author) and Hidaka (the teacher). Akiko has a lot of ego and expects the world to accept her drawings as masterpieces. Instead of someone that would praise her, she gets someone that points out all of her flaws and wants her to work hard to achieve her goals (getting into an art school). ‎I think that one of the things that I loved the most about this work is that it is an autobiography and it goes back and forth through time, showing her insights as a 40-year old woman. She shows her mistakes and wrongdoings and talks about life. Sometimes you get lines like "I was so dumb," "I regret doing this," or "That wasn't the right choice." It gives you the philosophical view that if you look correctly, you can take lessons out of this work. (It's not a spoiler) ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ Art ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ The art style is simple at times, yet very good. I was actually able to spot a few errors in the drawing because of the author's work, as she explains her troubles with certain aspects of it. But generally, it's a pretty good drawing. She uses a lot of tones, like having a black and white panel to show her thoughts, or sometimes even when things get darker, she starts shading the background gradually, leaving you with text on a dark spot. Those techniques help you get into the mindset of the author. ‎ ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ Characters ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ While it's an autobiography, the characters are people from her life; there's no character made specifically for this work. They're either really big friendships or acquaintances. I think they're well developed and you can get a grasp of the mentality and style of each one. I have no complaints in that matter. ‎ ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ Conclusion ════ ⋆★⋆ ════ If you're like me, you skip everything and read only the conclusion because you don't want to get spoiled with other themes. So I will try to be brief on this point. __Just read it__. Kakukaku Shikajika is a masterpiece, and I can't stress enough how good this work is. Especially for young people (like myself), you get the eyes of someone experienced analyzing their past mistakes. Mistakes that you yourself could make. I always rate my personal top 5 with work that I was able to get something from. Either a life lesson, really good laughs, or a very good connection with the story. I doubt that Kakukaku Shikajika will ever be out of my top 5 because one of the big things I took out of it is this: Just do it. Don't overthink it. Just keep doing and doing. You will eventually get good at it.
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senseianimeanarchy
100/100
I cried too much ngl
I don't read synopses or reviews or take recommendations (often). This manga I decided to read because it was a josei and looked artistic (idk, just my type ig. Don't worry I'm also current on One Piece lol). Not sure if this is an unusual thing to do, but it's what I tend to do. (Is it hypocritical that I'm writing a review then? Maybe...)

As I was reading it, I didn't realize it was an autobiography until many chapters in...and that drastically warped my perspective. Our lovely MC became more real to me (because she is real) and extremely relatable as a result. As someone who isn't exactly young anymore (cough late 20s) the nostalgia not only touched my heart but sucker punched me in both the tear ducts and cardiovascular system (heart strangled a little). Looking back on our teenage selves is a trial, the awkwardness, the hopefulness, the stupidity that can only be realized much later on- she encapsulated those aspects of growing up masterfully.

I wonder if most of us look back on our life in stages that resemble chapters of a book. She was able to splice down different aspects of her life into seamless periods that made sense as an intriguing story and not just a bland retelling. I could feel her passion for her art, the pain of making hard decisions, and the regret filled nostalgia of recounting past mistakes. This was not a manga where I had to remind myself to concentrate, I could only binge read it and pause to wipe my eyes.

I would like to say that autobiographical manga is woefully underappreciated- Barefoot Gen (the anime movies are also incredible for those who prefer anime), Rainbow, etc. They have an aura unlike fiction and are worth a read for those interested. Also, Josei tends to skew mature in it's themes and have realistic characters in general (showa genroku rakugo shinjuu, Paradise Kiss, etc). Some of my favorite works so I wanted to highlight them along with this review. The demographic and genres of this story revealed the depth of the work.

To end off my thoughts on Kakukaku Shikajika: this was the letter that she wished she had written to her sensei as a teenager to thank him for all of his unwavering support. And it's the fallible humanness in all of us that it came to be after he had passed. This manga is a reminder to us all to remember to thank those who have impacted our lives in both simple, complicated and beautiful ways. And also that sometimes our actions of love aren't felt until much later.

I'm going to leave it at that as I'm writing this at work and I'm starting to tear up. This one will remain on my mind for quite some time and I hope others will give it a chance. I'm off to read more manga that will emotionally wreck me, toodles.
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KrenZane
95/100
An eye-opening, butt-moving piece of art striking enough to leave something to ponder on for a lifetime.
(Contains spoilers)

Blind and with low expectations, this manga basically blew me away. It opened my eyes, enlightened me on the significant do's & don'ts of living youth. An honest-to-God touching series which, I believe, could connect to most people in many ways.

At first, realizing it's an autobiographical manga, I started contemplating on what blurs the line between fiction and reality. "Should I treat it just as a manga?" "How should I feel knowing it's based on a true story?" "Should I really trust what happens here isn't exaggerated to the limits?"

Initially, I was turned off with that notion due to my unfamiliarity with such concept in animanga. However, I could say that the author delivered her own story with proper execution, pacing, and tone. I understood why there were plenty of timeskips and it isn't riddled with numerous interactions. It stays true to life for the most part (though I'm sure there are some parts that are contrived to a degree, but I can't pinpoint which one it is so I've disregarded that now), and it seemed "real", and because of that realness I was able to be vulnerable to the author's intentions and was able to intake the whole brunt of the story's message and lessons.

Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey made me empathize with the mangaka. I admire her being completely open and personal with her personal journey, exposing all of the mistakes she's made throughout her life through the characters.

What struck me the most was the teacher-student relationship which I always love seeing as it is one of my favorite tropes. In this series, the connection is done so well. And about Sensei...Well, what happened to him was depressing to say the least. His impact in life and in death broke my walls and made me contemplate on my own situation. "Just Draw. Draw. Draw. Draw." I could never forget his words. Repeated as it is, cliche as his advices are, harsh as his disciplinary habits were, it made it all the more moving.

We all need someone like Hidaka-sensei in our lives to keep our butts moving. People like him ready us for the harshest points in life and help us adapt when the worst comes. Perhaps it's a mixed view, but personally I would want to be under someone like Sensei. He teaches not only what's within the four confined walls of a classroom, but a world way beyond in distance and in time.

Blank Canvas made me think about my own future. I'm a university student and I'm filled with so many doubts towards myself. I don't have as much privilege as the mangaka had at this stage of her life, so it pushed me to do what counts and to grab any opportunities I can, and not waste 4 years of my college life in passivity and incompetence. I need to improve myself, need to find my dream.

The future is clouded in uncertainties, but life always has something planned for us. It might take a long time, it might be hard to remain optimistic, but to struggle on is one of the biggest achievements and requirements to attain what we deserve.

I like how the author's experience in art and her utilization of art in her story heavily ties to life. Truly, art is closely resembled and synonymous with life. There are endless possibilities, but it is the truth that we are constricted in what we make to pave a path of success. Sometimes we can be in a slump and don't know what to do. Sometimes we love art but aren't good at it, and so we can either work hard or leave the road. Either way, in life the brush is always in our hands. The materials are just scattered around. The canvas is always there, waiting for us for it to be given life.

I would just like to reiterate how grateful I am of the author's openness. In the ending parts of the last chapter, she's shared some of her sentiments. It felt like I'm left with a long-lasting, gentle touch in my heart. It is an inspirational story, and I highly recommend more people to read this.
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