Barakamon

(ばらかもん, Barakamon) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Satsuki Yoshino. The story follows Seishu Handa, a calligrapher who moves to the remote Gotō Islands off the western coast of Kyūshū, and his various interactions with the people of the island. The manga started with three one-shots published in Square Enix's Gangan Powered magazine from February 2008 to February 2009, and began serialization on the Gangan Online website on the same month; it was also serialized in parallel in the Monthly Shōnen Gangan magazine from July 2014 and finished in December 2018; it resumed for a limited time in the magazine from April to September 2023. Its chapters were collected in 19 tankōbon volumes.

A 12-episode anime television series adaptation, produced by Kinema Citrus, aired from July to September 2014. An 11-episode television drama adaptation by Kyodo Television aired from July to September 2023. A spin-off manga series, titled Handa-kun, was serialized in Monthly Shōnen Gangan from October 2013 to September 2016. The spin-off received 12-episode anime television series adaptation by Diomedéa, aired from July to September 2016.

In North America, both the original manga and the spin-off have been licensed by Yen Press. The anime adaptations of both works have been licensed by Funimation (later Crunchyroll).

Plot

Seishu Handa is a professional calligrapher, despite his young age. When the elderly curator of an exhibition criticizes his calligraphy for being too unoriginal ("like a textbook"), Seishu gets angry and punches him. Because of this, his father sends him off for a retreat on Goto Island, near Kyushu. There, he meets the colorful villagers, interacts with them, and begins to find his own style.

The title of the series means "energetic/cheerful one" in the local provincial Goto Islands' dialect. The first episode is also called "Barakakodon/ばらかこどん" which means "energetic/cheerful kid", which refers to Naru Kotoishi, a very hyperactive kid that comes into Handa's life.

The prequel spin-off Handa-kun is about Seishu Handa's high school days, six years prior to the events of Barakamon.

Characters

Main characters

Seishu Handa (半田 清舟, Handa Seishu)

^[2]

^[3]

Handa is a 23-year-old master calligrapher who dedicates his life to the art. His real name is Sei (清). After punching a gallery curator for calling his calligraphy "boring," "rigid," "academic," and "bland", he is sent by his father to a small town in the Goto Islands to focus on his calligraphy as he waits out his "banishment". He is typically childish and a short-tempered adult. He's also easy to scare. He's affectionately called "Sensei" (先生) by the people of the village area of town. As a teenager, he was equally popular among the boys and girls from his school but was under the impression that most of the school hated him when in fact, he was worshipped by others who misunderstood his methods from interactions with him. He eventually discovers the truth of his reputation and was dismayed to hear his best friend was teasing him the whole time. While Handa came to understand that, he was overwhelmed by the popularity.

Naru Kotoishi (琴石 なる, Kotoishi Naru)

^[2]

^[4]

Naru is a 7-year-old (6-year-old in the beginning) girl in her first year at a local elementary; she lives on the Gotō Islands alone with her grandfather. Her personality is very energetic, curious, and childish. She visits Handa's house every day to play. She is typically reckless, thinking after she acts; this is shown by all the time she disobeys Handa.

Supporting characters

Miwa Yamamura (山村 美和, Yamamura Miwa)

^[2]

^[4]

A 14-year-old middle school student with a bit of a boyish personality who is friends with Tamako and Naru. Naru learned many weird things from emulating her (mainly things she shouldn't know), for which Seishu scolded her. She created five copies of the key to Seishu's house back when it was the kids' base, one of which she lost in the hills behind his house.

Tamako Arai (新井 珠子, Arai Tamako)

^[2]

A 14-year-old middle school student. She has been a lover of manga since childhood and recently began aiming to be a manga artist. She has been struggling with her repressed yaoi interests ever since Handa moved in. She also owns one of the keys to Seishu's house.

Hiroshi Kido (木戸 浩志, Kido Hiroshi)

^[2]

^[4]

Son of the village chief. He is a high school student who hates how he is average in everything, such as looks, grades, sports, and activities. He delivers meals to Handa's home and sometimes cooks for him. He likes to fish, and aims for the hisanio, or the striped beakfish, when fishing with others. He also owns one of the keys to Seishu's house.

Hina Kubota (久保田 陽菜, Kubota Hina)

^[2]

She is a child from the island, and Naru's best friend. She is very shy and quick to cry, especially when dealing with strangers or whenever she's really happy. When she first met Handa, she quickly started crying.

Kentaro Ohama (大浜 謙太郎, Ōhama Kentarō)

^[2]

A boy with a buzzcut and friend of Naru. He is just like Naru: a really energetic kid. He loves to hunt for beetles and other insects. The first time he meets Seishu, he gives him a butt jab.

Akihiko Arai (新井 明彦, Arai Akihiko)

^[2]

Tamako's responsible younger brother. He loves gaming, and frequently watches his grandmother's store for her.

Yūjirō Kido (木戸 裕次郎 (郷長), Kido Yūjirō (Gōchō))

^[2]

^[4]

The village chief and Hiroshi's father. He is laid back and brings Seishu medicine and food.

Kazuyuki Sakamoto (坂本 一行, Sakamoto Kazuyuki)

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The vice-principal of Naru's school, who Seishu says doesn't look like a teacher. He has a habit of smoking and enjoys fishing in the village's pond.

Takao Kawafuji (川藤 鷹生, Kawafuji Takao)

^[2]

Seishu's art dealer, and friend since middle school. He arranges Handa's calligraphy work and other needs. He says that he prioritizes Handa for his skills as a money maker, but actually cares deeply for him. He is responsible for Handa's extreme anxiety as a high schooler when he jokingly told him their senior hated him.

Kosuke Kanzaki (神崎 康介, Kanzaki Kōsuke)

^[2]

A high school calligrapher. He idolizes Seishu and started calligraphy professionally after seeing an exhibition of his. He got the first prize in a calligraphy competition in which Handa entered. He is generally polite, if a bit effete, and hates bugs.

Kosaku Kotoishi (琴石 耕作, Kotoishi Kōsaku)

^[2]

Naru's grandfather. He gives Seishu a ride on his tractor both times Seishu came to the island. He is kind to Seishu but frequently asks favors of him.

Iwao Yamamura (山村 巌, Yamamura Iwao)

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Miwa's father. He is an eccentric and intimidating man, who Seishu thinks resembles a Yakuza.

Seimei Handa (半田 清明, Handa Seimei)

^[2]

^[5]

Seishu's father. He is a man of few words and a little awkward. He was the one to send Seishu to the island, and also lived there when he was around his son's age.

Emi Handa (半田 えみ, Handa Emi)

^[2]

Seishu's mother. She was against him going to the island, and tries to convince him not to go back, believing his time on the island turned him into a strange person. Despite her appearances, she is actually rather outspoken and short-tempered.

Handa-kun

Junichi Aizawa (相沢 順一, Aizawa Jun'ichi)

Leader of the Handa Club, he initially hated Handa when he thought Handa was trying to take the job of class rep away from him. When Handa turns the job down, Aizawa claims that Handa did so because he cares deeply for the feelings of others. Aizawa then relinquishes the job of class rep to Handa, while taking the vice class rep position himself resolving to do Handa's job anyway.

Reo Nikaido (二階堂 レオ, Nikaidō Reo)

An attractive and popular student who was jealous of Handa for stealing his fans and popularity. When Handa shows him kindness (while mistaking him for a homeless person), he gave up his modeling job to be closer to Handa and joins the Handa Club.

Akane Tsutsui (筒井 あかね, Tsutsui Akane)

A large rather thuggish brute who was formerly an androgynous boy that was often picked on before he became a truant, to get stronger and succeeded. He stayed at home until he was visited by Handa and the latter unintentionally saved him from a group of thugs. Grateful, Tsutsui decided to go back to school and dedicate himself to being Handa's bodyguard and get him to notice him. He becomes a member of the Handa Club and of the four members, he is the one who believes Handa is a strong guy.

Yukio Kondo (近藤 幸男, Kondō Yukio)

A second year student, he is an average young man. He is a member of the Handa Club and of the four members, he is the only normal member as he is more rational minded than the others. Because of this, Kondo is the only one who can properly understand Handa's thoughts while the others often pick on him. Due to his personality, he is the only one that Handa is comfortable with though believes him to be harassing him.

Kei Hanada (花田 慶, Hanada Kei)

^[6]

Hanada is a young man that is physically identical to Handa in almost every way aside from his overbite which he keeps hidden under mask. He pretends to be Handa often.

Miyoko Kinjo (金城 美代子, Kinjō Miyoko)

^[6]

She is a classmate of Handa. Initially, a normal quiet girl who had feelings for Handa. These feelings turn into an obsession after he shows her kindness and she becomes a stalker of his. She is nicknamed the "Eraser" both for how her peers disappear and how Handa returned her eraser.

Maiko Mori (森 麻衣子, Mori Maiko)

Maiko is a girl with pink hair in twin-tails. She has a crush on Handa and gives him a love letter, though he takes it as a letter of challenge. She has a way of giving back-handed comments about her best friend, Juri.

Sawako Tennoji (天王寺 佐和子, Tennōji Sawako)

^[6]

Kotaro Higashino (東野 光太郎, Higashino Kōtarō)

^[6]

Juri (ジュリ, Juri)

Juri is a girl with an oversized head. She seems to have a crush on Handa though she denies it. Maiko is her best friend, though Juri questions why she is friends with her as Maiko often makes insulting comments about her.

Kasumi Hiroyama (比良霞, Hiroyama Kasumi)

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Asahi Ichimiya (一宮 旭, Ichinomiya Asahi)

Soichi Nagamasa (長政 壮一, Nagamasa Sōichi)

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Sosuke Kojika (小鹿 宗介, Kojika Sōsuke)

^[6]

Tsukasa Komichi (小路 司, Shouji Tsukasa)

^[6]

Tomohiro Shiromoto (条本 友弘, Shiromoto Tomohiro)

Media

Manga

Written and illustrated by Satsuki Yoshino, Barakamon started as a one-shot in Square Enix's Gangan Powered on February 22, 2008.^[a] Two other chapters appeared in the magazine, with the third one released on February 21, 2009;^[7][8] the manga continued as a serial on the Gangan Online website from the same day.^[9] Starting on July 11, 2014, the manga was published in parallel in Monthly Shōnen Gangan.^[10] The series finished in Monthly Shōnen Gangan on December 12, 2018,^[11][12] and on Gangan Online on January 10, 2019.^[13] Square Enix collected its chapters in 18 tankōbon volumes, released from July 22, 2009, to December 12, 2018.^[14][15] The series resumed limited serialization in Monthly Shōnen Gangan from April 12 to September 12, 2023.^[16][17] A 19th volume was published on July 12, 2023.^[18]

In North America, the manga was licensed for English release by Yen Press.^[19] The first eighteen volumes were released from October 28, 2014, to August 20, 2019.^[20][21]

A spin-off/prequel manga, titled Handa-kun (はんだくん), also written and illustrated by Yoshino, was serialized in Monthly Shōnen Gangan from October 12, 2013,^[22] to September 12, 2016.^[23] It focuses on Seishu's life as a high school student, six years prior to the events of Barakamon. Square Enix collected its chapters in seven tankōbon volumes, released from June 21, 2014, to September 12, 2016.^[24][25] Yen Press licensed the manga (first in digital and later in print),^[26][27] and published the seven volumes in print from February 23, 2016, to September 19, 2017.^[28][29]

Anime

An anime adaptation by the studio, Kinema Citrus, began airing on July 5, 2014.^[1] Funimation has licensed the series for streaming and home video release, and Crunchyroll streamed it.^[30] The opening theme song is "Rashisa" (らしさ) performed by Super Beaver, and the ending theme is "Innocence" by NoisyCell.

An anime television adaptation of the Handa-kun spin-off manga was announced on Square Enix's Gangan Online website on February 1, 2016.^[31][32] It began airing on July 7, 2016, on TBS and CBC, and later began airing on MBS, BS-TBS, and TBS Channel 1. The 12-episode series was directed by Yoshitaka Koyama and produced by Diomedéa.^[33] Michiko Yokote, Mariko Kunisawa, and Miharu Hirami wrote the series' scripts, while Mayuko Matsumoto designed the characters and Kenji Kawai composed the music. The opening theme song, titled "The LiBERTY", was performed by Fo'xTails, and the ending theme song, titled "HIDE-AND-SEEK", was performed by Kenichi Suzumura.^[34] Funimation has also licensed the series for streaming and home video release and plans a broadcast dub for the series.^[35]

Drama

In April 2023, a television drama adaptation, produced by Kyodo Television, was announced.^[36] The series is directed by Keita Kono, with Masataka Takamaru serving as producer, Kumiko Asō handling the screenplay and Juichi Uehara in charge of planning.^[3] It was aired from July 12 to September 20, 2023, on Fuji TV.^[4] Perfume performed their 28th single titled "Moon" as the theme song.^[37]

Notes

1. ^ Published in the magazine's April 2008 issue,^[38] released on February 22 of that same year.^[39]

References

1. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 18, 2013). "Barakamon Countryside Comedy Manga Gets Anime". Anime News Network. Archived May 7, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
2. ^ "Barakamon Anime's English Dub Stars Robert McCollum, Alison Viktorin". Anime News Network. Archived November 8, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2017-11-20.
3. ^ Mateo, Alex (June 8, 2023). "Barakamon Live-Action TV Drama Casts Yosuke Sugino, Premieres in July". Anime News Network. Archived June 9, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
4. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 8, 2023). "Live-Action Barakamon Show Reveals More Cast, July 12 Premiere". Anime News Network. Archived June 8, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
5. ^ Mateo, Alex (July 11, 2023). "Live-Action Barakamon Show Casts Kenichi Endо̄". Anime News Network. Archived July 11, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
6. ^ "Handa-kun English Cast & Crew". www.funimation.com. Archived December 1, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2018-02-07.
7. ^ "ja:ガンガンパワード　４月号［うみねこのなく頃に］" (in Japanese). Jbook.com. Archived April 25, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
8. ^ "ja:★遅くなりましたが新年のご挨拶です…★" (in Japanese). Gangan Powered News. Square Enix. January 30, 2009. Archived November 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
9. ^ Yoshino, Satsuki (February 21, 2009). "ja:2009.02.21 Saturday" (in Japanese). 41.fug.fool.jp. Archived March 12, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
10. ^ "ja:「ばらかもん」少年ガンガンでも連載スタート" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc. July 11, 2014. Archived September 22, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
11. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (November 11, 2018). "Barakamon's Satsuki Yoshino Starts New Series in December". Anime News Network. Archived September 21, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
12. ^ "ja:ヨシノサツキ「ばらかもん」完結！最終巻など3冊同発、新連載も同時始動" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc. December 12, 2018. Archived September 22, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
13. ^ Satsuki Yoshino Official (January 10, 2019). "ja:ガンガンONLINE、本日の更新でばらかもん最終話「おぉばなあすだね」公開！" (in Japanese). No. 1083196707104387072. Archived November 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
14. ^ "ja:ばらかもん 1" [Barakamon 1] (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived May 30, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
15. ^ "ja:ばらかもん 18（完）" [Barakamon 18 (Completed)] (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived April 24, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
16. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 13, 2023). "Satsuki Yoshino's Barakamon Manga Returns for New Limited Serialization". Anime News Network. Archived June 30, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
17. ^ Tai, Anita (September 14, 2023). "Barakamon Manga's New Limited Serialization Ends". Anime News Network. Archived October 18, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
18. ^ "ja:ばらかもん 19 日々" [Barakamon Days 19] (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived February 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
19. ^ Loo, Egan (February 14, 2014). "Yen Press Adds Accel World, Übel Blatt, Barakamon Manga". Anime News Network. Archived May 20, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
20. ^ "Barakamon, Vol. 1". Yen Press. Archived July 16, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
21. ^ "Barakamon, Vol. 18". Yen Press. Archived June 21, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
22. ^ "ja:「ばらかもん」スピンオフ＆外海良基の新連載、ガンガンで" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc. October 12, 2013. Archived May 7, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
23. ^ "ja:「はんだくん」完結！ガンガンに描き下ろし付録や全サ、最終7巻も本日発売" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. Natasha, Inc. September 12, 2016. Archived February 8, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
24. ^ "ja:はんだくん 1" [Hanada-kun 1] (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived February 27, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
25. ^ "ja:はんだくん 7" [Hanada-kun 7] (in Japanese). Square Enix. Archived February 21, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
26. ^ Ressler, Karen (April 4, 2015). "Yen Press Licenses Yowamushi Pedal, Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun, 11 More Manga". Anime News Network. Archived August 2, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
27. ^ Ressler, Karen (July 5, 2015). "Yen Press Licenses My Youth Romantic Comedy Is Wrong As I Expected, How to Raise a Boring Girlfriend, Baccano!, More". Anime News Network. Archived May 31, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
28. ^ "Handa-kun, Vol. 1". Yen Press. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
29. ^ "Handa-kun, Vol. 7". Yen Press. Archived October 18, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
30. ^ "Funimation Adds Barakamon, Sengoku Basara Judge End, Black Butler: Book of Circus". Anime News Network. July 5, 2014. Archived November 15, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
31. ^ "Barakamon Prequel Manga Handa-kun Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. February 1, 2016. Archived February 2, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
32. ^ "Barakamon Prequel Anime Handa-kun's July Debut, Teaser Visual Revealed". Anime News Network. March 11, 2016. Archived January 25, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
33. ^ "Episode Counts Listed For Handa-kun, Orange, Tales of Zestiria the X Anime". Anime News Network. July 10, 2016. Archived December 31, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
34. ^ "Barakamon Spinoff Anime Handa-kun's Video Shows Cast, Staff, Song Artists, July 7 Premiere". Anime News Network. June 6, 2016. Archived October 31, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
35. ^ "Funimation to Stream D. Gray-man, Servamp, Tales of Zestiria, Danganronpa 3, Love Live! Sunshine!!, First Love Monster, Handa-kun, Tsukiuta, Time Travel Girl, XechS, Regalia". Anime News Network. June 23, 2016. Archived June 25, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
36. ^ Mateo, Alex (April 11, 2023). "Barakamon Manga Gets Live-Action TV Drama". Anime News Network. Archived April 11, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 12, 2023.
37. ^ "ja:Perfumeドラマ「ばらかもん」主題歌MV公開、LINE MUSIC再生キャンペーン開始（動画あり）" (in Japanese). Music Natalie. Natasha, Inc. 2023-09-06. Archived September 8, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
38. ^ "ja:★つれづれなるままに★" (in Japanese). Gangan Powered News. Square Enix. April 3, 2008. Archived November 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
39. ^ "ja:★つれづれなるままに★" (in Japanese). Gangan Powered News. Square Enix. February 21, 2008. Archived November 28, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved November 28, 2024.

External links

• Manga official website (in Japanese)
• Anime official website (in Japanese)
• Handa-kun (anime) at TBS (in Japanese)