Manga Worth a Take Two

Among the many appealing aspects of Japanese manga is the diversity of its genres and styles. Countless fans globally adore shonen adventure manga stories targeted at adolescent boys. Fans of shoujo manga appreciate the genre’s emphasis on interpersonal relationships and romantic emotions. Gekiga manga appeal to adult readers looking for mature, dramatic illustrated storytelling. This October One Peace Books will contribute to expanding the range of manga styles available in America by officially translating creator Suzuyuki playfully charming slice-of-life comedy manga It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too.

Suzuyuki’s independently written and illustrated comic premiered as a web manga in 2019. Its popularity led to publisher Shinchosha printing the series in five collected print volumes. “Futari Ashita mo Sorenari ni,” as it’s known in its native Japan, can be described as a hybrid of “josei” (ladies’ manga) and “datsuryoku-kei” (ennui slice-of-life) styles. The series is a capricious romantic drama targeted at young adult women that depicts the humorous daily tribulations of an unwed romantic couple. The manga revolves around 25-year-old Yuya Aida who lives with his 28-year-old girlfriend Rio Aihara. In a sort of lighthearted nod to O. Henry’s famous short story “The Gift of the Magi,” the manga illustrates the little pratfalls and ironic conflicts that impact Yuya & Rio’s ordinary lives together, from getting caught in the rain to sneakily eating each other’s prized snacks.

It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too isn’t a manga for readers seeking another Demon Slayer or Attack on Titan. It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too could be described as something like SPYxFAMILY without the spying, the espionage intrigue, the children or pets, or the violence and action. It’s a modest, sweet-natured comedy about a loving couple doing their best to respect and cherish each other. So while the series may appeal most to readers seeking a change of pace, something relaxing and soothing, the manga may still best appeal to an esoteric readership of very experienced manga readers and Japanophiles. The manga is filled with subtle references to anime culture and wider Japanese social culture. The first volume includes references to Japanese foods including tamagoyaki, noriben, marunouchi, and tantanmen that are decipherable from context but don’t have any translation notes. Likewise, the manga includes parodies of Kiki’s Delivery Service, Golgo 13, and The Ring that receive no annotations. Furthermore, story references including a lack of residential air conditioning, reliance on janken (“Rock-Paper-Scissors”), anxiety about PDA (public display of affection), tegaki pop advertisements, and joke referencing rakugo zabuton cushions don’t prevent readers from understanding the story. But readers who do understand these cultural contexts will have a deeper comprehension of the manga. Just one cultural reference in the manga is so obscure that it receives a translator note explanation.

Suzuyuki’s illustration is rather minimal yet adequate. The illustration style is easily decipherable, and characters are easily distinguishable from each other. But backgrounds are minimal and included only when necessary, to the extent necessary. Graphic sound effects are retained, as are minor bits of Japanese text, all with in-panel translations. Dialogue text is rendered in obvious digital fonts that may look a little harsh and catchpenny, but similarly to the illustration, it’s the manga’s storytelling that’s paramount. So small compromises in the visual presentation are just a minor passing distraction. The manga contains no violence, nudity, sex beyond romantic kissing, and contains only one instance of adult language. The 144-page first manga volume contains the series’ first 18 chapters plus a bonus chapter and one-page creator afterword.

The first English-translated volume of the It Takes Two Tomorrow, Too manga from One Peace Books is a pleasant refuge for manga readers that want a change of pace from conventional manga offerings. Not too outré or esoteric and not too cliché or familiar, this slice-of-life young adult romantic comedy is perfect for mature readers interested in a heartwarming, relaxing, comforting manga.