Bonnouji - A heartwarming manga
Bonnouji - A heartwarming manga
Sharing some thoughts on one of the simplest manga I've come across - 'Bonnouji'
Hi,
I have been reading manga for a long time now and I haven’t made a conscious effort to talk about it or for that matter think deeply about how it has affected me. It has only happened in conversations with friends at max.
I want to change that. I want to chronicle my thoughts about the manga I read and how it has influenced me all these years.
We’ll start with a short manga by Aki Edia called ‘Bonnouji’.
What do you see in your future when you imagine it?
Do you see a partner? Close friends that you’re hanging out with? Is it a good job? Whatever it is, I think it’s a vibe that we all seek. A vibe of how you want to live.
The kind of vibe I want is captured in the manga - Bonnouji. This is a wholesome and light hearted manga which has romance and comedy baked into it.
It starts with a drunk Ozawa knocking on the door of her neighbor Oyamada, to use the washroom. In the house, she sees a lot of clutter. There are a bunch of unopened boxes and parcels lying around - gifts from Oyamada’s elder brother.
Ozawa is amused, and this becomes a conversation starter. They start opening some of the boxes to see what’s inside and this mystery sparks their friendship. Eventually, this becomes a routine for the two of them. After a hard day at work, Ozawa comes over. They hangout. Have conversations. Open boxes and slowly build their bonds. We also meet Oyamada’s best friend who hangs out with them and they do weird shit together.
Of course, Ozawa and Oyamada fall in love. There’s some light romance in the story and we see how they do mundane things together as a couple.
But that’s all there is to this story. There is no major drama. No conflict. No fights.
What is depicted is the life of three working adults who are really good friends and live through some ordinary but beautiful moments.
I have come back to Bonnouji multiple times. It is a short series and gets over within hours. It gives me hope and helps me visualize a future for myself.
I love the manga for its characters. The manga depicts relationships where everyone is comfortable in each other’s presence and like each other.
I want to emulate this in some ways. I want to be in a future where I can hangout with people I care about freely. I want to enjoy our days and lives together by living through ordinary and beautiful moments.
If you’re looking for something light and warm - Bonnouji is definitely a good place to start.
That was it. This is the first time I’ve put down my thoughts around a manga. If you have read Bonnouji or end up reading it, I would love to know your thoughts.
Happy reading !
Take care,
Nirmal Bhansali