Eu transmigrei e ganhei um marido e um filho!

Now, here's my take on time travel stories. Most of them are decent, very few are exceptional, and others just try to capitalize on nostalgia or cram in too many concepts, ultimately ruining the story.  

Haruka na Machi e is about a guy who gets transported back to his childhood. That's where the similarities with other time travel stories end.  

Here, the focus isn't on the mechanics of time travel (though the protagonist is initially surprised) or on encountering his past self (he simply lives as his younger self). There's a touch of nostalgia throughout, but it never feels forced. The story delves into how his actions (as an adult in a child's body) impact his present, but more importantly, it's about how he comes to understand the emotions and decisions of the adults around him during his childhood—things that once puzzled him. There are parallels and reflections on his current life at the time of the teleportation, comparing it with his experiences as a child, making sense of events that shaped his life.  

If you're still reading this review, you might be wondering if you should check it out.  

I'd say yes, go for it.  

Will you enjoy it? That depends on your age and experiences. I think it resonates more with people who have started working or have worked at some point in their lives—you'll likely appreciate it more. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy it otherwise. Regardless, it's quite short and can be finished in one sitting, so give it a try and experience the story yourself :)

Taniguchi's work often resonates with the essence of old impressionistic writers. In his narratives, form, time, and direction take on their own distinct shapes; they seem to breathe independently. The world is reduced to sensory syllogisms where truth and fiction intertwine as extensions of one another. As a result, what truly matters is the continuity of perception and the exaltation of the senses, transforming into fleeting experiences embedded in some forgotten psychology. These are not presented as factual but as ephemeral moments offering glimpses into all that has been lost. These stories act as appendages of the self, serving to internalize the world and externalize the individual—solely predicated on perspective. What is seen, what is felt, and what "is" are all units crafted by an ever-changing reality, shifting not only in temporal space but also within the abstract confines of the mind. Perception indeed holds immense power.

No other work encapsulates this idea more than Taniguchi’s acclaimed manga "Haruka na Machi e," or otherwise known as "A Distant Neighborhood." It’s a piece that defies traditional form and structure while challenging linearity and time to deliver a compelling narrative accompanied by stunning artwork.

Before delving into the actual story, it's essential to mention Taniguchi’s artistry in this manga. Just as striking and thought-provoking as the story itself, the art is sublime. Taniguchi draws with a sense of realism and nostalgia—a style that perfectly complements this tale. His stories often feel like meditations or Zen-like introspections of the mind interacting with the world. The moments captured, coalesced, and digested by the senses and cognition are expressed poetically and with utmost clarity. Expressions, space, distance, textures, gradients, foregrounds, and backgrounds are crafted with an extraordinary degree of precision and artistry. The narrative is deeply rooted in the art, and it's often through the art and imagery that much of the progression unfolds.

The story begins deceptively simple: a 40-something everyday salaryman (Hiroshi Nakahara) takes the wrong train. He notices the scenery changing into something unknowingly nostalgic. Eventually, he finds himself in his childhood town.

Things have changed.

He too has changed.

The streets he once knew are unrecognizable. His old home and parent’s shop have vanished. Unsettled, he pays respect at his mother’s grave. He falls asleep and awakens strangely transported many decades into the past—when he was only 14.

Once again, the streets change. Once again, he changes.

From here, the story focuses on Hiroshi’s decisions to alter both his world and those who once inhabited it. Retaining all his knowledge and skills as an adult, he embarks on a second chance to redeem his past and perhaps his future. "Haruka na Machi e" confidently conveys the complex completeness of each emotion and conflict. Taniguchi masterfully controls the intricacies and depth, subtly revealing them through intuition and imagery. Hiroshi encounters the same interactions and events but attempts to modify them for better outcomes, whether finding love with the prettiest girl in school or aiding his frail mother. Yet, the focus is never on the meaning of these interactions or how they will alter Hiroshi’s life. The future has already unfolded. What’s crucial is Hiroshi’s inevitable realizations about himself and his place in the world. What lies hidden beyond this current timeline is a push for acceptance, achieved through understanding all that/those he could not and did not.

Thus, this is not an exhilarating time travel story. This is not a narrative fixated on altering the future. Time and history are living entities; dismissing their autonomy is out of the question. What "Haruka na Machi e" sublimely portrays is the opposite: despite the feigned ability to change things within a repeated microcosm, in the grand scheme of cosmic affairs, things will remain as they must. What matters is perception and how that perception evolves into awareness (and the ability to alter that as needed, to live, if not with contentment, then at least with acceptance).

The ideas about self-awareness and acceptance echo throughout the work. These arise from an ethos of a society designed to discourage individualistic fervors and the impact of such design on individuals questioning it through their existence. This is where the art truly shines. Much of the initial setup involves Hiroshi traversing his environment while recollecting and, subconsciously, lamenting. Taniguchi crafts the slivers of the past through elaborate, naturalistic settings as they were and as they are, bridging Hiroshi’s memories and emotions. Both are at risk but impeccably visualized through the transitioning realities Hiroshi experiences. It’s remarkable how each idea translates into an image, from sweeping scenery to colliding characters. Everything aligns to create an atmosphere that moves alongside fate, never rebelling against it but always affirming it.

Two pivotal events reinforce this established nature. First is the eventual breakup of Hiroshi and Tomoko, the prettiest girl in school. Second is his father’s abandonment. The most defining and personal event for Hiroshi seems to be his relationship with Tomoko. She was the prettiest girl in school and, in the original timeline, married a diplomat and moved abroad. During Hiroshi’s “redo,” he impresses her with his maturity and knowledge, and they start dating. Tomoko falls hard for Hiroshi, but gradually realizes she cannot understand him or his feelings. Their relationship is thoroughly developed, and despite her being smitten with him, she becomes increasingly upset and insecure due to her inability to connect. She runs away, ending that romance and any hope for finding love and fulfillment in his future family life.

Second and arguably the most significant event in Hiroshi’s redo is the unchanging occurrence of his father’s sudden departure. At some point in his 14th year, Hiroshi’s father abandons them, implicitly causing the early death of his mother. Reliving his life, Hiroshi comes to realize his premature understanding of his parents and their lives. He wants to save his family, protect his mother, and understand why his father abandoned his stable life and loving family. On the night his father is meant to leave, Hiroshi confronts him and demands an explanation. His father seeks something more; he longs to escape the looming existential dread and find something life-affirming. This poignantly captures the reasoning behind the time-skip and the internal truth haunting Hiroshi from the beginning.

He too suffers the same dread as his father. Forced into a life of unfulfillment, where neither his family nor job offers solace, he finds himself “escaping.” The time skip thus serves as a tool, one he fully embraces, to relive his teenage years where he had concrete goals and desires leading to happiness, regardless of their impermanence. This duality of change and stasis is heavily manipulated throughout the story but ultimately acts as tools for attaining the awareness needed to realize the limitations of self-imposed control and influence. And so, he unsurprisingly returns to his original timeline.

Once more, he changes.

Despite altering many events in his “redo,” things in the present remain as they were. Nothing is different. Tomoko is still married to the diplomat, living abroad. His wife and children are who they were before he left. Friends and family who were dead are still gone. He’s still a 48-year-old everyday salaryman with a heavy heart. Nothing changed, except now he’s fully self-aware. Nothing evolved except his perceptions and resolve. Ultimately, that’s what matters. After all,

Perception is powerful—it can and does change everything.

This was an incredibly engaging read. It's a tale brimming with emotion, heartbreak, and self-discovery.<br /><br />At its core, the story revolves around time travel. Initially, I wasn't particularly drawn to the concept, but I'm glad I decided to give it a chance. The narrative unfolds in a highly literary style, with Hiroshi serving as the narrator throughout. By the time you've read the first few chapters, the beauty of the story becomes apparent.<br /><br />The artwork was unlike anything I'm accustomed to, yet it was superb. The characters' emotions were vividly portrayed, effectively setting the scene in every panel. The character designs were excellent and diverse, giving each character a unique appearance that enhanced the sense of immersion.<br /><br />The characters are another standout aspect of this story. The protagonist is a somber, melancholic figure, but he avoids annoying the reader with excessive self-pity. He feels authentic by being both selfish and selfless simultaneously. In the end, Hiroshi comes to appreciate what he had and learns to cherish what he has. The mangaka did an exceptional job of developing all the key characters and their relationships with Hiroshi. You can truly empathize with them; they don't feel like typical manga characters but rather real people. The mangaka excelled at creating "real" characters.<br /><br />This is truly a hidden gem. It's unfortunate that it isn't more widely recognized because it's an extraordinary read. It imparts a powerful lesson about coping with pain, acceptance, and learning to love what you have. This manga is a MUST-READ, and I strongly recommend not overlooking it.

If you were given a second chance, if you had the opportunity to relive your life, how would you choose to live it? What changes would you make? Could or should you alter the course of events that have already occurred?

The concept of time travel has long fascinated fiction. There have been many attempts—some more successful than others—to explore this intriguing idea. It's a powerful theme that has captured the imaginations of countless writers, including the creator of "Harukana Machi-E."

One might reasonably question whether "Harukana Machi-E" can offer something remarkable with such a well-trodden concept as time travel. Fortunately, the answer is a resounding yes.

Actually, there's a slight twist. "Harukana" isn't truly about time travel. Don't be misled by the synopsis; that isn't the theme this manga aims to examine. Instead, time travel serves as a plot device, a mechanism to set the story in motion and place the protagonist at a specific point in time.

Penned by award-winning mangaka Taniguchi Jiro, "Harukana Machi-E," translated as "A Distant Neighborhood" in English, presents the personal story of Hiroshi, a middle-aged man who, while visiting his mother's grave, finds himself inexplicably transported back to his middle-school years. Retaining his adult consciousness, memories, and abilities, Hiroshi now inhabits the body of his 14-year-old self, 35 years in the past, at a pivotal moment that significantly shaped his future life. Here, he embarks on a journey of rediscovery, revisiting his past, the people, and the events that defined him. It is also here that, upon realizing not everything unfolds as he remembers, Hiroshi faces his central dilemma: Should he attempt to change the past? And if so, how might that affect the future?

Despite its fantastical premise, "Harukana Machi-E" remains grounded. There are no wild time-travel adventures, no world-altering events, no superpowers, no youthful heroes or villains. Instead, the manga offers a poignant, intimate, and relatable narrative focused on an individual and their family, reading more like a literary work than a conventional manga.

The plot won't keep readers on the edge of their seats, anxiously awaiting the next twist, as it never strives to be explosive or revolutionary. Instead, the story unfolds at a leisurely pace, giving readers ample time to savor the artwork, characters, and their interactions, ponder the questions raised by Hiroshi's narration, and gradually immerse themselves in the world of his small Japanese town and its inhabitants.

In a manga like this, a well-developed cast is essential, and it's clear Taniguchi paid meticulous attention to character development. From Hiroshi to his classmates, family, and townsfolk, the characters in "Harukana Machi-E" feel authentic and relatable. There's no artificiality; they come across as real people one might encounter daily. Their emotions, interactions, and reactions seem natural and believable.

Naturally, the focus is on Hiroshi's character, but several classmates and family members receive significant development as well. Achieving this depth in only 16 chapters is a testament to the mangaka's skill.

Hiroshi could have easily become an irritating, self-pitying protagonist, frustrating the audience. Thankfully, this doesn't happen. While often melancholic, troubled, and selfish, Hiroshi never crosses the line between realism and obnoxiousness. Admittedly, the manga occasionally ventures into sentimental territory, particularly when conveying Hiroshi's feelings for his mother, but the author adeptly avoids descending into tiresome melodrama that might alienate readers.

Hiroshi's father, Yoshio, may prove the most distant and challenging character for some readers to understand. His actions, especially toward the end, might seem unsympathetic and peculiar. However, this portrayal is likely deliberate, reflecting how Hiroshi perceives him, given the story is narrated from Hiroshi's perspective. As the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that Yoshio serves as a foil to Hiroshi, allowing the author to contrast their life choices effectively.

Throughout Hiroshi's tale, the supporting cast remains independent of the protagonist. Most characters feel as though they have lives of their own, flowing alongside rather than because of the main character. While Hiroshi is central to the story, he is not the center of its universe.

Besides character development, "Harukana Machi-E" excels artistically. At first glance, it's evident that "Harukana" differs from typical manga. Taniguchi's art is masterful, crisp, and clean. Realism underpins the artwork, much like the characters. Taniguchi's meticulous attention to detail in backgrounds, whether natural landscapes or urban structures, is impressive. Combined with careful, cinematic framing, this results in near-photographic illustrations. The author successfully brings Hiroshi's hometown of Kurayoshi to life, inviting readers to journey into the past.

Character designs also emphasize realism while incorporating a touch of "cartoonism" where necessary. Noteworthy is a Ghibli-like quality in Taniguchi's ability to effortlessly convey a wide range of emotions on characters' faces, a visual treat indeed.

"Harukana Machi-E" delves into various themes and issues. Regret and loss stand out as recurring motifs, creating a sweetly melancholic atmosphere. Beyond these, the short manga finds room to address related themes such as grief, frustration, memory, acceptance, and appreciation. Without being preachy or pretentious, "Harukana" naturally communicates through its characters and their actions, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance, valuing what one possesses, and acknowledging life's inevitable transience.

As flawless as the preceding points may seem, "Harukana" isn't without imperfections. The abrupt ending and resolution might feel anticlimactic, leaving some readers slightly dissatisfied. The absence of any explanation regarding the time travel aspect could have a similar effect. However, since "Harukana" isn't a story about time travel, this criticism holds little weight.

Its brevity can be seen as both a flaw and a strength. Spanning only two volumes, some might argue that "Harukana's" short length prevents it from fully expanding. Conversely, it ensures the story maintains momentum, with no scene feeling unnecessary. "Short but meaningful" seems to be the principle Taniguchi adhered to with "Harukana."

Personal and down-to-earth in its delivery, distinctly Japanese yet universally resonant in its explored themes, "Harukana Machi-E" is highly recommended, particularly for those seeking a mature slice-of-life drama featuring believable, relatable characters that will likely inspire reflection on life. Or if you're simply looking for a refreshing read. In either case, I can't recommend this brief manga enough.

Oh, one final note... If you read the manga, consider keeping it (unless borrowed, in which case returning it is imperative). You'll likely wish to revisit it years—or even decades—later when your own childhood and past begin to feel like part of a distant neighborhood.

Haruka na Machi e presents a unique twist on the time travel narrative. The protagonist, Hiroshi, is a middle-aged man with a family of his own. On returning from a business trip, he misses his train stop and finds himself in his childhood neighborhood, where he visits his mother's grave. After falling asleep there, he awakens as a child, transported to a time before his father inexplicably abandoned his family. Upon reuniting with his whole family once more, Hiroshi sets out to uncover the reasons behind his father’s departure, focusing not on altering this pivotal moment but on understanding its significance.

The narrative delves significantly into the everyday aspects of Hiroshi's life as a student. Being a grown man trapped in a youthful body, Hiroshi often views his younger peers with condescension or indifference. However, he frequently experiences humbling moments that ground him. While his personality can be wearisome at times, he remains generally likable and relatable. These interactions serve to remind Hiroshi of his childhood thoughts and emotions, possibly echoing those of his own children, thus shifting his perspective.

The core of the story revolves around Hiroshi's family dynamics. Throughout, Hiroshi endeavors to learn more about his parents, their history, and personalities. Given his age proximity to them, he connects with them more deeply than ever before, facilitating a better grasp of their motivations and desires. As he uncovers more about them, the pieces of the puzzle start to align. Hiroshi begins to grasp why his father left and why this revelation is crucial at this juncture in his life.

Haruka na Machi e articulates its themes effectively. It is neither overly complex nor simplistic, striking a balance that makes it accessible. However, this doesn't equate to being highly engaging. The central event lacks mystery or excitement. The absence of dramatization lends realism to the storytelling, yet it didn’t captivate me as much as other narratives have. My primary critique is that the story occasionally implies the possibility of altering past events but fails to clarify whether such changes are feasible or inevitable. By the end, Hiroshi's motivation remains somewhat ambiguous, as nothing changes, not due to impossibility, but simply because it hasn’t.

For me, Haruka na Machi e wasn’t my ideal time travel tale, yet I still appreciated it. It’s certainly worth reading and may prompt some introspection afterward. <p>

Haruka na Machi e, at the very least, is a fascinating narrative exploring family, regret, and self-discovery. It presents a more mature interpretation of the "time travel" concept, with its protagonist not being a hopeful teenager but a 48-year-old man whose life has already been through numerous highs and lows. Nakahara Hiroshi, now back in his 14-year-old body but retaining his adult memories, wrestles with whether he should alter the course of his life and relive his youth again.

What stands out most about the series is undoubtedly the main character and how his life develops through his interactions with the rest of the cast. Unlike many stories where the protagonist is either caught in an intricate plot trying to escape it as soon as possible or actively working to improve their life, Hiroshi simply goes with the flow, though he can't help but inadvertently change aspects of his past due to his memory. He constantly balances between living as a child and as an adult, making him quite out of place among the others. Throughout the story, Hiroshi consistently questions himself, pondering what could have been different in his life and family. He openly displays signs of regret and conflict over living "another man's life," which ties directly into the series' climax. Hiroshi, as depicted in the series, perfectly encapsulates the themes Jiro sensei aimed to convey, showcasing how nuanced a character can be and how a middle-aged man might realistically behave in such a situation.

Even though Hiroshi is exceptionally well-crafted, I can't say the same for the other characters. While HaruMachi is undoubtedly Hiroshi's story, and the chemistry between him and the supporting cast is excellent, I couldn't help but wish for more depth from the people around him who also face their own struggles and regrets, individuals whose lives were shaped by war rather than their own choices. I would have loved to see more on how Daisuke copes with a family he considers less happy than Hiroshi's or how Tomoko handles societal pressures as a woman, but I suppose, for a 16-chapter short, there's only so much one can include.

The artwork is reasonably good in my opinion. It's far from revolutionary, featuring a fairly basic panel structure, and the character designs are hardly expressive, with their expressions mostly remaining the same throughout the series. It also suffers from some degree of "same face syndrome," where female characters' faces ironically resemble males'. Despite these drawbacks, it effectively conveys a melancholic atmosphere, and the way speech bubbles are always small and well-distributed across a page makes it more comfortable to read and enhances the natural feel of the characters' frequent small talks.

In conclusion, I would recommend reading this series. Haruka na Machi e may not be a literary masterpiece, but it is exceptionally well-grounded and solid. The story adeptly captures Jiro sensei's profound understanding of human relationships and demonstrates how a heavily character-driven narrative should be managed.

I had to wait a few days after finishing Harukana Machi-E before writing this review. I simply couldn't believe how much I loved this manga. Had I reviewed it right after finishing, I would have showered it with nothing but 10s. Now that the impact has settled in, my opinion remains unchanged.

STORY: 10/10  
Imagine being a 48-year-old man visiting your mother's grave. You close your eyes to pray, and upon opening them, you find yourself as a 14-year-old again. But it's not just you who has lost 34 years; the entire world has regressed too. Somehow, you've traveled back in time, yet you retain the mind of an adult. What would you do? Would you pursue the prettiest girl in school? Attempt to prevent your father from leaving? What else might you change? These are the questions Hiroshi grapples with as he comes to terms with his extraordinary situation. The story is undeniably beautiful. Spanning only two volumes, it achieves everything it needs to. Unburdened by excessive arcs or superfluous characters, it flows perfectly from its ordinary beginning to its stunning conclusion.

ART: 10/10  
The characters feature proportionate noses and eyes, breaking away from the typical "bishonen" art style. Backgrounds are meticulously detailed, almost photographic in nature. You can almost feel the water dripping down Hiroshi's face during a rainstorm or smell the salt while he stands at the beach watching waves crash ashore. The artwork truly breathes life into the narrative.

CHARACTER: 10/10  
Given its two-volume length, Harukana Machi-E doesn't boast a large cast, but every character contributes meaningfully to the story. From the loving father whose mysterious departure left Hiroshi's family broken the first time around, to Hiroshi's shy friend aspiring to become a writer, and Hiroshi himself, so captivated by revisiting his youth that he almost forgets about returning to the future. Each character is crafted with realism and charm.

ENJOYMENT: 10/10  
I eagerly anticipated each new development. Would the prettiest girl in school fall for him? Could he convince his father to stay this time? Will he ever return to the future? This manga is incredibly engaging, making it hard to put down and leaving you yearning for more after every chapter.

OVERALL: 10/10  
Pursue your dreams and cherish your family—a poignant message wrapped in a flawless manga. I recommend this to everyone, whether they're manga enthusiasts or not. You'll be glad you read it. This manga deserves nothing less than a perfect 10.

The cycle of trials and tribulations seems unending. Bitter experiences from the past can leave lasting scars on our lives, and we often find ourselves wishing we could go back in time, hoping to act differently to prevent the 'dreadful' events from occurring. Though we may have been responsible for our sorrows at some point, there were also things beyond our control, and now, we can do nothing but question why they happened. But what if we were somehow given the chance to revisit our past and make sense of what transpired?

Harukana Machi-E tells the story of Hiroshi, a middle-aged businessman. Life has become monotonous, with work taking precedence over family, and he has started drinking regularly. One day, after a tiring business trip, he mistakenly boards a train bound for Kurayoshi, his hometown. Walking through the familiar streets of his childhood, nostalgia overwhelms him as he finds himself standing in front of the house where he once lived with his parents, sister, and grandmother. He visits his mother's grave, reflecting on her life filled with suffering after his father mysteriously disappeared, never to return. He falls asleep and awakens to discover himself in the body of a young boy resembling his fourteen-year-old self. To his disbelief, he realizes he has been transported back to his junior high school days. Everything looks exactly as it once did, and his family is there with him. As he relives his childhood, he decides to rectify past mistakes and uncover truths he never knew. For the first time, he understands the value of family, love, and the little things we often overlook.

If I had to describe this manga in one word, it would be AMAZING. At first glance, it might appear to be just another slice-of-life story with the debated concept of time travel, but as you read, you'll realize it's much more. It's a beautifully realistic narrative told from the protagonist Hiroshi's perspective—retaining the body of his fourteen-year-old self but the mind of his forty-eight-year-old self. It's heartwarming yet heart-breaking, bittersweet, and skillfully simple while keeping readers engaged.

The characters are what truly make this manga captivating. They are depicted realistically, with their own strengths and flaws. None are portrayed as perfect or overly idealistic. You can easily relate to multiple characters and see the world through their eyes, whether they're family members, friends, or classmates. Their relationships with the protagonist feel genuine.

While the art style might not appeal to everyone, especially those accustomed to modern aesthetics, it is commendable. The illustrations are detailed, and the characters' expressions are well-captured. Overall, the manga has a clean, well-organized appearance with neatly segmented panels.

I highly recommend Harukana Machi-E to anyone seeking a short, simple, yet engaging slice-of-life manga. <p>