Synopses & Reviews
Yumiko was born in Japan but has made a life in London, losing herself in its cosmopolitan bustle. She has a gallery show of her art, a good job, and a good guy she plans to marry. The culture she grew up in seems very far awayandmdash;until her brother phones with the news that their father has died. Yumiko returns to Tokyo and finds herself immersed in the rituals of death while also plunged into the rituals of lifeandmdash;fish bars, bullet trains, pagodasandmdash;as she confronts the question of where her future really lies.
Just So Happens deals both gently and powerfully with grief, identity, and the pressure not to disappoint oneandrsquo;s parents, even after theyandrsquo;re gone, in a look at the relationships that build the foundation of our lives.
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Review
andldquo;Itandrsquo;s a thoughtful story about grief, outsiders, and moving beyond family expectations.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Just So Happens is a thoughtful, subtle and smart graphic novel. It presents one of those quiet stories that sticks in your mind with its charming spirit and depth.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Delicate lines and vivid watercolors create bold and flowing scenes, as well as a slow, ethereal Japanese summer.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;An intimate and thoughtful story that highlights the struggles Asian immigrants face in assimilating to Western cultures.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Obataandrsquo;s book is refreshingly understated; his sparse dialogue leaves lots of room for his expressive, water-colored imagery, which can appear cartoony or super-detailed or dreamlike, depending on the storytelling needs.andrdquo;
About the Author
Fumio Obata was born in Tokyo and moved to England in 1991. He studied illustration at the Glasgow School of Art and received his masterandrsquo;s from the Royal College of Art in London. As an animator, Obata has worked with Duran Duran and the UKandrsquo;s Channel 4. He lives in Gloucestershire, England.