Manga unlike any other. No giggling girls, no magical powers, no boy likes girl (giggle, giggle) or vice versa, no fights even. This is manga for the educated market, those who want something to challenge them.
Tadayasau is going off to University, an agricultural university to be precise, with a special talent. He can see bacteria with his naked eye! That may not seem like much of a talent, but when the produce of a country depends on `cultural' processes (ha!), the skill becomes more valuable. For his fellow students saved from food poisoning, he is appreciated. For his classmates, who look for his assistance on their assignments and sake brewing activities, he is also appreciated. To his professor, his grandfathers' friend, he is invaluable. To Hasegawa (leather and lace clad research assistant), he is annoying at first, then becomes essential to her work as well. For a young man, eager to enjoy his first university experience, his `gift' carries a burden.
As I said before, this is an unusual manga. The information presented by Masayaki Ishikawa is intriguing in that it is accurate scientifically speaking. He explains how invaluable fermentation is to food supply and drug manufacturing for readers. He even tackles the difficult topic, publish or perish. In this case, publish is not enough. Itsuki wants more, he wants agricultural practices to help transform the earth, to terra-form, as it were.
The very interesting thing about this book is that it has captured the imagination of Manga readers so much so, that there are exhibits in museums that celebrate bacteria! Moyasimon is a national phenomena! An alternate title might be "Bacteria and Me, a Love Story".
If you like Kitchen Princess, this is way above you!
Tim Lasiuta
