I thought this would be funny, but it's just... not my brand of humor, I guess. It was just depressing.

C/W: Burnout and high-functioning depression (this isn't named in the manga but there are undertones)

This probably has the potential to be my favourite slice-of-life manga.

Uramichi along with the other characters work on a children's show called "Together with Maman". While this is not exactly where any of the characters expected to work after university, they make do. None of them really love their jobs but acknowledges it pays the rent. I think it's an interesting insight to what adult cast-members of shows like "The Wiggles" may feel.

The situations are hilarious, the aspirations human and there is a good mix of dry-humour and children show feels that really come together in such an entertaining manner. While at times the situations or writing may feel repetitive, I do have hopes that it will change as the story goes more in-depth with the characters and situations.

Overall, I really loved this double-volume and liked the fact that it came with a set of explanations at the end for readers who may not be familiar with terms or puns present in the manga.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for letting me read an e-arc of this manga in exchange for an honest review.

I like the concept of a kids' host with a cynical disposition but why is it never addressed why this is encouraged in the first place - is this common in Japan? I don't think so, so why in this world do they encourage the host to be so dark and depressing around kids and then broadcast it? It should be addressed because it's so unusual but it never is and I don't know why. Other than that, the stories are really repetitive - we get it, he's down, he doesn't like his job. Why doesn't anything change or go anywhere? It's just not very interesting to read essentially the same story over and over again in a book like this. An interesting concept that isn't well explored or that interesting to read unfortunately.

The premise sounded interesting enough but just didn't care for the character or what was happening to them.

Life Lesson with Uramichi Oniisan tells the story of a 31-year-old Uramichi, who is a kids’ television host, and his struggles to find meaning in his adult life.
The art is detailed, offering not only expressive characters but intricate backgrounds as well. The art provides clarity to the character’s actions, motivations, and offers a sense of place. It is easy to follow along, and you never have to question what is happening or where people are like you do in other manga series.
Uramichi is very likable, despite being a downer. Maybe it’s because I’m the same age as him and I find myself often questioning my own life’s accomplishments, but I find him very relatable. While it’s clear that Uramichi has issues that only a medical professional could help him with, the story never feels like it’s being maudlin or melodramatic. It feels like an honest portrayal of depression in adulthood, and despite the dark overtones, it manages to be quite humorous and heartwarming.
“Our audience isn’t exhausted shitty grown-ups like us! They’re children packed with sharp sensitivities.” This line is really the crux of the story and maybe in time, Uramichi will come to appreciate the community he has and find his own self-worth again.

This manga was a miss for me. I thought the premise started funny and it is, at first. But the chapters all resemble each other, and after around 60 pages I started to get bored. There is no character development and nothing interesting happens to anyone in the cast. At the very end there's one chapter that provides the tiniest bit of backstory but that's about it. I don't feel like I've gotten to know any of them any better, which means there's no emotional attachment.

Review to come on December 11th to blog/goodreads.


REVIEW FOR VOLUME 1

I received this manga from Netgalley/Kodansha comics in exchange of an honest review.

I was so delighted to spot this one on Netgalley as I have been meaning to read it. And boy, I laughed my ass off while reading. This is dark comedy, but it was so well done that it stayed fun.

Apparently the English edition is two volumes. Since I already wrote a very very long review for what I thought was just one volume, I am going to split my reviews and use the Japanese volumes for my reviews.

Meet Uramichi Oniisan, the first entertainer in a show called "Together With Maman". At first glance he seems to be a fun happy guy, but within the first pages we see that he is actually not happy with anything in life. During the first round of questions things seem to be cheerful.. until we hit the part where Uramichi asks: "Who's exhausted? Hurting? Doesn't want to do anything? Meeeeee...." And so it continues. He can be cheerful and genki one moment and then the next go back to his real self. Which is just hilarious as the kids are not even running away. They are frightened at times, but mostly just go with it. Or try to help Uramichi (though I wouldn't recommend hitting someone to help them). Or kind of lose their spirits as well (though they always seem to bounce back and come back for another show).
Later on we see Uramichi at other places and he totally has dropped the cheerful act there. The two mascots are terrified of him (though one of them kind of deserves it), everyone else just knows to let Uramichi do his thing.

Then we also meet two other people who are in here not for the YAYs and the YASses and who are almost like Uramichi with how dead they are inside. Meet Utano Tadano, a girl who can sing pretty good given her schooling.. but has ended up as a child entertainer because of bad timing and bad luck. Then we have Iketeru Daga who used to do musical but for some reason is now in the child entertainment business. Tell him jokes about boobies (birds) or other sexually punned animals and he will be out of the running for a while.

Each of these characters have their issues and their darkness and they aren't afraid to share it with the world while also being cheerful at other times. It was very well written and never felt like it was fake or went too far in the deep side of darkness.

I loved that we also get to see them on their free days and see what they are up to. I love the show, the concert is fun, but I wanted to see them outside of work. Are they happier there? Freer? Or just as weird?

I do think it is funny that none of the executives stops either of these characters and mostly just lets them do their thing. Apparently this is part of the charm of Together with Maman?

I loved the little parts between the chapters that feature information on the characters, but also have things like a song. Plus, I just love the chapter pages with illustrations.

All in all, I loved this first volume of Uramichi Oniisan and laughed my butt off quite a few times. Definitely would recommend it.

REVIEW FOR VOLUME 2

I received this manga from Netgalley/Kodansha comics in exchange of an honest review.

As I said in my first volume review (see here) apparently the English volume is two volumes in one. I already wrote almost 600 words for the first one when I got to the end of the first half and found out there is another volume there. So I decided to split it up.

The second volume and I am so enjoying this one! We are back again with new shows, new hilarious scenes, and some depressing but at times funny dark comedy.

We see some segments from the previous time come back, but there is also introductions to new ones. And little boys and girls, you may guess how Uramichi Oniisan and Ikiteru Oniisan feel about it since they are the ones in the weird outfits with even weirder names to accompany them. There are also new and very weird songs. Love it! I cannot wait for 2021 when the anime should be arriving. I wonder who is going to be voicing who and I cannot wait to hear the songs! Hyped!

I laughed so hard when they had to shoot a new music video about SUMMER in the freaking WINTER. Hahaha. You may just guess how dead they were inside especially given their outfits. Yes, let's pretend it is summer while I freeze my ass off. That whole chapter was just one reel of hilariousness. Though I also felt sorry for the group. The mascots had it easy. Finally some time they weren't hot and melting.

Once again I love that we get some glimpse of the characters (either alone or in a group) outside of the weird show they are making. I also liked seeing the company trip (though poor Uramichi) and had such a laugh at how drunk and weird everyone got. Oh lord. :P Plus, we get some early before they were at the show glimpses, YAS!

OH, and I just had a big laugh, the kids are definitely getting influenced by this group of weirdos. During the crafts scene Utano was telling what they were going to make which turned out to be a chain. To which the kids replied this: "A chain?" "Like the Ones that keep grown-ups unfree?" And Utano quickly trying to make something else of it: "That's right! It's a necklace! We're going to make necklaces!" Nice try there girl! :P
Plus, when one of the mascots get sick and the bunny guy stands in for the bear guy the kids IMMEDIATELY know that something is up and that this isn't Kumao-san. These kids are sharp! That is not what I am used from kids. Generally they won't notice. But I guess in this manga they do and that is perfect for what the manga is about.

Oh, and as with the previous manga, the parts between the chapters have songs and other fun bits! So happy they were added there.

All in all, this is one manga I would HIGHLY recommend if you are in the need of something silly/weird and don't mind darkness. The art is fab and I love the expressions and how well the author captures both the dark and the light of the characters.

I read this to continue on my fluff mood and maybe learn some life lessons. And if you guys want to think about what happened to Steve from Blue's Clues or the Wiggles outside of the show and how the shows came to be in the most strangest and negative way with dry humor, read this.
I think I wasn't sure what I was expecting with this slice of life. The artstyle is amazing although I wish it had a bit more direction with the plot and if it didn't have a direction, I think it would have been easier to navigate as a 4 Koma because of how episodic and isolated the story seemed to be. It also seemed meta in the sense that the characters knew they were in the manga etc.
Overall though, I think I am not going to continue the series and if you're interested in this check it out. 3 out of 5 stars

3.5/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishing for providing this review copy !!

It was cute and funny at times. The cynicism felt a bit underdeveloped much like the timing. There were some comedic gems although i wsdn't hooked enough to look for the next volume

This book speaks to Millenials, and it's quite hilarious! The struggles of working a job the characters don't like but have to since they don't have anything else going for them and then having to do whatever their gen-x and boomer bosses want without regard for their employee's health. However, what makes this hilarious is how the characters handle the situation. I look forward to the next volume.

This sounded like a good idea, but it became very one note and very repetitive after awhile. While I understood the sardonic nature of our main character who hates his life and job, the manga felt overstuffed with this sentiment and became quite dull to read. I know it relates to how being an adult is hard and tough, but I was tired of listening to him complain. This was advertised as a comedy, but I have no idea where the comedy was.. It didn’t help that all the other characters weren’t as interesting, and I had to force myself to get through to the end of the manga.

Good idea, but needed a lot more to make it compelling.