Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? 1

Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live?

by Makihirochi, マキヒロチ

Zoshigaya. Gotanda. Kinshicho. Komazawa Daigaku. Nakano. These were your “No.1 most desirable places to live”?! The Shigeta Twins run a real estate agency in Kichijoji and keep complaining about the changes the area is going through. However, their office is highly sought after by young ladies who believe the hype that Kichijoji is the coolest place to live! That’s why, today, they will introduce you to some great under-the-radar neighborhoods other than Kichijoji. This is the first volume of this love-stroll apartment-hunt manga by a great new comedic talent, Hirochi Maki!

Genres: Manga, Comics, Japan, Ebooks, Slice Of Life, Josei, Fiction

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2018

Reviews

[Shai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know any districts in Tokyo so I'm not aware where Kichijoji is. Reading this graphic novel is like perusing a pamphlet promoting neighborhoods in Tokyo aside from the famous part of Kichijoji. There are several areas in the city that were featured in this first volume of the manga, such as Zoshigaya, Gotanda, and Nakano to name a few.

The Kichijoji district is well-known because it is the most preferred place that Japanese people choose if they want to reside in Tokyo. In this graphic novel, it showcases that there are a lot of parts in Tokyo that can be an alternative to Kichijoji and they also noted distinct qualities of each town that can help people on deciding where they want to roam around or live.

As a whole, I find that this manga quite entertaining as well informative. Moreover, there are several funny scenes especially on how clients' first impressions to the Shigeta Twins who owns a small real-estate agency. If given a chance to check out the succeeding installments of this manga, I would definitely seize that opportunity because I want to know what will happen to the twins and I'm eager to know more of the other districts in Tokyo that will be featured.

[Sam Quixote · Rating 3 out of 5]

A couple of real estate agents show prospective tenants around Tokyo’s many rentable apartments. Didja know the trendy Tokyo district of Kichijoji isn’t the only cool place to live in the city?? And that’s the book - there’s no plot and creator Makihirochi makes no attempt at one either!

That sounds sooooo pants, right? And yet… I kinda dug it?! Makihirochi’s unabashed love letter to Tokyo is infectious!

The main characters, twins Tomiko and Miyako, are an adorbs pair of chubby girls who refreshingly look like the polar opposite of the sparkly tiny-waisted, giant-eyed monsters that are a staple of female anime characters. They’re gleefully unprofessional, love rock music, don’t really give a fuck about punctuality (a big deal in Japan), and one of them has tats (which excludes her from the public baths – tattoos are taboo in Japan as they’re associated with the yakuza). And they’re a likeable duo – almost like Beavis and Butthead in the way they mosh out when rock music’s playing – who’re actually really good at reading the customer’s needs and finding the right place for them.

Makihirochi slowly builds their characters over the book, much like she reveals the character of Tokyo through exploring its many districts. I enjoyed the insider’s perspective of the varied neighbourhoods and its features, as well as the different kinds of apartment you can rent in Tokyo for roughly 800 bucks a month (completely of my own will I’ve watched too many videos of Japanese apartment tours on YouTube!).

All locations, businesses, sights, etc. are real with details of where to find them, photos, opening times, and so on included at the end of each chapter, so that’s useful if you find something that catches your eye and you’re planning on visiting the city.

The art though is generic manga and the tenants’ stories are very mundane. And it is overly informative as I expect most readers aren’t planning on actually living in Tokyo! I’m not gonna say it’s a gripping read either – it’s not – and I definitely found it easy to put down after a chapter and read something with more of a pulse.

Still, this is a charming slice-of-life manga full of cool locations and a couple of delightful leads. Worth a read if you’re into property porn and/or the lightest and fluffiest of comics!

[Dani ❤️ Perspective of a Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out more manga and graphic novel reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...

Two fraternal twins run a highly sought after real estate agency in Kichijoji sought by young ladies who believe the hype that Kichijoji is the coolest place to live. Due to the unwanted changes to their neighborhood, that’s why, today, they will introduce them to some great under-the-radar neighborhoods other than Kichijoji.

I totally got this as a whim and wasn't sure what to expect and yet I quickly fell in love with this love-stroll apartment-hunt manga, Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live?

I LOVE these two!! They are quite unlike any manga Japanese character I've (or YOU) have ever read!! They are probably the closest to any real Japanese person and its adorable how down to earth they are and how they whammy their clients. They aren't focused on romance and are quirky and imperfect. I love how at first the clients aren't sure what to think about them ... but then find these two girls are the perfect pair to search out their perfect apartment for them.

There is this subversive humor and unexpectedness that totally takes the place of any sort of tension. I mean they are real estate agents who are quite good at their job... what is there to anticipate or worry about?! Well there is actually a lot to anticipate but nothing to worry over! They quite wow you how they bond with their clients in personal and individual ways treating each one like a friend... And taking into account needs that the client didn't anticipate or solutions that are a better fit than the client knew existed!

So the plot is quite simple... A client comes in, needs a place and they find it. The method these two go about is what is so freaking fascinating! And the view into Japanese culture is incredible... I don't think I've EVER read anything that shines such a light on how young Japanese women live!! And the pages at the end of each arc showing the real neighborhoods are so freaking fun... they are like an intimate guidebook on exploring Japanese life!

The art is where I paused, but quite honestly it perfectly suited the story and these two young sisters and quirky Japanese ladies! The art isn’t what I normally love but I fell more in love with it the longer I read, until by the end I was totally loving it! It really showed me how I need to give different art styles a chance even if I believe I won't enjoy them. The story probably wouldn't have worked as well as this art style gives the perfect ambience to the story!

Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? is an unexpected Japanese manga that feels more like a graphic novel for adults! I adored strolling through real Japanese neighborhoods with these sisters and their clients and learning a bit about how young Japanese women live... for real!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⋆ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review. It has not influenced my opinions.

______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews in a special feature called Saturday Morning Cartoons...

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

An alternative to doing research on Toyko, or getting a travel guide, this book is a series of stories about a pair of twins who run a real estate agency for apartments in Tokyo, who know all the different districts, and whose underlying theme is that Kichijoji is not the only place in Tokyo to live.

The stories are fictional, but the places they visit are not, and so we get to see different places, different districts and all their unique features. What shops are the best. What attractions can be found.

As a story, however, it gets old fast. Each client is shocked, I tell you , shocked that there is a part of Tokyo that can have cool stuff other than Kichijoji. It is the equivalent of people coming to Los Angeles and thinking the only cool place to live is West Hollywood, and not considering Silver Lake, or Echo Park or Atwater. I'm sure it is the same with any large city.







So, good if you want to bone up on Tokyo but if not, you might find this a little dull and repetitive.

#IsKichijojiTheOnlyPlaceToLive? #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Mehsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

Eep! This was one of the manga that I was very excited about ever since Kodansha licensed it a few months ago. Sure, I was less happy that it seemed to be digital only, but eh. :P

This one is about two girls, twins, who run an estate agency in Kichijoji. They run the estate agency in their own way. You may expect them to always be neatly dressed and ready for you, but the truth is that these girls, during moments of nothingness, sleep, eat, or generally hang around. But don't worry, these girls are pros. These girls, and their colleague, will help you find a home that you will just love to bits. And not only that, because they will also promote a neighbourhood (every chapter has a new one) and totally make you want to move there instantly (and make me want to visit Japan even more).

As the title already says, this manga will not just feature Kichijoji. Oh no. While the girls have their estate agency there, and they are willing to help you find something in Kichijoji, and of course complain about the changes happening, they will quickly sweep (or kidnap) you to a whole new neighbourhood, based on your preferences/style/age/gender (as they do want to find a safe neighbourhood that makes you feel safe and we girls wouldn't like a shady neighbourhood). Yep, these girls can, with just a few words, a bit of conversation, find a neighbourhood that fits within your price range and has that one house that makes you totally happy. Oftentimes with the help of other real estate agents that have control over that area/have houses in that area.

I loved that these girls were professional, but weren't afraid to treat their customer to a nice snack or meal and then hold a casual (but still mostly serious) conversation about all things.

The guy who works with the girls? Dang, he is just amazing with the PC. Within seconds he can find tons of available apartments for you in or near Kichioji. He is a true search demon. Google is probably jealous of his superskills.

I know the prices in Tokyo were crazy, but seeing it confirmed once again, and then see how freaking tiny these apartments are for that price. Dang, I can't imagine spending so much on such a tiny room with the bare necessities. I can understand though that people are still willing to throw down so much money, it is Tokyo, and it is a wonderful big city.

Each chapter is about a new person looking for a change. And each chapter also ends with the person taking whatever apartment they saw that took their fancy. I loved that they sometimes even texted with the twins to let them know they were having a good time.

Another fun thing is that each chapter also gives us real life locations (often the ones we saw, but sometimes new ones) that you could visit if you were in the neighbourhood. I just adore that they did this and that the mangaka even picked stores/shops/restaurants that truly exist in that neighbourhood.

I liked that we don't just see the real estate stuff we also get to know the twins a bit more. We see them ponder about weight, going to that concert (or all the concerts), if they should also move or stay, we see them walk around the neighbourhood, talk to locals, and more.

The art is just fantastic, I really love the style. The backgrounds/scenery are just gorgeous. You don't always want to flip over the next page when you are done, you just want to gaze at it a bit longer.

All in all, I need more! So much more. I would highly recommend this manga, and I can't wait until the next volume.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? Book 1' by MAKIHIROCHI is a manga about a couple really odd real estate agents, and a guide to some of the cool neighborhoods around Tokyo.

The Shigeta Twins run a real estate agency in Kichijoji. They are in to food and heavy metal. They don't like how their neighborhood is changing. When a series of young women come in to their office looking for a place to live in Kichijoji, these odd twins take them to the hidden neighborhoods around Tokyo and seem to understand exactly what these young women need.

Each chapter includes a short travel guide of the neighborhood showing the shops and food that were visited in the story.

This was an odd manga, but I liked it. The stories had a sameness that got a bit old, but I liked seeing the different neighborhoods and getting a peak into a culture that is different. The art was decent. I wouldn't mind reading more of these stories.

I received a review copy of this manga from Kodansha Comics and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.

[Helene Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an episodic manga that focuses on the lives of young women looking for a new home. The two main characters run a real estate agency and they’re nothing out of the ordinary. While I enjoyed reading the first two chapters, the story quickly became too slow for me. I do know that this is my personal preference, but I just don’t often vibe with “slice of life” literature. If you loved the Nakano Thrift Shop, you should give this manga a try.

[Mercedez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, I've been meaning to get around to reading this, and finally -FINALLY- got around to it.

Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live is a series with no plot: it's very episodic, is incredibly realistic, and showcases various areas in Tokyo, all while moving through someone's current reason for wanting a new place to live. Reading Kichijoji often reminded me of Tokyo Tarareba Girls: actually, the art bears a bit of resemblance to that work too.

(However, I like this a lot more than TTG.)

Kichijoji is intensely relaxing: I like that there's no overarching plot, that each sorry is self contained. It's just a series of vignettes about helping people find a place that suits them and the kind of life they want to lead. Plus, there's two fat leads, which is always a positive in my books!

I think sometimes, having a solid plot is really, really nice. But I think in the case of Kichijoji, having a bunch of vignettes is even better.

I can't wait to pick up the other volumes!

[Aleetha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading manga. I read many kind of genres. So it is easy for me to read all chapters about these Shigeta Twins. No matter how messy they might look, they know what they sell. They were a great real estate agent.

Something that I also love is how the author put the article about the real places. It would be nice to do the real visit to those places. It makes me want to visit Japan more.

I wish I can look for male customers since in this volume all of them are women.

I am looking forward to read the next installment.

[Siina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? is a very different kind of manga, more like a travel book of sorts. I've been to Kichijoji, but I didn't know it's such a hip place to live, haha. It seems that everyone wants to live there! The manga is about these two sisters, twins, that run an real estate firm after their parents died. They are odd and the place looks run down, but they surely know what they are doing making people fall in love...with everything else but Kichijoji. This is a great thing actually and we get to see other places in Tokyo that are real and actually exist. I really enjoyed the info boxes that tell more about the places mentioned and such. The manga consists of small encounters that all end up people moving, which makes this kind of boring too. Especially since the structure is the same, always. People and places differ, but everything else stays the same, which is a shame.

The art works although it isn't anything special. Sadly so the cover is slightly off-putting, but otherwise Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? is very interesting to boot and offers something totally different to those that only know the popular places in Tokyo. I'm happy this has been translated into English, since there's hardly anything alike on the market. This is a good manga and you'll surely learn something else!

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC via Netgalley. It's fascinating that there seem to be so many slice-of-life stories about older protagonists hitting the American market right now! I doubt I would have enjoyed this series as a high schooler, but like What Did You Eat Yesterday? and Tokyo Tarareba Girls, it's fun to read as a grown-up and get a peek at everyday adult life in another country. The art isn't as visually appealing as Fumi Yoshinaga or Akiko Higashimura's, but I don't think it necessarily needs to be. The concept is extremely simple -- a hapless customer wanders into the real estate office of the unprofessional but highly competent Shigeta twins, and they are then able to introduce their new victim to an area of Tokyo which she has never experienced before but which is perfectly suited to her needs -- but it's effective and lets the author show off her love of Tokyo, which is the real star of the manga. A low-stakes, soothing read.

[Rebo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a unique, quirky manga about two twin sisters that run a real estate office in Tokyo. They do things their own way, but are actually really good at finding each client’s unique fit. Each chapter follows a different client and tours a different section of Tokyo, followed by a page specifying some of the real locales mentioned in that chapter. Along the way, you learn a little more about the two MC’s.

I loved this because it was different, but also because the main characters are chubby, something you don’t see much in manga, especially in women. Plus, their weight isn’t the butt of jokes or dieting, and they love sweets but clearly because they believe in enjoying life. But the main reason I ended up buying the other volumes is because I’ve wanted to visit Japan for years but due to my health can’t travel much. So here I feel like I can be there without being there, although all the food makes me hungry !

[Asera · Rating 4 out of 5]

- I read this book from NetGalley UK in exchange for a fair review. -

In this slice-of-life episodic manga series, leave it to Tomiko and Miyako Shigeta in finding the property perfect for your needs! Although everyone who comes through their agency believe that Kichijoji is the best neighborhood to live…

Each story revolves around a different client. Reasons behind the house hunt are fleshed out and everything ends well. Introduction to all the real-life locations shown, is included at the end of every chapter too.

The English translation is well done, making this an easy read! I’ll definitely recommend this. The mention of all the various train lines make me dizzy. Taking this manga while going on a trip to Tokyo might be just the thing!

[Emma Ferrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so fun oh my goodness!
I loved the way this was written - each chapter following the same structure of a different person looking for an apartment in Kichijoji and the twins taking them to explore a different area instead! I absolutely adored the end of each chapter when some of the stores and restaurants etc mentioned in the main story were highlighted and talked about with their real address given too!

The twins were also so loveable and I really liked their little subplot going on that is to be continued in volume two! This is just such a comforting manga. The familiarity of each chapter's structure was just... nice? I can't explain it. I just really really loved this

[Vince McNamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this comic. Totally out of the ordinary, an exceptional drawing style (You got to fall in love with this drawings that look like they come out of the 80's) and a relaxing story that kept my away till I had finished it. And that's the only sad part … I was finished to soon! :)

[Enkhdari · Rating 5 out of 5]

So cute!

[Doc · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the love of Japanese homes and businesses

Although a relatively nicely drawn book this book is fairly easy going basically about certain people in need of finding a new place to live and the tours they are taken showing the client and by proxy we the readers the sights of Japan. It was pretty cool to see some of the eateries and shops (especially since the in-between chapters notes show the inspirations of what we see in the manga itself) but in general I would prefer a little escapism rather then an info guide when it comes to my manga stories. On a bright note I was surprised but happy to see plus sized women taking the central role as clients come looking for help seeing as it is common enough that tiny females and masculine guys are common fanfare when it so many stories so a little realism in this case was nice. Basically this book seems to be all ages though kids probably wouldn't understand many of the references and this is one of the few books where just about anyone can get into it without any sensitivity problems.

So if you are interested in an easy going tour of various parts of Japan then this manga may be for you but knowing I would never actually visit any of these places myself one day I would rather do a little escapism instead. :)

[Katy]

A really cool and unique concept

I think it's so cool that a manga that is essentially about house-hunting has been officially localized into English. If you are a fan of niche josei titles you owe it to yourself to check this one out!

Despite not having an overarching plot, this book does a great job of making the two main characters likeable. They clearly go to a lot of effort to find their clients a home that really fits their needs and suits them.

My favourite thing about this manga is the little page after each chapter where they show you the real life locations they featured and their addresses so you can find them if so inclined - it would be awesome to visit some of these cool locations on a trip!

[scarlettraces · Rating 5 out of 5]

So needs to be a series a la Wandering Gourmet or Midnight Diner. NETFLIX ARE YOU TAKING NOTICE???

--- series review

This continues to do what it says on the tin (spoiler: Kichijoji is not the only place to live) with a slight swerve on to the twins' frankly awesome home renovation AND WHY DOES MY COUNTRY NOT HAVE JAPANESE ARCHITECTS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE DAMMIT. I still think it's prime material for a live-action adaption but at time of writing Japan appears to be gripped by the great outdoors. Maybe its time will come.

If you love it, you'll love it. And if not, you're dead to me.

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This graphic novel is about twin sisters who ran a property agency. Even though they are not the most professional in terms of office etiquette, they know their stuffs. In this volume, the customers are all ladies. I do hope there will be male customers is the next volume.

I was in Tokyo just two months ago, but after reading this, I wanna go back there pronto!!!

[Sean O'Hara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just another slice of life moé comedy ... about real estate agents showing apartments. This is a series for people who like Princess Jellyfish for the real estate angle but wish the plot was less intense.

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

refreshingly different tokyo slice of life

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting manga...at first. I like the art and the fact that it's rather unique. The two main characters are female twins who aren't exactly your generic pretty shoujo girls, and they run a real estate agency in Kichijoji.
I liked this aspect of the manga because it's different than most other manga I have read before. The thing that sort of dropped off for me is that in each chapter, a new client arrives. The new client is a bit unsure of the agency, and the twins have them look for a place outside of Kichijoji, rather than getting a place where they initially wanted. The twins are great at highlighting unique and popular aspects of surrounding areas, diverting people from Kichijoji. The thing is, every chapter is like this and it gets a bit repetitive. There's not really an over-arching plot line for me to want to continue. I thought it was cute and unique nonetheless.

[Deanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I liked this more, but I found it a little dull. I did enjoy the art and the characters but there wasn't too much of a story, IMO.

Still, I'm glad I read it. I feel like I did see a little bit more into the culture and that's important.

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three Points about Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live?

It's a fine example of the genre, blending images and words in a way that works...

It's an engaging story that develops characters well...

It's a polished and finished product, reading to be shared on your bookshelf.