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テガミバチ / Tegami Bachi #4
Tegamibachi 4
Reads R to L (Japanese Style) T audience. Amberground is locked in darkness. A man-made star casts only a dim light over the land. The pitch-black wilderness is infested with Gaichuu--colossal insects with metal exoskeletons. The Gaichuu make travel between the cities of Amberground extremely dangerous. But thankfully the Letter Bees, a brave corps of messengers, risk their lives in order to keep the hearts of Amberground connected.
A Letter Full of Lies Lag, now a Letter Bee rookie, meets Dr. Thunderland, Jr. a peculiar man who collects and catalogs the various Amberground species. When the doctor takes a particular interest in Steak, Lag and Niche have to hustle to keep him off the doctor’s dissection table! The ensuing chaos pays off for Lag when the doctor reveals that Gauche—Lag’s missing hero—paid the doctor a visit before he disappeared.
A Letter Full of Lies Lag, now a Letter Bee rookie, meets Dr. Thunderland, Jr. a peculiar man who collects and catalogs the various Amberground species. When the doctor takes a particular interest in Steak, Lag and Niche have to hustle to keep him off the doctor’s dissection table! The ensuing chaos pays off for Lag when the doctor reveals that Gauche—Lag’s missing hero—paid the doctor a visit before he disappeared.
174 pages, Comic
First published May 2, 2008
About the author
Hiroyuki Asada
121 books63 followersHiroyuki Asada (浅田弘幸 Asada Hiroyuki) is a Japanese mangaka.
His most known series are I'll and Tegami Bachi.
All of Asada's manga were serialized in the monthly shōnen anthology Monthly Shōnen Jump (which has since been discontinued; Tegami Bachi now appears in its replacement Jump Square). He made his debut in 1986. He acquired a fanbase with Mint: Sleeping Rabbit, Renka by degrees, and his popularity improved with I'll.
He also worked on the character design of the 2019 anime adaptation of Tezuka's classic Dororo.
In his personal life, he is part of a unit with Shou Tajima (best known for Psych) and Takeshi Obata (best known for Hikaru no Go and Death Note), and his creation activity with "AQUARIOS 3".
His most known series are I'll and Tegami Bachi.
All of Asada's manga were serialized in the monthly shōnen anthology Monthly Shōnen Jump (which has since been discontinued; Tegami Bachi now appears in its replacement Jump Square). He made his debut in 1986. He acquired a fanbase with Mint: Sleeping Rabbit, Renka by degrees, and his popularity improved with I'll.
He also worked on the character design of the 2019 anime adaptation of Tezuka's classic Dororo.
In his personal life, he is part of a unit with Shou Tajima (best known for Psych) and Takeshi Obata (best known for Hikaru no Go and Death Note), and his creation activity with "AQUARIOS 3".
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 17, 2019
7/10.
Me gustan los capítulos autoconclusivos, pero prefiero cuando la historia avanza desarrollándose en varios capítulos. Por cierto, Lag tiene un montón de objetivos, espero que se acuerde de conseguirlos todos, jajaja.
Me gustan los capítulos autoconclusivos, pero prefiero cuando la historia avanza desarrollándose en varios capítulos. Por cierto, Lag tiene un montón de objetivos, espero que se acuerde de conseguirlos todos, jajaja.
August 2, 2021
Cliff-hanger ending and we have no mirenvolumes in the system. It is a good story and I feel invested in the characters and story, but I don't know if I will continue the series or not because it will be more difficult to acquire volumes from this point on.
I do love Niche and Steak the most. They are so silly and cute, but also really dangerous.
Artwork isn't bad and it has a good plot and pace along with good character development.
I do love Niche and Steak the most. They are so silly and cute, but also really dangerous.
Artwork isn't bad and it has a good plot and pace along with good character development.
April 11, 2018
A la demande du médecin de la ruche, Lag apporte une lettre à L’être qui n’a pu devenir un esprit. Dans la ville, il y découvre un sombre complot contre le gouvernement qui empêche la distribution de courrier des habitants.
June 26, 2020
Historia e ilustración perfectas, te deja con la intriga, y quiero que Lag encuentre a Goos ya que se merece por fin algo bueno…
Espero que lo que le ha dicho el Doctor Cadáver le ayude a encontrarlo.
Espero que lo que le ha dicho el Doctor Cadáver le ayude a encontrarlo.
March 26, 2021
Comincio a soffrire un po' le ripetizioni continue su proiettili del cuore, ambre spirituali e tutto il resto, ma a parte questo la trama fa un micro passettino in avanti in questo volume.
Poi c'è Zazie e la prima ship che salpa quindi cinque stelline lo stesso.
Poi c'è Zazie e la prima ship che salpa quindi cinque stelline lo stesso.
October 25, 2018
What a strange town.
I hope the writer is successful!
I hope the writer is successful!
March 28, 2019
Love this series so far, great Shōnen manga so far with awesome beautiful art😻👌😁❤️❤️
September 21, 2019
The world expands, mysteries deepen. This manga is awesome.
February 11, 2021
Lag Seeing delivers letters and meets more Beehive residents!
October 3, 2021
Getting some friends I see 😏. Niche is still the best dingo — prove me wrong 😑
December 26, 2025
The letter may be full of lies, but the volume is not.
February 11, 2026
As per usual, it's fun, but not my favorite thing I've ever read. I'm curious about the world building coming together, and I like the general storytelling style. But the art is not really my style and there are still moments with Niche being, well, Niche. If you know, you know.
Tegami Bachi Review
4/5 stars
This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!
I picked up this manga on the recommendation of a friend. Well actually, she recommended the anime, but I wanted to read the manga since the anime never got finished. I have mixed feelings about this one. Maybe the anime would help. I don’t know.
The story follows this kid who decides to become a mail courier because he was once mailed somewhere, and it left an impression on him. Being a mail courier is a super dangerous job, because there are giant bugs that live in between the cities and try to eat people. People generally don’t travel a lot due to this issue. I loved the story and the characters. It was really fun to get to meet all the other mail couriers. They all have animal companions of some kind, which help them to fend off the bugs until they can take them down with special magical guns.
The main character’s goal is to eventually find his mother, who originally mailed him to his aunt at the start of the first volume. He remembers her from when he was little, and wants to know why she sent him away. Learning more about his mother is the main mystery of the series, which leads him to many new places where he meets lots of new, interesting people. And along the way, there are these giant bug fights that are really fun.
Now here’s where I feel conflicted. The main character’s animal companion is this random girl who decides to follow him around. She’s not technically human, so that’s how she’s able to count as an animal companion despite looking like a kid. Because she’s not human, she does not understand the need for acting like the humans do. What this generally means is a big chunk of the early volumes, she finds a dumb excuse to not wear pants for a panel or two. It’s always censored with big block text that literally says “censored,” but it was still kind of uncomfortable to read about.
Also, near the middle of the series we meet her older sister, who literally walks around naked because she also has no understanding of human behavior. She thinks of herself as more of an animal than her little sister does, because she lives out in the wild and doesn’t interact with people. When she has to be around people, she puts on a ribbon that she ties very carefully in a specific way, if you get my meaning.
Listen, I’ve seen worse fan service (see: Ghost in the Shell). I don’t mind the older sister doing what she does, because she’s an adult and can do whatever she wants. But the little sister is a kid. She looks to be maybe 10ish. As I said before, it’s always censored, so we’re never seeing anything. But for me personally, it’s the principle that matters. I read the entirety of this manga, because I felt it would be important to judge it after seeing where the manga went and if it continued to be an issue. It does go away for a while, but then near the end of the series, she loses her pants again briefly and I just ugggghhhhhhhhhhh whyyyyyyyyyyy…we were over this…
I did like the series as a whole. It has a great story with a lot of heart. For that alone, I think this is a great series and would recommend it. But you’ll have to consider for yourself if you want to read a series with so little pants. Wow, that’s a brand new sentence no one has ever said before. Consider your comfort level and read this at your own risk.
Have a nice day/night everyone!
Tegami Bachi Review
4/5 stars
This will be a spoiler free review. Onto the review!
I picked up this manga on the recommendation of a friend. Well actually, she recommended the anime, but I wanted to read the manga since the anime never got finished. I have mixed feelings about this one. Maybe the anime would help. I don’t know.
The story follows this kid who decides to become a mail courier because he was once mailed somewhere, and it left an impression on him. Being a mail courier is a super dangerous job, because there are giant bugs that live in between the cities and try to eat people. People generally don’t travel a lot due to this issue. I loved the story and the characters. It was really fun to get to meet all the other mail couriers. They all have animal companions of some kind, which help them to fend off the bugs until they can take them down with special magical guns.
The main character’s goal is to eventually find his mother, who originally mailed him to his aunt at the start of the first volume. He remembers her from when he was little, and wants to know why she sent him away. Learning more about his mother is the main mystery of the series, which leads him to many new places where he meets lots of new, interesting people. And along the way, there are these giant bug fights that are really fun.
Now here’s where I feel conflicted. The main character’s animal companion is this random girl who decides to follow him around. She’s not technically human, so that’s how she’s able to count as an animal companion despite looking like a kid. Because she’s not human, she does not understand the need for acting like the humans do. What this generally means is a big chunk of the early volumes, she finds a dumb excuse to not wear pants for a panel or two. It’s always censored with big block text that literally says “censored,” but it was still kind of uncomfortable to read about.
Also, near the middle of the series we meet her older sister, who literally walks around naked because she also has no understanding of human behavior. She thinks of herself as more of an animal than her little sister does, because she lives out in the wild and doesn’t interact with people. When she has to be around people, she puts on a ribbon that she ties very carefully in a specific way, if you get my meaning.
Listen, I’ve seen worse fan service (see: Ghost in the Shell). I don’t mind the older sister doing what she does, because she’s an adult and can do whatever she wants. But the little sister is a kid. She looks to be maybe 10ish. As I said before, it’s always censored, so we’re never seeing anything. But for me personally, it’s the principle that matters. I read the entirety of this manga, because I felt it would be important to judge it after seeing where the manga went and if it continued to be an issue. It does go away for a while, but then near the end of the series, she loses her pants again briefly and I just ugggghhhhhhhhhhh whyyyyyyyyyyy…we were over this…
I did like the series as a whole. It has a great story with a lot of heart. For that alone, I think this is a great series and would recommend it. But you’ll have to consider for yourself if you want to read a series with so little pants. Wow, that’s a brand new sentence no one has ever said before. Consider your comfort level and read this at your own risk.
Have a nice day/night everyone!
April 1, 2024
So far I've read the first 5 volumes of this manga. Premise: Awesome. Story: meh. Not really even with a capital M. Tankobon manga like Tegami Bachi are something I can see myself getting into; where there is an individual story with a beginning and end to each volume without much cutoff (ala Mushishi). It's really a cozy and intimate little experience that I get with most books. I like manga, but the problem with other series I enjoy like Soul Eater is that it's just one collective work where you have to keep reading and reading the volumes like a neverending bag of potato chips. Tegami Bachi is far more personal in the fact that it's tankobon, and that's mixed in with its serene but surreal indigo-laden caste-based steampunk-ish world. However the problem I have with what I've read with the series is that it falls into many traps that are becoming shonen manga cliches. There's a naive young protagonist who looks up to someone but also boasts special powers. There's a weird girl, a bizarre mascot, snarky side characters, a mysterious side species that bear the same powers as the protagonist a job to do, and a mystery to solve. Been there done ALL that. Other than the unique premise the story is on autopilot writing itself. The action is cool but a bit too flashy, and not a lot of characters nor are they extremely three dimensional so it's hard to sympathize with the apparent danger. The art, as I mentioned before is very, VERY cool. It's cool to the point where I just accept the created world as steampunk fantasy and suspend my disbelief. The characters all look cool and the concept of a dark world with an artificial sun makes me want to keep reading just to figure out what it is. The other nice part and shonen trap that Letter Bee doesn't fall into is the fan service. Most of the costumes are pleasant, baggy, honest and unique (Bar Aria's with needless straps that serve no purpose other than the illusion of underboob-bearing lingerie). Will I keep reading it? We'll see.
October 20, 2014
Well I shall not say that it was a perfect volume, but I'll say this: I love that the moment I mentioned that I was getting a little bored with the episodic feeling of delivering letters and enjoying little side stories of characters we probably won't see again, the manga went full blown plot for the last 75% of the volume. That's just great story planning there.
And it's not that I don't enjoy the little side stories either! I usually get a little sentimental and emotional bout out of them. Being a sappy person, a lot of times they've resonated really intimately with me, and the one in this volume hit particularly close to home, even though I thought I was going to hate the side character it focused on at first. But the one thing this manga always does well is that it presents a character before you that you're certain you won't like, and then it shows you how to understand that character, so that the hatred you might feel either dissipates or is at least balanced out by knowing the motives, thoughts, and feelings of that character you would otherwise have judged unfairly, often because you didn't know the full story.
But it was really wonderful to continue the actual plot as well, and I love that more mysteries are unfolding while we're getting more information at the same time. And we met a new character! Who has immediately formed the other half to a ship I didn't know I would ship. But even as an aside, I really like him: Dr. Thunderland Jr. The other character that really calls to me in this volume is Mr. Hunt. I want to know more about him... so much more. I'm really glad that we continue following the plot he's wrapped up in in the next volume, because I want to learn everything about him. I have a feeling I'm going to only love him all the more.
Overall, it was a really enjoyable volume, and I'm going to hop right into the next one now. <3 So see you guys there!
March 5, 2011
Reason for Reading: next in the series.
Another great entry in this series. Briefly without giving anything away this volume continues to expand upon our main character, Lag,'s development. We learn a little more about Niche's mysterious being and Lag spends time with a couple of other Letter Bee's with whom we've only met in passing before. A couple of new characters are introduced, both of whom appear they will be major characters from now on, especially since the next volume is named after one of them. Most importantly to the plot we learn that there are people who are not happy about the way things are being run by the government.
I didn't notice Lag's "crybaby" attitude showing once this time around. He has really started to mature. Niche is up to her tricks with underwear again since we find out Sylvette gave her a pair of lacy girl's undies and she does not like them. There is plenty of humour to be found in this volume. But there are also several fights with the Gaichuu (and others) for those looking for action and most importantly of all, to me, the plot and characters move forward in several directions continuing with the main plot of trying to find Gauche, whose trail they know they are upon, and continuing and introducing several side plots as well. Now just to wait for May and Volume 5. This is one of my favourite manga series.
Another great entry in this series. Briefly without giving anything away this volume continues to expand upon our main character, Lag,'s development. We learn a little more about Niche's mysterious being and Lag spends time with a couple of other Letter Bee's with whom we've only met in passing before. A couple of new characters are introduced, both of whom appear they will be major characters from now on, especially since the next volume is named after one of them. Most importantly to the plot we learn that there are people who are not happy about the way things are being run by the government.
I didn't notice Lag's "crybaby" attitude showing once this time around. He has really started to mature. Niche is up to her tricks with underwear again since we find out Sylvette gave her a pair of lacy girl's undies and she does not like them. There is plenty of humour to be found in this volume. But there are also several fights with the Gaichuu (and others) for those looking for action and most importantly of all, to me, the plot and characters move forward in several directions continuing with the main plot of trying to find Gauche, whose trail they know they are upon, and continuing and introducing several side plots as well. Now just to wait for May and Volume 5. This is one of my favourite manga series.
May 23, 2015
This is a really good volume. We meet Thunderland, Jr. and learn he was also a friend of Gauche Suede. He has a lead for Lag to follow. There is hilarious by play between him Steak and Niche about dissecting them all. I really loved the whole time spent in his lair including the memory Lag pulls up.
I loved, loved, loved the by play in chapter 11 with Niche about Sylvette's weird underpants that stick like glue and give her wedgies. I was a little disappointed that Niche wasn't in this volume more. I do understand though that Lag and the other bees have to step up sometimes to work without her help. I thought the method with which Niche is down and out was cute, funny and believable.
I didn't particularly care for Sara or Hunt's storylines but we made progress on Gauche. Thunderland Jr made this a 5 star rather than a 4 star.
BOTTOM LINE: Progress and any Niche moments, yay!
I loved, loved, loved the by play in chapter 11 with Niche about Sylvette's weird underpants that stick like glue and give her wedgies. I was a little disappointed that Niche wasn't in this volume more. I do understand though that Lag and the other bees have to step up sometimes to work without her help. I thought the method with which Niche is down and out was cute, funny and believable.
I didn't particularly care for Sara or Hunt's storylines but we made progress on Gauche. Thunderland Jr made this a 5 star rather than a 4 star.
BOTTOM LINE: Progress and any Niche moments, yay!
August 22, 2011
Having watched a good part of the anime, I started becoming bored with the story and almost drop both it and the manga. For the most part, I thought the anime followed the manga quite well. At least, in the beginning. It wasn’t until I got further along that I realized the manga and the anime differed quite a bit. From what I can tell, the anime added a ton of filler episodes, which is what caused me to become bored with the story. The book, however, had a much better forward progress. I might give up on the anime altogether and stick with the book, but curiosity will probably keep me viewing both.
May 24, 2012
A cute, heartwarming volume of Tegami Bachi. I enjoyed meeting Dr. Thunderland Jr., although the synopsis greatly exaggerates his importance in recent events. I also really liked the chapter about the writer and his 'heartless' letter; it's interesting to see Lag in conflict over whether a letter is worth delivering or not. The new story arc about the man who could not become spirit looks incredibly fascinating; I can only hope that it doesn't disappoint. PS - the moments of fanservice involving Niche and her bloomers are now bordering on creepy. Do not want, Asada.
January 4, 2012
GREAT funny bits in this one -- the Dr. Thunderland, Jr. encounter is both hilarious and ultimately sentimental, and I actually laughed out loud over Niche's complaints about the way frilly girly underwear fits.
(I suppose I should find something vaguely creepy about the whole "Niche's underwear" thing, but mostly it just cracks me up, right down to the strategically placed sound effect text when she forgoes underwear and jumps over people, flashing them from above)
(I suppose I should find something vaguely creepy about the whole "Niche's underwear" thing, but mostly it just cracks me up, right down to the strategically placed sound effect text when she forgoes underwear and jumps over people, flashing them from above)
January 17, 2013
Après une petite histoire de livraison de lettre, Lag se voit confier une mission par un ami de Gauche. Voilà qui laisse présager de bonnes choses !
Et effectivement, l'histoire est toujours aussi intéressante, je dirai même que l'intérêt va croissant!
En bref, après ces quatre premiers tomes, je peux dire que c'est une série très prometteuse (pour les amateurs du genre bien sûr !)
Et effectivement, l'histoire est toujours aussi intéressante, je dirai même que l'intérêt va croissant!
En bref, après ces quatre premiers tomes, je peux dire que c'est une série très prometteuse (pour les amateurs du genre bien sûr !)
January 10, 2014
The art, as always, is beautiful and the story is still interesting. Unlike some manga, it seems like Tegami Bachi is actually progressing and Lag is continually getting closer to finding Gauche. Niche and Steak don't let me down either, as they're still super awesome. In its 4th volume, Tegami Bachi is still going strong and still remains one of my favorite mangas.
May 17, 2015
its very different then the other series that i am reading but its a good thing. Letter Bee the art is so much more stunning than all of the other manga that i read and that's a really good change. the story is also amazing you aren't dissipated that his main goal keeps being pushed back because all of the adventures that he is going on are just so incredible.
April 9, 2015
Uuuuurgh~~~
Ini tuh seri favorit sayah :') *gak tahan gak ngasih nilai sempurna :v *
Sekali baca gak bisa berenti, bela-belain begadang cuman buat tau lanjutan ceritana.
Cerita yang manis didukung artwok yang cantik = SEMPURNA <3
Ini tuh seri favorit sayah :') *gak tahan gak ngasih nilai sempurna :v *
Sekali baca gak bisa berenti, bela-belain begadang cuman buat tau lanjutan ceritana.
Cerita yang manis didukung artwok yang cantik = SEMPURNA <3
September 15, 2014
This volume was fantastic. The plot gets deeper and there are more characters introduced. I won't say too much about what happens, but it is a must read in the series and helps you to better understand some things.
August 11, 2024
** Leido de su Version Español en Manga Plus** este cuarto tomo me pareció mejoro y genero muchas incognitas, el dibujo de Hiroyuki me parece buenos, la historia que cuenta es muy agradable y agridulce. continuare con el siguiente tomo para ver que mas me cuenta y ver si vuelve engancharme.
July 4, 2012
I was kinda into it after awhile. It's good but not really amazing. The next one's better personally :)
February 23, 2026
2025 reread: 3 stars because I read it while exhausted trying to stay awake on a plane, so idk how much I really absorbed
November 13, 2013
Review to come...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews