Here’s my take after reading 24 chapters of the Vellichor of Hibiki: Shousetsuka ni Naru Houhou (Hibiki: Becoming a Novelist) by Mitsuharu Yanamoto.
It’s seldom that I would find a manga relating to something I like, well… not actually reading books, but something about literature/writing. Hibiki satisfies that urge for me to read such a story but at the same time makes it interesting with a quirky cast of characters
The story revolves around the decline of the literature industry due to the publishing recession, and Hibiki a 15-year-old introverted bookworm who had submitted a literary work that could save the falling industry.
It may seem like a boring premise, but because of the characters and their interactions, it becomes an entertaining piece to read.
Akui Hibiki is no doubt the centerpiece of the story. Her introverted nature, strong presence, and unyielding to what she stands for attitude are what move the story. The supporting cast of characters in the literature club is also second to none as they have a chance to develop without taking much away from the focus of the story; they all grow up as you progress with each chapter.
The art is not bad but you can appreciate the effort that Yanamoto-san had put into it. This should not put you away from the entertainment value of the story.
Since it is still an ongoing manga, it is still yet to develop further and I am looking forward to how the story would develop.
With that said, I would give Hibiki: Shousetsuka ni Naru Houhou 9 copies of Akihito Sobue’s novels out of 10!
