Sota’s Knife

I’m currently reading Sota’s Knife (Souta no Houchou).  I discovered this manga by accident.  Last year Uniqlo released a special UT Collection of Shonen magazine featuring Shota no Sushi (Shōta no Sushi).  I’ll admit it I didn’t know what Shota no Sushi was, but I was intrigued because the shirts featured illustrated sushi on the front and back.  I bought a couple of shirts and when I went home I tried researching Shota no Sushi, so I could read it myself.  Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find an English version of Shota no Sushi, however I did find Sota’s Knife.  Initially I assumed they were the same manga (they had similar names, and were about sushi), but as I researched more I realized they weren’t the same.  Regardless of that, I decided to read Sota’s Knife anyway.

Sota’s Knife was created by Yuichiro Sueda, and illustrated by Kei Honjo.  It’s based on Sota Kitaoka, a young kitchen hand or dishwasher who works in a sushi restaurant. The story focuses on the day to day routines of working in a sushi restaurant.  There’s no mystery to solve, no super powers to obtain and no city to save; it’s literally a story about working in a sushi restaurant.  While that might seem boring to most, I found it fascinating because it’s such a relaxing story to read.  Sota is a noble character and put’s his entire heart and energy into everything he does, and that for me is inspiring.  His tenacity is constantly put to the test because the sushi restaurant demands that he be flawless, knowledgeable and always learning (suddenly his life isn’t so boring and monotonous).

Besides Sota, what I loved the most of this manga are the illustrations.  Kei Honjo is a master.  He adds so much detail to the drawings, especially of food that it makes you hungry (if you love Japanese food than this is the manga for you).  I have literally spent time starring at some pages in awe and wondering why he went into so much detail; he spoils us.  I honestly have even printed out some pages and framed them because they’re so beautiful; I would buy original copies if I knew where he sold them.  I can’t recommend this manga enough.  If you’re interested in reading it you can find copies on Amazon; they’re translated into English and are easy to follow.

Sota’s Knife: https://www.comixology.com/SOTAS-KNIFE/comics-series/108485?ref=Y29taWMvdmlldy9kZXNrdG9wL2JyZWFkY3J1bWJz