Hello, it's Hecate, your friendly neighborhood reviewer! Today I'm going to tell you about Family Compo!
Ok, ok, enough with the Mr. Rogers act. Family Compo is a series by Tsukasa Hojo. It is vaguely reminiscent of Ranma 1/2 combined with Maison Ikkoku, but there really is no way to label it. The story revolves around Masahiko Yanagiba, a recently orphaned college freshman. He's actually been living essentially alone since the death of his mother when he was in nursury school, but now he is truely on his own. One day a beautiful woman who looks like his dead mother shows up. It turns out that she's his aunt Yukari. Yukari and her husband Sora have just learned of the death of Masahiko's father, and want him to come and live with them. Masahiko is somewhat uncertain, but says that he'll think about it. Then when he DOES pay them a visit, he learns some interesting things about his new-found family, things that make him want to run and to stay at the same time...
F.Compo is a delightful story that manages to be both funny and poignant at the same time. Masahiko's adjustment to family life and his family's quirks can make you both laugh and cry - sometimes at the same time! Hojo's art is fairly realistic, and pleasant to look at. Combine that with his quirky, off-color humour and pathos, and, well, you've got yourself a winner. Definatly check this out.