Dagashi Kashi

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Dagashi Kashi volume 1 cover

Dagashi Kashi is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kotoyama. It was serialized in Shogakukan's Weekly Shōnen Sunday magazine from June 2014 to April 2018, with its chapters collected in eleven tankōbon volumes. The manga is set in a rural town and follows the story of Kokonotsu Shikada, a young aspiring manga artist who is expected to inherit his family's small-town candy shop. However, his plans are turned upside down when the eccentric heiress of the large candy company, Shidare Corporation, Hotaru Shidare, arrives and insists that Kokonotsu's father join her family's company. She promises to stay in town until Kokonotsu agrees to take over his family's business, leading to various adventures centered around traditional Japanese confections, known as dagashi.

The series is notable for its detailed depiction of dagashi and the culture surrounding these traditional Japanese snacks. Through its narrative, Dagashi Kashi explores themes of family, tradition, and the challenges of balancing personal ambitions with familial responsibilities.

Plot

The story revolves around Kokonotsu Shikada, who dreams of becoming a famous manga artist but is expected by his father, Yo, to inherit the family's dagashi shop. One day, Hotaru Shidare visits the shop with the intention of bringing Yo to work for her family's large sweets corporation. However, Yo will agree only if Hotaru can convince Kokonotsu to take over the family business. This sets off a series of events where Hotaru tries to persuade Kokonotsu by showcasing the wonder and nostalgia of dagashi, leading to comedic and sometimes insightful adventures.

Characters

• Kokonotsu Shikada - The protagonist who dreams of being a manga artist but is tied to his family's dagashi shop.
• Hotaru Shidare - The eccentric and passionate heiress of the Shidare Corporation who aims to recruit Kokonotsu's father.
• Yo Shikada - Kokonotsu's father and the owner of the Shikada Dagashi shop.
• Saya Endo - Kokonotsu's childhood friend who harbors feelings for him and often finds herself caught up in Hotaru's schemes.
• To Endo - Saya's brother and Kokonotsu's friend, who is often amused by the antics surrounding the dagashi shop.

Media

Manga

Dagashi Kashi was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Sunday from June 2014 to April 2018. Shogakukan collected its chapters in eleven tankōbon volumes.

Anime

An anime adaptation of Dagashi Kashi was produced by Feel and aired in two seasons. The first season aired from January to March 2016, and the second season, with a shorter episode length, aired from January to March 2018. The anime closely follows the manga, bringing to life the colorful world of dagashi with vibrant animation and voice acting.

Reception

Dagashi Kashi has been well-received for its unique take on Japanese snack culture, with particular praise for its educational content regarding dagashi. The characters, especially Hotaru's eccentric personality, have been highlights for fans and critics alike. However, some have critiqued the series for its episodic nature, which can detract from the overarching narrative.

See Also

• List of Dagashi
• Culture of Japan
• Japanese cuisine