Skull-face Bookseller Honda-san

Ever wondered what it's really like to sell comics at a Japanese bookstore? This is a comic about exactly that, told with a warm, funny voice. It's a slice-of-life account from behind the counter, and the detail is what makes it feel fresh. You get the daily grind, the odd customers and the small satisfactions that keep someone in the job.What I love is the honesty. The narrator doesn't romanticise bookselling, but the affection for the work comes through in every page. The anecdotes are easy to follow, and the humour lands because it's specific. It reads like being let in on an insider's joke.The downside is structure. Since it's episodic, there's no strong throughline pulling you forward, and some chapters repeat a similar rhythm. Readers who want a plot may find it loose, though the warmth carries it well.If you enjoy workplace comics with real-life charm, this is a lovely read. Go in for the stories, and it'll make you want to visit a bookshop.