Yokohama Kaidashi Kikō

, Yokohama shopping trip in the USA, often shortened in YKK in occident) is a Manga of Hitoshi Ashinano prépublié in the monthly magazine Afternoon since 1994, where the series was completed at the end of February 2006. Currently, twelve let us tankoubons were published with the thirteenth last divides into volumes envisaged in the next months, and the series was the subject of two adaptations animated via two series of OAV of two episodes each one.

Being held with the Japan in an unspecified future, but where the Earth seems to have known a mysterious catastrophe having had for consequence a general fall of the population as well as a rise of water, Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou follows the daily life of Hatsuseno Alpha. Although having the appearance of a a little naive young woman, Alpha is actually a prototype Robot, one of the of a7 series which have as a characteristic to be able to develop human emotions. While waiting for the return of its “owner”, it deals with the coffee Alpha , is made friends, is trotted in the neighbouring countryside thanks to its faithful scooter, and more generally discovers little by little the calm and twilight world which surrounds it.

The simple feature and rounded of the author, as well as the absence of violence and the measured rate/rhythm to which the history or the relations between the characters is developed, contribute to give to the manga an atmosphere calm and releasing.

Characters

Alpha Hatsuseno , the main character of YKK and the owner of Coffee Alpha . Extravertie, funny and sometimes a little lunar, Alpha are one of the most human characters whom one can meet in the pages of a manga.

Kokone Takatsu is another representing A7 series, but less emotive than Alpha, at least at the commencement of the series. After having met the latter at the time of one of the deliveries which enable him to earn its living, they quickly will become friendly.

Ojisan , the sympathetic nerve owner of the close gasoline station, and another friend close to Alpha.

Takahiro , the grandson of ojisan.

Misago , a superhuman being with the female appearance which is shown only the children. Its origin is unknown, but it is probably about a A7 prototype having adopted a wild lifestyle.

Sensei , a scientist specialized in robotics and friend of childhood of Ojisan.

Animation

Respectively named Yokohama Shopping Newspaper (first series of two 30 minutes episodes, left in 1998) and Yokohama Shopping Newspaper ~Quiet Country Cafe~ (second series begun in 2002, so made up of two episodes of about thirty minutes).

In these two adaptations both Seiyuu principal are Hekiru Shiina ( Alpha Hatsuseno ) and Akiko Nakagawa ( Kokone Takatsu ). The remainder of the cast changes.

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikō

Realizer: Takashi Ass
Music: Gontiti
Character design: Artistic Atsushi Yamagata
Director: Hiroshi Kato
Director of the photography: Shigekazu Morishita
the Stimulating main thing: Masayuki Sekine
Colors: Yuko Kobari
Directing sound: Aya Mizoguchi
Animation: Asiadou

Yokohama Kaidashi Kikō ~Quiet Country Cafe~

Realizer: Tomomi Mochizuki
Screenplay : Tomomi Mochizuki
Storyboard : Tomomi Mochizuki
Music: Choro Club
Character Design: Artistic Masayuki Sekine
Director: Shichiro Kobayashi
Directing of animation: Masayuki Sekine
Director of the photography: Kazuhiro Sasaki
Colors: Miyoko Ichinose
Animation: Asiadou

Bonds

Site Kodanclub
Japanese Official site for animates
Article YKK on the site oomu.org

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