Sketchy Vol. 01

Sketchy Vol. 01

As her twenties slip by, Ako feels like she’s falling behind. But a group of skateboarding girls will bring a newfound passion into her life in this reflective, relatable josei manga from the creator of Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live?

Ako finds herself coasting along, watching her twenties pass her by. Work at the video rental store, see her boyfriend, repeat… Her days are becoming an indistinguishable, listless blur. Until she encounters a skateboarder practicing a trick–and she’s a girl! For some reason, Ako feels a pull toward the sport. Slowly, all the dreams and ambitions she gave up on and the futures she imagined for herself come flooding back, and Ako resolves to change herself now, before it’s too late. But is it ever really too late to discover something new?

From the creator of the digital fan favorite Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? comes a portrait of young adulthood that will attract fans of Inio Asano, Akiko Higashimura, and Taiyo Matsumoto.

Biographical Notes:

Born in 1992, MAKIHIROCHI made her debut in 2010 in Big Comic Spirits, where she went on to publish titles such as Look Look Kyoukaisen, Tabisuru Kan Kohi, and Itsuka Tiffany de Choushoku o. Known for her comedic talent throughout her works, her first title to be published in English was the digital-first slice-of-life series Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? Sketchy is her first series to be released in print in English.

Title Notes:

AN ESTABLISHED MANGA AUTHOR’S PRINT DEBUT – MAKIHIROCHI already charmed readers with her digital-first, comedic, slice-of-life series Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? Set in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo and filled memorable characters, the same readers who flocked to and found themselves enamored with Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? will no doubt return to see what’s next in store for the author with Sketchy.

A REALISTIC AND RELATABLE PREMISE – One’s twenties are not only a turbulent time on their own, but the recent COVID-19 pandemic sent many a reader into rethinking about their futures and discovering newfound hobbies—a sentiment palpable via Ako and the other ensemble cast of characters of Sketchy. Readers will no doubt find themselves relating to Ako and her joys of discovering a newfound hobby—and the anxiety of wondering whether or not you can excel and keep up with it, especially when you’re older.

A VISUALLY STUNNING PORTRAYAL OF MODERN DAY JAPAN THAT WILL CHARM BOTH MANGA AND GRAPHIC NOVEL READERS – With her unique and charming art style, MAKIHIROCHI already captivated readers with her luscious and realistic portrayal of life in modern-day Japan with Is Kichijoji the Only Place to Live? Coupled with the cool physicality of the art of skateboarding, Sketchy will not only appeal to manga and skateboard fans alike, but will come with the edge of also alluring readers who more typically lean towards the composition and style of graphic novels.

More details on Maki Hirochi:

Maki Hirochi’s Twitter account

Maki Hirochi’s official page

More works by Maki Hirochi

Publisher’s Twitter account