Manga Review: Kon no Ki Konoha

^{PART 9 of 52 ONESHOTS in 52 WEEKS
夢花李の『コンノキコノハ』 “Kon no Ki Konoha” by YUMEKA Sumomo}

Kon no Ki Konoha (known in English as Leaves of the Deep Blue Tree) is a oneshot by Sumomo Yumeka, who is perhaps best known for her single-volume manga Our Happy Time, which she wrote and illustrated under the name Mizu Sahara. She has authored work in various demographics, and typically writes stories which are dramatic, romantic, and somewhat sorrowful in their content.

The author has published several acclaimed oneshots, with Leaves of the Deep Blue Tree being her most popular. It was published in 2007 as part of an anthology collection by publisher Shodensha, and is particularly beloved, ranking among the Top 10 and Top 5 best oneshots on MyAnimeList and MangaUpdates respectively.

The oneshot tells of a young girl named Akino and an older boy named Konoha, whom Akino meets atop a mountain overlooking her hometown. The boy, she discovers, is a tree spirit attached to a beautiful tree with deep blue leaves, who is only able to materialise every autumn. Akino returns to the tree every year, eagerly awaiting autumn, so she can spend time with Konoha.

It is a bittersweet story, mixing mystical aspects within a routine setting to create a romance that is both grounded and dreamlike. Author Yumeka characterises Akino very well — her inner monologue is effective in having readers empathise with her, and scenes with Akino at school, caught between trying to force something tangible but longing for something fanciful, deftly communicate her conflict and sorrow. Akino’s love of Konoha, who is bound to the tree, in turn binds her, as she finds herself fixated on the spirit, unable to live or move on with an ordinary life.

Akino’s (dis)harmony becomes the oneshot’s biggest draw, but it misses a few beats in other areas. Leaves of the Deep Blue Tree spans roughly 40 pages, and in that time, Akino ages about six years. Sumomo Yumeka opts for a time-skip in favour of a gradual aging of the character, and it does feel somewhat abrupt. The middle portion of the story lacks the development that would have ultimately formed a much more persuasive bond between the two main characters. Resultingly, the central romance feels as through it blossoms off page.

There’s also a degree of predictability to the plot that is never thwarted. From the onset, readers should know exactly what they’re in for, but it is enticing in its simplicity. Reminiscent of the author’s artwork, which is soft and elegant, the oneshot is a story of a gentle tragedy, of a thankful melancholy, of a love that can only end one way. Despite some shortcomings, Sumomo Yumeka’s work moves readers in ways that are undoubtedly sad, but never cruel or traumatic. Beautiful both to read and to observe, they land tenderly and effective.

^{Click here to explore the rest of 52 Oneshots in 52 Weeks and find my numerical ratings on MyAnimeList!}