Ugh this is like the IDEAL huh... quitting a job you burn out of to go farm rice in the country in a cheaply rented house... reading this made me wish I had a similar opportunity for my own life even though I like my job and my company is not shutting down! Jeez.

From the title I thought it was isekai, but it's a self-aware style "okay but rural life IS almost like another world," while being pretty realistic it's not just an easy jump from A to B. I liked it! It was cute and chill! ALSO It was so nice to see a manga with a married couple and not like 'single guy doing x' or 'teenagers doing y' I feel like despite reading a bunch of manga there are very few I've read with married folks working together and communicating.

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for this honest review!

This is a lovely story about a manga editor who decides to quit his job in Tokyo and rents a small patch of land to farm rice.
The art style is very neat and pretty, especially the double page illustrations are beautiful. The story is quite slow but provides a good setup for future volumes.
I think this has the potential to become a new slice of life favorite and comfort read for many people.

tl;dr
A pleasant read about the joy of growing things and finding balance in your life.

Thoughts
The title and some of the narrative riff on the fact that living in the countryside is practically "another world" compared to busy city life. But the longer I read, the more I wonder if the city is the strange alternate reality instead. Yohei Sakuma is an exhausted manga editor, doing his job one day at a time simply because he must. When his division is shut down, he realizes he'd rather be anywhere but here, and takes up rice farming as a hobby just to get a change of pace. And it's here that he finds the joy of growing things. The narrative makes sure to point out that this isn't a romanticized "escape to the country life" story (there's a Starbucks just down the road, after all), but more about finding balance. Yohei and the reader are introduced to the concept of "half farmer/half x," someone who grows enough food for themselves, and spends the rest of their time pursing a career based on their own interests. It's a message that probably resonates with everyone, but seems especially sharp in the high-pressure world of manga publishing. The story meanders through these thoughts at an easy pace, and I found myself cheering for Yohei and his excellent wife (she cosplays and I love her), but also examining the balance in my own life. I can't wait to read more!

Kuma is a burnt out manga editor who is longing for a different life than the corporate grind. He discovers the joys of rice farming and after quitting his job moves with his newlywed wife out to the countryside. The plot is mostly centered around him settling in and figuring things out. It's a cute story with very pleasant illustrations.

It takes a big shakeup to make a major change in one’s life. For author Kumagae, it took his manga magazine shutting down for him to discover what he wanted in life. And what he wanted would require him to go from his comfortable city life to the hot and unpredictable realm of the rural area. Thus begins That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside, a title that certainly explains itself well.

Kumagae’s move to the country isn’t quite sporadic. In fact, he literally had to dip his feet into the rice paddies before he knew what he wanted to truly do. Although his need to quit his job as a manga editor was strong, there were two things keeping him from going through it. The first was his boss, who constantly pushes Kumagae to stick around and find a new hit series to aid in serialization. But perhaps his biggest hurdle is his cosplaying newlywed wife Miyu, whom he can’t find the proper way to bring up the news that he aims to quit his job.

What starts as a temporary escape from the big city slowly evolves into a permanent one. After spending a couple of weeks preparing his rice paddy for harvest, the desire to stay for good grows as fast as a weed. The sunshine, the mud between his toes, and the beautiful scenery were the things that helped awaken Kumagae’s need to leave. But it takes Miyu discovering this new side of Kumagae — which was far better than her thinking he was being unfaithful — to finally pull the trigger and set off on a new adventure.

Although That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside sounds like a fairytale dream come true, Kumagae makes sure that this wasn’t always the case. Making the change from manga editor to farmer sounds extreme, but it’s a change that felt easy for the author. It’s when it’s time for the move when the real challenges started to pile up. And the biggest challenge for him and Miyu is finding a place to call their home. (As someone who just had to do this himself when he moved to Tokyo, I could totally relate to these two’s conundrum.)

But That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside doesn’t discourage the need to change. Quite the contrary, it emphasizes how important it is to make big changes for the sake of one’s happiness. Although Kumagae liked his job as an editor, him being forced to transfer made him realize that he wasn’t in love with his career. It’s a situation that even Miyu realizes, as she points out how much they’re apart despite them recently getting married. Even if a new pathway on life can be filled with uncertainty, a happiness-filled destination is all the more reason for traversing it!

The hardest part of every new adventure is taking that first step. Kumagae does an excellent job showcasing that challenge via his internal conflict. He constantly wonders if he could actually quit as a manga editor, on top of finding a way to make a living in the country. Thankfully, with a supporting wife and a plethora of new friends — including rice paddy rental staff member Chika — he realizes that the time has come to press “Start” in this new life game of his. And even when things get tough, the good stuff about his new surroundings certainly outweighs the bad.

Artist Hishiwo Miyazawa keeps the look of Kumagae’s story both cute and vibrant. Its characters are drawn with a bit of fluffy adorableness, especially when Miyu and her cosplay skills are on display. The nature shots are drawn beautifully, giving way to the sights that pushed the author to make the change he did. Where the art shines is in its nods to other properties, which range from Attack on Titan to The Kindaichi Case Files.

That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside is a good comfy read for those looking for a big life change. Whether you aim to find a new job or a new location, Kumagae’s story looks to push readers towards making those sacrifices in the name of happiness. Although this is just the beginning of Kumagae and Miyu’s new life, one can bet that this newlywed couple have made the right decision. Seeking a new path in life can be scary, but That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside shows that making that first big step will lead any passionate person towards the joy that they greatly deserve.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for this e-arc!

I usually shy away from titles like these because I don't like very slow paced slice of life manga. However, this title did not disappoint. I was intrigued from the beginning and very much rooting for the main character and his wife. This series follows a manga editor who is unsatisfied with his job so he quits and moves to the countryside to grow rice. It may seem like a simple premise but we are taken through the whole process which was very informative for me personally. I am curious to see if the main character will succeed in his journey. I would recommend this manga if you are a fan of slice of life manga that is informative rather than plot focused.

This was amazing, and I loved it SO much more than I thought I would.

First of all, super catchy title, I am living for it. Second, this just feels so realistic and heart warming. I know nothing about farming rice , although I do a lot of gardening in my zone, so I get that sentiment and thrill of making things grow. Yeah, I just identified with this manga so much, it was great.

But yeah, I think that this manga did a really good job of hitting how different life is for every single person, and how each situation looks different for everyone and not every outcome is gonna be what you expect. It did a great job of building and showing personality and relationships and it was so wholesome. This is the kind of slice of life stuff I live for.

I am really looking forward to seeing the next volume.

I started this series because I've always been interested in how the editors lives are like, there are a lot of manga out there about artists trying to meet deadlines and similar problems, but this manga is like a breath of fresh air.
When Yohei is feeling burned out and broken down by his career he starts growing rice with the goal of quitting his job.
And honestly the enthusiasm put into his interest in growing rice made even myself want to research how to grow rice despite me not living anywhere where i could do something like that.
I also love the realism of how quitting your job just isn't that easy with savings and the pressure from bosses and worries about how it affects your marriage.
The art style is very slice of life, warm and comforting. Its drawn in one of my favorite styles so I enjoyed that and each characters personality shines through.
I think I love this manga so much cause it touches on a desire a lot of us share, to find something slow and relaxing to escape the pressures of everyday life and do something you love. If that's what you're looking for also then this is for you.
I love his wife, I can't choose who is my favorite yet but I love this series and I'm so excited for more. I can see this becoming an anime in the future from how well its done. Its a nice break from the busy drama of life, I highly recommend picking this one up!

Huge thanks to Kumagae the author and Net galley for letting me read this arc! I can't wait for more!

Such a chill read!

Perfect for this weather and those looking forward to or missing country life.

The reading was a breeze as I managed to finish it easily and fast. The manga was heartwarming, and an eye-opener at times.
Don't forget the illustrations! A perfect for these types of manga, a blend of fantasy and reality fused as one. A slice-of-life of life manga perfect for chill readers like me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

That Time the Manga Editor Started a New Life in the Countryside Vol. 1 By Kumagae

Characters: Yohei “Kuma” Sakuma, Miyu

Plot: Yohei Sakuma’s life changes when the magazine he works for suddenly closes down. Jarred by the sudden change he starts to explore other options outside his life as a manga editor. When he discovers his passion for rice farming it’s like a whole other world opens up to him. He and his wife Miyu begin their adventure of living in the countryside and level up their life skills.

Thoughts: This book was particularly close to my heart because I know the refreshing rewards of country life. This book is fun and charming and the art style is fantastic. I especially appreciate the little animals in the sidebars that make little comments about our two main characters. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series when they come out. (Hopefully the editor of this manga doesn’t run off to the rice fields too! I know I’d be tempted!)

Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Yohei Sakuma spent 13 years working as a manga editor, until the company closed. The news of the closure revealed the cracks in his spirit after working so hard for so little reward, so Kuma looks for alternatives. Attracted to the idea of growing his own food in the country, he finds a place two hours from Tokyo where he can rent a rice paddy, and to him, it feels like living in a whole other world. He eventually persuades his wife Miyu (a professional cosplayer) to move to the country with him, and she joins him on his quest.

This delightful new manga offers both a slice of life and a tongue-in-cheek isekai adventure. Kuma plays up the isekai angle as he pitches his story to another editor (the story moves between present and his move to the country three years prior), and even Miyu looks at him as a hero tackling new quests. But beyond that sort of fantasy take on the story, it also echoes the urge of many young people (and some older ones too!) to leave the unending work and chaos of city life to find simple joys in the countryside. It's both fun and funny, sweet and a little sly, and I loved it -- I need volume 2! 4 stars.

Thank you, Kodansha Comics and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

Review to come October 4th to blog/goodreads/etc..

I received this manga from the publisher/Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

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Haha, another manga with a way too long title. But it did grab me along with the fun cover!

What do you do when the manga magazine you are editing for stops and you totally burn out? Go back? Or do something absolutely wild and new? Yohei decides to go for wild and new and finds out about rice farming! I loved seeing him get all into it and learning all the ropes. It was so fun to see him really love the rice farming and figuring out things. Plus, I liked that it wasn't just about rice farming, but also about him thinking about his life. What to do and what to choose. I mean, will he just keep on going back and forth to his little plot or will he live close by? But what about his wife? What about his friends? And so on. It really made for a good read along with getting a bit of information on the progress of rice farming, and you know what, I would love to try it. Sadly, not in Japan and I wouldn't even know if there are rice farms in my country, haha.

Oh, and it gave me some Silver Spoon vibes! With how the MC is + of course the farming parts, though this one just mainly focusses on rice farming.

I also loved how he started as a manga editor, left and went to do stuff in the countryside and then went back to make a manga about it all. But it also had me laughing as it felt like breaking the fourth wall/meta. I loved that the guy he talked to was interested and that he could get drawing/making the story. Though I have to say, I am happy that most of the manga just focussed on the fun farming and getting used to the countryside.

I also loved the other characters. Yohei's wife Miyu, who is big into cosplay and does all sorts of fun things with it, and who is really sweet and supportive. Though, hello, I would also be pissed/unhappy if I was just married to some sweet guy and he never spends time with me, I could understand that she felt insecure, but I am happy that things got solved and she was 100% behind Yohei and his dreams. He should have just talked to her sooner instead of worrying and making things worse. Next up is the girl who handles all these things for the cityfolk who want to become a rice farmer, Chika. I really liked Chika, she was sweet and she really helped and explained everything. There are also some other supportive characters popping up as the story continues and I hope we see more of them in the later volumes.

There were a few things that didn't always click with me/seemed weird. Like at one point we go back and forth between now and then, burnout to farming to making a manga about it. Or how he told the guy when he pitched that he lived in an apartment building yet when we get to the whole living in another world (aka countryside) he goes to live in a house. One that needs some love. So unless he later changes to a more modern house it was weird. And also that he said that a Starvucks (which had me in stitches given how you pronounce that) was nearby I didn't expect that he needed a car to get anywhere. I mean if there is a SV then there are stores. Right?

The art was really great, I really enjoyed the style of it.

All in all, I would recommend this fun manga to all!

This is a great story about a couple that drop everything to try and live in the countryside. Kuma is young, recently married, and completely burned out from work. After the magazine he works for goes under, Kuma is dreaming about quitting, but has no other career ideas until stumbling into the idea of becoming a farmer. This story goes back and forth in the timeline, showing the beginnings of his journey to the countryside and the present day of him presenting his experiences as a manga to an editor. I really enjoyed this, the art is great and I loved the sort of nods to isekais (he describes it as going to another world). The story is fun and light and easy to read and get into, and it walks a good line between being entertaining and giving some info on what's going on for readers (like me) who have no idea what's going on. I'll definitely be reading the next volume!

”That Time The Manga Editor Started A New Life In The Countryside” by Kumagae and Hishiwo Miyazawa is like an autobiographical slice-of-life read about manga editor, Yohei “Kuma” Sakuma.

He's experiencing complete burnout after his workplace is closing down. After more than 13 years he no longer finds joy in his work, and it's making him question if he's not supposed to do something different.
But that's easier said than done. He's 35 years old, newly-wed, and has no other talents than being an editor, nor does he have an idea of what he wants to do instead. He has a lot of obligation that makes the transition to live differently difficult.

This story is about starting all over, even if you have no clear-cut plans.

I loved how it played with the manga theme about being reincarnated into another world. It was so appropriate considering he's a manga editor.
The story is set in today's world of Japan, there are no crossing over or fantasy villains but lots of daily life problems connecting to taking the first step to a new and very different future.

Loved it!
Can't wait for the next volume.

It's very wholesome, suffused with golden glow and longing to ditch the city life and touch the grass every now and then -- and a the same time, completely self-aware and pragmatic, which is unusual to see in soothing slice-of-life stories. This is definitely an escapist downshifting fantasy, but not exactly Ghibli material, either: this story has a more millenial, relatable to today's life sense of humor. I mean, you have to give it to the meta-ness of the framing devic: a ex-manga editor comes back to tell a story in a manga medium about how he quit manga publishing to live in the countryside. The pragmatic adult in me enjoyed that the protagonist was first tipping his toes into country life before completely cutting his umbilical cord with Tokyo, and that together with his wife they didn't commit their all to the country life with abandon, but went about sensibly choosing a place to live in, and finding things to do before as they figure out what they want to do. A bubbly, lighthearted cosplayer wife could have been a throwaway character, but she came across as genuinely supportive and willing to share adventures with her husband as they try this new lifestyle.

Thanks to #Netgalley and #Kodansha for an advance copy of this manga.

4.5 🌟
Releasing in 10/3/23!
this manga was a fun read! This manga talks about a manga editor who wants to become a farmer and desires to move to the countryside and away from the city due to the stress he receives from his job. On some aspect, the manga is relatable about the stress of work and how balancing working balance is difficult. Overall, this manga was a fun slice of life read and I am looking forward to Volume 2! Thank you netgally and kondasha comics!