PositioN is another example of Ashinano's masterly manipulation of the mono no aware concept. YKK, set in the maybe-distant, post-apocalyptic future, manages to make us nostalgic for our own present. PositioN, set in that present, makes us yearn for the past of the world and for the future of humanity. There are perhaps echoes of the undertones of impending apocalypse in YKK here, but they are more distant feelings, too abstract to be threatening.

It's impossible to read or review this series without comparing it to Ashinano's greatest work. Somehow, the two feel intertwined, almost alternate versions of each other. I like to think that PositioN, this intermittently surreal version of our world, is the past of YKK, that intermittently surreal version of our downfall.

... Last updated on January 4th, 2010, 8:15pm

...then it's definately something I'm looking forward to reading. It's hard to remember that the world is beautiful with everything that reminds us of the terror around us. I've been focusing a lot on dark thoughts, wishing a scenario like the one in Death Note would exist. But after reading this... actually, this time I glanced at the pages, but it was enough. Hitoshi has reminded me that things aren't as grim as they look. Or rather, to appreciate and focus on the beauty. It sounds cheesy, but for the moment, PositioN (from a quick read) has lifted my spirits. Alas, the weather is a bit too gray and dull to mirror my feelings.

I like this series a lot. Each chapter is just a few pages, yet they are more entertaining than several volumes of series like Hajime no Ippo. The art is simple yet still gets a lot of meaning across. This manga simply shows what we miss in our every day life, it simply is wonderful.

Similar to Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou in that it's a series of vignettes of everyday life but isn't as charming as YKK. The art is still wonderful to look at -- crisp, simple lines.