..and that certainly is the case where Noramimi is concerned!

I picked up this manga with little to no expectations, believing it to be the kind of simple story that is read merely for the sake of innocent entertainment. But I was mistaken - there is so much more to this comedic little slice-of-life piece than just a few laughs.
Each chapter carries subtle and cleverly-implied messages about the importance of friendship, family, bearing responsibility, accepting differences, letting go of the past in hope of a brighter future, maturing through experience, the fickle and fleeting quality of human desire, the competitive and demanding nature of a career...the list goes on.

The initial impression gleaned from the art, the concept of 'mascots' and the apparent 'immaturity' of the plot-line and characters may be off-putting; but if you take a moment to reflect on each story, you will undoubtedly begin to appreciate the insinuations that are being made.

I must clarify the misunderstandings that are bound to arise due to the comment made by Hell_Clues, below.
The events of this manga are set in an alternative reality, where the existence of mascots is just as normal as the presence of humans. They are a natural life-form, so why should it be necessary to explain their reproduction, proliferation and the like?

Also, the event of the mascots leaving when their children reach a certain age is simply used as a metaphor to symbolize the end of childhood and the changes that come with it. The mangaka is obviously not implying that a child is fully matured once he / she leaves Elementary school.

And I feel that the intense-but-soon-forgotten sadness of parting that is incurred as a mascot leaves its child, is all the more realistic because it is not forcefully represented as being a tragic and soul-wrenching event. We must all one day say good-bye to people we once knew and cared about. And no matter what anyone says, everyone will get over it eventually - some faster than others. I feel that this aspect was very skillfully portrayed using the many and varied mascot-owner duos encountered throughout the manga.

In conclusion - anyone who feels they can enjoy a cleverly and thoughtfully written manga with odd (but cute) art and quirky, cynical, endearing, characters would do themselves a favour by trying out Noramimi. It will surely be a unique and refreshing experience!

... Last updated on February 7th, 2011, 1:26am

Funny stuff. Really the kind of low-brow comedy that makes one think. Often cynical and filled with thoughtful remarks. And who doesn't want his own mascot?!
Ikki on its best.

In a world where being a family mascot is an actual job, Noramimi is a mascot who can't seem to find a family to be with. Due to his lack of popularity, he does his apprenticeship as the mascot of a Mascot Agency, where he helps other mascots find their homes. But will he ever find his own? This all-ages Manga will attempt to answer that question in a manner that is undoubtedly both "heart-warming" and "funny."

i feel so lucky to stumble upon this hidden gem.

I start reading with not much expectation, NAND noramimi completedly blow me away. Once you get past the rugged and simplistic drawing, it's a whole different world to be explore at each chapters.

Although the title is noramimi, but the story doesn't just elvove with the name bearing character, but you will be introduce to a different type of mascot and their lifes, which are quite unique and lovely. The story are told in a very casual way but are actually contain deeper meaning and something make you stop and wondering about life.

I'm actual eager to read more of noramimi and the wonderful different reality of human and mascot. Who wouldn't want to know more about those amazing little creatures like that, and have one at home as well?

Read it, you won't be regret it.

The manga really sticks to its premise and carries it out logically. I really got it give it credit for that. But it doesn't make too much sense. How do they reproduce? will there be an over population? Why are the limits there?

Basically, the manga saw that most children manga about this type of story ends when the kid grows up. But that's pretty arbritary and one might want to think that the mascots mean something like childhood but they don't. They couldn't, it just doesn't make sense. wacky children adventures don't end at middle school and the transition is slow. Not to mention you could have them throughout your life ect ect

Basically I don't think the mascots signify childhood and so rules are arbritary and they don't behave like organisms. Does that mean magic exists? In a way small way the manga does deal with loss and parting. But its not as a sad as even a pet dying. So it's more like a friend moving away.