A review by biblioseph
Yotsuba&!, Vol. 2 by Kiyohiko Azuma

I really shouldn't compare it to Nichijou, but it is different in two ways: the main protagonist is much younger, and it can't shake the tinge of lecherousness that the father and his friend Jumbo manage to tickle out now and again.

Listen, im no ignoramus. I know storks bring babies, but it's really weird that this story about a pre-schooler who toddles around the world on amusing adventures and quirky behaviors is often overshadowed by her adopted father.

See, I can't even remember what moment in the previous book gave me this feeling of, I can't call it fanservice because it's not, it just lecherousness. In this one however, it's clear. When the dad gets tickets to a water park, his friend Jumbo asks Yotsuba to invite the eldest daughter to come with them. I'm assuming that Jumbo and the dad are in their twenties and the girl, Asagi is at least 18 or 19, but the fact that Jumbo refers to Asagi as the a friend of Yotsuba, a toddler, really rubbed me the wrong way.

Thankfully Asagi wasn't able to come, her younger sister (a teen) comes instead and is frequently lumped in with the adults, further proving my suspicion that she's older, and they're not that old, but that feeling of lechery remains.

How is it that the feeling can't be shaken? It bothers me and ultimately detracts from my enjoyment of this series and I'm not sure I want to continue because of it.

Also, despite it not being a chronological or Classic Story, theres a lack of continuity that Nichijou manages. Maybe it's because we don't see any growth for the characters? Hmm.