Ono Natsume è bravissima a tratteggiare i caratteri dei personaggi dei suoi manga in poche vignette. In questa storia, un dentista frustrato dal suo scarso carisma con i pazienti (che infatti gli preferiscono il padre, con cui condivide lo studio, sebbene sia un dottore più anziano) sfoga il suo desiderio di socialità organizzando il gruppo eterogeneo di persone con cui gioca a gateball al parco. Arriveranno a partecipare a un torneo agonistico di questo strano sport, simile al croquet, amatissimo in Giappone e praticato per lo più dai pensionati. Un manga autoconclusivo delizioso, corale e delicato, che vi farà stare bene.

Ono Natsume, dopo un periodo in Europa, tornata in Giappone debuttò professionalmente con questa storia. Una storia a trame concentriche, che si snoda lungo oltre venti anni, e racconta del ragazzo che cercava di ricostruire la propria famiglia, o per lo meno di ritrovarne le tracce, dopo un'infanzia profondamente traumatica. Un giornalista lo ascolta, raccoglie i suoi racconti, lo aiuta nei momenti difficili. Vorrebbe scrivere la sua storia, ma non sa decidere se sia la cosa giusta da fare. Una storia di indifferenza, abusi, solitudine e incrollabile tenacia. Volume autoconclusivo.

Un Giappone sospeso tra storia e mito, due uomini che decidono di lasciare una spietata banda di ladri cui sentono di non appartenere più, una storia di amicizia e di riscatto ricca di azione e di colpi di scena. Un buddy movie calato tra il diciassettesimo e il diciannovesimo secolo, ma anche la storia di due uomini aggrappati al desiderio di una seconda possibilità per poter scrivere il proprio destino.

Continuano le avventure di Benzo e Souji, i due ex ladri alla ricerca di una seconda possibilità. Il loro cammino, però, sarà più difficile di quanto avessero immaginato, tra nuove conoscenze, ostacoli insormontabili e un passato che continua a tornare. Un viaggio fisico metafora del percorso interiore che i protagonisti compiono alla ricerca del proprio riscatto personale e della propria rivincita.

Mese dopo mese, la coppia di ladri che lascia la propria banda per restare coerente con i propri principi ha conquistato sempre più lettori e ottenuto un riscontro di critica sempre maggiore. A metà tra viaggio on the road e racconto storico sul Giappone medioevale, questo titolo è già diventato uno dei più amati della linea Aiken.

Benzô e Sôji ora hanno la loro banda, e pianificano il primo, importante colpo. Amati dai loro sottoposti, mettono l'unione e la fratellanza al primo posto. Sono cresciuti, ma con loro è cresciuta la loro ambizione. Si rivelerà una vulnerabilità fatale? Il manga di Ono Natsume giunge magistralmente a questo quinto capitolo, e la trama si fa sempre più emozionante.

Benzô e Sôji volevano compiere una grande impresa, ma qual era, a conti fatti? Ora hanno la loro banda, temuta e rispettata, un consigliere fidato, Yoshi, che tiene in equilibrio i loro due caratteri, e numerosi nemici, che tramano contro di loro mettendo in pericolo ben più della loro vita. Ono Natsume ci porta a un passo dal finale di questo manga raccontato magistralmente, con un capitolo particolarmente poetico ed esistenziale. Serie di sette volumi, completa. Cadenza delle uscite italiane: bimestrale.

Questa è la fine del viaggio di Benzô e Sôji. I due banditi di piccolo cabotaggio che sognavano di fare un'impresa, e hanno finito per fondare la banda più temibile del Giappone. Ono Natsume ci racconta che esiste l'onore tra i ladri, e termina in modo magistrale una storia di conflitto e amicizia, audacia e tenerezza, fedeltà e tradimenti. Con un finale dolceamaro che conferma la sua incredibile abilità di narratrice, modernissima anche quando racconta le gesta di un manipolo di fuorilegge del periodo Edo. Serie di sette volumi, completa. Cadenza delle uscite italiane: bimestrale.

Il debutto di una nuova serie in sette volumi per la collana Aiken, il manga secondo BAO. A cavallo tra il romanzo storico e il buddy movie, Futagashira racconta la storia di due fratelli samurai che intraprendono un lungo viaggio.

Forse tra le opere che hanno fatto conoscere Natsume Ono al pubblico giapponese, "Ristorante Paradiso" è uno slice of life incentrato su Casetta dell'Orso, un piccolo ristorante romano attorno al quale gravita un caleidoscopio di personaggi particolari.

Un bosco abitato da un orso, una ragazza alla ricerca di qualcosa, un uomo con un passato misterioso alle spalle: una storia delicatissima e magica con il tratto unico dì Natsùme Ono.

Danza is a collection of stories about being a foreigner, sometimes even in your own home. Quiet, comtemplative and subtle, Danza collects some of Ono's best short work.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences rated teen plus.

Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naÏve, diffident nature has time and again caused him to be let go by the lords who have employed him. Hungry and desperate, he becomes a bodyguard for Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a gang called "Five Leaves." Although disturbed by the gang's sinister activities, Masa begins to suspect that Yaichi's motivations are not what they seem. And despite his misgivings, the deeper he's drawn into the world of the Five Leaves, the more he finds himself fascinated by these devious, mysterious outlaws.

Masanosuke gives Bunnosuke one last piece of advice as his older brother. Rumors about the Five Leaves are spreading around town, leaving the members of the crew plagued with suspicion as to who is responsible. Meanwhile, Yaichi is finally run to ground by Jin, his former boss, at the same time that his past is uncovered by the superintendent Yagi. With the House of Five Leaves coming to an end, will the precious bonds of their friendships survive?

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences rated teen plus.

Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naÏve, diffident nature has time and again caused him to be let go by the lords who have employed him. Hungry and desperate, he becomes a bodyguard for Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a gang called "Five Leaves." Although disturbed by the gang's sinister activities, Masa begins to suspect that Yaichi's motivations are not what they seem. And despite his misgivings, the deeper he's drawn into the world of the Five Leaves, the more he finds himself fascinated by these devious, mysterious outlaws.

Once known as “Sei the Drifter,” Yaichi has maintained a coldhearted outlook on life, a despair rooted in the trauma of a kidnapping that occurred years ago. With his past now coming to light, an air of restlessness pervades the Five Leaves. At the same time, Masanosuke must make a difficult decision when confronted with his brother Bunnosuke's complicated circumstances.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T+.

Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naÏve, diffident nature has time and again caused him to be let go by the lords who have employed him. Hungry and desperate, he becomes a bodyguard for Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a gang called "Five Leaves." Although disturbed by the gang's sinister activities, Masa begins to suspect that Yaichi's motivations are not what they seem. And despite his misgivings, the deeper he's drawn into the world of the Five Leaves, the more he finds himself fascinated by these devious, mysterious outlaws.

Although Masa has uncovered some alarming secrets about Yaichi, he decides not to share them with the other members of the Five Leaves. Yet despite his caution, the bonds between the gang members continue to fray. And now, in the restless interlude before the crew's final job, it seems that the sins of Yaichi's past are finally catching up to him.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style).

As Yaichi's pursuers draw closer, Yagi also steps up his investigation into the man and his past. Masa, who's caught between them, becomes privy to secrets about Yaichi unknown even to the original members of the Five Leaves. Matters grow even more complicated as Masa's younger brother becomes increasingly entangled in his difficulties back home. Slowly but steadily, the pressure on the Five Leaves mounts.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style).

A treasure of 14 charming stories about family, friends, couples and unexpected bonds. Written by Natsume Ono over ten years, here is the long-awaited collection of her early work, including numerous illustrations and previously unpublished stories!

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T+

With Masa having joined the crew, the fragile bonds between the members of the Five Leaves begin to change. Further changes are promised by the arrival of Ginta, a self-styled “negotiator” who learns of the existence of the Five Leaves and offers them his services. Meanwhile, the pressure on Yaichi increases as the members of his old gang continue to track him down. Burdened by the weight of his hidden past, his impervious façade begins to crack.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T

An apartment in Italy. In four of the rooms live four single men with singular personalities. Into this peculiar ménage steps an exchange student, the new tenant of the fifth room. Brought together by chance, friends by choice, they pursue their dreams together as the days drift gently by.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) T+ audience.

Buona sera! Welcome to Casetta dell'Orso, a quaint little restaurant in the heart of Rome. The food's delicious, but the handsome staff of bespectacled gentlemen is the real draw. Follow these dashing men home and witness their romances, heartaches, hopes and dreams in this delightfully whimsical continuation of Natsume Ono's beloved Ristorante Paradiso.

For the final course of Gente, a senator pondering a political maneuver arrives at an unexpected conclusion over a delicious meal at Casetta dell'Orso. A notorious playboy finds himself enthralled by the sophisticated Savina, a Cassetta regular. Lorenzo finally reaches the point in life where he needs glasses, and silent Gigi accepts an invitation from a young lady. Enjoy the dolce conclusion to this charming story.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style) T+ audience.

Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naïve, diffident nature has time and again caused him to be let go by the lords who have employed him. Hungry and desperate, he becomes a bodyguard for Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a gang called "Five Leaves." Although disturbed by the gang's sinister activities, Masa begins to suspect that Yaichi's motivations are not what they seem. And despite his misgivings, the deeper he's drawn into the world of the Five Leaves, the more he finds himself fascinated by these devious, mysterious outlaws.

Just as Masa is settling into his new life as part of the Five Leaves, the gang’s spy, Matsukichi, vanishes. After discovering that the reticent Matsu’s disappearance is linked to an unresolved difficulty in his past, Masa decides to try to help him. To do so, he enlists the aid of the samurai Yagi. However, Yaichi, the head of the Five Leaves, is not at all pleased with Yagi’s involvement. It soon becomes clear that the two men share a common past—and that something dire has shattered the bond between them.

In Italia, in un appartamento... quattro single, ciascuno con la sua spiccata personalità, convivono in una casa dove c'è una "quinta camera", di volta in volta affittata a studenti. Una raccolta di brevi storie tenere e allo stesso tempo struggenti, che esplorano il mondo di chi, unito dal caso, si trova a condividere emozioni e quotidianità.

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for T+ audiences.

R to L (Japanese Style). A best-selling series from one of Japan's most respected authors. Masterless samurai Akitsu Masanosuke is a skilled and loyal swordsman, but his naïve, diffident nature has more than once caused him to be let go by the lords who employ him. Hungry and desperate, he agrees to become a bodyguard for Yaichi, the charismatic leader of a group calling itself "Five Leaves." Although disturbed by the gang's sinister activities, Masa begins to suspect that Yaichi's motivations are not what they seem. And despite his misgivings, the deeper he's drawn into the world of the Five Leaves, the more he finds himself fascinated by these devious, mysterious outlaws.