The Non Sequitur Humor We All Needed

Nestled under a bridge that crosses the Arakawa River lies a world unlike any Kou Ichinoya has ever seen in his life. Kou is a practical business man. Someone who has ambition and worked their way up from a very young age. His only weakness? He suffers from asthma attacks if he becomes indebted to anyone.

While strolling across the bridge, Kou manages to fall, and begins to drown in the river’s current. Just in the nick of time, a young woman named Nino saves him. Kou is lucky to be alive, but all he’s able to focus on is his newfound debt towards this strange woman. He must repay her, but he isn’t prepared for her price. He has to date her! And she’s from space!

Arakawa Under the Bridge is a comedy manga that brings the likes of yokai, aliens, and strangers together as they live under a bridge in an almost completely different world. The story relies heavily on absurdity, and manages to pull off most gags due to their ridiculousness.

The Story So Far

In the fourth volume of this series published by Vertical Comics, Kou and the rest of his neighbors under the bridge begin preparations for their flight into space with Nino. The trip to Venus will be hard, and those wishing to live in this harsh environment must undergo a series of tests to determine if their bodies can handle the voyage. In between these feats of strength, the cast celebrates Christmas, and even becomes involved a group of Amazonesses from further down the river in Saitama.

Reading Arakawa Under the Bridge is a treat. The comic is non-sequitur, making the story impossible to predict. Serious series have been popular lately, so seeing a story that doesn’t take itself seriously is very refreshing and light. Anyone can easily pick up the series for a good laugh. Volume four was released in early August by Vertical Comics.

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