A Galaxy Next Door by Gido Amagakure

OVERVIEW:

Since his father died, manga artist Ichiro has barely scraped by, forced to support his two younger siblings on just a middle school education. He doesn’t even have time to learn how to use a computer, which forces him to keep wrestling with pen and paper. When his art assistants quit to strike out on their own, on top of juggling deadlines, family, and the constant fear of losing his job, Ichiro feels close to a total breakdown. But then a new assistant pops into Ichiro’s life, and his prospects immediately start to brighten! She’s an incredible artist, she always finishes on time, and she’s beautiful, to boot! But she also seems to know an awful lot about him, and soon, she makes a confession that bends Ichiro’s mind beyond the confines of Earth…

REVIEW:

This is one of those "keep reading until the end" types of books, as the majority of volume one sets the stage for the world and its characters. You really begin to understand the complexities of Ichiro and his new assistant. Now, there are some critiques for this piece as the storytelling does move at quite a low pace, but it intentionally draws out tension, conflict, and the relationship dynamics between both characters, so patience is much needed. Despite the pacing, the story is unique, so it's already in production for an anime. Between the tension of the romantic overarch of the story, the realism of manga curation and raising young siblings, and the out-of-this-world twist, this is definitely one of those mangas to add to your collection.