Editing Yotsuba&! (section)

== Reception ==
[[File:Yotsuba.jpg|200px|thumb|right|alt=A section of a page from the manga. Two girls ride a bike, with the older one steering and the other clinging to her from behind; the younger one has an enormous bundle of various flowers larger than her strapped to her back. In the background, a girl stares at them.|Fuuka (left on bicycle) and Yotsuba (behind) return from an overly-successful shopping trip.]] 
''Yotsuba&!'' is drawn not in the vertical [[yonkoma|four-panel]] strips of Azuma's earlier series, ''Azumanga Daioh'', but in a full-page format, giving him more artistic scope.<ref name="ann-best">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2007-11-27 | title=RIGHT TURN ONLY!! – Society for the Study of Really Awesome Endings | author=Carlo Santos | publisher=[[Anime News Network]] | date=27 November 2007 | access-date=27 November 2007 | quote=Such is the way of Kiyohiko Azuma's slice-of-life storytelling, which was mastered within the four-panel pillars of ''Azumanga Daioh'' but perfected only in the full-chapter format that ''Yotsuba&!'' brings.}}</ref><ref name="ann-vol5">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/yotsuba&/gn-5 | title=Review: Yotsuba&! GN 5 | publisher=[[Anime News Network]] |author=Carl Kimlinger | date=9 February 2008 | access-date=10 February 2008 | quote=What is really special about Yotsuba, though, is that newness with which she, as a child, sees the world. That the manga allows us to glimpse the world through those same eager eyes is what gives it appeal far beyond its humor. And it's in this that Azuma's decision to move past the four-panel format really pays dividends.}}</ref> Azuma's work on ''Yotsuba&!'' has been noted for its clean art,<ref>{{cite web | title=Yotsuba&! Vol. 1 Review | url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/638/638360p1.html | author=Jessica Chobot | publisher=[[IGN|IGN Comics]] | date=2 August 2005 | access-date=7 August 2007 | quote=Incredibly strong drawings with excellent composition, detailing without being over-drawn and solid inking enhances the whole package.}}</ref><ref name="about-vol4">{{cite web | url=http://manga.about.com/od/reviews/gr/Yotsuba4.htm | title=Yotsuba&! Volume 4 by Kiyohiko Azuma – Yotsuba Manga Review | publisher=[[About.com]] | author=Deb Aoki | access-date=2 January 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180624/http://manga.about.com/od/reviews/gr/Yotsuba4.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 | quote=Crisp, un-fussy artwork, with delightful character expressions... The humor flows effortlessly with flawless timing.}}</ref> detailed backgrounds,<ref name="McElhatton4">{{cite web | title=Yotsuba&! Vol. 4 | url=http://www.readaboutcomics.com/2007/06/21/yotsuba-vol-4/ | author=Greg McElhatton | publisher=Read About Comics | date=21 June 2007 | access-date=2 January 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914095840/http://www.readaboutcomics.com/2007/06/21/yotsuba-vol-4/ |archive-date=14 September 2019}}</ref><ref name="comicsworthreading1">{{cite web | url=http://comicsworthreading.com/2008/07/28/yotsuba-recommended-series/ | title=*Yotsuba&! — Recommended Series | first= Johanna Draper | last=Carlson | publisher=Comics Worth Reading | date=28 July 2008 | access-date=19 January 2009 | quote=He beautifully draws everyday life and items, providing a grounding background. The detailed settings, such as the town streets, nicely contrast with the simpler character faces. And his sense of motion makes action sequences feel like a cartoon, they move so smoothly. }}</ref> and expressive faces.<ref>{{cite web | title=Big Eyes for the Cape Guy presents YOTSUBA&! | url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/22129#6 | author=Dan Grendell | publisher=[[Ain't It Cool News]] | date=29 December 2005 | access-date=31 July 2007 | quote=Azuma's facial expressions bring YOTSUBA&! to life, making every page feel rich with personality, almost radiating emotion. The faces play a key role in the art, dominating each panel but not overpowering it.}}</ref><ref name="Newtype1">{{cite journal | last=Johnston | first=Chris |date=June 2005 | title=Yotsuba&! Volume 1: Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic | journal=[[Newtype USA]] | volume=4 | issue=6 | page=162 | quote=Its light-hearted fluffy slice-of-life episodes are accentuated by Azuma's cutely expressive artwork, which gives the book a near-weightless quality.}}</ref> Azuma is also praised for his joyous tone,<ref name="McElhatton4"/><ref name="Mania-v1">{{cite web | title=Yotsuba&! Vol. No. 01 | url=http://www.mania.com/yotsuba-vol-01_article_82171.html | author=Mike Dungan | publisher=Anime on DVD | date=31 March 2005 | access-date=2 January 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150130172505/http://www.mania.com/yotsuba-vol-01_article_82171.html |archive-date=30 January 2015 | quote=Yotsuba is like a blank slate of joyous fun, learning about everything and loving every minute of it ... Yotsuba&! manages the clever balancing act of being both manic and gentle fun at the same time.}}</ref> slice-of-life storytelling,<ref name="ann-best"/> comedic writing,<ref name="about-vol4"/><ref name="Spurgeon4">{{cite web | title=Yotsuba&! Vol. 4 | url=http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/briefings/cr_reviews/8824/ | author=Tom Spurgeon | publisher=[[The Comics Reporter]] | date=31 May 2007 | access-date=8 August 2007}}</ref><ref name="Santos4"/> and eccentric yet realistic characters, especially Yotsuba herself.<ref name="Clayton1">{{cite web | title=Yotsuba&! vol. 1 | url=http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=639 | author=Chad Clayton | publisher=Anime Jump! | date=6 June 2005 | access-date=8 August 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060510022758/http://www.animejump.com/index.php?module=prodreviews&func=showcontent&id=639 |archive-date = 10 May 2006}}</ref><ref name="McElhatton1">{{cite web | title=Yotsuba&! Vol. 1 | url=http://www.readaboutcomics.com/2005/03/24/yotsuba-vol-1/ | author=Greg McElhatton | publisher=Read About Comics | date=24 March 2005 | access-date=2 January 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327162226/http://www.readaboutcomics.com/2005/03/24/yotsuba-vol-1/ |archive-date=27 March 2019}}</ref><ref name="ann-vol5"/><ref name="Mania-v1"/><ref name="comicsworthreading2">{{cite web | url=https://comicsworthreading.com/2008/07/28/yotsuba-recommended-series/ | title=*Yotsuba&! — Recommended Series | first= Johanna Draper | last=Carlson | publisher=Comics Worth Reading | date=28 July 2008 | access-date=2 January 2021 | quote=Almost everything is a new experience for her, and her enthusiasm provides the appeal of the stories. Her wide-eyed innocence and seemingly inexhaustible energy makes for charming misunderstandings and comedy.}}</ref>

[[The Comics Reporter]] described the series as "read[ing] like a love letter to the way kids can be at the age of 2–5,"<ref name="Spurgeon1a">{{cite web | title=Yotsuba&! Volume 1 | url=http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/briefings/cr_reviews/2598/ | author=Tom Spurgeon | publisher=[[The Comics Reporter]] | date=15 August 2005 | access-date=25 January 2008 | quote=Kyohiko Azuma's ''Yotsuba&!'' manga reads like a love letter to the way kids can be at the age of 2–5, when they are in most ways functioning human beings but function in a world that's impossibly huge and easy to accept for its more benign surface qualities.}}</ref> and a reviewer at [[Anime News Network]] compared Azuma's ability to capture "the wonder of childhood" to [[Bill Watterson]]'s in ''[[Calvin and Hobbes]]''.<ref name="ann-vol5"/> ''[[Manga: The Complete Guide]]'' described it as "a light, feel-good manga, like an endless summer day".<ref name="CompleteGuide">{{cite book | title=Manga: The Complete Guide | first=Jason | last=Thompson | publisher=[[Del Rey Manga|Del Rey]] | location=New York | year=2007 | pages=402–403 | isbn=978-0-345-48590-8}}</ref> Nicholas Penedo of ''Animeland'' said "with Yotsuba, we find ourselves plunged into the wonderful world of childhood," calling the French edition of volume eight, "A beautiful manga for children and adults."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animeland.com/critiques/voir/14780/Yotsuba-Vol-8 | title=Animeland – Critiques – Yotsuba ! • Vol. 8 – La BD | first=Nicholas | last=Penedo | publisher=Animeland | language=fr | date=13 January 2009 | access-date=28 February 2009 | quote=Toujours aussi frais et mignon, ce tome ne déçoit pas : avec Yotsuba, on se retrouve plongé dans le monde merveilleux de l'enfance. Un beau manga pour petits et grands.}}</ref> ''BD Gest'' praised Azuma's skill in making distinct secondary characters, calling them "immediately recognisable", and saying that they each spice up the story in their own ways.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bdgest.com/chronique-1657-BD-Yotsuba--Yotsuba-et-le-Demenagement.html | title=BD Gest' – Yotsuba ! 1. Yotsuba et le Déménagement | first=M. | last=Natali | publisher=BD Gest' | language=fr | date=31 August 2006 | access-date=28 February 2009 | quote=Azuma brosse des personnages attachants, aux caractères bien marqués, immédiatement reconnaissables et qui pimentent chacun à leur façon les savoureux chapitres de cette comédie.}}</ref> However, Azuma has been criticized for creating characters that are "too clean, too perfectly functional",<ref name="Spurgeon4"/> for overusing "outrageous expressions and reactions",<ref name="ann-vol5"/> and for dragging out jokes too long.<ref name="Santos4">{{cite web | title=Yotsuba and RTO – RIGHT TURN ONLY!! | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2007-06-26 | author=Carlo Santos | publisher=[[Anime News Network]] | date=26 June 2007 | access-date=22 September 2007 | quote=The second half of the book is observational humor at its absolute pinnacle ... [T]here are plenty of times when Yotsuba&! is less than brilliant—usually when the series defeats itself by dragging out a joke too long.}}</ref>

''Yotsuba&!'' has been popular with readers as well as reviewers. For example, on Amazon.co.jp, volume six was the third best-selling comic in Japan for the first half of 2007, and volume eight was the second best-selling comic in Japan for 2008;<ref>{{cite web | title='07 上半期 Booksランキング > 和書 | url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/1000099986/ | publisher=Amazon.co.jp | language=ja | access-date=29 February 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522103637/http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/tg/feature/-/1000099986/ | archive-date=22 May 2011 | url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Amazon.co.jp Posts 2008's Top Comics, Light Novels | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-04/amazon.co.jp-posts-2008-top-comics-light-novels | publisher=[[Anime News Network]] | date=4 December 2008 | access-date=5 December 2008}}</ref> volumes seven and eight both were number two on the Tohan comics chart the week they debuted.<ref name="vol7-bestseller">{{cite web | url=http://www.php.co.jp/fun/ranking/books.php?genre=f2007-10-04 | title=コミックランキング – THE 21 なんでもランキング – お楽しみ – PHP研究所 | language=ja | access-date=9 January 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720130448/http://www.php.co.jp/fun/ranking/books.php?genre=f2007-10-04 | archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref><ref name="vol8-bestseller">{{cite web | url=http://www.php.co.jp/fun/ranking/books.php?genre=f2008-09-03 | title=コミックランキング – THE 21 なんでもランキング – お楽しみ – PHP研究所 | language=ja | access-date=6 September 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215085436/http://www.php.co.jp/fun/ranking/books.php?genre=f2008-09-03 | archive-date=15 February 2012}}</ref> Volume eight sold more than 450,000 copies in 2008, making it one of the top 50 bestselling manga volumes on the [[Oricon]] chart for the year.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-21/2008-top-selling-manga-in-japan-no.26-50 | title=2008's Top-Selling Manga in Japan, #26–50 | publisher=[[Anime News Network]] | date=21 December 2008 | access-date=9 February 2008}}</ref> The first five volumes of the English translation were each among the top 100 selling graphic novels in the United States in the month of release.<ref>Volume 1: [http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/7258.html], volume 2: [http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/7376.html], volume 3: [http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/7711.html], volume 4: [http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/10907.html]. Retrieved 31 July 2007.<!--need to convert those to cite web templates--></ref><ref>Volume 5: [http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/11649.html]. Retrieved 27 November 2007. <!--convert to cite web template--></ref> Volume six of the English edition reached number 3 on the ''[[New York Times]]'' best seller list for manga, and it stayed on the list for four weeks.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2009/10/04/ | title=Best Sellers: Graphic Books |work=The New York Times| date=4 October 2009 | access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-10-16/new-york-times-manga-best-seller-list-october-4-10 | title=New York Times Manga Best Seller List, 4–10 October | publisher=[[Anime News Network]] | date=16 October 2009 | access-date=8 November 2009}}</ref> Volume 8 debuted at No. 2 on the manga best seller list.<ref name="nyt-20100429">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2010/05/09/|title=Best Sellers: Graphic Books: Manga|work=The New York Times|date=9 May 2010|access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref> As of 27 April 2018, over 13.7 million copies of the manga have been printed in Japan and over 3 million outside of Japan,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://mangaplanet.jp/yotsuba-visits-tokyo-station/|title=Yotsuba&! Visits Tokyo Station During Golden Week - Manga Planet|date=2018-05-07|work=Manga Planet|access-date=2021-01-02|language=en-US|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327170423/https://mangaplanet.jp/yotsuba-visits-tokyo-station/|archive-date=2019-03-27}}</ref> including the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2015/12/05/yotsuba-manga-13th-volume-tops-japans-weekly-manga-chart|title="Yotsuba&!" Manga 13th Volume Tops Japan's Weekly Manga Chart|first=Mikikazu|last=Komatsu|website=Crunchyroll}}</ref>

=== Awards and recognitions ===
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Yotsuba Koiwai.jpg|thumb|right|Illustration of Yotsuba by Kiyohiko Azuma for the 2020 exhibition.]] -->
''Yotsuba&!'' received an Excellence Award for Manga at the 2006 [[Japan Media Arts Festival]], where the jury citation praised the vivid characters and gentle atmosphere.<ref name=":4">{{cite web | title=2006 Japan Media Arts Festival Manga Division Excellence Prize YOTSUBA &! | url=http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/english/festival/2006/manga/000510/index.php | publisher=Japan Media Arts Plaza | access-date=2 January 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206004521/http://plaza.bunka.go.jp/english/festival/2006/manga/000510/index.php |archive-date=6 February 2012 | quote= ... [A]ll the characters are vividly depicted, which gives exhilaration to the work and the whole atmosphere has a gentleness.}}</ref> In 2008 ''Yotsuba&!'' was nominated for the 12th [[Osamu Tezuka Culture Award]]<ref name=":3">{{cite web | url=http://www.asahi.com/tezuka/ | title=Asahi Shimbun 12th Osamu Tezuka Culture Award Final Nominees Announcement | language=ja | access-date=2 January 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123171556/http://www.asahi.com/shimbun/award/tezuka/ |archive-date=23 November 2008}}</ref> and the [[Eisner Award]] in the "Best Publication for Kids" category,<ref name=":2">{{cite web | url=http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_08nom.shtml | title=2008 Eisner Nominations Most Diverse Yet | publisher=Comic-Con International | access-date=19 June 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110812125415/http://www.comic-con.org/cci/cci_eisners_08nom.shtml | archive-date=12 August 2011}}</ref> but did not win either, and was runner-up for the first annual [[Manga Taishō]] award.<ref name=":1">{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-03-31/shinichi-ishizuka-wins-first-ever-manga-taisho-for-gaku | title=Shinichi Ishizuka Wins First Ever Manga Taisho for Gaku | publisher=[[Anime News Network]] | date=31 March 2008 | access-date=5 December 2008}}</ref> In 2016, ''Yotsuba&!'' won the Grand Prize at the 20th Osamu Tezuka Culture Awards, sharing it with Kei Ichinoseki's ''Hanagami Sharaku''.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title=Yotsuba&!, Hanagami Sharaku Win 20th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize's Top Award|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-04-27/yotsuba-hanagami-sharaku-win-20th-tezuka-osamu-cultural-prize-top-award/.101504|website=Anime News Network|access-date=27 April 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.asahi.com/special/tezuka-anniv20th/2016/ | title=Asahi Shimbun 20th Osamu Tezuka Culture Award Final Nominees Announcement | language=ja | access-date=2 January 2021}}</ref> The English translation was listed as one of the best 20 comics of 2005 by ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'',<ref>{{cite web | title=Best Comics of 2005 | url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6280956.html |author1=Calvin Reid |author2=Heidi MacDonald |author3=Douglas Wolk  |name-list-style=amp | publisher=[[Publishers Weekly]] | date=7 November 2005 | access-date=31 July 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613011954/http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6280956.html <!--Added by H3llBot--> | archive-date=13 June 2007}}</ref> one of the best comics of 2006 by the staff of ''[[The Comics Journal]]'',<ref>{{cite web | title=Best Comics of 2006 Index | url=http://www.tcj.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=562&Itemid=48 | publisher=[[The Comics Journal]] | date=2 March 2007 | access-date=2 January 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080303184225/http://www.tcj.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=562&Itemid=48 |archive-date=3 March 2008}}</ref> and one of the top graphic novels for teens in 2008 by [[Young Adult Library Services Association|YALSA]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://67.192.23.170/articles/news/11927.html | title=YALSA Announces Great Graphic Novel List | date=17 January 2008 | access-date=17 April 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140307001902/http://67.192.23.170/articles/news/11927.html | archive-date=7 March 2014}}</ref> Volume 1 was named Book of the Month in the June 2005 issue of ''[[Newtype USA]]''.<ref name="Newtype1"/>

There was an exhibit of ''Yotsuba&!'' artwork at the Gallery of Fantastic Art in Tokyo from 2–17 December 2006.<ref name="exhibit">{{cite web | url=http://www.yotuba.com/yotuba_ex_top.html | script-title=ja:よつばと!展 | trans-title=Yotsuba&! exhibition | language=ja | access-date=16 July 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002054055/http://www.yotuba.com/yotuba_ex_top.html | archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> The lead article of the May 2009 issue of the Japanese design magazine ''Idea'' was a study of ''Yotsuba&!'', focusing on book design, interior layout, and how translated editions were handled.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.idea-mag.com/en/publication/334.php | title=idea magazine » IDEA NO. 334 : Designs for Manga, Anime & Light Novels (Vol.1) | publisher=Seibundō Shinkōsha | access-date=10 September 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019005613/http://www.idea-mag.com/en/publication/334.php | archive-date=19 October 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://blog.kurokawa.fr/2009/07/23/yotsuba-design/ | title=Yotsuba&! Design | publisher=Kurokawa | language=fr | date=23 July 2009 | access-date=10 September 2009 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320165701/http://blog.kurokawa.fr/2009/07/23/yotsuba-design/ | archive-date=20 March 2016}}</ref>

Another exhibition of Yotsuba&!, featuring new original artwork by Kiyohiko Azuma, was held at the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum in [[Takarazuka, Hyōgo|Takarazuka]], [[Hyōgo Prefecture]] between June and October 2020. The exhibition included over 200 production materials including advertisements, interviews, manuscripts, videos, and comparisons with overseas publications.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 23, 2020 |title=第80回企画展「よつばと！原画展」｜手塚治虫記念館 |url=http://www.city.takarazuka.hyogo.jp/tezuka/4000020/4000261.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930112154/http://www.city.takarazuka.hyogo.jp/tezuka/4000020/4000261.html |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |access-date=July 30, 2023 |website=The Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum}}</ref>
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