Oyasumi Punpun

Oyasumi Punpun
The cover of the first volume of Oyasumi Punpun.
おやすみプンプン
Manga
Written by	Inio Asano
Published by	Shogakukan
Demographic	Seinen
Magazine	Weekly Young Sunday (former) Big Comic Spirits
Original run	March 15, 2007 – November 2, 2013
Volumes	13

Oyasumi Punpun (おやすみプンプン, lit: Goodnight Punpun) is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Inio Asano about Onodera Punpun, a normal child depicted in the form of a bird. The story follows him as he copes with his dysfunctional family and friends, his love interest, his oncoming adolescence and his hyperactive mind.

Summary

Oyasumi Punpun follows the life and experiences of Onodera Punpun, a young boy living in Japan, as well as a few of his friends. The manga follows Punpun as he grows up, splitting the book into around 4 stages of his life: Elementary school, Middle school, High school, and his early 20s.

Characters

Punpun Punyama (プン山 プンプン, Punyama Punpun) / Punpun Onodera (小野寺 プンプン, Onodera Punpun)

Punpun is a young boy who is most often depicted as a bird, although he is also shown in the other forms. When he is feeling confused about life or depressed he consults "God" using a chant his uncle taught him.

Aiko Tanaka (田中 愛子, Tanaka Aiko)

The child of a cult member, Aiko is Punpun's primary love interest. Early on, she suggests that she and Punpun run away to Kagoshima. She occasionally takes on the last name Orihara (織原).

God (神, God)

A being, displayed as a photographic afro head, that often appears in front of Punpun in his times of need (Punpun "summons" him by saying, "Dear God, Tinkle tinkle hoy"). He initially comes across as a helpful character, but as the story progresses it is obvious that he is some sort of manifestation of Punpun's darker thoughts.

Yūichi Onodera (小野寺 雄一, Onodera Yūichi)

Punpun's uncle, a 30-something freeter. Yūichi takes care of Punpun while his mother is in the hospital.

Midori Ōkuma (大隈 翠, Ōkuma Midori)

Yūichi's girlfriend that runs a cafe. She briefly joins Punpun's family during middle school and helps take care of him and his family.

Sachi Nanjō (南条 幸, Nanjō Sachi)

A young woman Punpun meets in his young adult life. She is an aspiring manga artist who grows to be one of Punpun's close friends.

Seki Masumi (真澄 関, Masumi Seki)

One of Punpun's childhood friends, who is a close companion of Shimizu. He is cynical and aloof, but cares deeply for Shimizu.

Kō Shimizu (清水 コー, Shimizu)

Another of Punpun's childhood friends. Shimizu has a wild imagination and depends on Seki. He later joins Pegasus' cult.

Toshiki Hoshikawa / "Pegasus" (星川 敏樹, Hoshikawa Toshiki)

The leader of a cult in Punpun's city and a recurring side character.

Mitsuko Tanaka (田中 光子, Tanaka Mitsuko)

Aiko's mother. She is cruel and abusive to her daughter Aiko, and shows signs of having mental instability. Though she later ends up crippled, later chapters suggest this may be an act.

Release

The manga was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine Weekly Young Sunday and later, Big Comic Spirits by Shogakukan from March 15, 2007 to November 2, 2013.^[1] Shogakukan has compiled the 147 chapters into 13 volumes between August 3, 2007^[2] to December 27, 2013.^[3] Some of these volumes have been sold as limited special editions with extras like: a phone strap, t-shirt, colored pencil set with figures, and lensless glasses.^[4]

Reception and awards

Michelle Rodanes of Japanator recommended the manga, saying that the author "tackle[s] so many dense and unpleasant themes in a manner so entertaining and human."^[5]

In 2009, the manga received a Jury Recommendation at the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival Awards.^[6]

References

External links

• Oyasumi Punpun (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia