Manga creator Fumiya Hayashi writes and draws Hereditary Triangle, an endearing, lingering story about a "stress-free love triangle" involving three childhood friends. After his father's death, middle-aged Koutarou Fujiki has returned with his wife to his hometown in order to look after his aging mother. Being back sparks memories from youth, some more troubling than he'd like to admit. Koutarou and Touko's happy relationship is decades old, but as teens, she was also their best friend Tooru Kajiwara's first love.
Tooru, an avid photographer, took off in young adulthood to travel the world, sending sporadic missives to Koutarou, who never stopped wondering if Tooru's desertion was why Touko stayed with him. One year after Tooru's surprising death, Koutarou is convinced he's "literally seen a ghost" until he realizes Tooru's look-alike son, Kaoru, has arrived next door to clear Tooru's family house. The relationship this new trio forges during the ensuing summer provides the exact reassurances about love, friendship, and family that Koutarou, Touko, and Kaoru need to finally, freely move forward.
Twin translators Alethea and Athena Nibley, with dozens of shared manga credits, adapt Hayashi's English-language debut in an inexplicable vernacular peppered with numerous instances of "ya," "ain't," and "don'tcha" that may require a few chapters to acclimatize. Hayashi's visuals, however, instantly draw readers in. His panels range from exacting spare lines to meticulous scenes, often zoomed in from multiple points of view as if reminding readers to consider a situation from various angles. His subtly layered love story, moving back and forth in time, ensures readers a resonant read celebrating cherished memories and unexpected close bonds. --Terry Hong