Introduction Ningyo no Sodate Kata is a short manga released in May 2016 by the mangaka Otaki. This mangaka has only two other works: another individual project as well as an anthology. Plot and development 7 / 10 Ningyo no Sodate Kata is a short manga focussing on personal development even if said progress is not entirely welcome to the protagonist. Our protagonist is a young unemployed bachelor living on his own. Hes the antithesis of what is considered a good working adult in Japan. Lazy and unmotivated but hoping for change he wiles away the days in his small apartment until a typhoon blows in the change he longed for. In the storms aftermath he finds something sailers have sworn to have seen for generations: a mermaid. After coming to terms with the reality that such a mythical being exists he decides to take her home to treat her wounds. And thus begins the gradual process of bonding between these two characters. Since he is now responsible for her in terms of food clothing entertainment and social contact he grows more and more into some sort of parental figure. Eventually this leads to him taking back the reigns to his future applying for jobs and steadily reintegrating himself into society. The progress of this story is generally wellpaced and even though the outcome is predictable it still makes you wish to see it end well. Overall the plot is nothing new but the execution is well done. 800https://i.ur.com/AAYbupn.png Artwork 10 / 10 This manga has outstanding artwork I might be biased since I enjoy this type of colouration very much but the combination of the watercolourlike art with the overall water theme of the manga is such a good fit. Also the colour palette between her as a mermaid mostly greenishblue and our protagonist reddishorange is a nice contrast. 800https://i.ur.com/TtDYbew.png Theme 7 / 10 We all find ourselves in some kind of slump at some point. That moment when you know you should get yourself back together and do something. But fighting your inertia as well as external resistances can be tough. Yet once you succeed it is also very rewarding. This is one of the prevailing themes of Ningyo no Sodate Kata. Furthermore the manga also aims to show the development of a familial relationship between the two characters showcasing the hardships a single parent faces while struggling with issues ranging from money interpersonal relationships and so on. 800https://i.ur.com/HLqp3Sf.png Enjoyment 8 / 10 While it is a short manga just seven chapters long it filled me with warmth while reading it. The colouration is amazing and enhanced the enjoyment even more. I wish there were more manga like this My only critique would be that it could have been a bit longer since it sometimes felt rushed. All in all I wholeheartedly recommend this manga to anyone whos looking for a short but cute slice of life that uses watercolours for its artwork.