Yotsuba&!

{{main|List of Yotsuba&! characters{{!}}List of Yotsuba&! characters}}

Yotsuba&! is centered on Yotsuba Koiwai, a five-year-oldInitially, she claims to be six years old, but this is corrected by her father in chapter 36: {{cite book | last=Azuma | first=Kiyohiko | author-link=Kiyohiko Azuma | title=Yotsuba&! | series=Volume 11 | publisher=Yen Press | location=New York | isbn=978-0-316-07324-0 | page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780316073899/page/46 46] | chapter=Chapter 36: Yotsuba & Bicycles | date=September 2009 | orig-year=31 December 2006 | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780316073899/page/46 }} girl who is energetic, cheerful, curious, odd, and quirky—so much so that even her own father calls her unusual. She is also initially ignorant about many things that a child her age would be expected to know—among them doorbells, escalators, air conditioners, and even playground swings.Doorbells: chapters 2 and 4; escalators: chapter 5; air conditioners: chapter 3; swings: chapter 1; in {{cite book | last=Azuma | first=Kiyohiko | author-link=Kiyohiko Azuma | title=Yotsuba&! | series=Volume 1 | year=2005 | publisher=ADV Manga | isbn=978-1-4139-0317-1 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/yotsubaazum01azum }} This naïveté is the premise of humorous stories whereby which she learns about—and frequently misunderstands—everyday things.{{cite web | title=Yotsuba&! Vol. 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=22 September 2007}}

At the start of the series, Yotsuba and her adoptive father, Yousuke Koiwai, relocate to a new city with the help of Koiwai's best friend, an impressively tall man named Takashi Takeda, known as Jumbo. Yotsuba makes a strong impression on the three daughters of the neighboring Ayase family, Asagi, Fuuka, and Ena, after Ena meets Yotsuba trying to find out how a swing works. Most of her daily activities and misadventures often originate from interactions with these characters and more, such as Asagi's friend Torako, known as Tiger (from Yotsuba, the kanji for Tora is the same kanji in tiger).

The series has no consistent plot continuity—the focus of the stories is Yotsuba's daily voyage of discovery. Many chapters take place on successive days (for details, see List of Yotsuba&! chapters), so that the series follows, almost literally, the characters' daily lives.{{cite web | url=http://www.mania.com/yotsuba-vol-04_article_83459.html | title=Yotsuba&! Vol. No. 04 | first=Patricia | last=Beard | publisher=Mania.com | date=22 June 2007 | access-date=1 July 2009 }} The tone can be summarized by the motto, used on chapter title pages and advertising: {{nihongo|"Today is always the most enjoyable day"|いつでも今日が、いちばん楽しい日|Itsudemo kyō ga, ichiban tanoshii hi}}, or in the original translation, "Enjoy Everything".

In 1998, Azuma published a one-shot manga and two webcomics called "Try! Try! Try!", in which Yotsuba's adoptive father Yousuke Koiwai, Ena, Fūka, and Asagi first appear. Although some of these characters—including Yotsuba herself—are largely the same as in Yotsuba&!; Fūka has a different character design, a more mischievous personality, and a different spelling of her given name (in "Try! Try! Try!", it is written with the kanji {{nihongo2|風 夏}}, meaning "wind-summer"; in Yotsuba&!, it is {{nihongo2|風 香}}, meaning "wind-scent").

Azuma started writing Yotsuba&! a year after the conclusion of his previous manga, Azumanga Daioh. No crossovers between the two works occurred until the sixteenth volume of Yotsuba&! in 2025, which features a cameo appearance from Azumanga Daioh character Ayumu "Osaka" Kasuga, who is revealed to now be working as a P.E. teacher.{{Cite web |last=Bueno |first=Daniel |date=2025-02-27 |title=New Yotsuba Manga Features Azumanga Daioh Cameo |url=https://www.siliconera.com/new-yotsuba-manga-features-azumanga-daioh-cameo/ |access-date=2025-02-28 |website=Siliconera |language=en-US}}

{{main|List of Yotsuba&! chapters{{!}}List of Yotsuba&! chapters}}

The manga is written and illustrated by Kiyohiko Azuma, and published by ASCII Media Works in the monthly shōnen (aimed at teenage boys) manga magazine Dengeki Daioh since the March 2003 issue, with serialization on-going. Chapters have been collected in sixteen tankōbon volumes.

In English, Yotsuba&! was originally licensed by ADV Manga, who published five volumes between 2005 and 2007 before dropping the license. The North American license was picked up by Yen Press, which republished the first five volumes along with the sixth in September 2009. Fourteen volumes have since been released. In addition, the series is licensed in Malaysia in both English and Malay by Kadokawa Gempak Starz,{{cite web | url=https://malaysia.kinokuniya.com/bw/9789674784966 | title=Books Kinokuniya: Yotsuba&! 02 | publisher=Kinokuniya Malaysia | access-date=14 April 2022 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web | url=https://www.shop.gempakstarz.com/YTB14-MY | title=Yotsuba&! 14 (Malay) | publisher=Kadokawa Gempak Starzz | access-date=14 April 2022}} in France by Kurokawa,{{cite web | url=http://www.kurokawa.fr/humour/fiche/81/yotsuba-t1 | title=Yotsuba&! Vol 1 | publisher=Kurokawa | access-date=20 May 2009 | language=fr}} in Spain by Norma Editorial,{{cite web | url=http://www.normaeditorial.com/main.aspx?page=coleccion&pageindex=0&pagcount=0&idcoleccion=140&idserie=563 | title=¡YOTSUBA! | publisher=Norma Editorial | access-date=20 May 2009 | language=es |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080804113727/http://www.normaeditorial.com/main.aspx?page=coleccion&pageindex=0&pagcount=0&idcoleccion=140&idserie=563 |archive-date = 4 August 2008}} in Germany by Tokyopop Germany,{{cite web | url=http://www.tokyopop.de/buecher/manga/yotsuba/index.php | title=Yotsuba&! | publisher=Tokyopop Germany | access-date=3 January 2021 | language=de |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019005614/http://www.tokyopop.de/manga-shop/index.php?cPath=877_142index.php |archive-date=19 October 2015}} in Italy by Dynit,{{cite web | url=http://www.dynit.it/scheda.asp?mn=3&ctl=2&iddsc=365 | title=Yotsuba & ! | publisher=Dynit | access-date=3 January 2021 | language=it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208173507/http://www.dynit.it/scheda.asp?mn=3&ctl=2&iddsc=365 |archive-date=8 December 2015}} in Sweden by B. Wahlström,{{Cite book|title=Yotsuba&!|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/227510532|access-date=1 October 2021|via=WorldCat|oclc = 227510532}} in Finland by Punainen jättiläinen,{{cite web | url=http://www.punainenjattilainen.fi/tuotteet.php?do=yotsuba1 | title=Yotsuba&! | publisher=Punainen jättiläinen | access-date=20 May 2009 | language=fi | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720192303/http://www.punainenjattilainen.fi/tuotteet.php?do=yotsuba1 | archive-date=20 July 2011}} in Korea by Daiwon C.I.,{{cite web | url=http://www.daiwon.co.kr/comic/05comic04_view.asp?vm=vie&seq=10049 | script-title=ko:요츠바랑! | publisher=Daiwon C.I. | access-date=3 January 2021 | language=ko }} in Taiwan by Kadokawa Media,{{cite web | url=http://www.walkersnet.com.tw/details.asp?id=1958 | script-title=zh:四葉妹妹! | publisher=Kadokawa Media | access-date=20 May 2009 | language=zh | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://archive.today/20070421093722/http://www.walkersnet.com.tw/details.asp?id=1958 | archive-date=21 April 2007}} in Russia by Palma Press{{Cite web|title=Ёцуба! Том 1.|url=https://xlm.ru/manga/etsuba-tom-1|access-date=1 October 2021|website=XL Media|language=ru}} in Vietnam by TVM Comics,{{cite web | url=http://www.tvmcomics.com.vn/index.php?controller=story&action=detail&id=28 | title=Yotsuba&! | publisher=TVM Comics | access-date=20 May 2009 | language=vi | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202001843/http://tvmcomics.com.vn/index.php?controller=story&action=detail&id=28 | archive-date=2 February 2009}} in Poland by Kotori,{{cite web | url=http://kotori.pl/nasze-wydania/yotsuba/ |title=Yotsuba! |publisher=Kotori |access-date=3 January 2021 |language=pl}} in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo{{Cite web|title=Yotsuba&! Search Results|url=https://isbn.perpusnas.go.id/Account/SearchBuku?searchTxt=yotsuba&searchCat=Judul|access-date=1 October 2021|website=National Library of the Republic of Indonesia|language=id}} and in Thailand by NED Comics.{{cite web | url=http://www.ned-comics.com/book_inside.php?bkid=1563&isbn=974-254-483-2 | script-title=th:โยทสึบะ หนูเด๋อจอมป่วน! | publisher=NED Comics | access-date=3 January 2021 | language=th |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911114839/http://www.ned-comics.com/book_inside.php?bkid=1563&isbn=974-254-483-2 |archive-date=11 September 2017}}

Each chapter of Yotsuba&! takes place on a specific, nearly sequential day of a common year starting on Wednesday. The year was initially believed to be 2003, coinciding with the date of the manga's serialization, but Azuma has stated that the manga always takes place in the present day.{{cite web|title=Azuma Kiyohiko discuses volume 6 |url=http://azumakiyohiko.com/archives/2007/01/23_1124.php |language=ja |date=23 January 2007 |access-date=24 January 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070205113131/http://azumakiyohiko.com/archives/2007/01/23_1124.php |archive-date=5 February 2007 }} This allows the appearance of products created after 2003, such as the Nintendo DS Mr. Ayase plays in chapter forty-two.

Both monthly and daily Yotsuba&! calendars have been released every year since 2005, although a monthly calendar for 2009 was not released due to constraints on Azuma's schedule.{{cite web | url=http://azumakiyohiko.com/archives/2008/11/27_0420.php | title=あずまきよひこ.com: ENTRY [カレンダーとか] |trans-title=AzumaKiyohiko.com: ENTRY "And Calendar?" | first=Kiyohiko | last=Azuma | author-link=Kiyohiko Azuma | language=ja | date=27 November 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201012104/http://azumakiyohiko.com/archives/2008/11/27_0420.php | archive-date=1 December 2008}} The 2005 edition of the monthly calendar featured pictures of Yotsuba playing with animals such as lions, zebras, and kangaroos. The 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010 editions feature photographs altered to include Yotsuba doing such things as playing with other children or reaching for a balloon.{{cite web | title=Yotsuba Wall Calendar Site | url=http://www.yotuba.com/2007cal_top.html | language=ja | access-date=17 May 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401060659/http://www.yotuba.com/2007cal_top.html | archive-date=1 April 2016}} The photographs were by Miho Kakuta, with drawings by Kiyohiko Azuma. The daily calendars have a mix of original and manga artwork, with occasional captions, as well as other fun items—for example, the 2006 calendar had a game of shiritori ongoing through the year.{{cite web | title=Yotsuba Desktop Calendar Site | url=http://www.yotuba.com/2006hime_top.html | language=ja | access-date=17 May 2007 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329014802/http://yotuba.com/2006hime_top.html | archive-date=29 March 2015}} The daily calendars run from April to March, following the Japanese school year instead of the calendar year.

The 2010 monthly calendar was released in November 2009.{{cite web | url=http://azumakiyohiko.com/archives/2009/07/31_0032.php | title=Yotsuba Calendar | publisher=Kiyohiko Azuma | access-date=20 September 2009 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110232349/http://azumakiyohiko.com/archives/2009/07/31_0032.php | archive-date=10 January 2013 | url-status=dead}}

Two Yotsuba&! music CDs have been released, both purely instrumental, called "image albums".{{cite web | title=Yotsubato! Image Album | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2005-03-23/yotsubato-image-album | publisher=Anime News Network | date=23 March 2005 | access-date=17 January 2007}} The music is designed to elicit mental images of events described by the titles. Both albums are composed by Masaki Kurihara and performed by the Kuricorder Pops Orchestra, who also worked together on the Azumanga Daioh soundtrack.

• The first album, Yotsuba&♪, released in April 2005, follows Yotsuba throughout the course of a typical day.{{cite web | title=Yotsuba Music CD Site | url=http://www.yotuba.com/cd_1.html | language=ja | access-date=18 May 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070510051329/http://www.yotuba.com/cd_1.html | archive-date=10 May 2007 | url-status=dead}}
• The second album, Yotsuba&♪ Music Suite (General Winter), released in November 2006, depicts the season of winter, including Christmas and New Year's celebrations.{{cite web | title=Fuyu Shōgun CD Site | url=http://www.yotuba.com/fuyusyogun_top.html | language=ja | access-date=18 May 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070514042316/http://www.yotuba.com/fuyusyogun_top.html | archive-date=14 May 2007 | url-status=dead}} {{nihongo|"General Winter"|冬将軍|Fuyu Shōgun}} is a personification of harsh winters, similar to Jack Frost.

A Yotsuba&! picture book, Yotsuba & Monochrome Animals, was published on 16 December 2006 ({{ISBN|978-4-8402-3714-7}}).{{cite web | url=http://asciimw.jp/search/?isbn=4-8402-3714-X | script-title=ja:よつばとしろとくろのどうぶつ | language=ja | publisher=ASCII Media Works | access-date=22 March 2009}} The book has pictures of Yotsuba playing with various black-and-white colored animals, such as pandas. The name of each animal is given in Japanese and English, along with the scientific classification of the species. Another book, called Find Yotsuba—which is actually a compilation of all previously released calendar illustrations— was released on 31 August 2013 ({{ISBN|978-4-0489-1879-4}}).{{cite book | script-title=ja:FiND YOTSUBA —「よつばと! 」カレンダー写真集— | language=ja | id={{ASIN|4048918796|country=jp}} }}

{{main|Nyanbo!}}

An anime spin-off based on cat versions of Azuma's character Danbo titled Nyanbo! was announced and began airing on 26 September 2016 as part of a "mini anime" program. This project did not adapt any of Yotsuba&!.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-02-22/cat-version-of-yotsuba-s-danbo-character-inspires-tv-anime-in-october/.98956|title=Cat version of yotsuba's danbo character inspires tv anime in October|publisher=Anime News Network|date=22 February 2016}} The spin-off is aired in Japan on NHK-E and is simulcast overseas on Crunchyroll.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-09-26/crunchyroll-to-stream-nyanbo-anime/.106917|title=Crunchyroll to Stream Nyanbo! Anime|publisher=Anime News Network|date=27 September 2016|access-date=4 October 2016}}

Despite its popularity and the success of Azumanga Daioh, no plans have been announced for an anime adaptation of Yotsuba&!. In an entry posted on his website on 15 May 2005, Azuma said there were no plans for it to be animated;{{cite web | title=あずまきよひこ.com: TOPICS (FAQ) | url=http://azumakiyohiko.com/archives/c_15.php | language=ja | access-date=16 August 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070525235542/http://azumakiyohiko.com/archives/c_15.php | archive-date=25 May 2007}} he reiterated this on 5 December 2008, claiming that the stories and style of Yotsuba&! are not well-suited for animation.{{cite web | url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-04/yotsuba&creator-kiyohiko-azuma-addresses-anime-rumors | title=Yotsuba&! Creator Kiyohiko Azuma Addresses Anime Rumors | date=4 December 2008 | publisher=Anime News Network | access-date=6 December 2008}}

File:Yotsuba.jpg

Yotsuba&! is drawn not in the vertical four-panel strips of Azuma's earlier series, Azumanga Daioh, but in a full-page format, giving him more artistic scope.{{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.}}{{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.}} Azuma's work on Yotsuba&! has been noted for its clean art,{{cite web | title=Yotsuba&! Vol. 1 Review | url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/638/638360p1.html | author=Jessica Chobot | publisher=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.}}{{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.}} detailed backgrounds,{{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}}{{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. }} and expressive faces.{{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.}}{{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.}} Azuma is also praised for his joyous tone,{{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.}} slice-of-life storytelling, comedic writing,{{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}} and eccentric yet realistic characters, especially Yotsuba herself.{{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}}{{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}}{{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.}}

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,"{{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.}} 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. Manga: The Complete Guide described it as "a light, feel-good manga, like an endless summer day".{{cite book | title=Manga: The Complete Guide | first=Jason | last=Thompson | publisher=Del Rey | location=New York | year=2007 | pages=402–403 | isbn=978-0-345-48590-8}} 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."{{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.}} 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.{{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.}} However, Azuma has been criticized for creating characters that are "too clean, too perfectly functional", for overusing "outrageous expressions and reactions", and for dragging out jokes too long.{{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.}}

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;{{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}}{{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}} volumes seven and eight both were number two on the Tohan comics chart the week they debuted.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.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.Volume 5: [http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/11649.html]. Retrieved 27 November 2007. 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.{{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}}{{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}} Volume 8 debuted at No. 2 on the manga best seller list.{{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}} 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,{{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}} including the U.S., France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Russia, Sweden, Finland, Korea, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam.{{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}}

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.{{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.}} In 2008 Yotsuba&! was nominated for the 12th Osamu Tezuka Culture Award{{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}} and the Eisner Award in the "Best Publication for Kids" category,{{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}} but did not win either, and was runner-up for the first annual Manga Taishō award.{{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}} In 2016, Yotsuba&! won the Grand Prize at the 20th Osamu Tezuka Culture Awards, sharing it with Kei Ichinoseki's Hanagami Sharaku.{{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}}{{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}} The English translation was listed as one of the best 20 comics of 2005 by Publishers Weekly,{{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 | archive-date=13 June 2007}} one of the best comics of 2006 by the staff of The Comics Journal,{{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}} and one of the top graphic novels for teens in 2008 by YALSA.{{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}} Volume 1 was named Book of the Month in the June 2005 issue of Newtype USA.

There was an exhibit of Yotsuba&! artwork at the Gallery of Fantastic Art in Tokyo from 2–17 December 2006.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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}}

Another exhibition of Yotsuba&!, featuring new original artwork by Kiyohiko Azuma, was held at the Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum in 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.{{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}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Portal|Anime and manga}}

; Official websites

• [http://asciimw.jp/search/?isbn=4-8402-2466-8 ASCII Media Works website] {{in lang|ja}}
• [http://www.yotuba.com Yotsuba Studio], Kiyohiko Azuma's studio website {{in lang|ja}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.advfilms.com/buy/manga/all-ages/yotsuba-/shop.aspx?categoryid=3351 |title=Buy |access-date=22 September 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013094406/http://www.advfilms.com/buy/manga/all-ages/yotsuba-/shop.aspx?categoryid=3351 |archive-date=13 October 2007}}
• [https://yenpress.com/series-search/?series=yotsuba&supapress_order=publishdate-asc Yen Press website]

;Other

• {{anime News Network|manga|2966}}
• [https://mangaplanet.jp/yotsuba-visits-tokyo-station/ Yotsuba&! Exhibit in Tokyo Station] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327170423/https://mangaplanet.jp/yotsuba-visits-tokyo-station/ |date=27 March 2019 }}

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{{Kiyohiko Azuma}}

{{Dengeki Daioh}}

{{Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize}}

{{Authority control}}

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