Hyakushou Kizoku 2nd Season Specials

📖 SYNOPSIS

Before she became one of the most respected manga artists alive, the mind behind Fullmetal Alchemist — Hiromu Arakawa — grew up on a dairy farm in Hokkaido. These two specials, bundled with the manga's volume 8.1 and the second season DVD from Pie in the sky studio, give you more of her autobiographical stories about that weird in-between life of being a farmer and a manga creator at the same time. The comedy here comes from how genuinely absurd the contrast is: one day you're dealing with livestock in rural Hokkaido, the next you're navigating deadlines and editors in the city. Arakawa's family shows up throughout, and they're exactly the kind of blunt, no-nonsense rural folks who make every interaction funny without even trying. The whole thing has this warm, reflective quality where she's clearly poking fun at herself and her background, but there's real affection underneath it. If you liked Silver Spoon (which Arakawa also created, so the farming DNA is strong), or if Barakamon's city-person-meets-countryside vibe clicked with you, this is in that same lane — just more personal since it's literally her own life. Even fans of Moyashimon's quirky agricultural angle would find something to enjoy here. At only two episodes, it's a short, easy watch that works best if you've already seen the main series, but honestly the charm of Arakawa's storytelling carries it regardless.