Flower of Life manga
- Flower of Life** is a slice-of-life comedy manga series written and illustrated by Fumi Yoshinaga, focusing on the experiences of Harutaro Hanazono, a cheerful boy who enrolls in high school after recovering from leukemia. The story follows Harutaro as he navigates his new school life, forming friendships with Shota Mikuni and Kai Majima, an otaku whom Harutaro finds annoying.
The manga was serialized in *Shinshokan's Wings* and released in four bound volumes between April 2004 and March 2007 in Japan. Digital Manga Publishing licensed the series for North America, releasing its four tankōbon between January 17, 2007, and May 20, 2009.
- Flower of Life** received positive recognition, including a nomination for the first annual *Manga Taishō* award in 2008 and inclusion on the *Young Adult Library Services Association's 2008 Great Graphic Novels for Teens* list. It was also ranked 8th on the Tohan charts in 2007. Fumi Yoshinaga was nominated for an Eisner Award in 2008 for her work on the manga and *The Moon and the Sandals*. Reviews highlight its diverse characters but note some criticisms regarding heavy dialogue and assumed familiarity with manga culture.
Overall, **Flower of Life** offers a blend of slice-of-life comedy and high school romance, capturing realistic glimpses of school life while showcasing original character development.