Kakukaku Shikajika

Akiko Hayashi’s autobiography begins during her third year of high school, when she starts attending an art class after her friend Futami introduces her to it. The class is led by Kenzou Hidaka, an intimidating teacher who shouts at his students and uses a bamboo sword to keep them focused on drawing. Akiko is puzzled by Hidaka’s behavior and by the other students, but she continues going to class. The story follows her early experiences there as she eventually becomes a manga artist.