Doujinshi, for those unfamiliar with it, is an interesting movement conceptually. While it's not uncommon for fans to make their own games, movies, stories, or what have you out of their favorite fictional properties, doujinshi typically has more of a professional sheen. This is especially true of doujin manga, where groups of artists will actually sell their work and get actual print runs, however modest in scope they actually are. That modesty, however, doesn't detract from the impression one gets that they're made by hard-working people who simply love whichever series their working with. Such is the case with Kimi no Tonari, a Persona 4 doujin manga I recently imported from Japan.

As one can logically deduce from the cover, Kimi no Tonari is author Kero Mix's take on the personal tale between Chie and the protagonist. But rather than be cliche and do a super romantic coupling, the manga is more concerned with depicting how the two bond in their daily lives, predominantly from Chie's point of view. From test incompetences to procrastination to even some Midnight Channel battling, Kimi no Tonari provides an intimate (if subjective) take on the dynamics which the kung fu fan has with the party's leader.  Nothing especially out of the ordinary takes place, but when considering the source material's plot, that's no necessarily a bad thing either. It provides an aura of normalcy to the characters involved, making for some unique opportunities to develop in situations which otherwise wouldn't be depicted.

Visually, the style is pleasing to the eye, if initially slightly jarring for those accustomed to the game's rendition of character designs. This, however, isn't really a problem at all, as the quality itself is high and makes the transition to a new style fine. The writing is also fitting for both the setting and the characters. Considering that most of it takes place within Inaba and Yasogami High School, the dialog is consistent with what you would find ordinary Japanese teenagers discussing. They have their worries without being excessively serious, adding to the previously-mentioned normalcy that works to the manga's benefit.

Like most doujin works, Kimi no Tonari is short by manga standards, with the story comprosing of only 50 pages. The price is also a bit higher than your ordinary tankoban at 735 yen, although this is fine when considering that, like most doujin, this one most likely wasn't printed with profit in mind. Nonetheless, the presentation itself is great. What you get for that 735 yen is a glossy cover and good-textured paper, both of which help add to an aesthetic appeal which was already present in spades. With that said, however, the cost of importing it makes this doujin manga one best consumed by diehard fans of Persona 4. It makes for a great read, but the shipping costs from Japan will almost certainly be more than the suggested retail price for those thinking about getting your own copy. That's also assuming you manage to track it down, considering that it is now out of print. Furthermore, as can also be implied from the cover, Kimi no Tonari is written in Japanese. You don't need to be super fluent to get the gist of what's happening, but you also can't wing it by simply looking at visuals and hoping they'll be enough of an indicator.

At the end of the day, Kimi no Tonari is an enjoyable doujin manga, especially for those who, like myself, are Chie fans and have gone out of their way to court her in the game. It's nothing revolutionary from a storytelling or visual standpoint, but it doesn't need to be either of those to provide a good, if rather brief, time. This is a doujin manga created by the fans, for the fans and it fulfills that role just fine. Just be aware of the prices of importing it, but if you happen to find it on a retailer's shelf, then by all means go and pick it up. It's an interesting rendition on an already interesting set of characters and relationships.