The series depicts the struggle of a young Japanese mother, Sachiko Azuma, raising her autistic son Hikaru.
Presented in simple brushes and reader-friendly lines, the manga explores the daily life of children with autism, the troubles they may have at school or during puberty, as well as how they manage their social relations.
It also provides basic knowledge on autism and suggests early treatment for autistic children.
The series received an Excellence Prize for manga at the 2004 Japan Media Arts Festival. It was adapted as a television drama and won several awards at Japan's 41st Television Drama Academy Awards, including ‘Best Drama’.
The first volumes of the series were introduced to Vietnamese readers on Vietnam Family Day on June 28. The publication of the manga was supported by the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Vietnam and the Vietnam Autism Network.
