さよなら絶望先生 [Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei] #9

Volume 9 of Koji Kumeta's Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei presents its despairing protagonist in characteristic form — a slight, bespectacled young man in a traditional dark hakama and light yukata, bowing low while clutching a travel bag, set against a lush backdrop of tropical foliage. The cover's muted greens and unhurried composition give it a deceptively tranquil, almost literary quality that perfectly suits the series' blend of melancholy humor and sharp social commentary. A lovely addition to any shelf dedicated to Kodansha's sharp-edged comedy manga.