Note: Won the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Grand Prize in 2009, the Best Reality-Based Work and the Best U.S. Edition of International Material - Asia for the Eisner Award in 2010.
2 Volumes (Complete)

Chronicling the ups and downs of life itself and depicting the brevity of events, this is the very essence of slice of life itself, if not literally. Scenes are depicted in great detail as one witnesses the tides of the mangaka's career. I enjoyed it immensely. Recommended, especially if slice of life is your thing.
I just read one volume from this gekiga. I bought 2 years ago, and counted as a a bit expensive for a book -__- . Personally, i love this book. The art is neat and... the story telling style is good. But... maybe according translate things, i feel a bit off. The theme is adult thing, hard to understand, but i get the main idea... This book make me enthusiasm become a good mangaka, The way sensei life was hard, but he can become like this is a good lesson for us.