The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up: A Magical Story

A well-organized closet is the key to success in this spin-off from Kondo’s wildly popular self-help book. Protagonist Chiaki is in dire need of assistance: her apartment is an ocean of clutter, and it’s casting a pall over all aspects of her life. Luckily, Kondo is here to help her fold her t-shirts, toss her junk mail, discard books she’s never going to read, and, in so doing, forge a path to true happiness. The “KonMari” method claims to be a form of magic that can unlock everything from promotions at one’s job to romantic opportunities. This is, to put it mildly, a bit fanciful. But Kondo’s organizing methods are undeniably effective, especially for anyone overwhelmed by the thought of finding a place to start tackling the mess. Uramoto’s charming illustrations are flexible enough to capture both the fairylike Kondo and the true nightmare of Chiaki’s living room. (June)