Rhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody in Blue (Japanese: [XYZ]) is a fan-made doujinshi written and illustrated by Hirokawa Youichi based on the Japanese science fiction manga series Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou written and illustrated by Hitoshi Ashinano. It was published by Soramimi Skip Factory on December 28, 1997 in a 24 page saddle stitch bound paperback book.
The book depicts illustrations of Alpha Hatsuseno, Kokone Takatsu and her coworkers at the Musashino Trading Company, Ojisan, Sensei, Takahiro, pikachu, and other various familiar iconography and environments from the manga. Notably, it features a two page spread of Alpha trying on different clothing styles, and also contains a two page spread of Alpha and Kokone with their respective firearms.
Reception
Rhapsody in Blue failed to receive much attention outside of Japan until it was scanlated by Roselia Scans and uploaded to MangaDex on March XX, 2023. After this, the English speaking community received the doujinshi warmly. Many viewers were charmed by the well-executed art style and were interested by the concept of Alpha changing up her style. Some users wished that they were Pikachu.
Notes
Despite being a book written in Japanese by a Japanese fan, it was never actually published with it's Japanese name. The title of the book was originally Rhapsody in Blue, and was only translated into Japanese by the scanlation group Roselia Scans.
