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

by Marie Kondo, Yuko Uramoto (Illustrator)

Overview

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author and star of Netflix’s Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, this graphic novelization brings Kondo's life-changing tidying method to life with the fun, quirky story of a woman who transforms her home, work, and love life using Kondo's advice and inspiration.

Marie Kondo presents the fictional story of Chiaki, a young woman in Tokyo who struggles with a cluttered apartment, messy love life, and lack of direction. After receiving a complaint from her attractive next-door neighbor about the sad state of her balcony, Chiaki gets Kondo to take her on as a client. Through a series of entertaining and insightful lessons, Kondo helps Chiaki get her home—and life—in order. This insightful, illustrated case study is perfect for people looking for a fun introduction to the KonMari Method of tidying up, as well as tried-and-true fans of Marie Kondo eager for a new way to think about what sparks joy. Featuring illustrations by award-winning manga artist Yuko Uramoto, this book also makes a great read for manga and graphic novel lovers of all ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780399580536
Publisher:	Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed
Publication date:	06/27/2017
Series:	The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	239,445
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.20(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Marie Kondo is a tidying expert, star of the Netflix series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, #1 New York Times bestselling author, and founder of KonMari Media, Inc.
 
Enchanted with organizing since her childhood, Marie began her tidying consultant business as a 19-year-old university student in Tokyo. Today, Marie is a renowned tidying expert helping people around the world to transform their cluttered homes into spaces of serenity and inspiration.
 
Marie has been featured on more than fifty major Japanese television and radio programs as well as in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Times of London, Vogue, Ellen, the Rachael Ray show, and many more. She has also been listed as one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people.

Editorial Reviews

08/21/2017
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)

Publishers Weekly

". . . like a cartoon character come to life to bless you with tidiness."
— The Washington Post

"Sparks of joy are guaranteed. . ."
— Library Journal (Genre Spotlight: Graphic Novels)

". . . charming and whimsical . . . If organizational mandates are medicine, this book is like a spoonful of sugar."
— Los Angeles Times

"Whether you're a dedicated Kondo follower, or a KonMari Method newbie looking for some organizational tips, this cute animated book is sure to inspire your inner neat-freak."
— InStyle.com

"Fans of Kondo’s runaway hit, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, will recognize tenets of her cleaning philosophy, woven through a classic manga-style read. Decluttering tips paired with a potential love story? I gobbled this up in a day."
— Food52.com

"There aren’t many comics that teach actual practical lessons, which is what makes this one so surprising. This could be one of those rare examples of a comic with real universal appeal."
— BleedingCool.com

"Readers reluctant to submit to word-heavy lectures may be beguiled—and even con- verted—by witnessing Chiaki’s success as played out in an enjoyable story that paints Kondo as more inspiring than inquisitorial."
— Library Journal (Review)

Previous praise for Marie Kondo:

". . . the organization expert who dazzled the world. . ." 
— People

"Just in time to make good on your New Year’s vow to get organized." 
— The Washington Post

". . .perhaps the world’s only decluttering celebrity."
— The New York Times

". . .Marie Kondo is helping the world to properly (and lovingly) store their most beloved possessions, one fold at a time."
— Bustle

"To show you how serious my respect for Ms. Kondo is: if I ever get a tattoo, it will say, Spark Joy!" 
— Jamie Lee Curtis, TIME 

"The most organized woman in the world." 
— PureWow

". . . her voice . . . is by turns stern and enchanted, like a fairy godmother for socks." 
— The Wall Street Journal

"Kondo's method really can change your life — if you let it." 
— TODAY.com 

"Kondo challenges you to ask yourself whether each object you have is achieving a purpose. Is it propelling you forward or holding you in the past?" 
— USA Today

"Its strength is its simplicity." 
— The London Times

From the Publisher

09/01/2017
In this fictional case study incorporating the philosophy of Kondo's best-selling self-help book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up and the practical techniques of its follow-up, Spark Joy, Chiaki is a messy, workaholic driven to hire Kondo when an encounter with the guy next door convinces her that her rats-nest apartment is sabotaging her entire life. Kondo first asks Chiaki to visualize her ideal future: How would she actually like to live? This simple challenge motivates Chiaki and hints at Kondo's appeal: people refusing to tidy under a parent's thumb are now tidying for themselves. Uramoto's (Less Than Married) charming art makes Kondo into a winsome shojo character and assimilates Chiaki into the tradition of a young manga heroine finding happiness. VERDICT Readers reluctant to submit to word-heavy lectures may be beguiled—and even converted—by witnessing Chiaki's success as played out in an enjoyable story that paints Kondo as more inspiring than inquisitorial. Both of the original nonfiction books were LJ "Most Borrowed," so expect demand. [Previewed in Douglas Rednour's "Comics Cross Over," LJ 6/15/17, p. 40–46.—Ed.]—MC

Library Journal