The Love an Abalone Feels For the Sea

In a remote Japanese fishing village, a grief-stricken young boy searches for answers after his sister's mysterious drowning—only to fall in love, years later, with a woman who may hold the secret of her final tragic dive

Haunting and buoyant, The Love an Abalone Feels for the Sea is situated within the world of Japan’s traditional freedivers, or Amas, who support the local economy by hunting abalone and other shellfish—reaching depths of up to 65 feet without any scuba gear—a practice that stretches back over 2,000 years. In this treacherous line of work, breath and timing is everything, and it is crucial to train the lungs from a young age. But a determined young woman named Nagisa joins the ama as a teen, and during one fateful dive, she doesn't return to the surface. Only a mysterious pile of wakame (seaweed) is left behind in her recovered basket.

Ren Ioka, Nagisa's seventeen-year-old brother, finds himself unmoored by grief and uncertainty. After discovering an unsent love letter written by his sister years earlier, Ren becomes convinced that this confession holds the secret behind her inexplicable final dive. While retracing his sister's hidden love, Ren meets Aiko, an inscrutable ama who dove with Nagisa. As Ren gradually uncovers the truth behind his sister's confession, he finds himself falling for Aiko, not realizing that she's harboring a secret herself.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs