【Gemstones × Educational Manga】Not just gemstones, but an easy-to-understand explanation of minerals too! Can the future of Earth be read from its stones!? The educational summer anime Ruri no Houseki is now being published!

“Ruri no Houseki” is a fresh adventure series that combines *youth × science*, depicting an ordinary gemstone-loving high school girl diving headfirst into the unknown world of natural science.

The protagonist, Tanigawa Ruri, is a high school girl who loves all things that sparkle. One day, she is drawn to a crystal she sees in a shop and recalls a mountain her grandfather once visited. Guided by this memory, she ventures into the mountains, where she meets Arato Nagi, a graduate student in mineralogy. This encounter leads Ruri into the profound world of *mineral collecting*.

As she hikes through mountains, crosses rivers, and explores caves, Ruri encounters quartz, garnet, pyrite, and even gold dust and fluorite—beautiful and diverse minerals. Each discovery seems to speak to her, capturing her heart and fueling her curiosity.

One of the charms of this work lies in the *realism* of its mineral collecting. It’s not just about gemstones. Scenes show gold panning with a dish, striking rocks with a hammer, and choosing routes with a topographical map—details infused with the author’s deep knowledge of mineralogy.

While specialized, the composition never leaves the reader behind. Instead, it allows one to feel as if walking through the mountains alongside Ruri. Her emotions and expressions of wonder are drawn with care, naturally drawing the reader’s own curiosity into the story.

The success of this work lies, above all, in the character of its protagonist, Tanigawa Ruri.

She is not just a “gemstone-loving schoolgirl” but someone with strong curiosity, initiative, and the ability to draw others in. The reason readers find mineral collecting—seemingly a niche theme—so appealing is thanks to the charm of Ruri herself.

Every time she ventures off the beaten path, discovers a new mineral, and is moved by it, the reader shares in her journey and emotions.

Her insatiable curiosity embodies the “proactive heroine” we need today. She teaches us that when someone takes action, the world itself expands.

While the anime brings the story to life with flair, there are charms that can only be experienced through the original manga.

The minerals depicted by author Shibuya are not just objects, but “poems” nurtured by nature over tens of thousands, even millions of years. The backgrounds of mountains, rivers, and landscapes likewise convey a deep reverence for the natural world.

The art may appear simple at first glance, but the bold paneling and dialogue rhythm, aligned with the story’s flow, are masterful. It never forces knowledge on the reader, but instead allows the story to progress at the reader’s own pace—making it comfortable and engaging.

Like minerals quietly whispering, this book gently resonates with each reader’s individual sensibilities.

“Ruri no Houseki” is not just a mineral introduction manga.

By pursuing what one loves wholeheartedly and earnestly, it gently inspires readers with the thought, “Maybe I can do something too.”

The eternal passage of time resting within stones—their grandeur and beauty remind us how valuable each small step in our daily lives can be.

Like Ruri, it makes you want to step into an unseen world, guided by what you love—an irreplaceable story that inspires such a feeling.