For me, them gathering around the rice paddy brings to mind the little pool where Kaga was saving her ‘emergency rations’ fish. Or several of the strips at Fubuki’s farm. Requiescet in pace Megahiyo.
I feel that Megahiyo codified a lot of what we now expect from "little 1st CarDiv with Mama Houshou" work in general. I would not at all be surprised if this work was in part inspired by Megahiyo's, directly or indirectly.
