ryankey721's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jaw417's review against another edition
4.0
(Copied from my review for volume 1.)
Yaichi is a work-from-home, more or less single father in Japan, and he doesn't quite know what to do when Mike shows up on his doorstep. Mike was married to Yaichi's twin brother, whom Yaichi had been estranged from and had built a life with Mike in Canada. Sadly, Yaichi's brother recently passed away, and now Mike is here to see the home his husband always wanted to show him.
This managa (and its predecessor) look at the cultural treatment of homosexuality in Japan, and the ways in which families can internalize its biases. In watching his young daughter fall head over heals with Mike (her Canadian uncle!!), Yaichi is forced to confront his own prejudices and the ways in which they created distance between himself and his brother. The story touches on grief in a couple different circumstances, and the quiet process of owning, confronting, and trying to reprogram our beliefs about other people. And of course, it also looks at family and how they don't always look the way we expect them too.
Yaichi is a work-from-home, more or less single father in Japan, and he doesn't quite know what to do when Mike shows up on his doorstep. Mike was married to Yaichi's twin brother, whom Yaichi had been estranged from and had built a life with Mike in Canada. Sadly, Yaichi's brother recently passed away, and now Mike is here to see the home his husband always wanted to show him.
This managa (and its predecessor) look at the cultural treatment of homosexuality in Japan, and the ways in which families can internalize its biases. In watching his young daughter fall head over heals with Mike (her Canadian uncle!!), Yaichi is forced to confront his own prejudices and the ways in which they created distance between himself and his brother. The story touches on grief in a couple different circumstances, and the quiet process of owning, confronting, and trying to reprogram our beliefs about other people. And of course, it also looks at family and how they don't always look the way we expect them too.
coupes's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mymessytbr's review against another edition
5.0
A bittersweet ending to a very compelling story about acceptance and loving someone for who they are.
sparrow_ink's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zaisgraph's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This needs to be read by everybody
wchereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
5.0
don't talk to me I'm busy crying
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful slice of life story. I loved learning about Japan by just watching this family. And the food!
One of my favorite reads this year.
One of my favorite reads this year.
travelsinfiction's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
3.0
Quiet, thoughtful, and beautifully illustrated. Not much happens in the way of plot in this second part of the story, but Yaichi's genuine character arc is wonderful and purposeful enough to carry the reader through.