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erintempleton's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
petepilgrim's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.25
Largely a very sweet queer coming of age, slice of life.
Normally coming of age stories are off-putting to me now. As a man in my thirties, it's harder to relate to them now. I appreciate their place, but unless they're stories I enjoyed at the time it was relevant, I mostly try to avoid them. I picked up this because I really enjoyed My Brother's Husband, and there's not a lot of Gengoroh Tagame's work that isn't erotica.
I think the afterwards contextualized a lot of what I liked about the book. This was an older gay man reflecting on the story he would tell his younger self. I think that's why I found a lot of Sora's story quite nostalgic in a weird way. It reminded me of what it was like to be that teenager, and to feel those emotions.
Now, the very end leaves me very conflicted, as a lot of reviews seem to be.
Sora asking for a kiss from Mr Amamiya. I can understand Sora, he's young, he's gone through a roller coaster of emotions. But Mr Amamiya agreeing and kissing him. OH BOY. I mean, the book has raised it from multiple characters the inter-generational friendship between an older man, and two high school students is weird. Throughout the story we see it from the view of Sora and Nao: He's a supportive older guardian figure to them both. The kiss left a bad taste that ended a sweet story ona sour note.
From the author's afterword, I think I understand what this was supposed to be about. Some connection between his own older perspective as author, and the person he was growing up. BUT, it's still a very yikes presentation.
Normally coming of age stories are off-putting to me now. As a man in my thirties, it's harder to relate to them now. I appreciate their place, but unless they're stories I enjoyed at the time it was relevant, I mostly try to avoid them. I picked up this because I really enjoyed My Brother's Husband, and there's not a lot of Gengoroh Tagame's work that isn't erotica.
I think the afterwards contextualized a lot of what I liked about the book. This was an older gay man reflecting on the story he would tell his younger self. I think that's why I found a lot of Sora's story quite nostalgic in a weird way. It reminded me of what it was like to be that teenager, and to feel those emotions.
Now, the very end leaves me very conflicted, as a lot of reviews seem to be.
From the author's afterword, I think I understand what this was supposed to be about. Some connection between his own older perspective as author, and the person he was growing up. BUT, it's still a very yikes presentation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Homophobia
robinks's review
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was excited about the concept of a queer story that also involved synesthesia, and I wanted more color in the images to reflect that. Also, I’m not the biggest fan of Tagame’s art, and parts of the translation felt a bit outdated. The kiss between Sora and Mr. Amamiya seemed unnecessary and bothered me a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Homophobia
Minor: Bullying and Sexual content
savvyrosereads's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Out now! [Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!]
Rating: 4/5 stars
High school student Sora Itoda is a young artist yearning to live openly as a gay man. Our Colors tells the story of Sora’s journey towards self-acceptance through his relationship with childhood best friend Nao and local cafe owner Mr. Amamiya, who becomes Sora’s friend and confidante.
This was the first true manga I’ve read and the first graphic novel I’ve read in a while, so I was particularly excited to dive in. I really enjoyed the story, which was heartwarming and uplifting, and the characters were very well-developed and interesting to read. The artwork was also beautiful and, while I don’t have a great frame of reference within the genre, I loved how the art added to and enhanced the story.
I didn’t love the ending, which felt a bit abrupt, but overall I was captivated by this story and read it very quickly. If you enjoy manga/graphic novels and want a fast-paced and sweet LGBTQ read, I definitely recommend picking this one up!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: LGBTQ coming-of-age stories; manga; fast reads.
CW: Bullying; homophobia; outing.
Rating: 4/5 stars
High school student Sora Itoda is a young artist yearning to live openly as a gay man. Our Colors tells the story of Sora’s journey towards self-acceptance through his relationship with childhood best friend Nao and local cafe owner Mr. Amamiya, who becomes Sora’s friend and confidante.
This was the first true manga I’ve read and the first graphic novel I’ve read in a while, so I was particularly excited to dive in. I really enjoyed the story, which was heartwarming and uplifting, and the characters were very well-developed and interesting to read. The artwork was also beautiful and, while I don’t have a great frame of reference within the genre, I loved how the art added to and enhanced the story.
I didn’t love the ending, which felt a bit abrupt, but overall I was captivated by this story and read it very quickly. If you enjoy manga/graphic novels and want a fast-paced and sweet LGBTQ read, I definitely recommend picking this one up!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: LGBTQ coming-of-age stories; manga; fast reads.
CW: Bullying; homophobia; outing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Outing
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
curiousmadra's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
HOORAY I’m so happy and delighted that the publisher was able to grant my wish through Netgalley!!!!!!!!!!!!
I really enjoyed author-sans other work “My Brothers Husband” so I know well that I was going to enjoy his LGBTQ+ slice-of-life style of writing in this manga also! I really liked the fact how it touches on figuring out yourself as a teenager, especially dealing the pressures of the traditional sense of “boy must be matched with girl normally”. In reality, we all have our own preferences when it comes to relationships in general. Author san was able to do this well by involving a young lad who understandly is catastrophes the “what ifs” when he does admit that he is gay to family and his friend Nao. This would really relate to people out there who are going through the same thing as Sora like I really would encourage everyone to read this manga whenever they can. The drawings at the start of each chapter were really cute and put a smile to my face!
Yeah guys, take a read with this manga, it’s so well done!
I really enjoyed author-sans other work “My Brothers Husband” so I know well that I was going to enjoy his LGBTQ+ slice-of-life style of writing in this manga also! I really liked the fact how it touches on figuring out yourself as a teenager, especially dealing the pressures of the traditional sense of “boy must be matched with girl normally”. In reality, we all have our own preferences when it comes to relationships in general. Author san was able to do this well by involving a young lad who understandly is catastrophes the “what ifs” when he does admit that he is gay to family and his friend Nao. This would really relate to people out there who are going through the same thing as Sora like I really would encourage everyone to read this manga whenever they can. The drawings at the start of each chapter were really cute and put a smile to my face!
Yeah guys, take a read with this manga, it’s so well done!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
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