Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - Il marito di mio fratello, Volume 2

I read it in one sitting in about an hour and I'd do it again! These books are so heartwarming and wholesome! I loved to see Yaichi's character development, from being awkward and uncertain around Mike to casually going to an onsen together and telling off a homophobic teacher. It's beautiful! I also loved him working through his feelings about Kana's potential sexuality and it's honestly such a timely message of parental acceptance and love with all the transphobic and homophobic laws and moral panics flying around at the moment. Also, what a great depiction of a blended family, the single dad and daughter, ex-wife and brother-in-law all hanging out and having a family trip together! The photos! So cute!

And I loved to see Mike mentoring a local queer kid. With all the current talk of "grooming" and hostility to queer adults interacting with children, it's so sweet and necessary. My Brother's Husband is still sad and really hit me in the feels with Yaichi reflecting on the loss of Ryoji and his part in the break-down of their relationship (the wedding scene made me tear up). But it's sweet and optimistic, showing that people can change and (some) bridges can be repaired. I would LOVE another sequel with Yaichi and Kana maybe visiting Canada, but if that never happens, I guess there's always fanfic! Anyway, 10/10 would recommend, and it's a perfect read for Pride Month. :)

Content Warnings

noellelovesbooks's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings: Homophobia, grief, loss of a loved one, and discrimination.

At the end of volume one, we saw Yaichi wake in fear after dreaming that Kana, who was all grown up in the dream, was gay. At the beginning of volume two, we see Yaichi work through accepting that he loves Kana unconditionally and doesn’t understand how some parents could abandon their children just because they’re not straight.

We also see Yaichi continue to work through his own homophobia and start seeing the homophobia and discrimination people, who know nothing about Mike other than his sexuality, have shown and just how rude and unnecessary it is.

I love that this series is set during the three weeks Mike visits Japan and how much, from that short trip, Yaichi is able to re-evaluate the way his reaction to his brother coming out when they were younger. Ryoji is no longer alive but that doesn’t mean Yaichi shouldn’t try to understand his brother and the life, and person, that made him happy.

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koreanlinda's review against another edition

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hopeful informative 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? Yes

5.0

It is the best quality it can have for a comic book: strong storyline, complex characters, and beautiful graphics. How the narrative grow in terms of his idea of what constitutes as a family was reasonable and exciting to follow. As a person who grew up in South Korea, which is similarly homophobic as Japan, it was nice to see how an individual can change with an opportunity and support. This book will not only help people who are learning about LGBTQ+ community, but it will also help those who have a queer member in their family, especially in homophobic countries.

Review by Linda (she/they) in April 2022
Twitter @KoreanLindaPark
Letter writer at DefinitelyNotOkay.com

Content Warnings

ollie_again's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

As good as the first volume. Emotional & bittersweet.

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flowerparrish's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful 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

The End of this book left me a little sad, which I think is not a flaw of the book so much as a side effect of my expectations. This story is hopeful but realistic, and the ending definitely followed that trend. While part of me hoped for a storybook-style ending full of happily ever afters, the more grounded but positive ending suited these books. Definitely remains a solid 5 star read: this book set out to accomplish a goal and, in my opinion, executed it flawlessly. I love these books and will reread them endlessly.

Content Warnings

lashette's review against another edition

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hopeful reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This takes off literally where the first one ended. So I was a little confused since it's been two weeks since I finished the last one and i forgot how that one ended. With the full story now it's beautiful is all I can say. A relaxing read but with tense moments due to awkward conversations and thoughts. Awkward because we see Taichi working through his homophobia. There's also more moments of other characters doing and dating things that make Taichi or Mike want to confront them. And it's all normal. A lovely story all around if sad. And Kana is written really well as a child.

Content Warnings

tuckysinclaire's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Content Warnings

questingnotcoasting's review against another edition

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emotional 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

4.0

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