The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kaiajimenez's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Death of parent
leonalikesliterature's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
A heart-wrenching and beautiful manga that explores how one’s gender identity intersects with their personhood.Â
I felt conflicted about Yuu’s character. I sort of wish Yuu’s story hadn’t been just based on their r@pe and that their gender confusion wasn’t rooted in multiple layers of trauma, because the story does perpetuate the idea that people are trans or nonbinary because they are traumatized. There are also a lot of questionable scenes or words said between the two leads that I think crossed multiple lines, which is a shame because Taiga and Arima were so cute together when they were sweet.
Overall, this story was tragic, and at times also funny and up-lifting, however, it was definitely imperfect.Â
I felt conflicted about Yuu’s character. I sort of wish Yuu’s story hadn’t been just based on their r@pe and that their gender confusion wasn’t rooted in multiple layers of trauma, because the story does perpetuate the idea that people are trans or nonbinary because they are traumatized. There are also a lot of questionable scenes or words said between the two leads that I think crossed multiple lines, which is a shame because Taiga and Arima were so cute together when they were sweet.
Overall, this story was tragic, and at times also funny and up-lifting, however, it was definitely imperfect.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Homophobia
shinypurplepants's review
challenging
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
A very contained little story about love and gender and growing. Overall fairly wholesome with the following caveat:
MAJOR content warning needed for on page sexual violence committed against a minor. Some homophobia and transphobia as well.
MAJOR content warning needed for on page sexual violence committed against a minor. Some homophobia and transphobia as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Transphobia and Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent
robinks's review
emotional
funny
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
4.0
This story was so much more intense than I thought it’d be. The extra chapter was very sweet and light, which was nice to read after the main story.While I’m sure folks with Maria’s experience exist, I hope readers understand that trans folks exist who haven’t been so brutally traumatized.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
Minor: Infidelity and Death of parent
peyjturner's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Transphobia
pinkyrae's review
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, and Pedophilia
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Death, Homophobia, and Death of parent
avidales's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Reviewer is Trans and Nonbinary
Deeply disappointed and disturbed by this book.Â
I was excited for this book and it's reported Trans/Gender nonconforming representation, however the the GRAPHIC assault of a child and the fact that this story is not about a transgender character made it unreadable to me.
The character Arima/Maria is AMAB (assigned male at birth) and forced to dress and live as a girl by his mother. He clearly from a young age did not want to dress or present as a girl and is obviously distressed by not living as a boy (his assigned gender). This is disturbing child abuse, not a trans or queer story. This "plot device" is utilized in many stories that confuse and misinform the audience about trans/gender nonconforming/nonbinary people, their lives, and why they are who they are.Â
This is famously the same premise as the 1983 slasher horror "Sleep Away Camp" which has a AMAB child forced to live as a girl by his aunt which drives the child "mad" and goes on a killing spree. These type of narratives reinforce the myth that LGBTQ+ people are queer due to child abuse/assault. This is harmful as it implies that LGBTQ+ folks are broken/disturbed and takes away from their actual gender exploration and identity.
Very unfortunate especially because I enjoyed roughly the first 3rd of the book as the characters are likeable and Taiga's (the love interest of Arima) attempts to understand and show affection regardless of Arima's gender sweet despite his fumbling and naivete.Â
Deeply disappointed and disturbed by this book.Â
I was excited for this book and it's reported Trans/Gender nonconforming representation, however the the GRAPHIC assault of a child and the fact that this story is not about a transgender character made it unreadable to me.
The character Arima/Maria is AMAB (assigned male at birth) and forced to dress and live as a girl by his mother. He clearly from a young age did not want to dress or present as a girl and is obviously distressed by not living as a boy (his assigned gender). This is disturbing child abuse, not a trans or queer story. This "plot device" is utilized in many stories that confuse and misinform the audience about trans/gender nonconforming/nonbinary people, their lives, and why they are who they are.Â
This is famously the same premise as the 1983 slasher horror "Sleep Away Camp" which has a AMAB child forced to live as a girl by his aunt which drives the child "mad" and goes on a killing spree. These type of narratives reinforce the myth that LGBTQ+ people are queer due to child abuse/assault. This is harmful as it implies that LGBTQ+ folks are broken/disturbed and takes away from their actual gender exploration and identity.
Very unfortunate especially because I enjoyed roughly the first 3rd of the book as the characters are likeable and Taiga's (the love interest of Arima) attempts to understand and show affection regardless of Arima's gender sweet despite his fumbling and naivete.Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Transphobia, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Deadnaming, Death of parent, Homophobia, Domestic abuse, and Terminal illness
*Graphic* depiction of an elementary school child being sexually assaulted by their adult teacher. The teacher also brandishes a knife and threatens to mutilate the child's genitals. This story is not about a transgender character, the character Maria/Arima is AMAB (assigned male at birth) and forced to dress and live as a girl by his mother. He clearly from a young age did not want to dress or present as a girl and is obviously distressed by not living as a boy (his assigned gender).elliott_roi's review
3.5
I had mixed feelings about Boy Meets Maria by PEYO. I thought the themes were very strong as the book explores sexuality, gender, expression, and performance. But overall I felt the focus was too much on trauma, and the message coming across was that Arima struggles with his gender because of his trauma (being forced by his mother to dress as a girl and a later sexual assault by a teacher).
However, I did enjoy how Taiga accepts and loves Arima regardless of gender. And by the end of the story, we see Arima processing his trauma and learning to explore his gender and expression in more healthy ways.
Overall, there were some very sweet moments in this manga and I loved the art style. But I'm not sure if I would recommend it or not (and definitely check the trigger warnings if you do read it). I appreciate these types of stories can be important (and perhaps in the context of Japanese culture, it may be even more so), but I personally worry that such stories can reinforce false narratives about trans people just being confused or traumatized.
However, I did enjoy how Taiga accepts and loves Arima regardless of gender. And by the end of the story, we see Arima processing his trauma and learning to explore his gender and expression in more healthy ways.
Overall, there were some very sweet moments in this manga and I loved the art style. But I'm not sure if I would recommend it or not (and definitely check the trigger warnings if you do read it). I appreciate these types of stories can be important (and perhaps in the context of Japanese culture, it may be even more so), but I personally worry that such stories can reinforce false narratives about trans people just being confused or traumatized.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Transphobia, Death of parent, Sexual violence, and Homophobia
orion_moonz's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
TW for S/A !!!! BIG ONE!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent and Bullying
Minor: Domestic abuse
aliciaram's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual violence, Rape, and Sexual assault