Reviews

Just So Happens by Fumio Obata

veronicakg's review

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challenging informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

grifmk01's review

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3.0

So this is getting a 3.7/5 for me. I liked the illustrations and the story was deep and personal. I feel however, that the story is slim. I don't want to say they washed over the emotional exploration and resolution, but it just wrapped up quickly. I would have preferred a more drawn out exploration into the main character's grief and acceptance through the Japanese culture she rediscovers while being back in Kyoto. I could have even used some more cultural/identity disconnect in the very beginning of the story in London. I still think this worth the read, and hope to read more from this author.

seriouslybookedup's review

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reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

hiba29's review

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emotional reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A

2.0

The art is really good, but the story is a bit underwhelming. It ends too fast and there's no changes in Yumiko between the start and the end. It feels unfinished. 

foggy_rosamund's review

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2.0

Yumiko is a Japanese woman living and working in London. She loves her new home, but her relationship with London is bittersweet, as she always feels like a foreigner. However, she doesn't feel at home in Japan, either -- something that is driven home to her when her father dies. Her return to Japan brings up many repressed feelings about her relationships. The illustrations in this are beautiful, but it feels incomplete. It's a story about Yumiko's emotional journey, but I'm never sure what she's feeling, and I was frustrated by the lack of believable characterisation.

dajna's review against another edition

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3.0

Yumiko è una expat. Io sono stat una expat. È sempre bello vedere messe su carta le proprie sensazioni.

sizrobe's review

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2.0

I would provide a brief plot summary, but there isn't one to speak of. I guess there is a funeral, but the character who died wasn't developed, so I didn't give a shit about him or his relationship with the protagonist. The art was decent, which saves it from a one star review, but just barely.

andersonh92's review

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3.0

Beautiful artwork!

tsubhdearg's review

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emotional inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kwbat12's review

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4.0

Beautiful art, truly beautiful art, but I thought the theatre/real life theme could have been stronger.