Reviews

I Want to be a Wall, Vol. 1 by Honami Shirono

readingtheskyline's review

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing slow-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

5.0

What a lovely book! I found it very relaxing to read. They mention in the book frequently about wanting/having safe places, this book felt like that for me. I loved how the characters interact with each other. I love how compassionate they are with each other, and how supportive they are to each other. It's so nice to see an arranged marriage be shown in such a nice light. And how marriage can be a supportive relationship, even if they will never love each other romantically. I love how real the story feels as well. It's really nice, like a fuzzy blanket on a cold day. 

rereader33's review

4.0

2022 LGBTQA+ Pride Reading Challenge
Prompt: read a LGBTQA+ manga

This was a great start for the series! Yuriko and Gaku are such a sweet couple and even though they don't love each other I'm still rooting for their happiness. The discussions of marriage, sex, sexuality, and love were handled well and treated properly. My only real complaint is that, like a LOT of media discussing asexuality, the story states that asexuality is a lack of sexual and/or romantic attraction, which isn't true. Asexuality is a lack of sexual attraction while aromantic is a lack of romantic attraction. Granted, it is absolutely possible for someone to be aromantic AND asexual (and it sounds like that's how Yuriko identifies), but the story treats asexuality as both and it isn't. I understand this is an unfortunately common thing to happen, but it kind of bothers me that in a series meant to discuss sexuality and romantic attraction it doesn't try to differentiate between asexuality and aromance. Maybe it'll come up later, I don't know, but it still bothered me.

That being said, this was a lot of fun to read and has a lot of potential to be one of the best LGBTQA+ manga to date. Here's hoping it'll keep getting better, I'm ready for more!

sofiafi's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.25

bittersweet i think is the word

frigus's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? N/A

3.75

e_len's review

emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

A cute depiction of a lavender marriage with lovely characters.
As an AroAce, I could relate to Yuriko quite a lot, even the little things, like the reason for liking BL. To me, the Japanese view on asexuality, which conflates it with aromanticism, didn't matter that much. I'll take this representation, which tried its best, over no representation.
The reason it's not 5 stars because it stays light-hearted and does not go into depth too much, which is not my preference.

timefliesaway's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.25

Really cute!

I thought it’d be more awkward between them, but they’re actually managing pretty well.
Love their healthy communication and that they respect each other’s boundaries. (Particularly Gakurouta respecting Yuriko’s aromantic-asexuality.)

I’m just confused as to why Yuriko doesn’t want Gakurouta to read BL Mangas/novels? Especially since he’s gay anyways. 🤨

-09.04.24

thereadingwren's review

lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-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

2.5

emeryyy's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

based on the first few pages, i thought this manga was going to be a fairly lighthearted and comical story. it definitely has those moments, but i did NOT expect the amount of emotions this manga contains. it was interesting to see Yuriko (aroace) and Gakurouta (gay) navigate life as newlyweds (including cooking haha). i loved how the two supported and genuinely cared about each other, as well as how Gakurouta tried to understand Yuriko and not do anything that made her uncomfortable

the third volume releases later this year, and i can’t wait to continue the story!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia

Moderate: Grief

Minor: Death of parent

punt11's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.25

linluvsbooks's review

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5