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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
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
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, Outing
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Another emotional book by Gengoroh Tagame. The focus is on dealing with hiding this huge part of oneself because of fear of rejection and alienation, coming out, and finding hope in kinship who dealt with the same things. There is not really a satisfying conclusion to the story, it is more of a slice-of-life, one summer of one teenage gay guy. It's a bit bittersweet with very real issues discussed but it still upkeeps a hopeful note throughout. Overall I really enjoyed reading this manga, after reading My Brother's Husband and this book underlines my appreciation for this author. The one scene towards the end of the manga was not particularly comfortable to read but given the context (and that the author wrote this story as if for his 16yo self aka inserting himself in the MC) I can look past it though I can understand that most people won't like it. (if someone wants to know exactly what I'm talking about spoilers here are your friend)
Thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Knopf Doubleday Publishing and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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
emotional
fast-paced
I was really looking forward to this since I enjoyed his My Brother's Husband a few years ago. This was an equally intriguing coming of age story of a teenage boy coming to terms with his sexuality. He meets a cafe owner who becomes his sort of mentor as he tries to figure out unfamiliar situations.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced