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4.43 AVERAGE
4.43 AVERAGE
multicultural, and engaging, ive never had so much fun with reading and understanding another book containing 3 languages
A funny and touching story of coming of age and coming to terms with one's dual identity. Having moved from Japan to the Midwest USA as a small child, Nao decides to spend a year studying in Japan to get back in touch with her roots and her mother language. There she will make fast friends with her housemates (Japanese, Korean, and Singaporean)--and we will learn about their different reasons for being there, too--while she struggles to reconcile faded memories and unexpectedly feeling like an outsider in Japan, where she looks like everyone but isn't quite fluent enough not to be a foreigner, just as she felt in the States, where she looked different and got picked on or exoticized for her Japanese-ness. How would life--how would SHE--have been different if she had never left Japan? Is there anywhere she will NOT feel foreign?
As for her housemates from other Asian countries, what brought them here, and how will they find their place in the world?
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy stories of personal development, family dynamics, warm friend-groups, or found family.
As for her housemates from other Asian countries, what brought them here, and how will they find their place in the world?
Highly recommended for readers who enjoy stories of personal development, family dynamics, warm friend-groups, or found family.
A relatable novel for anyone that has been an expat in Japan, questioned their cultural identity, or felt unfulfilled in their current life position. This novel was also an exploration of Japanese-American and Asian identities, and posed thoughtful questions about what is home-as well as funny and sweet moments involving K-Dramas, food, shyness, and new love. This book is especially appealing to lovers of language as many accents are showcased in the book (read the author's note at the end), and Japanese and Korean translations conversations are accompanied by corresponding English (as the main characters are all studying Japanese and/or English-new language learner errors are appropriately placed).
The art is compelling, with more serious moments shown in great detail, and relaxed/silly moments shown using chibis. I look forward to reading more from Becker.
The art is compelling, with more serious moments shown in great detail, and relaxed/silly moments shown using chibis. I look forward to reading more from Becker.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
informative
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
Fantastic! Amazing! It made me laugh and almost cry. I loved it! And it was a fantastic way to practice reading in Japanese, so I got some basic kanji practice in. And, AND! The creator is from Cincinnati! So, greetings from the mid-west and a great big thank you for making this comic!
It was good to read a comic about trying to live in Japan. I do not come from an Asian family, so I'm sure this comic hits harder for those who understand the kinds of households Nao, Hyejung, or Tina come from. To run away to Japan to try and find yourself without the pressures of your parents. I love to visit Japan as a vacationer (ok, fine, a tourist. Oh jeez, I hope I'm not a total cringy weeb like the ones Nao comments about in Harajuku, but I know I am), but I have heard so many stories about how hard it is to live there as a gaijin and to be accepted (if you are ever fully accepted) into Japanese society.
Despite my heavy summary there, I assure you that I really loved this comic and it made me laugh out loud many times. It was very (get ready for the word I seem to be using in all my reviews) HEARTWARMING. :)
It was good to read a comic about trying to live in Japan. I do not come from an Asian family, so I'm sure this comic hits harder for those who understand the kinds of households Nao, Hyejung, or Tina come from. To run away to Japan to try and find yourself without the pressures of your parents. I love to visit Japan as a vacationer (ok, fine, a tourist. Oh jeez, I hope I'm not a total cringy weeb like the ones Nao comments about in Harajuku, but I know I am), but I have heard so many stories about how hard it is to live there as a gaijin and to be accepted (if you are ever fully accepted) into Japanese society.
Despite my heavy summary there, I assure you that I really loved this comic and it made me laugh out loud many times. It was very (get ready for the word I seem to be using in all my reviews) HEARTWARMING. :)
"I feel like I'm mourning a twin I lost in childhood"
Really cute graphic novel. Very well illustrated. Also one of the few graphic novels that I have read recently that didn't feel like a not fully fleshed out story due to the medium. Everything fit together really well. The messages and themes - of language, of heritage, of finding freedom and where you belong - are clear and strong and nuanced in their presentation. Al in all excellent book.