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togidemi's review
4.0
Jarringly and embarrassingly honest, reading Nagata Kabi's work for me was half being incredibly annoyed by her and half realizing it's because this motherfucker reminds me so much of myself. She contradicts herself constantly, she self-sabotages, she's lost on how to solve her issues (and so am I, the reader, tbqh), she introspects and acts and fails and is sad about it and draws it out. It's... one of the most frank portraits of a depressed person I've seen in media, where the narrative of their life is messy as hell instead of having neat arcs and lessons that the character truly holds to their heart.
akookieforyou's review
2.0
Bratz Readathon 2020
I really, really enjoyed My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness, so naturally I was excited to read this, and I had high expectations, but it just didn't click with me the same way. It felt like most of the chapters were just little random anecdotes from her life after writing her manga, but didn't explore her depression, loneliness, her feelings of failure, and of being unloved in the same way they did in her previous work. The best chapters were the ones where she was scared to show her parents her work, for she felt that they would be embarrassed of her and wouldn't accept her. Things like that, even if I can't fully relate in the same way as some of the other problems she deals with (depression, lack of ambition, inadequacy etc.), still hit me hard, and make me just want to cry. But chapters like that were a bit scarce, sadly. Maybe the next volume will be better, but I'm undecided on whether or not I'll give it a read.
I really, really enjoyed My Lesbian Experience With Loneliness, so naturally I was excited to read this, and I had high expectations, but it just didn't click with me the same way. It felt like most of the chapters were just little random anecdotes from her life after writing her manga, but didn't explore her depression, loneliness, her feelings of failure, and of being unloved in the same way they did in her previous work. The best chapters were the ones where she was scared to show her parents her work, for she felt that they would be embarrassed of her and wouldn't accept her. Things like that, even if I can't fully relate in the same way as some of the other problems she deals with (depression, lack of ambition, inadequacy etc.), still hit me hard, and make me just want to cry. But chapters like that were a bit scarce, sadly. Maybe the next volume will be better, but I'm undecided on whether or not I'll give it a read.
rereader33's review
5.0
Everyone should give this manga (and it's prequel) a read for its accurate depictions of depression, the stress of moving out on one's own, dealing with a stressful home life, loneliness, the list goes on. This is easily one of the most relatable memoirs I have ever read and while the art style is not what one would consider "polished" it effectively gets Kabi's messages across and even enhances certain panels. I loved this sequel and cannot wait for volume 2 to come out later this year. This woman's story needs to be told because I feel that her struggles speak to so many people (including myself) and her story can help others struggling the way she is. Loved, loved, loved this volume and so stoked for the next one!
kikix2's review
4.0
You did it again Nagata ... Oh boy, here we go!
Again if you're looking for some yuri action this is not the manga for you, so get out of here!
I feel like << My Solo Exchange Diary >> fulfilled my expectations just fine. It was as devastating as << My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness >> and I cannot wait for Volume 2 to arrive. All those feelings: the constant fear, insecurity, guilt, and self shaming that the author had to endure was insane. With every entry, I could not stop thinking: "OMG! She deserve so much more", but it's not that easy to change the way you see yourself and become a completely independent person in one night.
I do feel that this installment was even more personal than the first one. We got to know how things were going on as Nagata published her book and how she took a step forward in her journey to become an independent grown woman. However, it was too hard to read how her relationship with her family was getting only worst and how she sometimes took some steps back in her progress and was even harder to read how she was so conscious about what she was doing wrong but did not have enough self-control to stop, and that's what makes it more real.
Nagata's story is a constant shout for help and a lesson for everybody that your life is yours to rule and that you can only please your family and friends that much. And that's why these two installments have won a special place in my heart.
As always I think that Nagata's gonna get her happy ending or at least I hope so.
Again if you're looking for some yuri action this is not the manga for you, so get out of here!
I feel like << My Solo Exchange Diary >> fulfilled my expectations just fine. It was as devastating as << My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness >> and I cannot wait for Volume 2 to arrive. All those feelings: the constant fear, insecurity, guilt, and self shaming that the author had to endure was insane. With every entry, I could not stop thinking: "OMG! She deserve so much more", but it's not that easy to change the way you see yourself and become a completely independent person in one night.
I do feel that this installment was even more personal than the first one. We got to know how things were going on as Nagata published her book and how she took a step forward in her journey to become an independent grown woman. However, it was too hard to read how her relationship with her family was getting only worst and how she sometimes took some steps back in her progress and was even harder to read how she was so conscious about what she was doing wrong but did not have enough self-control to stop, and that's what makes it more real.
Nagata's story is a constant shout for help and a lesson for everybody that your life is yours to rule and that you can only please your family and friends that much. And that's why these two installments have won a special place in my heart.
As always I think that Nagata's gonna get her happy ending or at least I hope so.