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4.55 AVERAGE
4.55 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Murder
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
Thank you to NetGalley and Yen Press for the ARC of Stardust Family by Aki Horoyama.
In a society where the right to parenthood is determined by child inspectors, Stardust Family presents a chilling yet thought-provoking narrative. Set in a future Japan, couples must pass stringent evaluations conducted by children like Hikari, who assess their suitability to raise offspring. This system, designed to prevent child abuse, raises unsettling questions about autonomy, societal control, and the true essence of family.
Hikari, one such inspector, encounters Daiki and Chisa Hirokawa, a couple living in a secluded shrine. Their request to fail the parenting test challenges Hikari's understanding of the system he's part of. As the story unfolds, layers of personal trauma, societal prejudice, and the longing for genuine connection are meticulously explored.
his manga resonated deeply with me, intertwining science fiction with a profound social commentary on parenting and the responsibilities it entails. It challenges the notion of whether all individuals are inherently fit to raise children, a question I've grappled with personally. The narrative presents a society where prospective parents must undergo assessments to determine their suitability, echoing my own contemplations about the need for evaluations or training before one embarks on parenthood or marriage.
The story delves into the complexities of societal expectations, highlighting how individuals, regardless of their personal readiness or character, often conform to norms like marriage and childbearing. It portrays a dystopian world where such assessments have become extreme, yet it offers a clever critique of these societal constructs.
Stardust Family doesn't provide easy answers but instead invites readers to reflect on the moral and ethical dimensions of parenting and societal norms. It's a compelling read that left a lasting impression on me.
In a society where the right to parenthood is determined by child inspectors, Stardust Family presents a chilling yet thought-provoking narrative. Set in a future Japan, couples must pass stringent evaluations conducted by children like Hikari, who assess their suitability to raise offspring. This system, designed to prevent child abuse, raises unsettling questions about autonomy, societal control, and the true essence of family.
Hikari, one such inspector, encounters Daiki and Chisa Hirokawa, a couple living in a secluded shrine. Their request to fail the parenting test challenges Hikari's understanding of the system he's part of. As the story unfolds, layers of personal trauma, societal prejudice, and the longing for genuine connection are meticulously explored.
his manga resonated deeply with me, intertwining science fiction with a profound social commentary on parenting and the responsibilities it entails. It challenges the notion of whether all individuals are inherently fit to raise children, a question I've grappled with personally. The narrative presents a society where prospective parents must undergo assessments to determine their suitability, echoing my own contemplations about the need for evaluations or training before one embarks on parenthood or marriage.
The story delves into the complexities of societal expectations, highlighting how individuals, regardless of their personal readiness or character, often conform to norms like marriage and childbearing. It portrays a dystopian world where such assessments have become extreme, yet it offers a clever critique of these societal constructs.
Stardust Family doesn't provide easy answers but instead invites readers to reflect on the moral and ethical dimensions of parenting and societal norms. It's a compelling read that left a lasting impression on me.
I was not expecting to be absolutely WRECKED. With the first half I thought it was just about Chika and how unfair the system is to parents but it got so much deeper than that. The fact that they never stopped fighting for him AND they managed to make the world a better place so that the rest of the inspectors don't get treated so horribly either. It's so heartbreaking too because this is the reality of many foster children now. Get close only to be thrown away and forgotten or abused and hurt. Wow this story, even though it was short, fully broke me.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Thank you Yen Press for a copy of Stardust Family!
"In a world set in the future, children hold the authority to determine who may become parents. Having children is illegal—unless a couple first passes a strict examination, conducted by a child, that certifies them as capable providers. It is a veritable utopia with no child abuse…or at least, so it may seem. Hikari is one such examiner in this system, spending his days evaluating prospective parents. But one day, he comes across a couple that isn’t quite like the others… "
Wow this was such a nice surprise! The premise and execution were extremely well done, and the art/emotions were just the cherry on top. I love it, and the story really hit me -- my mouth was open and I was flipping the pages as fast as I can towards the end! Can't wait to read more stories from this manga artist :)
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
this was my little mushroom
Loved this. Very different than what I was expecting. Lots of good themes to chew on.
