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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
cute and sweet! a little directionless, but engaging enough. at first I was like "wow these guys sure talk about their sexual orientation with people they've just met a lot" but then i remembered what freshman year of college was like and yeah checks out. i also liked the part where they discuss how asexuals may hide parts of their identity that they think don't fit with the "ideal" ace to fit into the right box. and how some of the characters grow up a little and realize that the things they said in the past weren't really their beliefs, just spouting what they had heard to fit in. actually you know what this is the most nuanced ace book I've read yet, way to go!
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I love how Uta Isaki has presented asexuality in this work. It shows the euphoria of finding yourself and also the doubt that comes next, especially when one doesn't feel like they fit fully under the standard definition of the label.
The story also explores other themes such as friendship and the definition of romance. I liked how it also mentioned fanfics and the pressure to like the things that one's peers like.
I don't normally read manga or comics, but this made me want to venture out and try more. I just need to remember to read the text bubbles from right to left.
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
informative
reflective
fast-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:
No
Thank you Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for a copy of Is Love the Answer?
"A poignant coming-of-age story about a young woman coming into her own as she discovers her identity as aromantic asexual."
I'm so happy this exists -- and in a manga format!! A great representation for those who are exploring or wanting to learn more about ace. I love how the author included a discussion about fluidity and how people explore and change as we grow and get older.
Great resource for teachers, parents, caregivers, healthcare professionals, etc. out there!
"A poignant coming-of-age story about a young woman coming into her own as she discovers her identity as aromantic asexual."
I'm so happy this exists -- and in a manga format!! A great representation for those who are exploring or wanting to learn more about ace. I love how the author included a discussion about fluidity and how people explore and change as we grow and get older.
Great resource for teachers, parents, caregivers, healthcare professionals, etc. out there!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
4.00 - Very Good
Describes a variety of people who identify as LGBTQA+ in an open-minded and sensitive way. Emphasises the fluidity of sexuality and gender along with what is considered normal. Eloquent and heartwarming art. Creates discussions that reveal new perspectives on life. Complex characters that resemble real people. Enlightening themes that reveal parts of the self. Emotionally engaging that can be relatable for many. Fast-paced plot that has surface-level character interactions. Presents feelings of wonder and bewilderment. Recommended for those looking to learn something about themselves and others.
Describes a variety of people who identify as LGBTQA+ in an open-minded and sensitive way. Emphasises the fluidity of sexuality and gender along with what is considered normal. Eloquent and heartwarming art. Creates discussions that reveal new perspectives on life. Complex characters that resemble real people. Enlightening themes that reveal parts of the self. Emotionally engaging that can be relatable for many. Fast-paced plot that has surface-level character interactions. Presents feelings of wonder and bewilderment. Recommended for those looking to learn something about themselves and others.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Was accepted to read this through Netgalley. What I didn't know was that this book is already published! And I may be adding it to my shelf sometime in the future!
Manga follows our MC who doesn't understand romance. Only that "normal" people feel it. When she arrives to college her world is open to all the possibilities of sexuality. One of them being Asexual.
As someone who, somewhat, recently figured out they were Demiromantic I wish I had this manga when I was in school. Never knew why I didn't have crushes on people. Why I, when I did date someone, break up with them only weeks into dating. Reading about someone else going through something similar was wonderful. I would highly recomend this manga for people to read even if they aren't a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The only 'complaint' is wanting the author to delve deeper into the story. Not just briefly going over what was explained.
Manga follows our MC who doesn't understand romance. Only that "normal" people feel it. When she arrives to college her world is open to all the possibilities of sexuality. One of them being Asexual.
As someone who, somewhat, recently figured out they were Demiromantic I wish I had this manga when I was in school. Never knew why I didn't have crushes on people. Why I, when I did date someone, break up with them only weeks into dating. Reading about someone else going through something similar was wonderful. I would highly recomend this manga for people to read even if they aren't a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
The only 'complaint' is wanting the author to delve deeper into the story. Not just briefly going over what was explained.
medium-paced
This is a coming of age story about Chika. Chika doesn't feel she belongs anywhere. She feels as if she's a alien among "normal" people. Chika tries her best do fit in but isn't true to herself. She decides to study psychology in university. In university Chika gets to know and learn more about her identity and herself.
This manga is very informative because we learn alongside Chika about Ace identity's. I absolutely loved how much I got to learn.
This manga is very informative because we learn alongside Chika about Ace identity's. I absolutely loved how much I got to learn.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Chika considers herself alien because, unlike her friends and other peers, she never felt any romantic or sexual attraction, while her friends assure her by saying, “You just need the right guy.”
Chika is desperate to understand what “normal” means, as everyone around her seems to be talking about it. She has been on a journey of self-discovery regarding her sexuality, which has been enlightening. In college, she made friends with whom she could openly discuss her difficulties with romantic attraction. Her professor and friends supported her in realizing that she identifies as asexual.
The characters were portrayed in a very realistic manner. I like that the author took the time to explain different concepts. We also get different viewpoints on societal normalcy, romantic and sexual attraction, and sexual orientation.
I loved the artwork; it was beautiful. All the characters were enjoyable.
It was an enjoyable and informative read.
informative
Rating: 3.83 leaves out of 5
-Characters: 3/5
-Cover: 3/5
-Story: 3/5
-Writing: 4/5
Genre: Asexual, SOL
-Asexual: 5/5
-SOL: 5/5
Type: Manga
Worth?: I suppose
Hated|Disliked|Meh|It Was Okay|Liked|Really Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
Picked this manga up because I haven't seen too many dealing with the asexual scope. Humans are so complicated and as such they make things so complicated. What I liked about the whole story is the simple fact that people outside of asexuality don't seem to understand that people just aren't into the things labeled as "normal". It was a bit over complicating some things here and there which is why I rated it a bit lower.
-Characters: 3/5
-Cover: 3/5
-Story: 3/5
-Writing: 4/5
Genre: Asexual, SOL
-Asexual: 5/5
-SOL: 5/5
Type: Manga
Worth?: I suppose
Hated|Disliked|Meh|It Was Okay|Liked|Really Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
Picked this manga up because I haven't seen too many dealing with the asexual scope. Humans are so complicated and as such they make things so complicated. What I liked about the whole story is the simple fact that people outside of asexuality don't seem to understand that people just aren't into the things labeled as "normal". It was a bit over complicating some things here and there which is why I rated it a bit lower.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
hopeful
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:
Complicated
A fantastic introduction to the label of asexuality which is often not acknowledged as a part of the queer or LGBTQ+ community. To me the definition of queer is as so: anyone who doesn't fit into the cis-hetero-alloromantic or allosexual norm that society views as "normal". And it's this word "normal" that is challenged in this beautifully drawn manga with delightful pacing. Asexual and aromatic people are part of the queer community 100% and this manga is a wonderful introduction to those who may be unfamiliar with the concept of asexuality because of how sex-focused society is. Personally, I am a part of the aro-ace community because I identify as demiromantic and demisexual, and while my specific label isn't one that is discussed much in this manga, it is mentioned which is delightful in and of itself. I enjoyed the multi-faced approach that Isaki took toward discussing asexuality and how vast and complex an identity it is.
My only criticism is that the characters feel a bit flat outside of their sexual identities, which is not to say sexuality isn't a big part of who we are but more that outside of her asexuality, I don't know anything about Chika or her interests outside of the one anime/manga that is used to comment on the affection asexual people can have toward fictional characters and Chika changing herself to fit into other's perceptions of what is "normal".
But overall, I had a lovely time and learned a lot! I highly recommend this manga to anyone who might be questioning if they are aro or ace, but also to those who aren't aro or ace at all. It's never bad to learn about others who you cannot directly relate to. Reading about the experiences of others is how you build empathy, after all.
My only criticism is that the characters feel a bit flat outside of their sexual identities, which is not to say sexuality isn't a big part of who we are but more that outside of her asexuality, I don't know anything about Chika or her interests outside of the one anime/manga that is used to comment on the affection asexual people can have toward fictional characters and Chika changing herself to fit into other's perceptions of what is "normal".
But overall, I had a lovely time and learned a lot! I highly recommend this manga to anyone who might be questioning if they are aro or ace, but also to those who aren't aro or ace at all. It's never bad to learn about others who you cannot directly relate to. Reading about the experiences of others is how you build empathy, after all.
3/5
Found on Netgalley, it was a good story but the way the manga/comic was, was sometimes hard to follow
Found on Netgalley, it was a good story but the way the manga/comic was, was sometimes hard to follow