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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Wow this is actually one of the best pieces of aspec media I’ve ever read. Based on the title alone, I was not expecting there to be a focus on the nuance and differences between the sexuality spectrum, the romantic spectrum, and the gender spectrum. But all were touched on and approached I think with a good acknowledgement of all the spectrums approached. Not only that, but even heterosexual expectations were challenged and Chika even helps a couple realize that they both have very different expectations when it comes to romance. Everything previously is assumed between the two, but only when Chika facilitates a conversation with them do they finally talk through and realize that while they might be romantically and sexually attracted to each other - their personal definitions and expectations don’t match and it would not work between them. I love to see heterosexual people reflect on the expectations set for them, even if Queer folks end up doing the brunt of the labour for them. It’s still so good to see and read.
This story also showed a variety of different partnerships and even friendships, and discusses that what we benefit from different bonds can be just as important. I especially loved Chika’s complex but ultimately close relationship with Umezaki.
I think it was a marketing issue, but I think this book focused much more on asexuality than it did aromanticism (which as an aromantic, I would have liked to see), and even less on her exploration of potentially being agender. However, I think that the author made it clear that it just wasn’t that point in Chika’s journey yet. Her discovering her asexuality was what helped her acknowledge herself. I would love to see more of Chika’s journey or others in her life as they explore the aromantic and agender spectrums in the same way that asexuality was approached here.
This is a definite must read for aspecs and very comforting to read.
*I received an eARC from Kodansha Comics & NetGalley. All opinions are my own*
emotional
informative
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
emotional
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:
Complicated
Thank you so very much to Netgalley & The Publisher for providing me with an E-Arc, in exchange for an honest review!
CW: Attempted Sexual Assault
5 / 5 Stars
This was such a beautiful and informative story, that, even days after I've finished reading, I'm still smiling about it all. It features not one, not two, but at least three canon ace folks, from different sides of and on the spectrum, showcasing their struggles and how different the ace-experience can be depending on so many different things. The support system, the friendships, the small found-family and the just everything all togehter made for an amazing read. We even found the time to mention and imply a potential QPR - even going as far as using the word Zucchini, which is my favourit word for partners in a QPR ♥. It just makes me wonder, which word the japanese original used. If someone knows, be free to let me know.
The art is beautiful as well and the cover just makes my heart sing.
Final Thoughts
Just beautiful.
CW: Attempted Sexual Assault
5 / 5 Stars
This was such a beautiful and informative story, that, even days after I've finished reading, I'm still smiling about it all. It features not one, not two, but at least three canon ace folks, from different sides of and on the spectrum, showcasing their struggles and how different the ace-experience can be depending on so many different things. The support system, the friendships, the small found-family and the just everything all togehter made for an amazing read. We even found the time to mention and imply a potential QPR - even going as far as using the word Zucchini, which is my favourit word for partners in a QPR ♥. It just makes me wonder, which word the japanese original used. If someone knows, be free to let me know.
The art is beautiful as well and the cover just makes my heart sing.
Final Thoughts
Just beautiful.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
emotional
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
emotional
informative
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:
No
Is Love The Answer? asks the hard questions about what it means to not have "normal" reactions to relationships. And the fact that not everyone who is asexual has the same reactions to things. All of gender/sexuality are expressed as a spectrum (I like looking at them as wheels), but this manga is a wonderful introduction into what some might experience and has references for more information should the reader want to look more into the idea of asexuality and what it might mean for the reader.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's so rare to find a book that goes into detail about the ace experience and the diversity within it, so I loved that. I'm not that into manga in general, but I'm always interested in books with asexual/aromantic characters, so I was excited to find this. I feel like this would be helpful for people who are questioning.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence
informative
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:
Complicated
I wish I'd had this when I was a teenager. Chika's discovery of asexuality is exactly what I would have wanted to see much, much earlier than I did. I also liked that insensitive behavior was called out and that Chika was able to find people who accept her as she is.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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