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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A coming of age story about Chika, a new college student that newly identifies as asexual. This one-shot is mostly about questioning your assumptions about what is "normal" in relationships, platonic, romantic or otherwise.
informative
reflective
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Let me start out this review with this: if you’re a manga reader and don’t know a lot about asexuality or are questioning if you are ace, this is a great book for you!
Personally, as someone who identifies as aspec and have a good grasp on what it means to be ace, I felt this book really toed the line of being a compelling story on its own and being a psa about asexuality. I would classify it as more of an educational story than a story with good ace rep. What I did appreciate about that was how much it emphasized that an identity can mean something different to everyone, that assumptions can be reductive, and that no one can tell you how to identify, you have to figure it out for yourself. The nuanced lens this book looks at identity with was refreshing and was smartly woven into the conflict and plot. That being said, the plot was so centered on the idea of identity that it feels unrounded if you are already familiar with the ideas discussed in the book.
The characters were all reasonably compelling and nuanced in terms of identity which was very interesting but we don’t get to know them very much outside that aspect, which leaves them feeling deep and one-faceted all at once. The representation of how the world views asexuality is very accurate, and I really liked the way it was confronted and examined within the story. There are even sources cited in the book for if you want to read more about the identity. If there was one complaint I have about the representation in the book it would be that it isn’t made completely clear in the main story the differences between the aromantic and asexual spectrums, but that’s me being nit picky.
Overall, even though the story feels educational, it’s still entertaining and enjoyable, even if some of the conflict feels a little over-dramatized. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more but doesn’t enjoy dense informational reads.
Personally, as someone who identifies as aspec and have a good grasp on what it means to be ace, I felt this book really toed the line of being a compelling story on its own and being a psa about asexuality. I would classify it as more of an educational story than a story with good ace rep. What I did appreciate about that was how much it emphasized that an identity can mean something different to everyone, that assumptions can be reductive, and that no one can tell you how to identify, you have to figure it out for yourself. The nuanced lens this book looks at identity with was refreshing and was smartly woven into the conflict and plot. That being said, the plot was so centered on the idea of identity that it feels unrounded if you are already familiar with the ideas discussed in the book.
The characters were all reasonably compelling and nuanced in terms of identity which was very interesting but we don’t get to know them very much outside that aspect, which leaves them feeling deep and one-faceted all at once. The representation of how the world views asexuality is very accurate, and I really liked the way it was confronted and examined within the story. There are even sources cited in the book for if you want to read more about the identity. If there was one complaint I have about the representation in the book it would be that it isn’t made completely clear in the main story the differences between the aromantic and asexual spectrums, but that’s me being nit picky.
Overall, even though the story feels educational, it’s still entertaining and enjoyable, even if some of the conflict feels a little over-dramatized. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more but doesn’t enjoy dense informational reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Outing
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Infidelity
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Super sweet read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Acephobia/Arophobia
This is a really good exploration of asexuality that I would perhaps say is better than Loveless to an extent.
It follows Chika who doesn't really know who she is but through guidance of her psychology professor, finds asexual to be her term in a world full of romance and basically follows her through her journey into discovering the full extent of asexuality. And because the whole plot is about asexuality (and doesn't distract itself with a plain romance subplot), there's a real deep dive into the asexual experience and wider societal implications of that. It's very authentic portrayal too - no doubt aided by the author being asexual.
Honestly, from now on, I'd argue that this is my go-to fiction book on asexuality. Accessible, authentic, and doesn't shy away from showing the horrors asexual people face and the beauty in their life too.
It follows Chika who doesn't really know who she is but through guidance of her psychology professor, finds asexual to be her term in a world full of romance and basically follows her through her journey into discovering the full extent of asexuality. And because the whole plot is about asexuality (and doesn't distract itself with a plain romance subplot), there's a real deep dive into the asexual experience and wider societal implications of that. It's very authentic portrayal too - no doubt aided by the author being asexual.
Honestly, from now on, I'd argue that this is my go-to fiction book on asexuality. Accessible, authentic, and doesn't shy away from showing the horrors asexual people face and the beauty in their life too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Acephobia/Arophobia