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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Advance reader copy provided by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger Warnings for this book: Sexual assault, physical assault
This has got to be THE BEST, if not one of the best manga I have ever read. I am really happy that I got an ARC of this but I am also so sad because it will mean that I will have to wait for even longer to read the second volume... I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
This manga follows an ex-female idol, Nina, who left the industry after she was physically assaulted at a fan event. The perpetrator escaped and has yet to be caught. She has a new identity and looks completely different to how she was previously. This manga follows her journey into adjusting into normal life but her past won't stay away.
The story is so good. Not only does it provide really interesting social commentary on sexual assault, the plot has elements of both a romantic shojo manga and a thriller story. Nina doesn't know who she can trust but she follows her heart and it's so cute but also really scary if her judgement is incorrect.
I would highly recommend this manga because of gripping combination of a romantic shojo manga and a thriller/mystery. I read it within 9 hours and I was asleep for most of the time. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. I had to know what happened next, and now I can wait to see what will happen next in this series!
Trigger Warnings for this book: Sexual assault, physical assault
This has got to be THE BEST, if not one of the best manga I have ever read. I am really happy that I got an ARC of this but I am also so sad because it will mean that I will have to wait for even longer to read the second volume... I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
This manga follows an ex-female idol, Nina, who left the industry after she was physically assaulted at a fan event. The perpetrator escaped and has yet to be caught. She has a new identity and looks completely different to how she was previously. This manga follows her journey into adjusting into normal life but her past won't stay away.
The story is so good. Not only does it provide really interesting social commentary on sexual assault, the plot has elements of both a romantic shojo manga and a thriller story. Nina doesn't know who she can trust but she follows her heart and it's so cute but also really scary if her judgement is incorrect.
I would highly recommend this manga because of gripping combination of a romantic shojo manga and a thriller/mystery. I read it within 9 hours and I was asleep for most of the time. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. I had to know what happened next, and now I can wait to see what will happen next in this series!
This manga was so amazing! It tackles real stigmas and stereotypes to women, both from men and women. We see how people cope with trauma, too. This storyline is real, raw, and totally captivating. This volume ended on such a suspenseful note, and I can't wait for the next one!
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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:
Complicated
I don't read a ton of manga, but I really enjoyed this one. It really hits the nail on the head when it comes to females in the spotlight and how they are "supposed" to look and act a certain way. The mystery is intriguing and I can't wait to read the next one to see what happens!
[I received an ARC on Netgalley in return for an honest review. ]
I really enjoyed reading this manga and I thought it covered some really important issues. The artwork was so cute, and I'm intrigued to see where the story will continue from here on.
I'll definitely be following this manga when more volumes are released in the future!
Rating: 4/5
I really enjoyed reading this manga and I thought it covered some really important issues. The artwork was so cute, and I'm intrigued to see where the story will continue from here on.
I'll definitely be following this manga when more volumes are released in the future!
Rating: 4/5
Not Your Idol by Aoi Makino is a Japanese Manga (like a graphic novel), about a teenage girl who has been part of a girl pop group in Japan (so an idol), who was attacked by a fan.
If you've not encountered Japanese or Korean pop music, go ahead and have a look at a group like AKB48. In the west, we're used to groups having 5-7 members, with 7 feels like a lot. AKB48 has 22 members in 1 team, and the teams rotate.
There are various rules that a member of groups have to obey, such as no dating, no bad behaviour. They are expected to perform and to carry out 'handshake events' where they meet their fans.
Nina was one of the lead singers of her group, and was attacked at one of these handshake events. She drops out of the group to recover, and to be normal. She cuts off her hair, and starts dressing like a boy (yes, that's her on the cover of the book), and we see the trauma that this event caused her mentally, as she has the scar to show what it caused her physically.
Not Your Idol will be published on 11th June 2020, and is available on Amazon and Waterstones . I’ve found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, and so my thanks to NetGalley and to Viz Media (the publishers) for this book.
If you've not encountered Japanese or Korean pop music, go ahead and have a look at a group like AKB48. In the west, we're used to groups having 5-7 members, with 7 feels like a lot. AKB48 has 22 members in 1 team, and the teams rotate.
There are various rules that a member of groups have to obey, such as no dating, no bad behaviour. They are expected to perform and to carry out 'handshake events' where they meet their fans.
Nina was one of the lead singers of her group, and was attacked at one of these handshake events. She drops out of the group to recover, and to be normal. She cuts off her hair, and starts dressing like a boy (yes, that's her on the cover of the book), and we see the trauma that this event caused her mentally, as she has the scar to show what it caused her physically.
Not Your Idol will be published on 11th June 2020, and is available on Amazon and Waterstones . I’ve found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, and so my thanks to NetGalley and to Viz Media (the publishers) for this book.
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I love the trend in anime and manga of acknowledging and commenting on the idol industry’s flaws alongside its strengths. A short but engaging read. The ending might appeal to some more than others but I think it worked (I haven’t read Vol. 2 though, so I’m not sure if the ending of this volume translates well as a beginning for the next one).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence