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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
There was a lot of thoughts going through my mind when I first saw the title and cover of he's expecting.
Is it BL? Is it omegaverse? Is he Transgender?
The answer to all these questions is no.
The manga focuses around the lives of six people coming to terms with male pregnancy and facing the stigma and prejudices that come with being pregnant in Japan.
If you're not all familiar with Japanese society, it tends to lean conservative. It's not uncommon for a woman to leave her job when she becomes married or pregnant and while women have the right to work and be mother's there are those who frown upon it.
In my opinion the main focus of this manga is the stigma around pregnancy and child rearing rather than the concept of male pregnancy. Eric Sakai explores these topics well if not on the more optimistic side. The story's while short feel completed and connected through the manga. The art style is cute. The story doesn't feel rushed compared to other oneshots.
However it being a oneshot leaves little room for a more complex plot, meaning the stories are simple and unlikely to leave a lasting impression other than the idea of male pregnancy.
Is it BL? Is it omegaverse? Is he Transgender?
The answer to all these questions is no.
The manga focuses around the lives of six people coming to terms with male pregnancy and facing the stigma and prejudices that come with being pregnant in Japan.
If you're not all familiar with Japanese society, it tends to lean conservative. It's not uncommon for a woman to leave her job when she becomes married or pregnant and while women have the right to work and be mother's there are those who frown upon it.
In my opinion the main focus of this manga is the stigma around pregnancy and child rearing rather than the concept of male pregnancy. Eric Sakai explores these topics well if not on the more optimistic side. The story's while short feel completed and connected through the manga. The art style is cute. The story doesn't feel rushed compared to other oneshots.
However it being a oneshot leaves little room for a more complex plot, meaning the stories are simple and unlikely to leave a lasting impression other than the idea of male pregnancy.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital copy of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
An interesting story built on the question, "what if men could get pregnant?" In this story it's been 10 years since men have gained the ability to become pregnant. Kentaro Hiyama is a devoted career man and is in a bind after finding out he's pregnant. The story follows the struggles of adjusting to this new development and struggling under society's negative views, regressive attitudes, and discriminatory policies. I enjoyed the read and am interested in what will be in volume 2 considering this story seemed to wrap up well by the end of the volume.
An interesting story built on the question, "what if men could get pregnant?" In this story it's been 10 years since men have gained the ability to become pregnant. Kentaro Hiyama is a devoted career man and is in a bind after finding out he's pregnant. The story follows the struggles of adjusting to this new development and struggling under society's negative views, regressive attitudes, and discriminatory policies. I enjoyed the read and am interested in what will be in volume 2 considering this story seemed to wrap up well by the end of the volume.
He's Expecting was very odd but in a good way. This book it set in an alternate universe where both men and women can have children. The chance of a man is much lower but still possible. It follows the main character dealing with the stigmas of being a pregnant man. I think it's interesting that a woman manga artist would create something like this but it was interesting to see how a man would react. You also see other couples and how having the husband being pregnant can effect the relationship. There is a drama made I think based on this so that might be something to look into.
I enjoyed reading it. I don't think there will be a sequel even though it says 1 on the title. The way it ended made it seem like it wouldn't unless its about the child the main character has.
This book was definitely different but if you like seeing alternate universes and different takes on societal issues I think this is something to check out.
I enjoyed reading it. I don't think there will be a sequel even though it says 1 on the title. The way it ended made it seem like it wouldn't unless its about the child the main character has.
This book was definitely different but if you like seeing alternate universes and different takes on societal issues I think this is something to check out.
challenging
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about this one. It wasn't a complicated read or anything of that nature. I believe I have issues with the execution a bit.
Men have the ability to get pregnant. Based on context alone, men and women can get pregnant interchangeably. (?) There's an attempt at social commentary on the implications and assumptions made on those men who choose to give birth to the babies. There's commentary on how women feel that male pregnancy will lead to rights and programs birthing people should have received to begin with. There's even commentary on how women can be just as callus or insensitive as men have been pegged to be when their partner is suddenly pregnant and neither is happy about it.
The manga begins with the Main characters pregnancy and later branches out focusing on individuals that have come in contact with him at one point. It's a six degrees of separations type of thing.
Although I could understand the threads that were being weaved, I felt they were clunky. I don't know how else to explain it. The transitions were not the smoothest and some of the stories needed to be fleshed out a bit more. Especially the last married couple.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read and ARC in exchange of an honest review.
I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about this one. It wasn't a complicated read or anything of that nature. I believe I have issues with the execution a bit.
Men have the ability to get pregnant. Based on context alone, men and women can get pregnant interchangeably. (?) There's an attempt at social commentary on the implications and assumptions made on those men who choose to give birth to the babies. There's commentary on how women feel that male pregnancy will lead to rights and programs birthing people should have received to begin with. There's even commentary on how women can be just as callus or insensitive as men have been pegged to be when their partner is suddenly pregnant and neither is happy about it.
The manga begins with the Main characters pregnancy and later branches out focusing on individuals that have come in contact with him at one point. It's a six degrees of separations type of thing.
Although I could understand the threads that were being weaved, I felt they were clunky. I don't know how else to explain it. The transitions were not the smoothest and some of the stories needed to be fleshed out a bit more. Especially the last married couple.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read and ARC in exchange of an honest review.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
hopeful
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
Normally, stories about cis-men getting pregnant are revenge fantasies. A real “how do YOU like it!?” moment.
That is not what we get in this book. And I love it.
Kentaro Hiyama is one of the small percentage of men who have suddenly become capable of carrying a child. Unfortunately, his pregnancy was a definite accident. He’s unmarried, just started climbing the corporate ladder, and has no experience with children. But, despite all that…he decides to have the baby.
This book is a series of vignettes which all swirl back around to Kentaro’s experience with pregnancy. Each story is a bit different. One man has opted to carry a baby because his wife had a horrific time carrying their first child. A teen boy, who would rather have his baby, must have an abortion, and he then has to work out his relationship with the mother. The mother of Kentaro’s child works out her own feelings and how she plans to be involved–or not involved at all–in the baby’s life.
This book addresses a lot of the prejudice against pregnant women, recasting it in a new light. But the handling of the issues, how seriously they’re taken, and the way most people in the narrative change their views on the treatment of pregnant people make the whole thing feel very light. It’s uplifting, not depressing.
Also, so many cute kids!
Review copy provided by the publisher.
That is not what we get in this book. And I love it.
Kentaro Hiyama is one of the small percentage of men who have suddenly become capable of carrying a child. Unfortunately, his pregnancy was a definite accident. He’s unmarried, just started climbing the corporate ladder, and has no experience with children. But, despite all that…he decides to have the baby.
This book is a series of vignettes which all swirl back around to Kentaro’s experience with pregnancy. Each story is a bit different. One man has opted to carry a baby because his wife had a horrific time carrying their first child. A teen boy, who would rather have his baby, must have an abortion, and he then has to work out his relationship with the mother. The mother of Kentaro’s child works out her own feelings and how she plans to be involved–or not involved at all–in the baby’s life.
This book addresses a lot of the prejudice against pregnant women, recasting it in a new light. But the handling of the issues, how seriously they’re taken, and the way most people in the narrative change their views on the treatment of pregnant people make the whole thing feel very light. It’s uplifting, not depressing.
Also, so many cute kids!
Review copy provided by the publisher.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes