Scan barcode
clowdywings's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 -
I didn’t know this til I got a chapter into this, but this is actually an autobiographical manga about a girl improving her art so she could be a shojo mangaka.
That being said, it is revolved around artsy things (ex. drawing busts/sculptures). It also included stuff about her schooling and a few friends she made along the way. It’s not necessarily a slice of life, but it can be labeled as one.
The storytelling is charming and told from a mature adult’s perspective of their younger immature self. It flows fairly well, except for when the time jumps happen. It tries it’s hardest to explain and connect but it doesn’t quite get it.
I actually like the art in this one. I started out not liking it as much but then I got further in and I appreciated it more. It’s proportional and pretty cute!
As an artist, this inspired me. I haven’t really worked on my realistic skills lately, like the author is doing in this one, so it sort of hit home. I was taught sort of similar to the author and this reminded me of what I needed to be doing and had been slacking off on.
My major complaint as an artist is the sensei’s method of teaching. His way will not work for everyone, no matter how hard the student tries. But I can see his perspective of “don’t give up until you’ve got it down” and of pushing the students past what they boxed themselves into.
I might just keep reading this series to feel inspired to do art lol. Who knows.
I didn’t know this til I got a chapter into this, but this is actually an autobiographical manga about a girl improving her art so she could be a shojo mangaka.
That being said, it is revolved around artsy things (ex. drawing busts/sculptures). It also included stuff about her schooling and a few friends she made along the way. It’s not necessarily a slice of life, but it can be labeled as one.
The storytelling is charming and told from a mature adult’s perspective of their younger immature self. It flows fairly well, except for when the time jumps happen. It tries it’s hardest to explain and connect but it doesn’t quite get it.
I actually like the art in this one. I started out not liking it as much but then I got further in and I appreciated it more. It’s proportional and pretty cute!
As an artist, this inspired me. I haven’t really worked on my realistic skills lately, like the author is doing in this one, so it sort of hit home. I was taught sort of similar to the author and this reminded me of what I needed to be doing and had been slacking off on.
My major complaint as an artist is the sensei’s method of teaching. His way will not work for everyone, no matter how hard the student tries. But I can see his perspective of “don’t give up until you’ve got it down” and of pushing the students past what they boxed themselves into.
I might just keep reading this series to feel inspired to do art lol. Who knows.
__kuriichan_'s review
4.0
Really interesting and sentimental shoujo/josei manga, without missing the funny element in any way. Interesting emphasis on the teacher/ student relationship as well as friendships while growing up.
Interested to read the next volumes for sure.
*Read as a part of a uni course. Read in both Japanese and English.
Interested to read the next volumes for sure.
*Read as a part of a uni course. Read in both Japanese and English.
mehsi's review
2.0
When I heard about this one, I was interesting. Sadly it was quite boring and at times I just wanted to stop and quit reading. But I continued, and I am glad I am finished.
The art was quite pretty at times, but at other times it was over-the-top and looked ugly (like when the characters are shocked, their faces look really ugly and strange).
There was also too much information dump. It got me out of the story, out of the flow, because I had to stop and read. Eventually I just skipped those parts and tried to ignore them.
The characters were so-so. I didn't like them that much, the main girl was pretty much an idiot without much will or strength. The sensei was quite mean and brutish, but you soon notice that he is hiding something, that he might not be that mean. However this is only a few times. Mostly I think his way of teaching isn't the best. Hitting/poking people with a bamboo sword? Calling them names? Shouting at them? No, it might be a good way to learn things, but I don't approve.
Futami, urgh. Silent, but yet she will kick you when you are down. I didn't like her attitude.
All in all, I won't be continuing with this manga series.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
The art was quite pretty at times, but at other times it was over-the-top and looked ugly (like when the characters are shocked, their faces look really ugly and strange).
There was also too much information dump. It got me out of the story, out of the flow, because I had to stop and read. Eventually I just skipped those parts and tried to ignore them.
The characters were so-so. I didn't like them that much, the main girl was pretty much an idiot without much will or strength. The sensei was quite mean and brutish, but you soon notice that he is hiding something, that he might not be that mean. However this is only a few times. Mostly I think his way of teaching isn't the best. Hitting/poking people with a bamboo sword? Calling them names? Shouting at them? No, it might be a good way to learn things, but I don't approve.
Futami, urgh. Silent, but yet she will kick you when you are down. I didn't like her attitude.
All in all, I won't be continuing with this manga series.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
thelibraryduck's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.25
noelles_shelves's review against another edition
4.0
Since reading Princess Jellyfish, I’ve been dying to read more of Higashimura’s work. This book is an autobiographical account of her rocky start with her art career. She believes she’s the best in her class at high school until she goes to a new art class outside of school, where the sensei promptly deflated her ego. His tough teaching freaked her out at first, but ultimately helped her prepare for art school admissions. I loved the humor in this book and I could see her character change as she continued to take her tough art classes. So far so good!
autumnals's review against another edition
5.0
Je ne sais plus comment je suis tombée sur ce manga, mais maintenant que j'ai terminé le tome 1, je n'ai qu'une envie : dévorer toute l'oeuvre de l'auteure. C'est incroyable la passion qu'on ressent en lisant ces pages, la tendresse et le regard qu'elle porte sur son adolescence. J'ai adoré, certains passages m'ont fait pleurer de rire. Je me suis interrompue plusieurs fois au cours de la lecture pour me renseigner sur les nombreuses mangakas citées, et j'ai terminé le tome en écoutant Flippers' Guitar et en me rêvant à manger du crabe. Une petite bombe de plaisir.
cookeebookee's review against another edition
4.0
A very cute read, especially in these trying times! Akiko Higashimura’s style of drawing and writing has always intrigued me. Her self-deprecating comedic timing is hilarious in Tokyo Tarareba Girls and I knew the same would come from her high school memoir. It just makes you think of all of the stupid things you thought in high school but also of all the hopes and dreams during that time too.