You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
![おかえりアリス 1 [Okaeri Alice 1] by Shuzo Oshimi](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/qmanh9rjvplt0nml1vc0zzoozrrk)
3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
3.5 Stars
I read this entire volume in 20 minutes, which is always a fun time! It was super easy language and a simple story line. I feel like it gave you a really good set up for what is to come in future volumes. There are some usual manga tropes in this I don't absolutely love but am getting more used to as time goes on. I'm excited to explore more with these characters and their dynamic together as well.
I read this entire volume in 20 minutes, which is always a fun time! It was super easy language and a simple story line. I feel like it gave you a really good set up for what is to come in future volumes. There are some usual manga tropes in this I don't absolutely love but am getting more used to as time goes on. I'm excited to explore more with these characters and their dynamic together as well.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
No sé com he acabat llegint una altra saga de Shuzo Oshimi, però em sento igual que durant l'època que només llegia Paul Auster: enganxadíssima a històries que tenen massa semblances les unes amb les altres, tant pel que fa a la trama com sobretot als personatges. És impossible no veure semblances entre el Yohei, el Kasugo (Aku no hana) i el Makoto (Happiness): són bàsicament el mateix arquetip de personatge. També hi ha aquesta atmosfera tèrbola, fosca, subterrània al voltant dels personatges, que no saps si tenen un punt de maldat, si és que se senten sols i desemparats en el món, si s'avorreixen, si estan malament del cap o una barreja de tot plegat. En aquest cas, però, em sembla molt refrescant la premissa, tot i que veurem quin tractament fa l'autor d'aquesta cerca i descoberta de la identitat sexual dels protes. Em sembla entreveure una nova concepció de la masculinitat, menys tòxica i fràgil, així com una exploració al no binarisme i la identitat trans. Encuriosida i amb ganes d'acabar-la! ♥ (chapter 33)
"Oshimi's exploring gender and sexuality!"
Okay, but as of this first volume the material is rather blunt-force and not an "exploration" so much as an in-your-face chaos bisexual. I really hope Oshimi finds some more intrigue to layer into this story and not just "Hold on you're telling me HE is a PRETTY GIRL* and now they are SMILING AT ME?!" reaction shots ad infinitum.
*Based on the character's dialog, they are a boy, but not just a boy, and presents as a girl, but is not a girl, but aren't they a pretty girl? Exploration!
Okay, but as of this first volume the material is rather blunt-force and not an "exploration" so much as an in-your-face chaos bisexual. I really hope Oshimi finds some more intrigue to layer into this story and not just "Hold on you're telling me HE is a PRETTY GIRL* and now they are SMILING AT ME?!" reaction shots ad infinitum.
*Based on the character's dialog, they are a boy, but not just a boy, and presents as a girl, but is not a girl, but aren't they a pretty girl? Exploration!
Review for the whole series:
This is such a wild read. This series absolutely has to be paired with the author's notes that appear at the end of each volume. It puts a lot of stuff into context.
The "romance" in the series is so back seat to literally everything else going on in the manga. This isn't about a love triangle between childhood friends, this is about Oshimi's own struggle with what it means to be a man. Kei and Yui are not people, they are the two paths of masculinity that Yohei has to choose from. Kei is the ambiguous agender/gender queer departure from strict social expectations that are required to be masculine in the world. Kei represents freedom, an escape from gender all together. This is desirable but not an easy choice to make. Yui is the path of traditional masculine gender identity and masculine sexuality. Things that happen to Yui and Yohei are basically direct translations of Oshimi's own sexual trauma around masculinity. And this struggle between the two paths is represented by a love triangle, which i think its pretty powerful and brilliant.
Then there is Yohei themselves, who is struggling with gender and body dysphoria. Kei and Yui also seem to represent Yohei's struggle between his sexuality and his gender desires. There is a REALLY intense scene during the final volume that just blows my mind and feels like the perfect physical manifestation of this struggle for Yohei. It was honestly amazing.
With that out of the way, this series is going to make you uncomfortable. This manga has sexual assault and dubious consent. I would not say it is full blown rape but its uncomfortable for sure and its suppose to be. There is also self harm in the form of self mutilation. Even with all of this, the manga really made me think about my own gender experience, and while I don't really identify with Oshimi's struggle, this was still such a good read. I literally binged it in like 2 days. Recommend if you can handle it.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault
Seems like Oshimi is starting a new great series.
I see that the reviews are not as consistent as with his top works. Not sure why, maybe the theme is not as appealing as with other of his works.
Personally, I had no problem with it. I even find it refreshing as it is different and new.
Oshimi's works always had some sexuality. He is not afraid of exploring that field and here he probably goes further than any other before.
Had a great time reading and can't wait to go to the next volume.
I see that the reviews are not as consistent as with his top works. Not sure why, maybe the theme is not as appealing as with other of his works.
Personally, I had no problem with it. I even find it refreshing as it is different and new.
Oshimi's works always had some sexuality. He is not afraid of exploring that field and here he probably goes further than any other before.
Had a great time reading and can't wait to go to the next volume.
challenging
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes