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hickorynut's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book explored the complicated threads that wove Japanese and American history together. The main character Ichiro is half Japanese half American, just like I am. He lost his American father while young and as a teen is now in Japan exploring his Japanese identity.
This discusses the differing sides of the war and their similarities, the atomic bombs, the fallout, and the decades of cultural and social ramifications to follow. It seeks to remove idolization of both the US and Japan as conquering empires and instead encourages us to look closer at the threads that connect all conflicts together. Ichiro is raised amongst violent American media and throughout this book he learns just how horrendous that violence actually is and how it had affected his cultures and communities. He ends up shedding his interest in the idea of war, weapons, and fighting, instead learning the true cost of violence and growing to seek peace instead.
The descent into the world of gods and spirits was chaotic and confusing, just as it was supposed to be for Ichiro. It is his discussions with the god of war that truly help give him more perspective on his own history and life. While I do think that it was a very intriguing way to quickly change Ichiro's perspective, I almost wish the magical/mystical elements had been less intense and more entwined with our real world. The time he spent with his granpa, learning first hand from him, was so valuable and I wish there had been more of their relationship and mentorship. It would also have been nice to see more of a personal relationship develop between Ichiro and the tanuki, as it mostly felt the tanuki was around to transition him through realms but otherwise was largely a silent character.
This discusses the differing sides of the war and their similarities, the atomic bombs, the fallout, and the decades of cultural and social ramifications to follow. It seeks to remove idolization of both the US and Japan as conquering empires and instead encourages us to look closer at the threads that connect all conflicts together. Ichiro is raised amongst violent American media and throughout this book he learns just how horrendous that violence actually is and how it had affected his cultures and communities. He ends up shedding his interest in the idea of war, weapons, and fighting, instead learning the true cost of violence and growing to seek peace instead.
The descent into the world of gods and spirits was chaotic and confusing, just as it was supposed to be for Ichiro. It is his discussions with the god of war that truly help give him more perspective on his own history and life. While I do think that it was a very intriguing way to quickly change Ichiro's perspective, I almost wish the magical/mystical elements had been less intense and more entwined with our real world. The time he spent with his granpa, learning first hand from him, was so valuable and I wish there had been more of their relationship and mentorship. It would also have been nice to see more of a personal relationship develop between Ichiro and the tanuki, as it mostly felt the tanuki was around to transition him through realms but otherwise was largely a silent character.
moonchildjuli's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
chaidreamlatte's review against another edition
4.0
I may have to start off with this: The artwork is fantastic. I like how the different color theories determine time in the comics whether it is flashbacks, periods in time, or myths. It lets the reader know very clearly where they are in the story.
There is a long "ordinary world" portion in this novel, which could be a stand alone story on its own. I like how that portion is the majority of Ichiro's character arc, and it finishes off in Yomi. It makes it all very beautiful.
There is a long "ordinary world" portion in this novel, which could be a stand alone story on its own. I like how that portion is the majority of Ichiro's character arc, and it finishes off in Yomi. It makes it all very beautiful.
brambresseleers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rakoerose's review against another edition
4.0
A beautifully illustrated and impactful story, one that I can see being used to illustrate the importance of learning true histories in classes.
“In the end, we are all just ants staring at the sun.”
Ichiro is a snarky, semi-unlikable preteen boy who is struggling to find his place between his American and Japanese heritage. He learns a lot over the course of this story! It shows how kids often will think one way until something comes up to challenge it and broadens their horizons.
I think narratives like this that point out flaws and hidden atrocities within our country’s (anyone’s home country’s) histories are important. All too often education systems choose to hide the things they view negatively from the past. And then to learn in depth you have to either seek it yourself, have someone tell it to you, or go further into education that is behind a paywall (i.e. colleges).
I really enjoyed this book’s view on how we have to be knowledgable in order to not repeat the past. That the actions of our past don’t define the present fully, but are things we must learn from.
“In the end, we are all just ants staring at the sun.”
Ichiro is a snarky, semi-unlikable preteen boy who is struggling to find his place between his American and Japanese heritage. He learns a lot over the course of this story! It shows how kids often will think one way until something comes up to challenge it and broadens their horizons.
I think narratives like this that point out flaws and hidden atrocities within our country’s (anyone’s home country’s) histories are important. All too often education systems choose to hide the things they view negatively from the past. And then to learn in depth you have to either seek it yourself, have someone tell it to you, or go further into education that is behind a paywall (i.e. colleges).
I really enjoyed this book’s view on how we have to be knowledgable in order to not repeat the past. That the actions of our past don’t define the present fully, but are things we must learn from.
emco_0's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
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
3.5
mrs_bookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
First off, the artwork is awesome in this book. Ryan has such talent! I also really love when authors intertwine myths into their stories and Ryan did that with Japanese myths and war stories from his grandfather. Overall I really enjoyed the message and the story.
lilyevangeline's review against another edition
4.0
A+ art for this coming of age story, a thoughtful consideration of difficult questions of identity and responsibility.
sylviewolff's review against another edition
5.0
fun and quick and awesome art!! wanna read more graphic novels. thx abbee
kxiong5's review against another edition
3.0
so many loose ends, so much confusion...other than that, interesting story