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kwbat12's review
3.0
A solid graphic that felt a bit like ABC but with Japanese spirits. There was a nice story arc from the boy being a typical war-loving child to being a bit more tempered with understanding, but the second half of the book had me a bit puzzled.
snowbenton's review against another edition
4.0
Despite its deeply sad elements, Ichiro still feels so full of hope. It asks you to question war and peace and humanity and difference, with a backdrop of Japanese gods that feels so refreshing [I read a lot of things based on Greek myths]. Would highly recommend for teenagers.
aliceinbooklandd's review
2.0
Wtf was the racism against Middle Eastern people in the beginning. Just so unnecessary and cringe. The plotline was like nothing really gets resolved. There wasn't much if a plotline period. The only really good thing about this book was the grandpa and reading about Japanese myths and traditions. Also nobody in japan makes fun of foreigners like wtf?
allzen_nochill's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
Ryan Inzana's art is gorgeous, and the concept is great - young man of mixed ancestry grappling with the true reality of war and learning about his own identity. Unfortunately the story kinda falls apart while Ichiro is running around in Ama. For a story that's very clearly hinging on history, it's trying too hard to not place its characters in any discernable "present." But damn, it's pretty, and I loved how Inzana weaves myth, history, and identity together. I'd probably buy this just for the art.
romantickowloon's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Abandonment
Moderate: Xenophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, and War
Minor: Suicide attempt, Colonisation, and Gun violence
Racial slurs and Xenophobia displayed by various people but not the family members themselves. Also mentions of WW2 events such asdahlia_boo's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
angiediane's review
3.0
I loved the Japanese gods and monsters. Many of the illustrations were superb. Some were a little confusing. The plot became a little nonsensical at times, and dragged in a few places. I wished there was more explanation/exploration of the tanuki. But I liked the characters and the book overall.
jessidee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
orangerful's review
2.0
Wow, this book was a total mess. So many missed opportunities! I could see sort of what Inzana wanted to do with the story, but he just did not pull it off at all. Which is too bad because I really liked his art style and how it flowed on the page...but the story was a flop.