You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
taketwolu 's review for:
My Brother's Husband: Volume 2
by Gengoroh Tagame
In volume 1, Yaichi, a single work-at-home dad to Kana (daughter), and former husband of Natsuki (ex-wife), receives a visit from Mike, the Canadian husband of Ryoji (Yaichi’s deceased twin brother). In volume 2, Mike’s visit continues -- Yaichi learns more of Ryoji’s relationship with Mike, Mike and Kana grow closer, and Mike’s trip nears its end. Both of these mangas capture a story of an unconventional family and what it means to be gay, especially in Japan.
At first, Yaichi’s hesitant about Mike. It’s clear yet heartbreaking to see the prejudices held against LGBTQ+ in Japanese culture. We also see how prejudices are instilled into children. Even so, Kana is in awe of Mike and their uncle-niece relationship is the cutest!! As Kana tries to comprehend same-sex relationships, Mike explains it in the simplest of terms: “my husband was Ryoji and Ryoji’s husband was me”. I love how pure and simple this story is to understand for both adults and kids.
Apart from this, there’s so much rep!
We see an ‘unconventional’ family set up --a single dad raising a daughter while maintaining a positive relationship with his ex wife who left to further her career. I rarely see divorced families framed this positively but it’s great!
Grief is another big topic. As Yaichi grows comfortable with Mike, he slowly accepts Ryoji as gay (something he couldn’t do when Ryoji first came out) and comes to love Mike as family.
Other characters are woven in to show how scary and lonely it is as a closeted gay in Japan vs Western cultures where it’s more accepted. We also see Yaichi use his new found understanding to stand up against his prejudiced peers, including Kana’s disapproving teacher!! OH, and all the food looked / sounded amazing!!
(same review for volume 1)
At first, Yaichi’s hesitant about Mike. It’s clear yet heartbreaking to see the prejudices held against LGBTQ+ in Japanese culture. We also see how prejudices are instilled into children. Even so, Kana is in awe of Mike and their uncle-niece relationship is the cutest!! As Kana tries to comprehend same-sex relationships, Mike explains it in the simplest of terms: “my husband was Ryoji and Ryoji’s husband was me”. I love how pure and simple this story is to understand for both adults and kids.
Apart from this, there’s so much rep!
We see an ‘unconventional’ family set up --a single dad raising a daughter while maintaining a positive relationship with his ex wife who left to further her career. I rarely see divorced families framed this positively but it’s great!
Grief is another big topic. As Yaichi grows comfortable with Mike, he slowly accepts Ryoji as gay (something he couldn’t do when Ryoji first came out) and comes to love Mike as family.
Other characters are woven in to show how scary and lonely it is as a closeted gay in Japan vs Western cultures where it’s more accepted. We also see Yaichi use his new found understanding to stand up against his prejudiced peers, including Kana’s disapproving teacher!! OH, and all the food looked / sounded amazing!!
(same review for volume 1)