There’s just...a little TOO much going on here. I love Akira-chan. Her own feelings and the way she’s treated are probably the most accurate portrayal of a trans experience I’ve ever seen in manga. But all the secondary characters are just too much. It’s a little hard to accept that one of the first friends they make (because of circumstances, not choice) is another LGBT person, but I can suspend disbelief for that. It happens. We end up on the fringes. But the Sempai character is where it all ceases to make sense. The rest of the character motivations were realistic. Even Hime-chan’s bizarre and not well thought out cross-dressing is the type of mistake I could see a well-meaning cis friend making. But this Sempai’s cross-dressing? No. This whole plot-line is what could best be described as “jumping the shark.” And somehow this becomes the main plot-line! And the trans character who this story is ostensibly about barely features and ends up being used as a plot-device more than anything else. Still decent as far as Japanese portrayals go, but disappointing.

... Last updated on November 25th, 2020, 6:04pm

I... I think this is it. I think this is the best fictional manga that stars a trans protagonist. Or, actually, that stars a queer protagonist, full stop. Nothing else really compares. (Unless you include autobiographies.)

Oh man, what can I say about Kanojo ni Naritai Kimi to Boku other than that it's really, really excellent? (It's really, really excellent, everyone!!) It's about a bunch of high schoolers exploring their gender and sexuality, essentially, but it's able to be so kind to its characters, to the point that it seems effortless. The manga itself never questions or invalidates their identities, and while it's understanding of others' unfamiliarity, it also refuses to stand for any hurt that these people, in their ignorance, may inflict. It's uncompromising in its support while also being incredibly compassionate.

This manga is so good. It makes things like Blue Flag seem like a joke. This has to be an inside job; only a queer person could write a story about queer people that feel so genuine yet hopeful.

Gosh, I don't know what to say to Takase Umi, other than thanks for writing this absolute gem.

... Last updated on May 23rd, 2020, 2:26am

kc of "A TAVERN FOR TEA" (a game) retweeted this and her games seem cool so hopefully this is alright too. will report back. as a trans person i hope its ... passable at least!

... Last updated on October 8th, 2019, 3:18pm

I've read some really good manga on some of the themes that this manga attempts to address, so my expectations are high 🙂