03 May / Our Colors by Gengoroh Tagame, translated by Anne Ishii [in Booklist]
Japanese manga powerhouse Gengoroh Tagame follows the phenomenal success of My Brother’s Husband with another poignant, empowering, gay-centered narrative, again translated by queer manga expert Anne Ishii.
Sora and Nao have been neighbors and close friends since early childhood. Now that they’re older, their interactions are quickly evolving, initially marked by Sora’s request that at school Nao use the more common practice of last names only. At 16, they’re starting to navigate all sorts of new relationships: synesthete Sora has his first crush on a boy, Nao’s friend Mizuki has her eye on Sora, Nao is awkwardly stuck somewhere in between. Meanwhile, Sora follows an older stranger into a café and finds a mentor – and his first gay friend, whose frankness leaves him both “relieved and scared.”
Sora’s coming-out narrative confronts homophobia, allyship (his mother is comically delightful), and authentic living (Sora’s deadening mask is especially haunting), while also exploring the lifesaving power of art and, of course, genuine friendship. [The book’s single kiss could be construed as a possible misstep.] Tagame’s expressive, detailed, black-and-white drawings once more delight and gratify.
YA/General Interest: The 16-year-old gay protagonist’s journey toward authenticity will resonate broadly.
Review: “Graphic Novels,” Booklist, April 15, 2022
Readers: Young Adult, Adult
Published: 2018-2020 (Japan), 2022 (United States)