Reviews

Not Your Idol, Vol. 1 by Aoi Makino

linnaboobooks's review against another edition

5.0

This goes into jpop idol culture, feminism, sexism, harassment, and stalking. And I was emotional just reading it, this is an impactful manga and I cannot wait until the second volume eventually comes out. I would go as far to say that any manga fans who can handle these topics and are into the suspenseful genre, this is a necessary read.

crystal_dark's review against another edition

5.0

Chapters 01 - 03: This looks like it is going to be a really interesting story with complex characters and an intriguing plot. The story is a but darker than a lot of Shojo Beat stories but it is also classified as a drama & a mystery. I look forward to seeing what happens next and learning more about all the different characters.

linluvsbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Ending of vol 2 pissed me off though. 
Looking forward to vol 3 which the author has been able to return to after a 5 year hiatus for health reasons. 

The themes are heavy and I think handled realistically for the setting - high school. I’m less interested in the mystery than the students’ perspectives and growth and in the love story, but that’s just personal preference. 

whomever_0's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.0

lillanaa's review against another edition

4.0

This book was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn't quite sure what to think about this one at first. It's not my general style of thing that I grab, but... I think this is the first thriller type media I've liked in a while. The topics are definitely heavy, talking about groping and idol culture to be precise, but they don't feel shallow or brushed over. The art is good, and conveys everything effectively. The characters, though... I'm not so sure about them. Karen, or Nina, is definitely the one I like the most. She's sympathetic, and I have a lot of love for characters who stand up for their beliefs. The rest of them, though, embody a lot of problems with thrillers in general for me. The other sort of "main" female character, Miku, isn't my favourite at all. She started off alright, but seems to be a really weird stereotype and I'm not a huge fan of it. Maybe she gets better? I'm unsure where she could go, though.

This one's a weird one for me to recommend, because it's kind of difficult to read but it's also really good.

fiction_and_manga_reader's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This manga was dark and I felt emotional because of what Nina went through. I'm happy that Nina was someone who stayed quiet and did nothing when something happened. I'd say that Nina is a strong person after what she went through. 

This cover tops of begin an idol. Reading what idol had put up with was horrific. 

animemiz24's review against another edition

4.0

Idols are celebrities who work on performing and creating songs. Idols and idol culture is a big deal in Japan and this is an interesting subject for a manga. Specifically, the issue is the aftermath approach that one character does to walk away from the idol culture as a way of staying away from am obsessive fan, who's attention actually is dangerous. Stalking and harassment is a big issue, so this title is a way to raise awareness for it. What this manga also has is also are theme for "If you see something, say something..." Then there is also another issue of possible bullying. I look forward to reading the next volume of this manga.

draculaura21's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

3.75

Come for the J-pop, stay for the intense social commentary. I am, of course, no expert in Japanese societal norms, but the themes presented here are universal: the lingering effects of trauma, the idolization of celebrities (and of women/girls in general), peer pressure, bullying, the ever-changing face of femininity. With a little bit of whodunit on the side, I was immediately sucked in. The ending was unexpected and left me scratching my head a bit, but it was intriguing enough for me to rush on to Vol. 2.

dreadawn1988's review against another edition

emotional inspiring fast-paced

3.0

Not Your Idol follows Nina Kamiyama a former member of an idol group. At a group function she is assaulted and she decides to leave the idol group. The story picks up a few months later with Nina dressing as a boy and attending a regular high school. She meets Hikaru Horiuchi who is the only person who knows that Nina is actually Karen from Pure Club. Her attacker is still at large.

booklover160's review against another edition

4.0

Holy shiitake mushrooms. This will begin with trigger warnings.

TW: sexism, rape, assault, violence, blood

This review will also be for the whole series. Read at your own risk.

Read 2 volumes

‘Not Your Idol’ follows Nina after an assault as an idol. She cut her hair and dresses as a boy to avoid receiving attention as a female.

It is absolutely horrific to read the things they say about women/girls in this manga. From both boys and other girls. It was so hard to push through but this is a really good story and I’m looking forward to seeing how it gets resolved. But hearing how the boys at the school treated the girls made me sick. And seeing Miku take their side was just... infuriating. But it’s never a justification for assault. I really hope that Nina and Miku can become friends or even just heal together.

This will be a very difficult manga to read but so very important. Assault is NEVER your fault. Please speak up.