Scan barcode
thenextgenlib's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you Edelweiss for an ARC of this manga. All opinions are my own. I liked this graphic novel but had a few concerns about some of the violence in it. I loved the gender fluidity and standing up for yourself, but some of the story felt a bit too much like a victim shaming.
saramarie08's review against another edition
3.0
Read more graphic novel reviews at www.graphiclibrary.org.
Nina Kamiyama is trying to fly under the radar and attend her high school classes. She doesn't want anyone to find out that she used to be in Pure Club, an idol group that was super popular across Japan. After a fan assaulted her, she quit the group and begun her second life. Unfortunately, someone recognizes Nina as Karen, the former leader of Pure Club, and her new life begins to unravel. This story deals a lot with trauma, assault, exploitation culture, and more.
One of the things readers need to know going into this is what the concept of an idol group is. These are similar to Boy Bands in the US, but with a lot more rules. Participants are supposed to stay a certain size, they have an age out point, and the girls in idol groups are not allowed to date.
While the main crux of this story centers around assault and the trauma Nina is recovering from, the way that it is handled is sometimes less than delicately. This story gets marks for incorporating these difficult topics, but it was done through a moderately disjointed narrative. While discussing the Idol culture, much of the conversation is centered on men's perceived rights to female bodies, and some of the discussion here seems to reinforce these stereotypes. This might be something that is broken down later after the situation is completely set up, so I look forward to seeing how Volume 2 handles the exploitation culture.
The art style relies heavily on the type of shading that uses patterns, which is not one of my favorite styles. It often brings me out of the story as I notice the shapes and where else they're being used in the same panel. The characters themselves and the scenes they are in are well drawn despite the shading tool.
VIZ rates this for Teen Plus on account of the assault, sexualization of people, and the heavy topics incorporated in this story.
Sara's Rating: 6/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12
This review was made possible with a digital reader copy from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Nina Kamiyama is trying to fly under the radar and attend her high school classes. She doesn't want anyone to find out that she used to be in Pure Club, an idol group that was super popular across Japan. After a fan assaulted her, she quit the group and begun her second life. Unfortunately, someone recognizes Nina as Karen, the former leader of Pure Club, and her new life begins to unravel. This story deals a lot with trauma, assault, exploitation culture, and more.
One of the things readers need to know going into this is what the concept of an idol group is. These are similar to Boy Bands in the US, but with a lot more rules. Participants are supposed to stay a certain size, they have an age out point, and the girls in idol groups are not allowed to date.
While the main crux of this story centers around assault and the trauma Nina is recovering from, the way that it is handled is sometimes less than delicately. This story gets marks for incorporating these difficult topics, but it was done through a moderately disjointed narrative. While discussing the Idol culture, much of the conversation is centered on men's perceived rights to female bodies, and some of the discussion here seems to reinforce these stereotypes. This might be something that is broken down later after the situation is completely set up, so I look forward to seeing how Volume 2 handles the exploitation culture.
The art style relies heavily on the type of shading that uses patterns, which is not one of my favorite styles. It often brings me out of the story as I notice the shapes and where else they're being used in the same panel. The characters themselves and the scenes they are in are well drawn despite the shading tool.
VIZ rates this for Teen Plus on account of the assault, sexualization of people, and the heavy topics incorporated in this story.
Sara's Rating: 6/10
Suitability Level: Grades 10-12
This review was made possible with a digital reader copy from the publisher through Edelweiss.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
4.0
A #MeToo manga with a dark mystery/psychological thriller plot. I dug it, but at the same time it hit close to home. Definitely an older manga read for your high schoolers.
kitsunebi_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for a copy of the ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review.
Nina Kamiyama was living her best life as Karen, an idol in the famous Pure Club, but all that changed when she was attacked by a crazed fan. Fearing for her life she withdrew from the public eye. She had decided to no longer recognize herself as female in public. Even going as far as to appear as a boy at her new high school.
Most of the students shun and ignore her presence. Has she becomes comfortable in her new life she is befriended by a classmate who knows more about her than he should. As she fears her identity may be revealed she grows closer to her new friend, but nothing could have prepared her for what is to happen.
The writing is smart and fast paced, building a sense of dread as the story progressed. Character development is thoughtful and well placed as flash-backs through out the story.
I really enjoyed reading as Nina's story began to unfold. I was drawn in to the suspense and felt her emotions has the story progressed. Highly adictive read that left off on a cliff hanger that has me dying to know how it will turn out.
Nina Kamiyama was living her best life as Karen, an idol in the famous Pure Club, but all that changed when she was attacked by a crazed fan. Fearing for her life she withdrew from the public eye. She had decided to no longer recognize herself as female in public. Even going as far as to appear as a boy at her new high school.
Most of the students shun and ignore her presence. Has she becomes comfortable in her new life she is befriended by a classmate who knows more about her than he should. As she fears her identity may be revealed she grows closer to her new friend, but nothing could have prepared her for what is to happen.
The writing is smart and fast paced, building a sense of dread as the story progressed. Character development is thoughtful and well placed as flash-backs through out the story.
I really enjoyed reading as Nina's story began to unfold. I was drawn in to the suspense and felt her emotions has the story progressed. Highly adictive read that left off on a cliff hanger that has me dying to know how it will turn out.
louandlife's review against another edition
5.0
Advance reader copy provided by the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Trigger Warnings for this book: Sexual assault, physical assault
This has got to be THE BEST, if not one of the best manga I have ever read. I am really happy that I got an ARC of this but I am also so sad because it will mean that I will have to wait for even longer to read the second volume... I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
This manga follows an ex-female idol, Nina, who left the industry after she was physically assaulted at a fan event. The perpetrator escaped and has yet to be caught. She has a new identity and looks completely different to how she was previously. This manga follows her journey into adjusting into normal life but her past won't stay away.
The story is so good. Not only does it provide really interesting social commentary on sexual assault, the plot has elements of both a romantic shojo manga and a thriller story. Nina doesn't know who she can trust but she follows her heart and it's so cute but also really scary if her judgement is incorrect.
I would highly recommend this manga because of gripping combination of a romantic shojo manga and a thriller/mystery. I read it within 9 hours and I was asleep for most of the time. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. I had to know what happened next, and now I can wait to see what will happen next in this series!
Trigger Warnings for this book: Sexual assault, physical assault
This has got to be THE BEST, if not one of the best manga I have ever read. I am really happy that I got an ARC of this but I am also so sad because it will mean that I will have to wait for even longer to read the second volume... I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!
This manga follows an ex-female idol, Nina, who left the industry after she was physically assaulted at a fan event. The perpetrator escaped and has yet to be caught. She has a new identity and looks completely different to how she was previously. This manga follows her journey into adjusting into normal life but her past won't stay away.
The story is so good. Not only does it provide really interesting social commentary on sexual assault, the plot has elements of both a romantic shojo manga and a thriller story. Nina doesn't know who she can trust but she follows her heart and it's so cute but also really scary if her judgement is incorrect.
I would highly recommend this manga because of gripping combination of a romantic shojo manga and a thriller/mystery. I read it within 9 hours and I was asleep for most of the time. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. I had to know what happened next, and now I can wait to see what will happen next in this series!
joybookish's review against another edition
5.0
This manga was so amazing! It tackles real stigmas and stereotypes to women, both from men and women. We see how people cope with trauma, too. This storyline is real, raw, and totally captivating. This volume ended on such a suspenseful note, and I can't wait for the next one!
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
I received a digital ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
mattressy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated