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7th out of 55 books
—
95 voters
Wandering Son: Volume One (Wandering Son #1)
The fifth grade. The threshold to puberty, and the beginning of the end of childhood innocence. Shuichi Nitori and his new friend Yoshino Takatsuki have happy homes, loving families, and are well-liked by their classmates. But they share a secret that further complicates a time of life that is awkward for anyone: Shuichi is a boy who wants to be a girl, and Yoshino is a gi...more
Hardcover, 208 pages
Published
July 5th 2011
by Fantagraphics
(first published July 1st 2003)
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(3.5) it took me a while to figure out what was bothering me about Wandering Son. turns out it was the format rather than the content (although that was less wispy than i had expected and in fact reminded me of that yuri style often used for domestic or slice-of-life narratives - which makes sense). i felt the art didn't require the large hardback treatment and would have suited a more intimate size (although presumably the fantagraphics ed is fairly close in size to the orginal magazine). i kno...more
Wandering Son starts with a group of elementary school children. One boy among them wants to be a girl, and one girl among them wants to be a boy.
So far so good. It's definitely a unique subject and Shimura seems to be a talented storyteller. The art is quite basic, Shimura herself says as much, yet at the same time manages to be touching.
After only one volume I can't say too much about the characters. They feel a bit too mature for small children, but that's certainly better than having annoyin...more
So far so good. It's definitely a unique subject and Shimura seems to be a talented storyteller. The art is quite basic, Shimura herself says as much, yet at the same time manages to be touching.
After only one volume I can't say too much about the characters. They feel a bit too mature for small children, but that's certainly better than having annoyin...more
Wandering Son is a beautifully drawn hardcover manga, that feels a lot like what you would normally expect from a North American graphic novel. Whenever I think manga, I think of things like Inuyasha and Fruits Basket, but among all the shojo and action fantasy romps we also have books like this one. Wandering Son is a quiet book. It's a slice of life look into the lives of two main characters, Nitori and Takatsuki. What makes this book unique is that Takatsuki is a girl who wants to be a boy an...more
This is a provocative but also endearing example of manga: a school story about the friendship between two classmates edging into adolescence, one a boy who longs to be a girl, the other a girl who longs to be a boy. A nuanced, remarkably understated, and yet emotionally fraught study in gender trouble, Wandering Son explores the feelings of its leads with a light but knowing touch, braiding recurrent images, remembered encounters, dreams, and fantasies into a subtle, insinuating weave.
More than...more
More than...more
Why I picked it up: It's on the list for the YALSA challenge I'm doing it and my friend Snow got a dreamy look in her eye when she described it.
Shuichi Nitori is a 5th grader in Japan. Most of his friends at school are girls, including the new girl, Yoshino Takatsuki. And there is a reason for that: secretly, Shuichi wants to be a girl. And Yoshino has a secret, too: she wishes she were a boy.
I loved the idea of two transgendered kids finding each other as they are on the verge of puberty. I am...more
Shuichi Nitori is a 5th grader in Japan. Most of his friends at school are girls, including the new girl, Yoshino Takatsuki. And there is a reason for that: secretly, Shuichi wants to be a girl. And Yoshino has a secret, too: she wishes she were a boy.
I loved the idea of two transgendered kids finding each other as they are on the verge of puberty. I am...more
Nitori Shuichi is a boy with a secret: he would really like to be a girl. When he starts fifth grade at a new school, a couple of startling things happen. One girl in his class, Chiba Saori, discovers his secret, and seems to find it fascinating. She even helps arrange for a surreptitious way for Shuichi to cross-dress in public: a performance of "The Rose of Versailles" with the boys playing the girl parts and the girls playing the boy roles. Meanwhile, another classmate has a similar secret to...more
I want to break into a school in a really conservative district and plant copies of this book in the library, just to watch the ensuing outrage from moral guardians. In terms of content, it's absolutely G-rated -- no cursing, the only fight takes place off screen, and the closest it comes to nudity is someone changing clothes off screen. But Certain People will still object.
The story concerns two fifth graders, Nitori Shuichi and Takatsuki Yoshino. Shuichi just transferred to a new school and en...more
The story concerns two fifth graders, Nitori Shuichi and Takatsuki Yoshino. Shuichi just transferred to a new school and en...more
Taken from my Book Obsession (bookobsessiongpl.blogspot.com) blog post:
I just got back from lunch and I liked this manga I was reading soooo much that I had to immediately blog about it. Usually, I like to percolate about a title first, but this one just touched me as a reader I want to gush about it. I know this title isn't going to be for everyone. But there are very few titles --prose novels and graphic novels -- that delve into this topic that when one appears as shining as this one did to m...more
I just got back from lunch and I liked this manga I was reading soooo much that I had to immediately blog about it. Usually, I like to percolate about a title first, but this one just touched me as a reader I want to gush about it. I know this title isn't going to be for everyone. But there are very few titles --prose novels and graphic novels -- that delve into this topic that when one appears as shining as this one did to m...more
one word review: gender
i found this graphic novel on the shelves of the library, drawn in by its illustrations, which i found beautiful and strangely haunting. the story is remarkable - a friendship between a boy and girl that each (unbeknownst to each other) identify more strongly with the other gender. the girl fully embraces dressing more like a boy with a short haircut and the boy struggles more with his feelings.
along the way, there are a couple other characters thrown into the mix and the...more
i found this graphic novel on the shelves of the library, drawn in by its illustrations, which i found beautiful and strangely haunting. the story is remarkable - a friendship between a boy and girl that each (unbeknownst to each other) identify more strongly with the other gender. the girl fully embraces dressing more like a boy with a short haircut and the boy struggles more with his feelings.
along the way, there are a couple other characters thrown into the mix and the...more
Wandering Son follows two fifth-graders as they navigate the beginnings of adolescence. One is Shuichi Nitori, a boy who would rather be a girl. The other is his good friend, Yoshino Takatsuki, a girl would would prefer to be a boy. Both are from good, loving homes and are both well-liked by their classmates. Often mistaken as members of the opposite gender, both children feel more at home in their bodies when they dress and act as such.
This is an unusual and somewhat provocative topic for mang...more
This is an unusual and somewhat provocative topic for mang...more
A sweet manga that is obviously written from a place of warmth and compassion about childhood explorations in gender. Shuichi Nitori is in elementary school, biologically male and having grown up masculine, but curious about dressing female and identifying with feminine traits. He has no outlet to discuss or explore this; it has to be private, not because it's dirty, but because he doesn't know what else to do with his feelings. In that way it is a story for both Japan and the United States, as...more
What a lovely book.
I'm amazed how much more appreciative I am of well-produced books since switching to ebooks. The cover art is beautiful and the first few pages have amazing colors before switching to black and white. It lies beautifully in my hands and I kept going back to just hold it and 'feel' the cover. The paper is sturdy. Art-wise, I don't have much to compare it to but in contrast to Batwoman, for example, the art is very minimalistic, yet very powerful.
I had some problems in the begin...more
I'm amazed how much more appreciative I am of well-produced books since switching to ebooks. The cover art is beautiful and the first few pages have amazing colors before switching to black and white. It lies beautifully in my hands and I kept going back to just hold it and 'feel' the cover. The paper is sturdy. Art-wise, I don't have much to compare it to but in contrast to Batwoman, for example, the art is very minimalistic, yet very powerful.
I had some problems in the begin...more
This was a lovely little story about two teenagers just starting to ask questions about gender identity. I loved the overall style of this graphic novel: The art is simple and--wonder of wonders!--it's shojo (i.e. the focus is on characters and relationships rather than action) without any romantic drama. While some of the characters are a bit over the top (are they ever not, in manga?), they are much more realistic than the norm for manga. I especially liked the little everyday interactions bet...more
Feb 04, 2012
Jennifer Lavoie
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
classroom-library,
family,
friends,
japan,
lgbt,
manga,
person-library,
school,
transgender,
younger-readers
This manga was such a sweet, refreshing read. The story is beautiful but the art is simple and beautiful as well, and it matches the story perfectly. Nitori is a boy who wants to be a girl, and his friend, Takatsuki, is a girl who wants to be a boy. Through most of the first volume neither knows the others secret, but when they find out, it's sweet. They are able to get strength from each other and go out, dressed as the opposite gender together and enjoy their time.
What I most enjoyed about th...more
What I most enjoyed about th...more
One of the primary complaints I hear about manga is that it isn't a REAL book, or it's all rubbish. I utterly detest this suggestion and all others that come with it. This book proves those suggestions wrong as far as I'm concerned.
Wandering Son tackles the issues faced by a boy who, over time, realises he really wishes he was a girl. Passing comments from other characters and a series of events eventually lead Shu to eventually put on a dress. There are many pages in this book that cut deep. Sh...more
Wandering Son tackles the issues faced by a boy who, over time, realises he really wishes he was a girl. Passing comments from other characters and a series of events eventually lead Shu to eventually put on a dress. There are many pages in this book that cut deep. Sh...more
I thought this graphic novel was fantastic. It took me a while to adjust to the format. I have read a number of graphic novels, but none that were in the traditional(as I understand)manga format, which means it is read right to left. Not only are you reading the book itself "backwards," but the panels are also read right to left. It took a little time, but once I got my brain adjusted to reading this way, it went super fast. The story is fantastic... in fact it begins as two separate stories of...more
Aug 28, 2011
S
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Everyone!
Recommended to S by:
Crunchyroll.com
Though the number of books with transgender characters is growing, there hardly very many. There are even fewer within the list that deal with children to middle school age, which is why this book is very special. Not only is it rare, but the writing is poignant, insightful and at times, very funny. There is not only one, but two young characters that are both feeling out of sorts about their assigned gender and on the path to portraying their gender identities. Of course, they have a lot more t...more
As usual with manga (or any graphic novels, really) I had a lot of trouble telling characters apart and following the story. Reading backwards and right-to-left didn't help. Because I was having trouble differentiating characters and following the story, this didn't have much emotional resonance for me. I'd have to read it again to make sense of Shuichi's relationship with his parents. The scene where Takatsuki-san, alone in his room, grieves over the arrival of his first period, though, was wel...more
A quietly powerful story about two children trying to figure out how they belong. Shuichi and Yoshino both feel like they were born in the wrong bodies and they're timidly beginning to try out how it feels to dressing the way they feel. Discovering that they both have the same secret they quickly become friends. Yoshino is bolder and ready to jump right in, but Shuichi is more apprehensive.
While I did like the book this was the first time that I felt like some things were lost in translation. Th...more
While I did like the book this was the first time that I felt like some things were lost in translation. Th...more
This is a very subjective three stars, because I think this volume could have been a five-star read if it weren't for a few problems I had with it that may well be specific to me. The idea is interesting and the plot seems to progress slowly enough that it will be thoroughly explored over time. However, I have trouble remembering and distinguishing Japanese names, so keeping characters straight was a constant challenge - one not helped by some strong similarities in appearance.
That said, this is...more
That said, this is...more
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A sweet, tender, and engaging look at the friendship between two pre-teens -- Shuichi, a boy who wishes he were a girl and Yoshino, a girl who wishes she was a boy. The book pulls you in with these adorable and introspective little characters, on the cusp of becoming adults but not quite there yet and not quite sure how to be what they are on the outside or the inside. Drama with friends, family, and school creates a highly realistic world. It's a natural read-alike for "With the Light" or other...more
The two main protagonists are a girl and a boy who feel that they were born in the wrong bodies. The subject matter is much more mature than the illustrations would suggest and I would recommend the titles for older high school students and up. Since this is a series, I don't have a strong opinion on the story right now, but I applaud that someone is making the effort to bring this issue to light. The characters are portrayed very sweetly and respectfully and though there are moments of levity,...more
Wandering Son: Volume One is a graphic novel written and drawn by Shimura Takako, and published by Fantagraphic Books. The book is about two fifth graders, both who are exploring their respective gender identities. The Wandering Son series spans over 11 volumes (and counting) though only the first two volumes have been translated into English, with the third volume to be released soon (I couldn't find an exact release date, though you can pre-order it on Amazon.)
First, this book is a manga. It w...more
First, this book is a manga. It w...more
A girl who wants to be a boy and a boy who wants to be a girl.
This is a thoughtful take on gender identity and growing up.
I don't think its necessarily insightful or deep enough to change the world, but its a well-told slice-of-life story that is much more sensitive than your usual shojo/shonen fluff.
(also, extra bonus points for their school play being The Rose of Versailles <3 )
This is only volume 1 (even tho it comes as a hardback, which you usually only see on one-off special volumes), a...more
This is a thoughtful take on gender identity and growing up.
I don't think its necessarily insightful or deep enough to change the world, but its a well-told slice-of-life story that is much more sensitive than your usual shojo/shonen fluff.
(also, extra bonus points for their school play being The Rose of Versailles <3 )
This is only volume 1 (even tho it comes as a hardback, which you usually only see on one-off special volumes), a...more
Such a beautifully-written, understated manga. Shuichi is so confused and adorable. He just needs someone to hug him and tell him it is ok to be transgender. Takatsuki is much stronger about realizing that she should have been born a boy. I hope in future volumes that Takatsuki's strength will help Shuichi as the two begin to feel more comfortable with the fact that they are transgender. The artwork is beautiful and understated, enabling to story to feel every day. I am excited to see where the...more
I absolutely love this manga. I have been reading it for months now and i love it and recommend it to everyone anyone who can enjoy books on such a topic. not everyone can understand some of the things that happen. I love the artwork as well, in both the manga and the anime. there are points in time where if you don't actually think about the story and what could be happening you can get lost but i just loved that about it even more. this is a good series to read for almost anyone. i love it and...more
First of all, I'm going to say that I'll be referring to the characters by their biological genders and the names they are commonly called (which is their last name plus a suffix, because of Japanese tradition), since that is how they are talked about in the book.
Nitori-kun is a boy in fifth grade, who befriends Takatsuki-san, a girl in his class. They both are good at making friends, and quickly are part of a group of kids who hang out together. About half way through the book, both reveal thei...more
Nitori-kun is a boy in fifth grade, who befriends Takatsuki-san, a girl in his class. They both are good at making friends, and quickly are part of a group of kids who hang out together. About half way through the book, both reveal thei...more
Nitori and Takatsuki are fifth grade classmates who share a secret. Nitori is a boy who wants to be a girl and Takatsuki is a girl who wants to be a boy. Shy and reserved Nitori hides his desire to wear his sister's dresses from his friends and family while outgoing Takatsuki catches a train to a far away town wearing her brother's old school uniform. As the school year progresses Nitori and Takatsuki discover each other's secret and support one another as they try to express their true selves....more
This book is about two 5th grade students, Shuichi, a boy who wishes he were a girl and Yoshino, a girl who wishes she was a boy. The author Shimura Takako is supposed to be a master manga artist, but I found the art to be a little underwhelming. There are few books written for this age regarding transgender issues, so it's an important work in that regard. However, the story line was difficult to follow, and the characters almost impossible to distinguish from one another. First in a series.
A nicely developed, subtle story about two transgender teens in a Japanese high school. What I really appreciate more than anything is that the situation is treated seriously, but not in a high-and-mighty, preachy kind of way. It's really trying to look at two young characters struggling to figure out who and what they are. This series has the potential to make a significant statement and deliver a powerful emotional message----I hope it can take it that far.
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