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The Lines That Define Me #2
The Lines that Define Me, Vol. 2
Sosuke Aoyama, a college student with deep emotional scars, is scouted by Kozan Shinoda, a giant in the ink-painting scene. Through him, he encounters an entire world of passionate artists, an experience that helps rescue him from his loneliness. Through painting, he discovers, he can face up to his past, connect with others, and get the contours of his life back in order...
190 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 15, 2022
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 21, 2022
Aoyama continues to learn the ways of India ink painting and grows closer to everybody. He learns a valuable lesson about technical precision, but the true value might be in the things his art is signalling to others.
There’s a definite aspect of art therapy going on in this story, as we learn the extent of how much Aoyama isn’t dealing with his parents’ death, along with how difficult it is for him to even acknowledge that fact. It’s an interesting portrayal of grief, inasmuch as the mourning isn’t present, more the total avoidance of thinking about it.
Chiaki and Aoyama have such a natural chemistry that I think I’d be reading the series even without the focal art appreciation aspect. The two of them just interact like real people with a subtly growing attraction to one another. Hands down the best scene in this volume is the one where the two just let their hair down and doodle - it’s such a breezy, beautiful moment.
There’s a lot of focus in this volume on the varying contrasts between teaching styles and indeed the contrast within people themselves in this one. Aoyama meets another sensei whose style and manner are far gruffer, yet is no less deserving of respect, than Shinoda. He imparts a very valuable lesson to Aoyama on the latter’s journey.
Shinoda himself reveals that while he clearly believes in what he does and loves his teaching, he is not fussed with fame (this was pretty obvious since last time) and certainly not about to sugar coat things if he has any criticism.
There’s also Seito, who studies under Shinoda but is like a precision instrument when it comes to the artwork, an interesting counterpoint to Aoyama, whose style is easily manipulated by his emotions in the moment. It’s nice that the story doesn’t take sides and presents these people as good at what they do, not better or worse than one another.
And in the midst of all this is Aoyama’s growth and healing. He’s still got his issues, holing himself up to do art by himself for almost three weeks, but his progress and the way he engages with this new world are great. He’s so easy to root for - most of his missteps seem to come from him not being used to regular human interaction.
Proof that a story doesn’t have to have a villain or a rival or any such thing to be good. It can be about the people and the art and the beauty inherent in both. This is such a celebration of life and expression and I continue to find genuinely touching.
4 stars - I did find it started slow, but it was a delightful bit of joy by the end. It’s quite easy to get caught up in this and just enjoy it wholeheartedly.
There’s a definite aspect of art therapy going on in this story, as we learn the extent of how much Aoyama isn’t dealing with his parents’ death, along with how difficult it is for him to even acknowledge that fact. It’s an interesting portrayal of grief, inasmuch as the mourning isn’t present, more the total avoidance of thinking about it.
Chiaki and Aoyama have such a natural chemistry that I think I’d be reading the series even without the focal art appreciation aspect. The two of them just interact like real people with a subtly growing attraction to one another. Hands down the best scene in this volume is the one where the two just let their hair down and doodle - it’s such a breezy, beautiful moment.
There’s a lot of focus in this volume on the varying contrasts between teaching styles and indeed the contrast within people themselves in this one. Aoyama meets another sensei whose style and manner are far gruffer, yet is no less deserving of respect, than Shinoda. He imparts a very valuable lesson to Aoyama on the latter’s journey.
Shinoda himself reveals that while he clearly believes in what he does and loves his teaching, he is not fussed with fame (this was pretty obvious since last time) and certainly not about to sugar coat things if he has any criticism.
There’s also Seito, who studies under Shinoda but is like a precision instrument when it comes to the artwork, an interesting counterpoint to Aoyama, whose style is easily manipulated by his emotions in the moment. It’s nice that the story doesn’t take sides and presents these people as good at what they do, not better or worse than one another.
And in the midst of all this is Aoyama’s growth and healing. He’s still got his issues, holing himself up to do art by himself for almost three weeks, but his progress and the way he engages with this new world are great. He’s so easy to root for - most of his missteps seem to come from him not being used to regular human interaction.
Proof that a story doesn’t have to have a villain or a rival or any such thing to be good. It can be about the people and the art and the beauty inherent in both. This is such a celebration of life and expression and I continue to find genuinely touching.
4 stars - I did find it started slow, but it was a delightful bit of joy by the end. It’s quite easy to get caught up in this and just enjoy it wholeheartedly.
February 25, 2022
Aoyama is introduced to other artists who offer different insights and techniques in the art of ink painting. Aoyama's friends, along with Chiaki form an India ink painting club at school and appoint him director in an attempt to pull him out of his house and back into living life. Chiaki is realizing that even though she has far more technical skill, Auyama is able to convey emotion into his art in a way that she hasn't been able to achieve. There are artists who have technical skills and those who can portray emotion, I think that will be an ongoing theme in this series, along with Aoyama facing his grief and beginning to heal.
October 29, 2023
As wonderful as the first one. I really like Nishihama. He's such a sweetheart, always in a good mood, always willing to help, always caring. I love that he's the one who truly grasps what Kozan Sensei is trying to teach.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews