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さよならミニスカート [Sayonara Miniskirt] #1
Not Your Idol, Vol. 1
After that day, she stopped being a girl.
In the wake of an assault, Nina Kamiyama, a former idol in the group Pure Club, shuns her femininity and starts dressing as a boy. At high school she keeps to herself, but fellow student Hikaru Horiuchi realizes who she is. What secrets is she keeping? The shocking drama starts.
In the wake of an assault, Nina Kamiyama, a former idol in the group Pure Club, shuns her femininity and starts dressing as a boy. At high school she keeps to herself, but fellow student Hikaru Horiuchi realizes who she is. What secrets is she keeping? The shocking drama starts.
176 pages, Paperback
First published November 22, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
April 3, 2020
Nina Kamiyama used to be Karen, the center singer and most popular mini skirt girl in Pure Club. But after she’s assaulted at a fan club meeting she retires to become a boy. She shuns everyone until a boy at her high school recognizes her. And then the stalker returns... will he get her this time?!
This was setup really well. Poor Nina! She wasn’t raped but worse, was nearly killed. And she feels like it happened because she’s a girl. To feel safe she dresses like a boy and except for kids at school most people who see her, see a boy. Since she has to be a girl to be an idol in Pure Club she’s forced to retire. And that’s alright with her because she mentally can’t handle more.
Hikaru is a good guy who loves judo and has a little sister who was greatly effected by Karen of Pure Club. So it’s no surprise he recognizes Karen in Nina. I liked how effected Nina as by his story, she needs positive things that came from her time as an idol. Especially if she ever wants to go back. And I know how I feel about him. It’s much more likely someone else is the stalker in their class.
The art is a little odd, especially considering the hard hitting topics such as assault, anxiety, stalkers, as well as the social issues in Japan such as the groping, woman train cars and idol culture. It’s a cross between cute chibi and your typical manga with slight cartoonish edges. Still that may make it more appealing to the target audience which are preteen and teen girls.
Not Your Idol vol 1 was a strong start. I’m intrigued and want to see Nina overcome this assault, whether by dating and living a normal life or becoming an idol again and saving her group. I can’t wait to see what the next volume brings!
This was setup really well. Poor Nina! She wasn’t raped but worse, was nearly killed. And she feels like it happened because she’s a girl. To feel safe she dresses like a boy and except for kids at school most people who see her, see a boy. Since she has to be a girl to be an idol in Pure Club she’s forced to retire. And that’s alright with her because she mentally can’t handle more.
Hikaru is a good guy who loves judo and has a little sister who was greatly effected by Karen of Pure Club. So it’s no surprise he recognizes Karen in Nina. I liked how effected Nina as by his story, she needs positive things that came from her time as an idol. Especially if she ever wants to go back. And I know how I feel about him. It’s much more likely someone else is the stalker in their class.
The art is a little odd, especially considering the hard hitting topics such as assault, anxiety, stalkers, as well as the social issues in Japan such as the groping, woman train cars and idol culture. It’s a cross between cute chibi and your typical manga with slight cartoonish edges. Still that may make it more appealing to the target audience which are preteen and teen girls.
Not Your Idol vol 1 was a strong start. I’m intrigued and want to see Nina overcome this assault, whether by dating and living a normal life or becoming an idol again and saving her group. I can’t wait to see what the next volume brings!
March 6, 2020
2 stars
*Thank you to the author and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I was really interested to see how this story would unfold; the idea was there but I personally didn't like how it was executed. I found the story didn't progress smoothly, it felt quite disjointed like it was jumping to different scenes too quickly and I was getting easily confused about what the point of the story was at times. I also really didn't like all the female bashing "asking for it" trope. There was too much of that, obviously to highlight the issue the book it targeting but it was overdone for me. This could have been approached better in my opinion.
*Thank you to the author and Netgalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I was really interested to see how this story would unfold; the idea was there but I personally didn't like how it was executed. I found the story didn't progress smoothly, it felt quite disjointed like it was jumping to different scenes too quickly and I was getting easily confused about what the point of the story was at times. I also really didn't like all the female bashing "asking for it" trope. There was too much of that, obviously to highlight the issue the book it targeting but it was overdone for me. This could have been approached better in my opinion.
January 30, 2020
It took me a little to get used to the style, as the dialogue didn't flow all that smoothly at first, but I'm glad I persevered. Not Your Idol was a surprisingly thought-provoking manga that explored the nature of gender identity, the objectification of women, assault and its aftermath, and the expectations of fame. I'm definitely keen to pick up volume 2 when it's released in May!
August 6, 2023
This was VERY good!!
Maybe it's because I've wanted something less intense than Oshi no Ko or just because I've been curious about this unfinished series for a longgg time now, but this is exactly the idol manga I have been looking for!
While I have tried and read some of Oshi no Ko, Not Your Idol has a much deeper relatability than I found in the prior series. I'm definitely not an idol (LOL) and have never been groped or assaulted, but there is a real relatability that jumps off the page. Nina's fear feels so tangible, wrapping around me regardless if I have felt afraid of another man physically doing something against me. Truly, this story made me want to sit up and listen to Nina's story in everything she is going through and experiencing. It made me want to see Nina's journey and how she is being "human" for the first time.
Surprisingly there was A LOT of suspense woven throughout this story. (I didn't read the blurb before starting so I honestly have no idea if it mentions that.) The closer I got to the end, the more I was questioning one of the main characters, even though I feel bad for doing so. However, I do feel there were just two panels that hinted at who the ACTUAL assailant is, but I'm not FULLY sure if they really are. But that character who seems to be sure is fishy and if any character makes me feel uneasy, it's the character that everyone seems to love and admire. The way they have addressed assault towards women and how groping isn't something to make a big deal of was very triggering because I got EXTREMELY angry. I had to reel in my anger and not explode at how upsetting it was because how dare you insult and put down women who have experienced assault or felt afraid to be alone with a bunch of men!!! 😤😤😤
Respectfully moving on though so I don't start ranting, I REALLY liked Hikaru! He seems genuinely kind and caring and I admire the deep initiatives he took to befriend Nina. Not only that but he stands up for Nina when others berate her because of how she speaks and acts. I'm hoping he continues to be a great guy!
Also, Sara is an amazing friend! <3
To say I am DEEPLY crestfallen that this series is on hiatus is an understatement. I will still get volume two because this first volume was very very good, but I hope the creator knows that should she should come back and continue this series, I WILL be grabbing it! Very impactful first volume!
Maybe it's because I've wanted something less intense than Oshi no Ko or just because I've been curious about this unfinished series for a longgg time now, but this is exactly the idol manga I have been looking for!
While I have tried and read some of Oshi no Ko, Not Your Idol has a much deeper relatability than I found in the prior series. I'm definitely not an idol (LOL) and have never been groped or assaulted, but there is a real relatability that jumps off the page. Nina's fear feels so tangible, wrapping around me regardless if I have felt afraid of another man physically doing something against me. Truly, this story made me want to sit up and listen to Nina's story in everything she is going through and experiencing. It made me want to see Nina's journey and how she is being "human" for the first time.
Surprisingly there was A LOT of suspense woven throughout this story. (I didn't read the blurb before starting so I honestly have no idea if it mentions that.) The closer I got to the end, the more I was questioning one of the main characters, even though I feel bad for doing so. However, I do feel there were just two panels that hinted at who the ACTUAL assailant is, but I'm not FULLY sure if they really are. But that character who seems to be sure is fishy and if any character makes me feel uneasy, it's the character that everyone seems to love and admire. The way they have addressed assault towards women and how groping isn't something to make a big deal of was very triggering because I got EXTREMELY angry. I had to reel in my anger and not explode at how upsetting it was because how dare you insult and put down women who have experienced assault or felt afraid to be alone with a bunch of men!!! 😤😤😤
Respectfully moving on though so I don't start ranting, I REALLY liked Hikaru! He seems genuinely kind and caring and I admire the deep initiatives he took to befriend Nina. Not only that but he stands up for Nina when others berate her because of how she speaks and acts. I'm hoping he continues to be a great guy!
Also, Sara is an amazing friend! <3
To say I am DEEPLY crestfallen that this series is on hiatus is an understatement. I will still get volume two because this first volume was very very good, but I hope the creator knows that should she should come back and continue this series, I WILL be grabbing it! Very impactful first volume!
September 14, 2022
I love the story line. The only thing is I kind of expected the attack on Karen to be a lot worse considering the emotional trauma she suffered.
April 2, 2021
Pretty interesting look into the Idol world and popstar life.
Nina might seem like a regular girl but was once a popstar who was super famous but was attacked viciously by one of her "fans". Now in her regular school life she can see how a lot of girls are treated. A lot dismissed for being slutty or wanting to be "touched" simply cause of how they dressed. We all know this bullshit is still being talked about in real life in so many places. I quit a job once because of how disgusting my coworkers were to women.
Anyway, this is a really cool slice of life thriller. While sometimes it is a bit dramatic and over the top the twist and turns were good enough to keep me invested. The art is solid. And the pacing was good. I'll be checking out volume 2 for sure.
A 3.5 out of 5 bumping it to a 4.
Nina might seem like a regular girl but was once a popstar who was super famous but was attacked viciously by one of her "fans". Now in her regular school life she can see how a lot of girls are treated. A lot dismissed for being slutty or wanting to be "touched" simply cause of how they dressed. We all know this bullshit is still being talked about in real life in so many places. I quit a job once because of how disgusting my coworkers were to women.
Anyway, this is a really cool slice of life thriller. While sometimes it is a bit dramatic and over the top the twist and turns were good enough to keep me invested. The art is solid. And the pacing was good. I'll be checking out volume 2 for sure.
A 3.5 out of 5 bumping it to a 4.
February 28, 2021
Ein Manga über Sexismus, Frauenfeindlichkeit, sexuelle Belästigung, Stalking, slutshaming, Täter-Opfer-Umkehr sowie den medialen Umgang damit. Sehr beklemmend.
February 14, 2020
I went into this with little information as I wanted a blind experience on this read. Thank you, Netgalley, for providing a free eARC for my unbiased opinion.
I just finished this less than thirty seconds ago, but I'll try to collect my thought as best as I can.
I definitely want to continue this series. This book was...hard to read. I'm very lucky as a woman. I've never been sexually assaulted, groped, or cat-called. Guess it's a plus that I've always dressed and acted more like a man than anything--that's simply my personality and life choice. This book raised a lot of very current problems, and I genuinely hope the series will continue to tackle them. It deals with the topics of physical assault, sexual assault, teacher-student rape, and how people view all of these situations. The main character has the unique opportunity to see both ends of the spectrum in terms of how women and men treat assault towards women. She sees women who belittle others for wanting to be safe and not be attacked, she sees men who complain about women wanting their own train cars for safety and stricter regulations, and she sees men and women who stand up against assault and rape culture.
This book isn't graphic--you don't see anyone being raped or horrifically assaulted, but please note that it is very emotional and could potentially be triggering if you have been through anything like this.
As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the discussions it raised about how dangerous it can be for quiet girls and how subtle sexism has pervaded our world. I definitely recommend this, and I cannot wait for volume two.
I just finished this less than thirty seconds ago, but I'll try to collect my thought as best as I can.
I definitely want to continue this series. This book was...hard to read. I'm very lucky as a woman. I've never been sexually assaulted, groped, or cat-called. Guess it's a plus that I've always dressed and acted more like a man than anything--that's simply my personality and life choice. This book raised a lot of very current problems, and I genuinely hope the series will continue to tackle them. It deals with the topics of physical assault, sexual assault, teacher-student rape, and how people view all of these situations. The main character has the unique opportunity to see both ends of the spectrum in terms of how women and men treat assault towards women. She sees women who belittle others for wanting to be safe and not be attacked, she sees men who complain about women wanting their own train cars for safety and stricter regulations, and she sees men and women who stand up against assault and rape culture.
This book isn't graphic--you don't see anyone being raped or horrifically assaulted, but please note that it is very emotional and could potentially be triggering if you have been through anything like this.
As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the discussions it raised about how dangerous it can be for quiet girls and how subtle sexism has pervaded our world. I definitely recommend this, and I cannot wait for volume two.
February 28, 2020
e-copy provided by publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Wow! That’s really all I have to say about this one.
I was fascinated by the premise because of her wanting to give up her femininity which I only assumed was to feel safer after being attacked. There is definitely a lot of talk about young women getting groped, raped, and being seen as an idol for anyone to stare at. It’s the harsh reality that many women, young or old, face each day.
I loved Nina as a character and how brave she was. She had her days where it was all too much but she stuck up for those who wouldn’t or couldn’t on their own.
This manga definitely struck a chord in me and had me tearing up a few times. I’ve had unwarranted touching before and the scenes about public transportation had me remembering the days of being cat called and also being called rude names when I didn’t respond. These tough topics are talked about in, I think, a good way and use the language we hear about it, good and bad. It makes you think.
The only bad part (it’s not really bad) is that it ended on such a cliffhanger! I will be dying for the next book because the plot is intriguing and it was hard to put down even when I got tired because it was past my bedtime.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it.
Rating: 5 stars
Continue?: Yes!
Wow! That’s really all I have to say about this one.
I was fascinated by the premise because of her wanting to give up her femininity which I only assumed was to feel safer after being attacked. There is definitely a lot of talk about young women getting groped, raped, and being seen as an idol for anyone to stare at. It’s the harsh reality that many women, young or old, face each day.
I loved Nina as a character and how brave she was. She had her days where it was all too much but she stuck up for those who wouldn’t or couldn’t on their own.
This manga definitely struck a chord in me and had me tearing up a few times. I’ve had unwarranted touching before and the scenes about public transportation had me remembering the days of being cat called and also being called rude names when I didn’t respond. These tough topics are talked about in, I think, a good way and use the language we hear about it, good and bad. It makes you think.
The only bad part (it’s not really bad) is that it ended on such a cliffhanger! I will be dying for the next book because the plot is intriguing and it was hard to put down even when I got tired because it was past my bedtime.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it.
Rating: 5 stars
Continue?: Yes!
December 1, 2020
This series follows Nina, who is a former idol. She retired after she was assaulted by a fan and is now unrecognizable since she has shed her long hair, miniskirt, and only dresses like a boy. I'm not sure exactly where the next volume will take us, but I really loved the message this volume was showing us. That it doesn't matter how girls dress, they do not deserve to be touched without explicit permission. We also have an interesting dynamic with some people (boys and girls alike) not agreeing with this, even though most do. I am eagerly awaiting more in this series.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2020
[I received an ARC on Netgalley in return for an honest review. ]
I really enjoyed reading this manga and I thought it covered some really important issues. The artwork was so cute, and I'm intrigued to see where the story will continue from here on.
I'll definitely be following this manga when more volumes are released in the future!
Rating: 4/5
I really enjoyed reading this manga and I thought it covered some really important issues. The artwork was so cute, and I'm intrigued to see where the story will continue from here on.
I'll definitely be following this manga when more volumes are released in the future!
Rating: 4/5
February 21, 2021
This was great, and above all, an interesting window into the zeitgeist of Japanese feminism. There's so much culture in here, and being focused on gender politics, it's a bit all over the place for a western readers sympathies. The politics are so different, and the Japanese idol culture is at the center of this books conflicts. I enjoyed reading it, but it was a bit of work mentally putting together the intimately cultural perspective.
May 13, 2020
This manga is a gumbo of ideas that come together with varying levels of success. Nina used to be an idol named Karen until a violent assault (appreciatively non-sexual) drove her from the business and into hiding at a new school where she dresses in a boys’ uniform and cuts her hair off.
Thus starts an emotional tale of somebody in the throes of PTSD coming to terms with their ordeal and learning to trust in men with the help of her potential new young love interest on the judo club.
Until they quickly reveal that they never caught the guy who did it and he knew judo. And that sound you heard was the plot train barreling down the tracks to send us flying into a psychological thriller on top of everything else.
There’s a lot of gender politics in here as well and some real boo hiss awful people. This series reads like an accurate depiction of high school inasmuch as most of the characters are dumb and have awful opinions. Miku might very well be the devil incarnate in a mini-skirt.
It’s engaging reading though, even as it goes through so much plot in one volume. I think the two leads are great - the way they tag team the groping situation is excellent - and I love how Karen’s old idol group still has her back (uh... mostly...). The usual beats of the girl totally misreading the situation take on some actual depth when it’s giving her flashbacks to a traumatic event.
I will say, however, that the cheesy 90’s thriller vibe is a bit over-the-top (Nina’s going to be able to understudy for Julius Caesar with the amount of times she gets stabbed in the back this volume). It’s also ham-fisted as hell in trying to make it look like the male lead might be the bad guy. I mean, his best friend is only also in the judo club, in his class, and has the access required to cause the cliffhanger that closes out the volume. If he’s NOT the culprit, it’ll be an amazing con, I’ll give it that.
This reminded me a LOT of the first volume of Something’s Wrong With Us, except I wasn’t hoping for the Hubble space telescope to fall from the sky and squash the protagonists. Having people to root for makes a huge difference and I genuinely want things to work out for Nina.
3.5 stars overall, rounded up because I liked the leads.
Thus starts an emotional tale of somebody in the throes of PTSD coming to terms with their ordeal and learning to trust in men with the help of her potential new young love interest on the judo club.
Until they quickly reveal that they never caught the guy who did it and he knew judo. And that sound you heard was the plot train barreling down the tracks to send us flying into a psychological thriller on top of everything else.
There’s a lot of gender politics in here as well and some real boo hiss awful people. This series reads like an accurate depiction of high school inasmuch as most of the characters are dumb and have awful opinions. Miku might very well be the devil incarnate in a mini-skirt.
It’s engaging reading though, even as it goes through so much plot in one volume. I think the two leads are great - the way they tag team the groping situation is excellent - and I love how Karen’s old idol group still has her back (uh... mostly...). The usual beats of the girl totally misreading the situation take on some actual depth when it’s giving her flashbacks to a traumatic event.
I will say, however, that the cheesy 90’s thriller vibe is a bit over-the-top (Nina’s going to be able to understudy for Julius Caesar with the amount of times she gets stabbed in the back this volume). It’s also ham-fisted as hell in trying to make it look like the male lead might be the bad guy. I mean, his best friend is only also in the judo club, in his class, and has the access required to cause the cliffhanger that closes out the volume. If he’s NOT the culprit, it’ll be an amazing con, I’ll give it that.
This reminded me a LOT of the first volume of Something’s Wrong With Us, except I wasn’t hoping for the Hubble space telescope to fall from the sky and squash the protagonists. Having people to root for makes a huge difference and I genuinely want things to work out for Nina.
3.5 stars overall, rounded up because I liked the leads.
June 1, 2020
While there is a certain kitchen sink aspect to this book (and I'm getting some real Arisa, Vol. 01 flashbacks because of that), this is still off to a good start as a much more grounded shoujo manga than typically gets translated into English (I'm much more likely to read them in French). Makino's exploration of the various sides of commodifying the female body and the perceived male "right" to that body is more nuanced than I expected, and the difference between the heroine, her scared classmate who wants to speak out but fears social repercussions, and the "popular" girl who is misogynist despite being female is fascinating. It's a bit like Perfect Blue: Complete Metamorphosis for the middle school set. It would be a great addition to a library's manga collection or a discussion book for a school manga club.
Also
Also
June 12, 2020
Not Your Idol (#1) by Aoi Makino, 166 pages. GRAPHIC NOVEL. VIZ Media, 2020. $10.
Language: PG (10 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
High schooler Nina Kamiyama chooses to wear the male uniform at the school and doesn’t talk to anyone. With groping becoming a hot topic in the city, Kamiyama starts to get more flack for her decision to not wear skirts. Hikaru tries to befriend and help her, but, the closer he gets, the more nervous Kamiyama becomes.
While the whole story is shrouded in the mystery of who the antagonist is and how he’ll show up again, I was hooked by the first, quickly revealed mystery of what happened to Karen Amamiya. All of the little mysteries and reveals that are going on with the big mystery looming over the reader makes Kamiyama’s story difficult to put down. I love the ending of this volume and how it makes the overarching theme of courage clear to readers: courage to communicate when you’ve been wronged, courage to face your fears, courage to change your mind, courage to trust. I hope volume 2 becomes available soon. The mature content rating is for mentions of pornography and rape, groping, and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for stalking and knife violence.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
Language: PG (10 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG13
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
High schooler Nina Kamiyama chooses to wear the male uniform at the school and doesn’t talk to anyone. With groping becoming a hot topic in the city, Kamiyama starts to get more flack for her decision to not wear skirts. Hikaru tries to befriend and help her, but, the closer he gets, the more nervous Kamiyama becomes.
While the whole story is shrouded in the mystery of who the antagonist is and how he’ll show up again, I was hooked by the first, quickly revealed mystery of what happened to Karen Amamiya. All of the little mysteries and reveals that are going on with the big mystery looming over the reader makes Kamiyama’s story difficult to put down. I love the ending of this volume and how it makes the overarching theme of courage clear to readers: courage to communicate when you’ve been wronged, courage to face your fears, courage to change your mind, courage to trust. I hope volume 2 becomes available soon. The mature content rating is for mentions of pornography and rape, groping, and sexual harassment. The violence rating is for stalking and knife violence.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
April 1, 2020
This series was a total and utter surprise. It was much more suspenseful than I originally anticipated, but I am now fully invested in the series.
In this series our primary perspective is Nina. She is, or was rather an idol. At a fan meet and greet, she is attacked by one of her fans. After this attack, she stops looking like an idol, and more like Haruhi Fujioka from Ouran High School Host Club. A new, shorter haircut, and wearing a boys uniform instead of a girls, she moves, and begins to attend a new school.
While she is there, she changes her name, and is trying to lay low, since her attacker was never found. She avoids trying to fit in at school out of fear. One classmate, a boy named Hikaru, starts trying to become her friend, even though she makes it hard for him.
I don't want to say anymore because of spoilers, but I was gripped throughout this volume. There were little things happening here and there leading up to certain things. The ending BLEW ME AWAY and I am sad this series is most likely going to be a slow release, since there are only 2 volumes out in Japan right now.
Either way, I do recommend trying the series for yourself!
In this series our primary perspective is Nina. She is, or was rather an idol. At a fan meet and greet, she is attacked by one of her fans. After this attack, she stops looking like an idol, and more like Haruhi Fujioka from Ouran High School Host Club. A new, shorter haircut, and wearing a boys uniform instead of a girls, she moves, and begins to attend a new school.
While she is there, she changes her name, and is trying to lay low, since her attacker was never found. She avoids trying to fit in at school out of fear. One classmate, a boy named Hikaru, starts trying to become her friend, even though she makes it hard for him.
I don't want to say anymore because of spoilers, but I was gripped throughout this volume. There were little things happening here and there leading up to certain things. The ending BLEW ME AWAY and I am sad this series is most likely going to be a slow release, since there are only 2 volumes out in Japan right now.
Either way, I do recommend trying the series for yourself!
October 7, 2021
Quick review for a quick read. It was really hard for me not to get emotional while reading Aoi Makino's first volume of "Not Your Idol." It hit home on a number of levels with me and does such a good job of showcasing both the issues it presents but also the characters' emotions and experiences.
Nina Kamiyama is not the person that everyone thinks she is, at least as far as she and those closest to her know. She used to be a major idol star, starting at a very young age. But after a horrible attack, Nina cut her hair, dressed in boys clothes, and completely changed her identity in order to hide from her attempted attacker (who is still very much on the loose).
While Nina keeps a low profile, she tries to put on a brave face in the jests and jeers of her peers who critique her appearance and mannerisms, all while trying to keep the traumatizing memories of her attack at bay within herself. I felt for her in a number of the frames where she's triggered by her memories and PTSD.
Hikaru Horuichi, a boy in her class that practices Judo, recognizes who she really is after a time...and more revelations make things even more complicated for Nina as she slowly starts to recover her reasons for becoming an idol in the first place, and recognizing Hikaru's interest in her.
I learned more about Nina's experiences as well as came to know the collective cast of characters here as I eagerly read through it. It's a strong story on its own, familiar in some senses to idol stories that take a horrifying turn, albeit in a different genre to note (The film "Perfect Blue" showcases a much darker story in comparison, more overtly on the side of horror.). It depicts realities close to the very misogynistic and threatening encounters that many women face, and in particular showcases things about both Japanese idol life (from stalkers to physical attacks) and women living their lives in Japan that are terrifying (i.e. train groping).
I had an idea of the twist that was coming closer in to the final chapter, and admittedly I do want to see where the story chooses to take the relationship between Nina and Hikaru, while also seeing who the true culprit is and whether Nina returns to becoming an idol overall. I'll definitely pick up more of the manga from this point and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher.
Nina Kamiyama is not the person that everyone thinks she is, at least as far as she and those closest to her know. She used to be a major idol star, starting at a very young age. But after a horrible attack, Nina cut her hair, dressed in boys clothes, and completely changed her identity in order to hide from her attempted attacker (who is still very much on the loose).
While Nina keeps a low profile, she tries to put on a brave face in the jests and jeers of her peers who critique her appearance and mannerisms, all while trying to keep the traumatizing memories of her attack at bay within herself. I felt for her in a number of the frames where she's triggered by her memories and PTSD.
Hikaru Horuichi, a boy in her class that practices Judo, recognizes who she really is after a time...and more revelations make things even more complicated for Nina as she slowly starts to recover her reasons for becoming an idol in the first place, and recognizing Hikaru's interest in her.
I learned more about Nina's experiences as well as came to know the collective cast of characters here as I eagerly read through it. It's a strong story on its own, familiar in some senses to idol stories that take a horrifying turn, albeit in a different genre to note (The film "Perfect Blue" showcases a much darker story in comparison, more overtly on the side of horror.). It depicts realities close to the very misogynistic and threatening encounters that many women face, and in particular showcases things about both Japanese idol life (from stalkers to physical attacks) and women living their lives in Japan that are terrifying (i.e. train groping).
I had an idea of the twist that was coming closer in to the final chapter, and admittedly I do want to see where the story chooses to take the relationship between Nina and Hikaru, while also seeing who the true culprit is and whether Nina returns to becoming an idol overall. I'll definitely pick up more of the manga from this point and I'm glad I had the opportunity to read it.
Overall score: 4/5 stars.
Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher.
September 6, 2020
This one was really hard to read at times because of the themes of assault and the unfairness of the idol world. But I really liked the art style and the story unfolding at a great pace. I really need to read more, 4/5⭐️.
March 12, 2020
*ARC received from Netgalley in return for an honest review*
I honestly started the read not fully understanding what story was about to be told but I knew I was intrigued by the premise of a former idol going into hiding and dealing with a traumatic past. What I got was 100 times better then what I expected.
It was extremely uncomfortable reading through this volume, seeing how objectifying and victim-blaming some of the characters were. But the way, the very human way, everyone else around them was dealing with those very same issues, kept me glued to the story. It was nice to see that it wasn't one-sided and people were being called out. Sexual assault is a hard issue to cover but this first volume is handling it in a way that starts a conversation that really needs to be had.
The artwork is amazing as well. Which helps with the storytelling. Most of the time that is what makes or breaks a good manga for me.
Then that ending. I started out on the fence about whether or not this would be something I would invest myself in, but now, I need to know what will happen next. Maybe I can hold out of the next part, impatiently. This is for sure a story I need sitting in my personal library to recommend out to others.
I honestly started the read not fully understanding what story was about to be told but I knew I was intrigued by the premise of a former idol going into hiding and dealing with a traumatic past. What I got was 100 times better then what I expected.
It was extremely uncomfortable reading through this volume, seeing how objectifying and victim-blaming some of the characters were. But the way, the very human way, everyone else around them was dealing with those very same issues, kept me glued to the story. It was nice to see that it wasn't one-sided and people were being called out. Sexual assault is a hard issue to cover but this first volume is handling it in a way that starts a conversation that really needs to be had.
The artwork is amazing as well. Which helps with the storytelling. Most of the time that is what makes or breaks a good manga for me.
Then that ending. I started out on the fence about whether or not this would be something I would invest myself in, but now, I need to know what will happen next. Maybe I can hold out of the next part, impatiently. This is for sure a story I need sitting in my personal library to recommend out to others.
January 9, 2021
Ahhhhhh I love this so much!! The storyline is amazing and the art is just beautiful! Can't wait to pick up vol 2!
March 3, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
I really enjoy graphic novels but I really couldn't take to this one. I felt the story jumped about too much and too quickly between scenes and I found it hard to follow and understand in places and I couldn't get my head around the writing style.
The plot had some great ideas but I just dont think they were executed as well as they could have been throughout the novel.
I really enjoy graphic novels but I really couldn't take to this one. I felt the story jumped about too much and too quickly between scenes and I found it hard to follow and understand in places and I couldn't get my head around the writing style.
The plot had some great ideas but I just dont think they were executed as well as they could have been throughout the novel.
February 21, 2020
This story bewitched me heart and soul.
I received a digital copy of this manga from NetGalley (THANK YOU!). I wish that this was not an eARC, because I need volume 2/the rest of the series ASAP. The premise grabbed me from the beginning; I wanted to know Karen/Kamiyama's story and how she is connected to Hikaru. If you're a fan of SkipBeat! you will fall in love with this one. Even the art is on point. The only element of this novel that I am not absolutely besotted with is the cover, but everything else more than makes up for that. I would consider buying this series to add to my collection.
I received a digital copy of this manga from NetGalley (THANK YOU!). I wish that this was not an eARC, because I need volume 2/the rest of the series ASAP. The premise grabbed me from the beginning; I wanted to know Karen/Kamiyama's story and how she is connected to Hikaru. If you're a fan of SkipBeat! you will fall in love with this one. Even the art is on point. The only element of this novel that I am not absolutely besotted with is the cover, but everything else more than makes up for that. I would consider buying this series to add to my collection.
March 9, 2019
This is my second go at reading a manga in Japanese. For my first try, I went with something dumb and easy, so this time I decided to attempt something a bit more challenging. Luckily the nominees for the Osamu Tezuka Cultural Prize were announced right when I was looking for my next title, and after looking at previews, I picked this one. I probably missed a bunch of nuance, and there were definitely spots when the pictures helped me figure out what characters were getting on about, but I got the gist of everything.
At a handshake event for the popular idol group Pure Club, a crazed fan stabs lead singer Karen Amamiya, then kicks the crap out of the security guards before escaping. Flash forward six months and Karen is attending an ordinary high school under the alias Nina Kamiyama. She's cut her hair short and wears a male uniform to discourage guys from.hitting on her. But when news comes that a girl at a nearby school was sexually assaulted on her way home, Nina starts having panic attacks and fearing that her assailant is still looking for her. At the same time, her own school is filled with toxic masculinity -- including girls who make excuses for the sexism around then so as not to create waves -- causing Nina to lash out at the assists around her.
If this ever gets licensed, or even better, an anime adaptation, it's going to miss off a certain type of Western otaku -- specifically the guys who view Japan as some pristine paradise of regressive politics, untrammeled by feminism or other liberal ideals. This is very much a work of the #MeToo era, and it's absolutely scathing in its criticism of idol groups and their fans. If it makes its way to English-speaking markets, the Idiot Brigade will be out in full force screaming about SJWs.
At a handshake event for the popular idol group Pure Club, a crazed fan stabs lead singer Karen Amamiya, then kicks the crap out of the security guards before escaping. Flash forward six months and Karen is attending an ordinary high school under the alias Nina Kamiyama. She's cut her hair short and wears a male uniform to discourage guys from.hitting on her. But when news comes that a girl at a nearby school was sexually assaulted on her way home, Nina starts having panic attacks and fearing that her assailant is still looking for her. At the same time, her own school is filled with toxic masculinity -- including girls who make excuses for the sexism around then so as not to create waves -- causing Nina to lash out at the assists around her.
If this ever gets licensed, or even better, an anime adaptation, it's going to miss off a certain type of Western otaku -- specifically the guys who view Japan as some pristine paradise of regressive politics, untrammeled by feminism or other liberal ideals. This is very much a work of the #MeToo era, and it's absolutely scathing in its criticism of idol groups and their fans. If it makes its way to English-speaking markets, the Idiot Brigade will be out in full force screaming about SJWs.
February 7, 2020
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Not Your Idol is about a girl who gives up being an Idol after she is assaulted during a handshake event. She decides to change her name and her appearance and live her life dressed as a boy so no one will recognize her.
There are touchy subjects addressed in this book, such as gender expectations, physical assault, sexual assault and the aftermath of those assaults. I thought these things were well addressed.
I thought this was very well written and entertaining. It's a short read and I flew through it in one sitting. The graphics are beautiful. I love the look of manga animation and this book definitely did not disappoint me.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and plan to continue on with the series.
Not Your Idol is about a girl who gives up being an Idol after she is assaulted during a handshake event. She decides to change her name and her appearance and live her life dressed as a boy so no one will recognize her.
There are touchy subjects addressed in this book, such as gender expectations, physical assault, sexual assault and the aftermath of those assaults. I thought these things were well addressed.
I thought this was very well written and entertaining. It's a short read and I flew through it in one sitting. The graphics are beautiful. I love the look of manga animation and this book definitely did not disappoint me.
Overall, I really enjoyed it and plan to continue on with the series.
January 29, 2020
Not Your Idol is a suspenseful story that considers issues such as masculinity and femininity, gender expectations, the price of fame, and dealing with past trauma. I was immediately caught up in the action and the characters, while the steady pacing kept me always keen to turn the page to see what would happen next. The story is definitely gripping, and when I closed the final page I wished I could read on. I would certainly be interested in picking up volume two to see how the story evolves from here. I also liked the artwork style in this one; it is beautiful and free-flowing. A solid 4.5 stars from me.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2020
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thought and opinions are my own.*
It isn't often I fall upon a psychological thriller in manga form, even more so when it is shoujo. Add in that this one deals with fan and idol culture and I knew I had to check it out. There are some great characters here, great build up of suspense, and cute artwork. I did think the attack on her would be... more considering the trauma she is going through, but I think I get it. The artwork is also... it is cute, but sometimes it doesn't feel right for what we are reading. Perhaps that is the point...
Anyhow a great first volume!
It isn't often I fall upon a psychological thriller in manga form, even more so when it is shoujo. Add in that this one deals with fan and idol culture and I knew I had to check it out. There are some great characters here, great build up of suspense, and cute artwork. I did think the attack on her would be... more considering the trauma she is going through, but I think I get it. The artwork is also... it is cute, but sometimes it doesn't feel right for what we are reading. Perhaps that is the point...
Anyhow a great first volume!
March 7, 2020
Wow. That ending.... I'm not sure if I like it or disagree with it. This Manga definitely has some trigger warning for Sexual Harassment and Harassment in general, and it shows many different views on the topic. It was a fast read and I didn't want to put it down! I am excited to read the Vol. 2 to see where to goes.
April 29, 2020
http://www.barharukiya.co.uk/?p=2525
“Not Your Idol” is “Not My Normal Kind of Manga”, so, with that in mind, my opinions and comparisons are possibly going to be a little outside of what this books’ target audience is used to.
Not Your Idol follows Nina Kamiyama, formerly “Ren-Ren” of the Pure Club idol group. Nina chose to give up the Idol lifestyle after being assaulted at knifepoint by a fan and the manga covers her attempts at shedding her previous life under her new identity but also with coping both with being discovered and with the trauma she is faced within a book that tackles some surprisingly deep themes.
I found it hard not to think of a few things whilst reading this volume, the most prominent being that of Satoshi Kon’s “Perfect Blue” (which if you haven’t seen, you really should change that), which covers similar themes of a young woman dealing with the fallout of being in a pop group and fans who take things too far, though, in Perfect Blue, the themes are much more adult. That’s not to say that Not Your Idol doesn’t deal with adult themes, it’s just not quite as gratuitous as Perfect Blue. Whereas Satoshi Kon’s anime deals with a woman trying to find her identity and work, Makino’s manga tackles what it is to be female and other people’s perceptions of how women should present themselves. In short, it tries to broach the conversation (well… its not really a conversation) surrounding how a woman dresses and how her behaviour “allows” men to behave in certain ways.
Due to its high school setting, it’s easy for the manga to try and deal with this in very black or white methods, the characters emotions and thinking aren’t as fully developed as if we were dealing with an older cast, and as such the discussion mostly revolves around boys being disgusting and girls “asking for it” because they wear short skirts, whilst Kamiyama is ostracised due to her choice of wearing trousers to school and having short hair (an attempt to distance herself from her past and disguise her identity).
It’s not just female appearance that’s tackled here, however, as the main male character, Hikari, who studies judo, believes that he’s not muscular enough and carries bodybuilding magazines around with him. All of this in the first volume gives a strong impression, though it’s not without its problems, pages can look a little cluttered with dialogue boxes, whilst said dialogue can often be pretty basic and rather clumsy. All the key characters are fairly typical in their appearance too, Kamiyma, in particular, reminds me of Naoto from Persona 4, with there being some fairly obvious comparisons between the two.
Not Your Idol was provided as an advanced copy from Viz Media and NetGalley
“Not Your Idol” is “Not My Normal Kind of Manga”, so, with that in mind, my opinions and comparisons are possibly going to be a little outside of what this books’ target audience is used to.
Not Your Idol follows Nina Kamiyama, formerly “Ren-Ren” of the Pure Club idol group. Nina chose to give up the Idol lifestyle after being assaulted at knifepoint by a fan and the manga covers her attempts at shedding her previous life under her new identity but also with coping both with being discovered and with the trauma she is faced within a book that tackles some surprisingly deep themes.
I found it hard not to think of a few things whilst reading this volume, the most prominent being that of Satoshi Kon’s “Perfect Blue” (which if you haven’t seen, you really should change that), which covers similar themes of a young woman dealing with the fallout of being in a pop group and fans who take things too far, though, in Perfect Blue, the themes are much more adult. That’s not to say that Not Your Idol doesn’t deal with adult themes, it’s just not quite as gratuitous as Perfect Blue. Whereas Satoshi Kon’s anime deals with a woman trying to find her identity and work, Makino’s manga tackles what it is to be female and other people’s perceptions of how women should present themselves. In short, it tries to broach the conversation (well… its not really a conversation) surrounding how a woman dresses and how her behaviour “allows” men to behave in certain ways.
Due to its high school setting, it’s easy for the manga to try and deal with this in very black or white methods, the characters emotions and thinking aren’t as fully developed as if we were dealing with an older cast, and as such the discussion mostly revolves around boys being disgusting and girls “asking for it” because they wear short skirts, whilst Kamiyama is ostracised due to her choice of wearing trousers to school and having short hair (an attempt to distance herself from her past and disguise her identity).
It’s not just female appearance that’s tackled here, however, as the main male character, Hikari, who studies judo, believes that he’s not muscular enough and carries bodybuilding magazines around with him. All of this in the first volume gives a strong impression, though it’s not without its problems, pages can look a little cluttered with dialogue boxes, whilst said dialogue can often be pretty basic and rather clumsy. All the key characters are fairly typical in their appearance too, Kamiyma, in particular, reminds me of Naoto from Persona 4, with there being some fairly obvious comparisons between the two.
Not Your Idol was provided as an advanced copy from Viz Media and NetGalley
May 10, 2022
Un autre manga qui aborde des questions de traumatisme à travers des questionnements sur le genre. Celui-là s'éloigne d'une expérience trans pour se concentrer sur un refus (initial) de la fémininité suite à un événement traumatique.
Le manga aborde quand même beaucoup de sujets en même temps: le traitement abusif réservé aux idols au Japon, le harcèlement sexuel des femmes, le "slut-shaming", le questionnement des stéréotypes et attentes de genre, les traumatismes en plus d'avoir une intrigue narrative soutenue à savoir qui est l'agresseur de Nina Kamiyma qui pourrait être n'importe qui autour d'elle.
Les différents sujets abordés le sont sous forme directe: harcèlement sexuel dans le métro, commentaire méprisant et harcèlement de genre à l'école, il y a des agressions constantes tout au fil des pages et les protagonistes tentent de s'en protéger et/ou réagisse très physiquement aux agressions. Ce n'est pas un manga, du moins dans le premier volume, où on se sent en sécurité jamais puisque les rares personnages auprès desquels on trouve réconfort peuvent tous avoir des intentions cachées et nuisibles envers notre protagoniste (qui amplifie l'intrigue narrative).
C'est assez bien exécuté dans l'ensemble, je pense qu'on saisit bien la violence tout au long des pages, il y a des discours intéressants sur certaines "solutions" au harcèlement dont la création de wagons spéciaux et ce qui ça entraîne comme conséquences avec non pas une seule perspective, mais plusieurs. Il y a de la place pour l'évolution des personnages, un suspense définitivement bien maîtrisé, des réflexions politiques plus subtiles que j'en ai l'habitude pour ce médium et se rapproche de discussions féministes sur les enjeux du harcèlement. Ce n'est pas du tout un "trans-narrative", mais adresse quand même bien les questions de violence adressées à la non-conformité de genre. L'intrigue est suffisamment bien menée pour me donner envie de poursuivre la série.
Oh! Et les illustrations sont aussi bien faites, claires, qui arrive à ne pas sexualiser, il me semble, des adolescentes malgré les sujets autour de l'hypersexualisation abordés et la tenue des idols du groupe Pure Club. (J'ai vérifié rapidement ce que j'ai écrit après y avoir pensé deux secondes, mais la perspective de regard part toujours du chandail en montant sauf lorsque les discours sur les jupes surviennent ou à travers le regard d'un autre (comme la télévision) où là il peut y avoir un focus sur le bas du corps, mais pas "érotisé", vraiment juste pour montrer le vêtement à l'exception de la quatrième de couverture avec les jambes impossiblement longues).
Le manga aborde quand même beaucoup de sujets en même temps: le traitement abusif réservé aux idols au Japon, le harcèlement sexuel des femmes, le "slut-shaming", le questionnement des stéréotypes et attentes de genre, les traumatismes en plus d'avoir une intrigue narrative soutenue à savoir qui est l'agresseur de Nina Kamiyma qui pourrait être n'importe qui autour d'elle.
Les différents sujets abordés le sont sous forme directe: harcèlement sexuel dans le métro, commentaire méprisant et harcèlement de genre à l'école, il y a des agressions constantes tout au fil des pages et les protagonistes tentent de s'en protéger et/ou réagisse très physiquement aux agressions. Ce n'est pas un manga, du moins dans le premier volume, où on se sent en sécurité jamais puisque les rares personnages auprès desquels on trouve réconfort peuvent tous avoir des intentions cachées et nuisibles envers notre protagoniste (qui amplifie l'intrigue narrative).
C'est assez bien exécuté dans l'ensemble, je pense qu'on saisit bien la violence tout au long des pages, il y a des discours intéressants sur certaines "solutions" au harcèlement dont la création de wagons spéciaux et ce qui ça entraîne comme conséquences avec non pas une seule perspective, mais plusieurs. Il y a de la place pour l'évolution des personnages, un suspense définitivement bien maîtrisé, des réflexions politiques plus subtiles que j'en ai l'habitude pour ce médium et se rapproche de discussions féministes sur les enjeux du harcèlement. Ce n'est pas du tout un "trans-narrative", mais adresse quand même bien les questions de violence adressées à la non-conformité de genre. L'intrigue est suffisamment bien menée pour me donner envie de poursuivre la série.
Oh! Et les illustrations sont aussi bien faites, claires, qui arrive à ne pas sexualiser, il me semble, des adolescentes malgré les sujets autour de l'hypersexualisation abordés et la tenue des idols du groupe Pure Club. (J'ai vérifié rapidement ce que j'ai écrit après y avoir pensé deux secondes, mais la perspective de regard part toujours du chandail en montant sauf lorsque les discours sur les jupes surviennent ou à travers le regard d'un autre (comme la télévision) où là il peut y avoir un focus sur le bas du corps, mais pas "érotisé", vraiment juste pour montrer le vêtement à l'exception de la quatrième de couverture avec les jambes impossiblement longues).
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