Hey you,
It’s me (Annika), taking over the manga newsletters this month. This is also a special month: Pride Month! It’s time to celebrate with some manga related to this theme. But where should you start? Look no further! I'll provide manga recommendations every week this month. Hop in, switch perspectives, and maybe learn something new or broaden your horizons.
Otonari Complex
To kick off Pride Month, I recommend Otonari Complex, which tells the slow-burning romance story of two people while also questioning our binary gender system. Both of the main characters struggle to identify with the gender assigned to them at birth.
The series highlights how society assigns gender based on a person's outward presentation and habits, while also pointing out that people may struggle with the pressure that comes with that behaviour.
I would recommend this series to anyone, as it's a good starting point for understanding how the unspoken rules of our society affect those who feel unable to fit into the system we have created. It's also a relatively short series with only five volumes, so it's not a huge commitment to start with.
Otonari Complex Vol. 1
€11,24
€14,99
An endearing manga about childhood best friends--a "girly" boy and a "boyish" girl--working through their feelings about identity and love.Kuji Akira and Ninomiya Makoto are childhood friends and neighbors. Since Akira is “handsome” for a girl and Makoto is “pretty”… read more
Is Love The Answer? (by Kerstin)
This manga tells the story of a young woman named Chika, who has always struggled with the concept of romantic love and how it fits into her life. What I really appreciate about this series is how it dives deep into questions of asexuality and aromanticism, topics that are rarely explored in mainstream media. It shows that identity is not always visible and that the societal expectations of romance don’t fit everyone.
The story is subtle, reflective, and incredibly emotional, especially for readers who have ever felt “out of step” with the traditional narratives about love and relationships. I found myself relating to Chika’s quiet journey of self-discovery, and it really opened my eyes to the diversity of human experiences. Is Love the Answer? is both a deeply personal and a universal story, and I think it’s a must-read for anyone looking to expand their understanding of what love and identity can mean.
Is Love The Answer?
€13,49
€14,99
A poignant coming-of-age story about a young woman coming into her own as she discovers her identity as aromantic asexual. A complete story in a single volume, from the creator of "Mine-kun is Asexual."When it comes to love, high schooler… read more
Last Gender*
Last but not least of my recommendations this week is Last Gender. It tells the story of a bar that is a third place for queer people of all kinds. What I particularly like about this series is that it covers so many different identities and their unique struggles. It really shows that there is huge variety across multiple spectrums, and that you can't judge a book by its cover.
It also addresses the issue of concealing your identity from your loved ones and coming out. Please be aware that this is a very emotional read, particularly for people who also identify as queer. I cried for most of the chapters, but at the same time, it gives a voice to everyone, which is why this series is one of my absolute favourites.
* Please read about potential trigger warnings for this title before jumping in, as they may be relevant. Last Gender Vol 1
€9,71
€12,95
Welcome to BAR California, a place for you to reveal your true selfPeople of different genders, propensities, and sexual orientations gather at a certain chic bar that’s hidden from the public eye. While some come in search of themselves, others… read more
Oh and by the way, there is a sale too!
We're offering a 20% discount on this week's Pride Manga collection. But only until June 8th! The discount will be automatically applied when you add books to your cart. You'll also find our recommendations there. So, what are you waiting for?
Pride Manga And don't forget to check out Daniel's awesome piece, "Why Representation Matters – 3 Surprising Mangas for Pride Month," on why good representation in manga matters – you might be surprised by the recommendations!
Until next week — over and out!
