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KHCPL_Doug
Dec 11, 2017KHCPL_Doug rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I loved just about everything about this book. It's written by a gay author/illustrator, yet the perspective is mostly from the straight and reserved Yaichi. He's Japanese, a single dad, and seemingly very lonely but complacent. When his brother-in-law, a Canadian no less, shows up and makes him look inward to become more aware of his late brother's life. One of the highlights of the book was Kana, the young daughter. She is the most sincere and the most honest character in the book, and feels like a real young person. I loved her interactions with both her father and the people around her. And of course, her innocent observations and comments spur the insight that Yaichi has tried to avoid, but not is confronted with because of this large, lumbering foreigner. There are times when the book isn't very subtle, and it's clear that the creator is trying to bring awareness while also giving some glimpses of Japanese culture that seem outdated compared to Western culture. But I found those moments to be easily overlooked and accepted. My only real complaint, and maybe it's intentional, is that the facial expression for both Yaichi and Mike are so static, Yaichi with a deer in headlights look, and Mike with the look of a happy oaf. Always. That got on my nerves. And when I turned the last page, and realized the story doesn't end, I was really upset. Until I looked at the spine, and see this is volume 1! There's much more to explore here, so I'm really looking forward to following volumes.