4/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is a cute manga! Nico Sorano is a free spirit...and a little odd. Her quirks make her well-known at her art school. She ends up butting heads with a very important professor and decides that she'll make her art famous through her own methods.

It took me a little bit to get used to Nico, but I was rooting for her by the end. She is very amusing, though I feel like her personality might get on my nerves eventually. We haven't really gotten to see much of her art yet, so I'm hoping it's shown more in future volumes!

Overall, this is a quirky but cute story and I'll likely pick up the second volume since I'm curious about where things will go from here. If you like light-hearted shoujos that have simple plots, you might like this!

The writing, or should I say storytelling, was a little bland for my liking, and I couldn't get into it.

Although the characters appeared to be interesting, everything else, can't say for sure.

Well this was a fun, whimsical read that’s full of positivity!

I really liked the art style and the way each individual artist’s own style is depicted. It was nicely paced as well as being a pretty easy read and you can’t help but root for Nico! No matter what happens, she never loses her positivity and determination and keeps on trying!

I have to admit I don’t trust Togo but I guess we’ll see what comes of that!

This ones quite slice of life-y with not all that much happening although there should be an exhibition showdown next volume!

I liked the idea of this manga and especially during the beginning and the end I was hooked! I do wish that this volume had been long enough for the exhibition to take place, because that felt like the actual plot. This is why I ended up giving it three stars.

The art style was lovely, and rather nostalgic for me.

I hope to get my hands on the rest of the volumes in the future, because I need to know what happens!

The cover of this one is really pretty and you can feel it’s going to be a good-mood read.
We follow Nico Sorano who is starting art school but immediately, one strict teacher fires her from his class. Nico is not going to let it go and is going to start an event with the help of her friends to show this teacher he was wrong. Nico is very funny and full of energy. I really liked her personality. I don’t know if this manga is really finished in two volumes but I think it has the potential for much more.
I recommend to people who want a fun read
4/5

Nico is a free spirit, that won't be held back or bound to conventional rules. Which we find out as she arrives late to her first day of college and disrupts orientation.
Then her first class and she almost immediately ends up in the target of being tested by a teacher known for being the toughest. She brushes off his class and decides to do her own thing. Which somehow always seems to work out through her ability to create and go with the flow.

Yes, work all your life to get into art school and at the first sign of unfairness for his grading, drop everything.
Makes no sense. I absolutely could not get behind this somehow decided your way is the best and make every mole hill a mountain to die on.

**Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**

The cover and the illustrations inside are amazing, and I love the premise of the story. Nico is such a ball of positive energy and I love how it rubs off on other people. That being said, this is a book that takes place in a university, and sometimes I forget how old Nico is supposed to be.

I'm curious to see where things are going to go next, because things look like they are about to get verrrrrry interesting for Nico and her friends.

Thank you to Kodansha and Netgalley for letting me read an ARC of this title

A super silly start to a series! I did find the fast pace of the beginning pretty jarring but overall the main character is adorably sweet. The series has potential, we’ll just have to see!

**ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review**

A Nico-Colored Canvas 1 by Nao Shikita was a fast-paced and energetic slice of life manga about a college art student who loves painting, fighting against the system to paint her own way. The main character Nico was so fun to look at, she is such a roller coaster and an unbridled bundle of energy and passion. The side characters were all very unique and interesting as well. We have a suspicious guy, an earnest guy, a sincere best friend, and a strict teacher all playing very different roles to further the plot.

The art was fantastic as usual, and I loved the various art techniques portrayed throughout too. Overall, a very enjoyable volume, and I'm not opposed to reading more.

This book was super creative. The drawing style is so fun and adorable. I will definitely be recommending this one.

This book felt very cliche. The main character was a standard cheery go getter girl. She has a dead mom and begins the book by running to school which she is obviously late for. I probably could have forgiven this standard manga setup except she’s perky to the point it’s annoying. Other characters seem quite irritated with her and I totally get why. This book probably would have been better if we saw more aspects of her personality. Also, I’m not really sure I understand how the art school operates. On the first day the teacher acts like it’s a reality show elimination round, kicking out the student with the worst painting. It’s a school. Shouldn’t he be teaching weaker students how to improve? And these are college students so I assume they’re paying some sort of tuition to be there. I found it very bizarre, though perhaps this is an aspect of art schools or Japanese schools that I am unfamiliar with.

This was so much fun. I love the art school drama and Nico’s enthusiasm. She definitely fits into the naive stereotype but she’s so friendly and passionate it’s impossible to not root for her.
I’m also really curious to see what star glasses guy is up too. And I love that she calls him that.

Overall, this was pretty sweet.
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

Nico Sorano is a free-spirited young lady with plans to make it big at her new art university. After being rejected by one of the professors on her first day, Nico is determined to make a splash, literally. With the help of her new friends Mitsuki and the notorious Soichiro Togo along with her unflagging optimism, Nico is about to make art like they've never seen.

Soft and sweeping artwork, a heart-warming main character with a "never say die" attitude, and a promising start to the story. I can't wait to see what Nico gets up to next.

(So far, this is only released in digital form. I am hopeful that it may get a print copy as I'd definitely add it to our library's graphic novel collection.)

This book was a riot! It had all the hilarity of Lovely Complex with an art twist. I’m not quite sure that it’s my kind of contemporary but it’s one of those books that everyone should give a chance.

I also love the art style; it’s fabulous in its ingenuity of expression. It goes from lovely to eccentric in the right places!

This story was so fresh and fun! I loved that the characters are young adults in college, and the art school setting makes it stand out from just a standard college story. Volume 1 did a nice job in introducing the characters and I'm already interested in how their stories and relationships develop. I found myself smiling the whole time while reading this volume and I can't wait to read more.

I really liked this volume! Nico is such a fun and interesting character to follow and I loved the little adventures she got into. The overall positive vibes from this manga are very powerful. It definitely reminded me of Princess Jellyfish in a way. The entire cast of characters create a really interesting dynamic overall.

I look forward to reading future volumes in this series because I’m sure they will have the same fun and free-spirted vibes in them! Thank you for the opportunity to read this volume before it’s publication!

A Nico-Colored Canvas follows the story of Nico a young woman from Kagawa who wants to pursue a career in the arts. Nico sets her sights on attending the Osaka University of Arts and is excited to learn new things and meet new people. However, she finds art school a bit different from what she thought it would be like, but charges headfirst into any new opportunities. Nico meets many artists who practice different mediums and ideas about what art should consist of her. Her day-to-day experiences continually shape her school life and artistry ideas.

Nico, the main character, has a bit of a naivete that makes her vulnerable to the sharks lurking in her art school. She has some friends to look out for her, but she quickly learns to adapt by turning a sour situation into something positive. Other readers and I will gravitate to her constant optimism and her drive to never give up on pursuing her dreams. Her free-spirited nature gives her the advantage of exploring new artistic concepts and creating innovative ways to shake up the art scene.

This is a soothing slice-of-life manga that I thoroughly enjoyed. As a person who loves art myself, I saw a little bit of myself in Nico when I reminisce about my own school’s numerous art classes. As the author, Shikita comes from an art university background herself you can really see in this first volume that this story gives back to her artist roots. The story showcases artists from all different backgrounds, and it has a positive narrative about pursuing your dreams. The illustrations are gorgeous including the many works of art included in the story.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kodansha, and Nao Shikita for the opportunity to read this manga in exchange for an honest review.

A Nico-Colored Canvas evolves around the world of art. Some believe art to have rules, while others seek freedom from the rules to pursue ultimate beauty.

When Nico is late to her first day of art school, she is already seen as a disaster by the other students. When it comes to her core class, she doesn't like the professors standards and limitations for what makes art great.

Nico resolves to make a Failure Exhibition, and art exhibit for those kicked out of said professor's class. This will gain her and the other artists the recognition they deserve with their free form.

This is a light-hearted novel about the importance of creativity and following our visions with our art. The art of the manga is cute and the entire experience can only be described as "joyful and inspiring." This is a cute manga and excellent start to a series about the creative spirit.

Of of the strongest points in the series' favor is Nico! She's a fun character to follow, and I want to see how she'll grow in her new environment. The story seems a little predictable at this early point, but that could change. The art is pleasing, which is good, because art is a main focus!

Thank you so much to the publishing company, Kodansha Comics and Netgalley for providing me with a copy!!!

I was immediately drawn to the cover and the premise…
SO HAPPY IT DIDN’T DISAPPOINT! This was one of the most original manga I have read in a while.

The main character, Nico is someone you cannot help but admire. Yes, she is quirky and ditzy…but her optimism is something I truly value. I love how big her dreams are and she isn’t afraid of chasing them. Her determination will take her far and I cannot wait to see that in the future volumes.

I believe one of the best aspects of the manga is the interactions! I love how she affects the people around her. She is a true inspiration. Honestly, such a great heroine.

Definitely recommend.