I was attracted to this book because of my years spent in Japanese but also because I’m raising third culture kids myself and I found media on the subject interesting.

Unfortunately this book didn’t really do it for me: I didn’t feel anything for the characters and the very simple art didn’t convey much emotions in my opinion (which is not a critic against simple mono colour art like that, I’ve read other books in a similar style that could show a lot)

There was absolutely 0 chemistry between the author and her boyfriend from the beginning which didn’t help care for their journey together. I understand the need to know more about her culture but working as a hostess in the US with barely any Japanese skill seems like a strange choice. And going to live there even more with those limited skills. I couldn’t understand why her boyfriend didn’t bother to learn a word of Japanese if they had planned this move ahead…and I admit it annoyed me.

I’m sure the author is nice and talented but this was not the book for me. Maybe it’s for you though :)

I would read any work by MariNaomi based on this author's past work. The visual style, use of graphic weight, and personal storytelling is wonderful -- a graphic novel to enjoy, whether it is the first introduction to this author's work or a revisit.