I can’t imagine giving someone’s life story anything less than 5 stars, especially someone as amazing as George Takei. I had recently read They Called Us Enemy, so I had to jump at the opportunity to read the ARC for It Rhymes with Takei. (Thank you Netgalley!)
I’ve never been one to follow celebrity lives, so I learned a lot more about George Takei than I had known before. Like how he ran for congress at one point. I knew he was an advocate, but I never knew just the extent of everything he’s done. I feel so lucky to be able to learn so much about such an incredible human being. And I’m really proud of him for taking the step to come out when he did.
His story is a powerful one, and I’m so glad he’s decided to share it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an eARC for me to review!

Lovely artwork. Really well done narrative. The cover is perfect and the title is hilarious.

This is also your requisite reminder that George Takei is a national treasure.

No, really. Read "They Called Us Enemy," and then this book, and go look up some videos on YouTube, and rewatch the OG Star Trek as a refresher, then look me in the eye and tell me you don't have total respect for this man.

Literally watching Tr*mp undoing so much of the work George Takei and so, so many others have put in to secure rights for the LGBTQIA+ community every single day right now. This book could not come at a better time.

Read it, mourn for the losses we've suffered, and pick up your pens, phones, banners, and flags -- get back out there and keep fighting for the fundamental civil and human rights that belong to ALL of us.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review.
George Takei is one of those rare people who has had a truly fascinating life, full of both opportunities and stands taken. This is a thoughtful graphic autobiography that made for compelling reading. I am proud to be a member of the same community that is so honoured to have George Takei as one of our advocates.

I adore George Takei.

This graphic novel is a beautifully rendered portrait of his life up to this point. While the narrative is filled with fear and hatred, it was beautiful to see George and Brad's love story boom amongst it. I'm so happy they were able to step into the light and get married.

Thanks to NetGalley and Top Shelf Publishing for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Oh, my! This graphic memoir from Star Trek’s George Takei is a follow-up to his much lauded and often challenged book, They Call Us Enemy, (Amazon US), which detailed his childhood trauma of being in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. You do not need to have read that book to appreciate this volume, which tells of Takei’s life in the closet.

George Takei is very vocally gay now on social media, but he spent most of his life closeted. He didn’t want to be outed, even in Hollywood, because during the 1950s and 60s, the taint of being gay could be a career killer. One of his screen idols, Tab Hunter, was outed and his career suffered drastically. Takei talks of his time on the original Star Trek and the lifetime friends he made.

But Takei also talks about what it was like to be a gay Asian American at a time when there were laws that specifically targeted gays. He talks about his effort to toe the line and keep his gayness a secret. He became politically active after Star Trek and fought for the rights of many at the local and state level, but he always stayed away from the gay rights movement because of his fear of being found out.

George also talks about his love story with Brad. The two met in a jogging club and instantly clicked. It was Brad who gave Takei the courage to come out as gay at the ripe old age of 68! In 2005, he and Brad married when the law allowed same-sex marriage, which is now under attack. Since that time, Takei (and Brad) have been very vocal in their activism for equal rights for all. This octogenarian has been a social media darling for more than a decade and has captured an audience on all platforms he’s on.

I highly recommend this graphic memoir, which has great artwork, to fans of Takei, those who want to study gay rights, or anyone who has an open mind and a clear heart. I know that I will be adding this book to our household library, knowing that it will most assuredly face challenges because it talks about gay rights and social activism.

George Takei’s ventured into storytelling once again, and It Rhymes With Takei is his best effort to date. I love that he’s been using the graphic novel format. The visual presentation of important world-changing events during George’s life serve to elevate history from dull black and white to the full rainbow of visuals.

You’ll experience the events and causes George felt compelled to get involved with. You’ll learn so much about history, civics, gay rights, and the challenges facing a college student. You’ll cheer him on as he pays his dues in theater and television, and later on, in the movies. At times I felt like I was right there alongside George and his friends, fighting for rights they should never have been denied.

The graphic novel format is perfect for allowing us to see the emotions on George’s face during the happy times – and the terrible times. I enjoyed his mother’s adorable smile, and winced at his brother’s metamorphosis from sibling to stranger. I loved watching famous activists in action. History is brought to life.

At 336 pages, the book’s got room to cover a lot and, it does! We learn about George’s childhood, his family dynamics, his college days, his discovery of his love of theater, the hungry years of a young, hopeful actor paying his dues. We agonize alongside him over his need to keep his true self hidden out of fear and shame. And we get to rejoice throughout his courtship with Brad. Their relationship played out through the years of AIDS and changes in marriage laws.

If you’re a Trekkie, there’s anecdotes about the show and the movies, and his friendships with the cast and Gene Roddenberry. If you already admire George, you’ll love getting to know him better. If you need to know more about who we were as a society from the 1950s through the 1990s, you’ll learn through notable events George became involved with. I sure did; I knew he was an activist but I had no idea he was involved in so much!

You need to be aware that George’s exploration of sexuality is part of his life story. It’s certainly not shied away from; it’s presented honestly yet tastefully. I’m of the opinion that this book would be appropriate for readers from about age thirteen and up.

My thanks to George Takei, Top Shelf Productions, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital advance review copy of this book. This review is my honest and unbiased opinion.

It Rhymes With Takei releases on June 10, 2025. Help support its success by pre-ordering your copy now.

This review first published at SciFi.Radio.

Great follow up to "They Called Us Enemy'! Appreciated the continuation of the story, exploration or difficulties of being closeted and honest portrayal of so many aspects of life. Hugely recommend.

Having only just read "They Called Us Enemy" this year, I was excited to see this book offered in NetGalley. Once again, George Takei pulls no punches. This book was incredibly hopeful, kind, sad, emotional, humorous, and powerful all at once. I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone as a great path through LGBTQ rights and history as seen through the eyes of one man.

Thank you to George Takei, IDW, and NetGalley for the ARC!

I have been a fan of George Takei since I saw him in Star Trek as a little Korean American kid. As I got older and learned more about his life, I became an even bigger fan of him because of all the advocacy and education work he has done for Japanese Americans who were incarcerated during World War II. I knew that George Takei is gay, but I couldn't wait to read his new graphic novel to learn more about his life. I learned so much more about George Takei and queer history than I could have ever imagined and my respect and admiration for him grew every page. I cried tears of joy, sadness, and anger throughout this book and I am so endlessly grateful to my queer Asian American elders like George who helped fight for where our community is today!

A powerful and emotional graphic novel memoir of living through history.

Takei has lived through so much history and has experienced the injustices of time like being imprisoned in the Japanese internment camps during WWII and living through Operation Wetback and the Aids Epidemic. These moments of history (plus others) are navigated with the utmost respect and emotional strife that strikes a resonating core to our collective human experience. It saddened me to feel the weight of Takei's lived experience, particularly the weight of hiding who he truly is for majority of his life. But it also filled me with immense joy to see glimpses of his love story with Brad in his later years, proving that it's never too late to find your soulmate.

We also see Takei's riveting acting career; from his roots in voice acting to his most influential role as Sulu in Star Trek. And in between acting gigs, his activism is effortlessly part of his life from political campaigns to theater start ups!

If there is only one memoir you read this year, let it be this one. It's a MUST read that will leave you with tears of hope in your heart.

It Rhymes With Takei is George Takei’s memoir revealing his life as a closeted gay man. It blends the tumultuous history of gay activism with the reality of how George lived through those times. He led an amazing life, with great friendships, intimate moments and times of great fear. This is a beautiful and painful book that should be read by everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and IDW Publishing for this DRC.
#ItRhymesWithTakei #NetGalley

It Rhymes with Takei is not just a graphic novel, but a heartfelt and deeply personal memoir that takes readers on an intimate journey through the remarkable life of actor and activist George Takei. Collaborating with Justin Eisinger and Steven Scott, Takei offers a vivid portrayal of his experiences, blending historical moments with personal anecdotes and reflections.

The book is a treasure trove for fans of Takei, Star Trek, civil rights movements, LGBTQ+ history, and sci-fi culture. Through Takei's eyes, we explore pivotal moments in both his career and the broader cultural landscape—moments that shaped the world in profound ways. Takei’s immense acting talent, coupled with his unwavering commitment to social justice, is showcased throughout, from his work on *Star Trek* to his passionate advocacy.

One of the most emotionally intense sections of the book is Takei's exploration of the AIDS pandemic and its devastating effects on him, his friends, and the wider community. It’s a raw, brutal, and often heart-wrenching account, filled with the grief and loss that defined an entire generation. But even in the darkest moments, Takei’s story is also one of resilience, love, and survival. His relationship with his husband, Brad, is a tender and beautiful through-line that offers a counterbalance to the more painful chapters of his life.

The combination of personal insight and historical context makes It Rhymes with Takei a must-read for those who admire Takei’s legacy and wish to understand the person behind the public figure. The book is a celebration of Takei’s life—his humor, his activism, and his undying love for those closest to him. Whether you’re a fan of Star Trek, a history buff, or simply looking for a powerful personal story, this graphic novel offers an in-depth and emotional experience that will stay with you.

Thank you net galley and IDW publishing for providing a copy of this book for my consideration all thoughts are my own

Absolutely brilliant, a must read for all.

The fact that this is a graphic novel makes the story so much more accessible. The illustrations are superb and really help sell this interesting, fundamentally important story.

Both my parents were Star Trek fans so I grew up around it. That’s partly why I picked this book as I knew so little about George Takei. This book shows that he is so much more than ‘Mr Sulu’. His story, combined with the wider story of racism and homophobia in America, is so important and gives great insight into not just the historical injustices of this world, but to the current fight. It gave me new insight into these issues. We have so much further to go but this book tells the world not to give up hope.

Thanks to the author, publishers & NetGalley for access to this arc, in return for an honest review.

Having already read They Called Us Enemy, I had to read this new George Takei graphic novel. He is quite the eloquent individual and a fantastic storyteller. His new graphic novel covers the adversity that he has had to deal with being LGBTQIA+, the journey and obstacles he encountered towards achieving his goal to be an actor, and his heavy involvement in political activism. This one is worth the read! Live Long and Prosper.

#ThxNetGalley #GeorgeTakei #ItRhymesWithTakei

I love George Takei, as an author and as a person. He has a knack for telling a compelling story packed with emotion, but he never becomes maudlin or self-pitying. I appreciate his honesty and his even-keeled tone. Most of all, I love his message of love and empathy, something we all need more of in our lives.

I loved George Takei's first graphic novel and so was very excited when I saw this one and was approved to read it. This book follows on from where the last book ended, right up to the present day and it is a fascinating and inspirational story. George Takei has lived through more than his fair share of adversity and yet he never comes across as bitter or resentful; his main aim always seems to be helping others and standing up for what's right. I always knew of him as "the guy from Star Trek" but this is only one part of the incredible career and life of an incredible man. Read it!

I received a digital ARC from IDW Publishing via NetGalley. This was a phenomenal graphic novel memoir. What a life he has lived, Takei has seen such pivotal moments in US history and our progress in civil rights. Takei shows the hard road people in this country have faced, his own advocacy, and his personal challenges. The story is emotional and hopeful, while also being informative on the political issues. I love the graphic novel format and recommend this to anyone and everyone.

A combination of a memoir about the legend that is George Takei and the history of gay rights in the United States. Takei has a unique perspective, having lived through all different stages, from homosexual sex being illegal, to the AIDS epidemic, to the legalisation of gay marriage. He sensitively handles the complexities, with his trademark humour thrown in for good measure. The illustrations matches the content perfectly. This would be a fantastic gateway text for those seeking to learn more about the history of LGBTQ rights.

I’m glad I got this as an ARC through NetGalley, because otherwise I probably wouldn’t have read it. Now I really want to read “They Called Us Enemy” too.

Another inspiring graphic novel memoir from George Takei, detailing his journey to stardom and social activism, in the context of personally identifying as a gay Japanese American who experienced incarceration in his youth. Takei has lived an extraordinary life, putting his heart and best effort into everything, whether it’s graduating with multiple degrees, auditioning for a part, championing civil rights, or advocating for public transit. There’s some brief references to his previous graphic novel, They Called Us Enemy, but It Rhymes with Takei gives a broader overview of his life.

Special thanks to IDW Publishing, Top Shelf Productions and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest, independent review.