this was a really interesting story. the concept of the investigators was very original, but i couldn’t help but feel like it was a little bit shallow in terms of plot. i did like the characters, though, and was hoping to hear more about their lore. without spoiling too much, i did really appreciate the ending of this one in terms of the whole story.

Stardust Family intelligently raises important questions about parenthood and the power of society and government over the right to procreate and raise a child. In this original dystopia, couples have to pass various tests before they are allowed to have a child, including a practical test with a child inspector.
The lives of the child inspectors are very sad. I immediately felt great sorrow and compassion for the condition of these children, who cannot have a real childhood, a family or be loved, and who undergo traumatic experiences in order to serve the system.

As well as the ethical issues, the characters are intriguing and interesting.
The behaviour of this man, who rejects what every member of society actively seeks, raises questions, and the mysteries surrounding this woman keep us on the edge of our seats. Hikaru, who reveals himself as the story progresses, is also very poignant, adding extra emotional depth to the story.
The manga also subtly explores themes such as the gaze of others, the importance of forming one's own opinion and the impact a crime can have on other family members. This manga is very complete and profound.

Spoiler : I wasn't expecting the SF ‘twist’ at all, it was very effective even if I would have liked to see a bit more of it.

I really like the bittersweet ending, which made me shed a tear.

Originally in only two volumes (one in this edition [a positive point, as I would have been frustrated not to get to the end of the story!]) the story is well-paced, neither too much nor too little. I had a great time, with no length or rush, and I would recommend this book without hesitation.

"Stardust Family" is beautiful, heart wrenching, lighthearted, and emotionally deep. The setting, characters, locations, and emotions are all expressed in such a way that it makes the story feel real. This is a story that will draw readers in, evoke emotion, and provoke deep thought about love, family, friendship, and what it really means to be human. This is such a beautiful and emotionally deep story. It was so sad to see the difficulties Hikari faced. The ending of this manga is absolute perfection! I didn't see the book ending like that. I am very impressed with the beautiful art style, lovable characters, and skillful writing style. Read this book! 5 stars

Thank you very much to Yen Press and NetGalley for the wonderful opportunity of reading and reviewing this book honestly.

CW: brief depictions of abuse

* I will be posting my review to more places closer to or on release day. Thank you again Yen Press!

I don't know if I actually have the words to explain just how much I loved this, but I will do my best.

I haven't reviewed many mangas on this platform, mainly because most of the ones I read were from before I even knew goodreads existed. But I can say without a doubt this is one of the best ones I have ever had the privilege to discover. This was such a beautiful story. Once I started it, I never wanted it to end. Once it did finally end, I was left feeling sad, happy, hopeful, bittersweet, and so many other emotions I (much like Hikari) can't even really put a name to. All the emotions there are to feel, I felt with this one

This was actually a truly gut wrenching read. It was emotional and honest and it touched on so many things that I wasn't anticipating based on the summary. I thought this was going to be a darker story, but what I got instead was so much better.

Hikari is such a complex character, and I could have read 400 more pages about him and it still wouldn't be enough. Every character was mysterious to begin with, and then went on to be fleshed out in the most beautiful and amazing ways. What I wouldn't give to see a screen adaptation of this story. I know it would leave me in tears and sorrow for days.

Thank you to NetGalley and Yen Press for the e-ARC of Stardust Family!
4 / 5 ⭐

CW for book: brief depictions of various kinds of abuse to children, brief body horror

In the not so distant future, measures are being taken to make sure that parents are fit caregivers for children; young "investigators" spend two weeks in the homes of prospective parents to make sure they're equipped for the role. Stardust Family is focused around one of those children investigators, moving between families without having one of his own. Stardust Family was touching and bittersweet, and surprised me multiple times. The book overall was less dark but slightly weirder and more scifi than expected, and I wish we'd gotten a follow up on the ending, but I enjoyed it and read the graphic novel in one sitting.

For fans of Stardust Family, I would also recommend The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg.

** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Copy received through Netgalley


What an emotional rollercoaster!
This was a sad, tragic, gut wrenching and yet hopeful story.
It was so sad to see Hikari's past experiences of abuse, while acting as an inspector, and to see his very first experience of being an inspector. To see that he didn't even understand emotions was so sad. While the rest of the world got to experience a childhood utopia, the inspectors went through all the abuse with no means of escape or anyone caring about them.
I absolutely loved Daiki and Chisa right from the start. They had such a hard life, but they were happy together, and they really did love Hikari.
This is definitely one I'll be reading again, because there are so many little nuances that will have a totally different meaning on the second read, now that I know how it ends.

Favourite Quote : "No matter where you are...or whose child you're being...I just...want you to smile."

Thank you NetGalley and Yen Press for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this manga! I expected it to be a lot more darker than I though, but instead had me all emotional and crying at the end! The story of Hikari evaluating potential parents is a harsh and gruelling reality, until he meets two adults that live in a shrine. One wants to have children, the other is more hesitant. Both they heal through Hikari, and Hikari heals through them, finding a greater meaning in life.

I wish we got more of an after story once Hikari had to leave them, but it was still a fantastical and emotional read through and though. Definitely worth the read if you like emotional roller coasters that are wholesome, but also have a bit of the harsh realities of life sprinkles in.

What if society dictated whether you become a parent or not? As we see in our own society, there are frequent cases of neglect and abuse with children.

In the near future, there is also the decline in birth rate. Society makes the choice whether you become a parent and have a certified license to do so. Caregiver inspectors are sent out for two weeks to spend time with families to determine whether they pass or fail as a potential parent. The new couple that has been sent a Caregiver Inspector are not what they seem, but neither is the Caregiver.

#ThxNetGalley #AkiPoroyama #StardustFamily

Una licenza: è questo il requisito per diventare genitori, e si ottiene solo dopo una rigorosa serie di ispezioni da parte di giovanissimi impiegati, che per due settimane devono testare le capacità degli adulti che vogliono avere bambini. Si sono ridotte le violenze sui piccoli, si dice; è una società migliore, una società pulita e serena, grazie alla legge che lo impone.
E lo crede anche il giovane ispettore protagonista, crede davvero di dare un contributo fondamentale; finché qualcuno non gli chiede di fargli fallire apposta l’ispezione…
Un manga delicato e profondo, capace di toccare con abilità moltissimi temi: l’ostracismo sociale, l’ipocrisia, la dipendenza emotiva, il senso di colpa, il vero significato di famiglia.
Sorprendente e intenso.

Thank you to NetGalley and Yen Press for a complimentary early release copy of Stardust Family by Aki Poroyama.

Stardust Family went in a direction that I didn’t expect it to go into. I thought the story itself was going to hold some more darker elements and while it does have some plot points that are dark the story itself feels more light hearted than I expected. I did like the direction that the story went in, I liked how some of the elements/reveals are set up, and I enjoyed my time with these characters.

I liked the family, the character themselves felt well developed and likeable. I liked the whole idea of these kids inspecting these parents to figure out if they are acceptable parents or not. The art, writing, and character development are all well thought out. I enjoyed this story and I thought the ending was satisfying.

I loved the sci-fi, Black Mirror-esque premise of Stardust Family by Aki Poroyama. Set in a future where people must undergo examinations before becoming parents—to prevent child abuse—the story explores a bizarre yet beautifully crafted concept. The art was strong and complemented the tone perfectly. I even shed a tear at the end, though I felt the conclusion was a bit rushed compared to the manga’s otherwise contemplative rhythm. Still, it’s a thought-provoking read that stayed with me.

A powerful, emotional story with a unique premise.

Stardust Family is set in a future where children are sent by the government to evaluate potential families, essentially testing whether adults are capable of being good parents. It’s a thought-provoking and emotional journey that never veers into being grim, even when it explores darker themes.

The strength of this manga lies in its character work, especially the family dynamic between the three main characters, it’s beautifully done and deeply affecting. The emotional payoff, particularly toward the end, hits hard in all the right ways.

I’m keeping this vague to avoid spoilers, but if you're looking for a manga with mature storytelling and emotional depth, this is absolutely a must-read.

In a world where parents must be licensed to have children Hikari is an "inspector" a parentless child employed by the Japanese government to ensure that prospective parents are emotionally ready to take on the responsibility of being parents, a job he his beginning to hate. However, one day, he meets Daiki Hirokawa, who asks him the unthinkable: To fail him and his wife, Chisa.

Did I cry in an airport when I got to the end of this? Yes, yes, I did, and I don't care. This was an emotional roller coaster that asks not only what truly makes a good parent but what truly makes a loving family. As a parent, this is a question that is consistently at the forefront of my mind. But, if you've ever talked to anyone that's been in the Foster system, Hikari's story is just absolutely heartbreaking. As an inspector Hikari goes through countless potential families that always tell him that they love him, they spoil him, they make him apart of their existence for two weeks at a time and then at the end for them it's like it never even happened. For Hikari, it's just another wound on an already ravaged heart. To be have that level of psychological and emotional damage is heartbreaking, to know that it actually is happening right now to children in a broken foster system? Next level heartbreaking.

Chisa herself has her own sad background story except in her case when she enters the "system" she ends up with an uncle that truly loves her and helps her to come to terms with the trauma her mother inflicted upon her and how the world sees her because of this. And of course Daiki does as well, having parents who excell at everything and expect him to do the same when all he really just wants to be is a kid.

Each of these characters brings a relatable trauma to a family that is certainly not perfect under any circumstances but in the short two weeks that Hikari is with them you see a "broken" family become whole because of the trust and love that they have in each other and it is beyond beautiful. I genuinely cannot recommend this one more.

As always, thanks to NetGalley and Yen Press for the eArc!

I enjoyed reading the Stardust Family. The illustrations were well drawn and added to the story. I spent a portion of the book confused by some of the formatting, but soon realized the comic strips are read right to left. There were also points within the plot that bounced back-and-forth between the present and the past. Those moments were not well identified, so it could be confusing and I often had to reread certain pages to catch the transition between timelines. Despite some of those difficulties, the idea of the utopian society and using licenses to qualify parents‘s caregivers was interesting. I typically enjoy the science fiction genre specifically utopian or dystopian societies. This novel was no different. Character development was strong within this book. As the book was nearing its end, I was nervous about how the author was going to wrap up the story. I initially had the thought that maybe this novel would extend into a sequel. But this book was quickly wrapped up, and gave a heartwarming ending to the story. I would have loved to see a happier ending, but I enjoyed the ending as it was! Overall, good book and I could see my middle schoolers enjoying this book very much.

In a utopian society where couples need to get officially certified to raise children, the government use highly intellectual, trained kids called "inspectors" to visit the couple who applied to get the "parenting certificate". The inspectors stay with the couple for 2 weeks and analyses if they are fit to become parents and raise their children in a healthy environment. But the secrets this utopian society holds can turn it upside down overnight.

Such a creative storyline with immersive art, I enjoyed this manga thoroughly. Stardust family showes what it means to be human,with flaws and emotions and how love and affection can make the impossible happen. Thanks for the publisher for providing an advance reader copy!!

I'm not really sure what I was expecting from this or even what made me choose it but I am so glad I did! I found it a little hard to follow at times and there was a fair bit of jumping around in time but I really enjoyed the story. I wasn't expecting the twist at all and the ending made me so very happy!

Thank you to Yen Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!

4.5 stars

This story didn’t go where I thought it would and it was so sweet and sad. I felt so bad for poor Hikari. He just wanted someone to love him. This brought a little tear to my eyes and this was a bittersweet story. The ending made me smile so much.

This was an AMAZING manga! I didn't know what to expect when I first started, but I instantly fell in love with all the characters. The world building was also very interesting and although the ending made me a bit sad, it was still beautiful!

Thank you Aki Poroyama, Yen Press, and NetGalley for the ARC!

stardust family is the most beautiful manga I've ever read, encapsulating a mirage of themes and topics that will leave you with tears. the idea itself is mind boggling and even better when it was executed with such finesse.

I just wish the topic introduced after halfway through was more fleshed out.

thank you to the publisher for the ARC 🌷