This is fantastic and surprisingly touching. I don’t read a lot of manga, but this was beautifully written and drawn and surprisingly nuanced and sensitive.

A summary of the plot:

It’s set in a realistic near-future Japan. Due to a decreasing birth rate and increasing instatnces of child neglect and abuse, there is need for prospective parents to be licensed to have children. Those who are denied a license are shunned from society. Children are employed as caregiver inspectors to make the determination of whether prospective parents should be licensed. These inspector caregivers live with the prospective parents they’re asssigned to for two weeks as the couple’s child.

The story focuses on a caregiver inspector who is placed with many famililes to make a determination of their suitability for parenthood. And then he’s assigned a couple that’s different from the rest.

I can’t spoil it, but there are a couple of twists I didn’t expect. The ending brought tears to my eyes - it’s good. Highly recommended for those into manga and for those who aren’t, this might be good enough to change your mind.

Stardust Family is seinen and very interesting. It's a standalone and set in the near future, when couples just cannot have children just like that. They need training and permission - there needs to be proof that they can function as parents and are good enough for kids. The setting is super interesting and refreshing. Could it happen in the real world? It could. The test evaluators are kids themselves and in this case Hikari is the one and he is assigned to Hirokawa family. The couple is raw and so real. They both have their own different problems and that baggage is heavy like no other. The manga is very realistic, which makes this creepy and great. I loved the man and the wife, their roles, feelings and past. Hikari then was like a bystander to it - I wanted him to analyze everything better.

The manga is very psychological and gruesome even. It's like a nasty scifi that can become reality in a couple of years, which makes it even better. Hikari's background is interesting too (and suffocating). I wish more manga like this was made and translated into English. This is surely not for young readers, but it's great. Nastily great.

Thank you to NetGalley and Yen Press for the ARC of Stardust Family by Aki Horoyama.
In a society where the right to parenthood is determined by child inspectors, Stardust Family presents a chilling yet thought-provoking narrative. Set in a future Japan, couples must pass stringent evaluations conducted by children like Hikari, who assess their suitability to raise offspring. This system, designed to prevent child abuse, raises unsettling questions about autonomy, societal control, and the true essence of family.

Hikari, one such inspector, encounters Daiki and Chisa Hirokawa, a couple living in a secluded shrine. Their request to fail the parenting test challenges Hikari's understanding of the system he's part of. As the story unfolds, layers of personal trauma, societal prejudice, and the longing for genuine connection are meticulously explored.

his manga resonated deeply with me, intertwining science fiction with a profound social commentary on parenting and the responsibilities it entails. It challenges the notion of whether all individuals are inherently fit to raise children, a question I've grappled with personally. The narrative presents a society where prospective parents must undergo assessments to determine their suitability, echoing my own contemplations about the need for evaluations or training before one embarks on parenthood or marriage.

The story delves into the complexities of societal expectations, highlighting how individuals, regardless of their personal readiness or character, often conform to norms like marriage and childbearing. It portrays a dystopian world where such assessments have become extreme, yet it offers a clever critique of these societal constructs.

Stardust Family doesn't provide easy answers but instead invites readers to reflect on the moral and ethical dimensions of parenting and societal norms. It's a compelling read that left a lasting impression on me.

Thought-Provoking Exploration of Parenthood and Society

Stardust Family offers a compelling and emotionally resonant narrative set in a dystopian future where children hold the authority to determine who may become parents. In this society, having children is illegal unless a couple first passes a strict examination, conducted by a child, that certifies them as capable providers. Hikari, a young evaluator, is tasked with assessing prospective parents, but his assignment to the Hirokawa family challenges his beliefs and perceptions.

Aki Poroyama masterfully blends science fiction with poignant social commentary, addressing themes such as the nature of family, societal expectations, and the complexities of parenthood. The story delves into the emotional journeys of its characters, particularly Hikari, as he navigates the intricacies of his role and the human connections he forms.

The artwork complements the narrative, with clean lines and expressive character designs that enhance the storytelling. While the visual style may not be groundbreaking, it effectively conveys the emotional depth of the characters and the gravity of the themes explored.

However, some readers may find certain aspects of the plot predictable, and the pacing may feel deliberate at times. Despite these minor drawbacks, Stardust Family succeeds in delivering a thought-provoking and heartfelt story that lingers long after the final page.

In summary, Stardust Family is a standout work in the realm of seinen manga, offering a unique premise and a deeply emotional narrative that resonates with readers. It's a must-read for those interested in stories that challenge societal norms and explore the complexities of human relationships.

I'm not crying..."  What a beautiful story. 
Aki Poroyama tells us a story where in the future, inorder to help all the lost children from bad parents, adults need a license to have children.  An inspector must live with them for 2 weeks to see what kind of parents they would make. Not a bad idea but I can see where there would be flaws in this, regardless of who makes the inspection.
But I digress...
I was not expecting such an emotional response from myself but this story touched me so deeply.  Sometimes what seems imperfect is actually the most perfect thing in the world. Sometimes people tell the truth and love is real.

Highly recommended.  Published May 27, 2025   Go buy it.
Thanks to @netgalley and Yen Press for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

This was quite the interesting read and I really enjoyed it. I did think it was going to be darker than it based on the cover but there was plenty of angst to keep me satisfied throughout. I loved the main character Hikari and seeing all that he experienced throughout his time as an inspector. He was very endearing and it was easy to sympathise with him. The concept of couples needing certification to be seen as not only capable caregivers to children but also as upstanding members of society is an intriguing one and you could see the different ways this affected people's lives. The twist at the end was effectively done and neatly tied all the woven threads of Hikari's story together. The ending made me quite emotional.

Fine, you want me to feel things, I'll feel things.

This is crazy good. I love the sci-fi background to what feels like a contemporary novel. This book is about found family and dystopia, and that sometimes the power is really out of our hands. I felt everything while reading this. How this book is both a parent's nightmare and daydream is insane and so unfun that I kinda hate Poroyama for putting me through it. But would I read another of theirs? Absolutely. Buy this for your library. Check it out for yourself. Get nice and cozy and enjoy the ride.

Stardust family is a wholesome and emotional manga with light dystopian themes. With easy to root for characters and an interesting main concept, I had a fantastic time reading. I did not anticipate the direction that the story took, so I was very engaged with the plot until the end. I loved that it was a self-contanied story within one volume!

Stardust Family it´s a story that goes deep and stays in your mind for a long time. It is quite difficult to know where it goes and that helps the emotional impact it generates. Undoubtedly, a read worth every minute.
Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for this advanced reader's copy.

This was one of the most emotive things I’ve read all year. I definitely didn’t predict where it was going, and I thought the whole story was just so sad and sweet and beautiful. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read.

For a one-volume story, Stardust Family certainly packs a punch. I read the blurb and thought it would be among the likes of The Handmaid's Tale or Children of Men. I thought I knew what to expect. Poroyama threw in plot twists that were unexpected but also made perfect sense. I think it's a great commentary on parenthood: the choice to become a parent, the social perceptions of parents, worthiness of becoming a parent, and even parenting styles. It's also a critique of governmental reactions to declining populations: you have to get approval to become a parent, but there's no mention of any support for fertility treatments, child care, or child welfare services. The other thing from the blurb that I hoped they would explain are the examiners. Why are children conducting the examinations and how can they objectively judge potential parents? Please note that this title does contain content both implying and showing harm to children, including a panel depicting molestation.

A standalone manga that takes place in a world where parents have to pass a 2-week examination with a “child inspector” before they are able to get permission to have children. I really was intrigued by this concept and the main character Hikari was compelling as he navigated being a child inspector. I fell in love with the characters and the world. The twist ending really got me and I definitely teared up. 5/5 Stars!

Also this manga reminded me a bit of Promised Neverland, so if you are a fan of that this book has very pared down vibes that are similar.

A unique and emotional story.

An interesting concept was explored in this work of art. Parents need to go through inspection in order to see if they are fit to be parents in this near-future world. What happens if they fail inspection? Society looks down upon the failed adults. The main couple in this story have emotional childhoods, but the inspector's story is truly heartbreaking. Each one of these characters deserves happiness to the full extent!

It's just a beautiful story with lots of emotion. This is definitely new favorite manga that I will reread.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Warning: this might make you cry.

I spent ten minutes ranting to my mum about this on the phone (sorry), but it gave me sooo many feelings.

This is funny, sad, beautiful, thought-provoking.

Due to a declining birthdate and increase in child abuse and neglect, the government passes a law that caregiving for children requires a license. To acquire one, potential parents must pass tests, the final stage whereby a child inspector is sent to be part of their possible family and judge them.
The aptitude to be a caregiver has now become the new benchmark for being human. If you fail, you are a pariah: denied benefits, loans, sometimes even jobs.

What happens when someone asks an inspector to purposefully fail them?

<b>KINDNESS THAT IGNORES THE WILL OF WHOM YOU'RE BEING KIND TO CAN SOMETIMES LOOK AN AWFUL LOT LIKE CONCEIT.
</b>
This was so sweet and heartfelt and I really need you to read this.
It will really make you think - especially if you have ever dared to go against the norm, break the mould of being a ‘proper’ member of society.

Yes, I lowkey saw the twist and the ending, yet it was still so satisfying.

Arc gifted by Yen Press.

This was a very good piece of speculative science fiction! I was happy that so much was explored on the topic of "exams in order to have children." The main couple choosing to be childless but still pressured into the exam for a few reasons was an interesting choice. This story very much showed that even with the regulations, some social stigmas are hard to quell, because don't think I didn't notice how it was still a very female dominated desire, not necessarily to raise children, but to show to society that they were "good enough" to have kids. There was a nice little tweak to the narrative that made it come together nicely as well!

This was such an interesting and new premise for a story and I really enjoyed it! I felt so much for Hikari and I loved seeing Daiki and Chiso's dynamic with him -- I cried so much because of this manga. The ending was something I could've never seen coming but I really loved it. This is one of those stories that makes me wonder at human creativity and just how amazing it is that there are creative people who can come up with tales like this with their minds!

Thank you NetGalley and Yen Press for sending this Digital Review Copy for review consideration! All opinions are my own.

***

TW: Implied/offscreen abuse and SA of a minor, exploitation of minors, implied/offscreen murder of a minor

Although Stardust Family is set in a “utopian” sci-fi future, at its core it is an examination of the human condition and how we treat ourselves and others.

In a world where you can only legally become a parent by being examined and certified by children, love and affection has become a tool by which to exert one’s social fitness and gain what some might consider the most precious gift of all. Aki Poroyama explores this world through the viewpoint of a child inspector, Hikari, exposing the cruelty of the system from the inside out. Afterall, who wouldn’t want to end child abuse? But at what cost? And if potential caregivers merely don a mask to ensure that their license gets approved, is it even possible to make genuine connection? While some readers may be disappointed by Poroyama’s limited world building in this single contained volume, this is by no means a reason not to read this emotionally complex manga. It will make you tear up and shock you for it is truly grim, but by the final scene where one might draw in a breath and pause as if at the end of a symphony following the swell, it is truly worth it. All that pain, all that wondering, and even the fear of being forgotten culminates in a hopeful message that all is not lost even when we think that there is no way out. Fans of A Silent Voice will find Porayama’s Stardust Family (2025) to be a wonderful blend of speculative fiction and classic slice-of-life moments as Hikari inspects his latest assigned family and finds that they are different from those that he’s inspected before.

Although Stardust Family is set in a “utopian” sci-fi future, at its core it is an examination of the human condition and how we treat ourselves and others.

Pub Date: May 27, 2025

ISBN: 9781975393465

Publisher: Yen Press

Review Posted Online: May 15, 2025

This was a very interesting concept and I did not guess that plot twist. A loving story about found family and how we treat one another.

"The government... ...declared providing for children would require a license."

Stardust Family features a world where parents need to obtain a caregiver license to be able to have and take care of (even their own) children. Hikari, a young boy, is one of the inspectors sent to prospective parents to test their aptitude. One day he gets sent to Daiki and Chisa's home for inspection, where Daiki oddly requests Hikari to fail them as parents.

"I want you... ...to fail the both of us as caregivers."

This manga is absolutely amazing. It's been a good while since I've read a manga that managed to enthrall me like Stardust Family did. This story is a profound exploration of parenthood and what it means to be a family. It also features social commentary that is very relevant to our society today.

"Society begins from the family... ...and the family begins from people. As such, to build a better society... ...we must start by building better families. Better humans."

Poroyama has a wonderful art style that perfectly supports the full emotional breadth covered in the manga. Hard hitting and heart-wrenching at times, but overall it features a wonderfully hopeful message. Dialogue can be a bit hit or miss in manga, especially as it's translated, but Poroyama easily weaves the story from emotionally drenched moments to comedic relief. Accompanied by perfect pacing, this manga is a stellar example of what a good story needs to be.

"Children are people... ...not a shortcut to happiness or self-actualization."

Stardust Family is a stand-out in the world of manga. It tells a unique, perfectly paced story with loveable characters and memorable dialogue. I would recommend this manga to people who love dystopian stories featuring pertinent social commentary.

Thank you to NetGalley for my Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.

I loved this book. From the first page to the last I sometimes felt like I was holding my breath (don't worry, I knew I was holding it). Set in a dystopian future where adults must apply to be parents by having children come to evaluate their suitability, this is a heartwarming story (with a fun twist) that will have you rooting for both the parents applying and the kid who is evaluating them.