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 🌷