Wandering Son Manga Review

Wandering Son Manga Review

Wandering Son is a manga by Shimura Takako. This graphic novel is a new take on the struggle of Gays and Lesbians in Japan. Being either is problematic in Japan. Its even worse for those wishing to change gender. Only single male men are usually allowed to change gender. Its not that socially acceptable. If you think the Americans are hard core about family values, it is even worse in Japan. Ironically, this has not stopped the mangaka community from creating hundreds and thousands of graphic novels addressing "yaoi" and "yuri' concept. In any case, Takako took a more realistic approach to this subject matter.



The main character Shuichi is 5th grade boy who wishes to become a girl. His friend Yoshino is a girl who wants to become a boy. Together they help each other come to terms with their hidden desires. Even inside the classroom, the students are half realizing the secret of the two friends. They call Shuichi with the honorific chan, which is for girls. Yoshino uses the boy's kun, honorific. The classmates use those honorific more as a joke. Its ironic that they hit the mark.

In the first volume, Shuichi and Yoshino start rehearsing for "The Rose of Versailles" play. This play was suggested by Shuichi's friend Chiba chan. Chiba suggested that the boys play as the girls and vise versa. She did this because she wanted to see Shuichi dressed as girl. Aside from the play, in the first volume, Shuichi joins Yoshino in her little hobby. She likes to put on the high school uniform of her father and play boy. Shuichi was afraid of being found out and called a freak. However, Yoshino got her first period. Shuichi had to dress like a girl to buy Yoshino the product she needed.

After her first period, Yoshino was a bit shaken. She realized that her body was really that of a girl. In no time, she would stop looking like a Tom Boy. Heck, she even got into a fight with a boy when he started laughing after heard that Yoshino had her first period. To make matters worse for Yoshino, the mother of that boy kept apologizing to Yoshino's mama. She could not believe her son had struck a girl.

Its a real bummer this graphic novel. In the old yaoi/yuri graphic novels, the scenes take place in strange worlds. The mangaka artist usually avoid making a normal yaoi/yuri graphic novel set, in their normal Japanese world. They do this to make being gay and lesbian something exceptional, otherworldly even.  Takako makes it more socially to be gay or lesbian. It think is quite the lovely change of pace. In any case, this lovely graphic novel deserves 5 star rating. Phistars recommends it!!