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An Amazing Manga: Gazing at the Star Next Door

15 Jan

Are you a fan of girl/boy groups — especially in the world of K-Pop or J-Pop? Are you also a fan of unrequited love? As a long-time fan of Japanese male idol groups like Arashi, as well as manga and topics like love and romance, Gazing at the Star Next Door almost felt like it was made for me and the modern fangirl. We fans treasure our idols and ensure that we maintain healthy boundaries as we support our cherished artists. But Gazing at the Star Next Door playfully explores the question — what if a one-sided love for your favorite idol becomes mutual?

In the beginning of the series, we meet Chiaki Amano and Subaru Hiiragi — two high schoolers who are also childhood friends (a big trope in Japanese cultural works). Even though Chiaki and Subaru have that shared, intimate relationship with each other as platonic friends, a rift has developed as they have grown older and once Subaru became a rising teen actor. There is also an air of impatience — viewing love and dating as important milestones to reach during one’s high school experience. From this line of thought, Chiaki tries to get over her feelings for Subaru, the idol, by attempting to put herself out there and join a mixer with college boys. As the mixer sours and the college boy that Chiaki is paired up with starts bad-mouthing Subaru, it almost seems like the end of the world for her! But then, Subaru comes and picks her up from that snarky, two-dimensional college boy! Afterwards, he thanks her for defending him in front of the college boy — and then says she looks cute! What does this all mean for Chiaki’s plans?

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the current volumes (the first three English volumes are in the BCCLS catalog, and the fourth English volume is set to be published by Kodansha US on January 28th) and seeing how the story develops between Chiaki and Subaru. Anmitsu (the author) also gives a curious taste into high school life, idols, fanservice, and teen romance and attraction. I recommend giving Gazing at the Star Next Door a try, and I am excited for when the next installment makes its way to BCCLS!

Written by:
Laura Austria
Information and Digital Services Assistant

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Great Manga/Comic Book Recommendations

29 Mar

Love Manga and Graphic Novels? Here are some quick top picks from our staff!

Spy x Family  Vol. 2
by Tatsuya Endo
An action-packed comedy about a fake family that includes a spy, an assassin, and a telepath. Master spy Twilight is unparalleled when it comes to going undercover on dangerous missions to improve the world. 

Kaiju  no. 8 vol. 2
by Naoya Matsumoto
Kafka, a kaiju-corpse cleanup man, has always dreamed of joining the force. But when he gets another shot at achieving his childhood dream, he undergoes an unexpected transformation.

Rooster Fighter  V.1
Giant demonic monsters wreak havoc and level Japanese cities. While the citizens flee in terror, it’s up to one brave rooster to stand his ground and fight off the monsters and save humanity.

Dissolving Classroom
by Junji Ito
A pair of twisted siblings – Yuuma, a young man obsessed with the devil, and Chizumi, the worst little sister in recorded history – cause all sorts of tragic and terrifying things to happen.

The Forest
by Thomas Ott
A young boy sneaks away from a family funeral and sinks into the forest depths, where he confronts man’s greatest fear. An eerie, horror-filled morality tale.

Tokyo Revengers 1-2
Ken Wakui
Watching the news, Hanagaki learns his junior high girlfriend Tachibana has died. Suddenly he is sent 12 years into the past to face the Tokyo Manji Gang that once made his life hell and is responsible for Tachibana’s death.

Recommendations from:
Jenn Sforza, Young Adult Librarian
and Lauren Lapinski, Information and Digital Services Assistant

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