By Aoi Makino. Released in Japan as “Sayonara Miniskirt” by Shueisha, serialization ongoing in the magazine Ribon. Released in North America by Viz Media. Translated by Tetsuichiro Miyaki. Adapted by Nancy Thistlethwaite. This is one of Viz Media’s strongest debuts in some time, and it’s taken me a while to find a way to put down some words and review it. There’s a number of reasons for that. It’s a strong debut but it’s not a fun book – this book wants to deliberately make you uncomfortable and challenge traditional views on things. It looks at idol culture and the obsessiveness of their fans, about reaching out to accept help and how that can be both a good thing and also a bad thing; about fighting back against the everyday...
May 19, 2020 • Subscribe
More like this
Not Your Idol Volume 2 Review
Not Your Idol's debut was a thoughtful look on the societal pressures women have to live with. Volume 2, however, feels much more muddled.
Preview Guide 4: Not Your Idol
This is a review of Not Your Idol volume 1, a new series by Aoi Makino that's going to be released by Viz.Not Your Idol tackles the ups…
Not Your Idol – Manga First Impression
Not Your Idol tries to examine some serious issues but lacks the delicacy to properly pull it off. I can see some readers enjoying it though.
The Anti-Social Geniuses Review: Not Your Idol Volume 1
The Anti-Social Geniuses review Volume 1 of Aoi Makino's Not Your Idol, where a former idol tries to overcome her assault by acting like a boy.
Ossan Idol! Vol 1 Review
I’m not someone who really follows idols or is big into idol culture, but I thought that the plot of Ossan Idol!, which centers around three middle-aged men…
You And Idol Precure Episode 1 Review – Your New Idol Bias Is Here!
Change your idol bias to Cure Idol right now!
Love Me, Love Me Not, Vol 1
Love Me, Love Me Not, Volume 1 by Io Sakisaka Strobe Edge was good, and Ao Haru Ride is a special series, so I was very excited when…
Love Me, Love Me Not, Vol. 1
By Io Sakisaka. Released in Japan as “Omoi, Omoware, Furi, Furare” by Shueisha, serialized in the magazine Bessatsu Margaret. Released in North America by Viz Media. Translated by…
Reader’s Corner: Touge Oni (Vol. 1), Your Forma (Vol. 4), Glitch (Vol. 1), and Game of Familia (Vol. 1)
Happy autumn, dear readers! Today, we’re helping you fall into the season with recommended reading selections, including a trio of newly launched releases and brand-new volumes in several…
Manhwa Review: Not-Sew-Wicked Stepmom Vol. 1
Queen Abigail Friedkin longs for one thing only: to spoil her beloved daughter Princess Blanche and give her the best upbringing any child could dream of. But it…
I Refuse to Be Your Enemy!, Vol. 1
By Kanata Satsuki and Mitsuya Fuji. Released in Japan as “Watashi wa Teki ni Narimasen!” by PASH! Books. Released in North America digitally by J-Novel Club. Translated by…
Bleach: Can’t Fear Your Own World, Vol. 1
By Ryohgo Narita and Tite Kubo. Released in Japan by Shueisha. Released in North America by Viz Media. Translated by Jan Cash. There have been several Bleach novels…
Auto-tagged Durarara!!, Baccano!, Bleach
Rascal Does Not Dream of Siscon Idol
By Hajime Kamoshida and Keji Mizoguchi. Released in Japan as “Seishun Buta Yarou wa Siscon Idol no Yume wo Minai” by Dengeki Bunko. Released in North America by…
Enter Your World | A Sign Of Affection Vol 1
Oh my god I’m doing a manga first impression. . And a newly release as of 31st March. Ah Shoujo and representation got me gripped here !!…
Yuki is Not Your Enemy
“It wasn’t logical. It didn’t need to be.” As Fruits Basket continues its crazy, emotional, often violent ride toward a conclusion (spoilers ahead for episode eight of the…
Auto-tagged Fruits Basket
Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide Vol 1 Review
Now here’s an example of a manga that completely lived up to my expectations! Mone Sorai’s Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide is a BL manga that follows a…
WIXOSS Diva (A) Live Episode 1: Not Your Edgelord Neighbor’s WIXOSS
Before we begin, yes. So far this third entry in the WIXOSS anime is completely different in tone from the last two series. In fact, it appears it…
Bleach: Can’t Fear Your Own World (Light Novel) Vol. 1
Ryohgo Narita, the original author of Baccano and DURARARA!!, goes out of his way to craft an entertaining, intriguing, and emotionally affecting tale that takes place in the…
Auto-tagged Bleach
How (Not) To Bully Your Characters
Putting an end to anime bullying once and for all. Join our Discord! https://discord.gg/PhenomSage Twitter: https://twitter.com/PhenomSage MyAnimeList: https://myanimelist.net/profile/PhenomSage Edited by GarryDairy 00:00 - Stop the bullying! 02:42 - No Game No Life's Sora and…
Auto-tagged No Game, No Life
You Were Experienced, I Was Not: Our Dating Story, Vol. 1
By Makiko Nagaoka and magako. Released in Japan as “Keiken Zumi na Kimi to, Keiken Zero na Ore ga, Otsukiai Suru Hanashi” by Fujimi Fantasia Bunko. Released in…
Auto-tagged Girl from Phantasia
Peach Boy Riverside: Not Your Grandma’s Momotaro (First Impressions, Volumes 1-3)
This was a spur-of-the-moment decision for me. Normally, I tend to have a bulk of blog posts ready to go well in advance. But at the start of…
Auto-tagged Peach Boy Riverside
Weekly Round-Up, 19-25 August 2020: Not Your Idol, Easy Mode Accessibility, and Indie Games Starring WOC
AniFem Round-Up Thinking Outside the Circle: Accessibility and education in Witch Hat Atelier Dee highlights a wizarding school series that recognizes how school systems fail their students, and…
Auto-tagged Attack on Titan
Phantom of the Idol – Episode 1
Much like ghosts, you'll either believe in Phantom of the Idol or you'll ignore it ratling around in the background due to its pretty okay premiere that, while…
Auto-tagged Phantom of the Idol
Dropout Idol Fruit Tart – Episode 1
Dropout Idol Fruit Tart, like the sweet treat in its name, is bright and sugary, but probably does not contain much nutritional value... and in fact might make…
Auto-tagged Dropout Idol Fruit Tart
Your Turn To Die: Majority Vote Death Game Vol 1 Review
Your Turn to Die: Majority Death Game is a horror/mystery manga, written by Nankidai and with art by Tatsuya Ikegami, that’s based on a game of the same…
I Refuse To Be Your Enemy! Vol. 1 LN Partial Review
A release from J-Novel Club’s shoujo imprint which regrettably misses the mark. I commented a few reviews back that I’ve ended up in the past year or so…
There’s No Freaking Way I’ll Be Your Lover! Unless…, Vol. 1
By Teren Mikami and Eku Takeshima. Released in Japan as “Watashi ga Koibito ni Nareru Wake Naijan, Muri Muri! Muri Janakatta!?” by Dash X Bunko. Released in North…
Disowned But Not Disheartened! Life Is Good with Overpowered Magic, Vol. 1
By Riko Saiki and Baracan. Released in Japan as “Ie wo Oidasaremashita ga, Genki ni Kurashiteimasu: Cheat na Mahou to Zensei Chishiki de Kaiteki Benri na Second Life!”…
Two Kinds of Love in Love me, Love Me Not (Vol. 1)
Yuna, whose best friend has just moved out of town, leaving her in crisis, is timid, sensitive and credulous, and terribly embarrassed that her first love was Prince…
Auto-tagged Marriage
Kami Kuzu☆Idol reveals not all idols do their best
Get pissed, Asahi.
Auto-tagged Phantom of the Idol
Magia Record: Worth your Time or Not?
Magia Record, a spin-off of the famous Madoka Magica is soon to air. But is it worth your time, or a simple cash grab? Read the two of…
Kobeni is Not Your Waifu | Chainsaw Man
チェンソーマン #chainsawman #kobeni Kobeni is a much beloved manga character from Chainsaw Man that recently had her anime debut in Chainsawman episode 6. There was a mixed reaction…
Auto-tagged Chainsaw Man
Innocent, Vol. 1
Innocent is hard to pin down. On the one hand, it’s a meticulously researched period drama starring real-life figures such as Casanova, Robert-François Damiens, and Jeanne Bécu; on…
Jazz Vol.1
Wow. Reading Jazz is like reading the yaoi version of Hot Gimmick. And you know how well that turned out for me. To be honest, I was aware…
Given, Vol. 1
Given Volume 1 by Natsuki Kizu Even before I read this manga, I remember scrolling past something on twitter and seeing the cover. Who is the mildly cranky…
Beatless, Vol. 1
By Satoshi Hase and redjuice. Released in Japan by Kadokawa Bunko. Released in North America digitally by J-Novel Club. Translated by Ben Gessel. This is a doorstopper of…
Reader’s Corner: You and I Are Polar Opposites (Vol. 1), Touge Oni (Vol. 3), and The Villainess’s Guide to (Not) Falling in Love (Vol. 1)
OP isekai’d heroes, young men who can’t help but be attracted to the heroine (er, villainess), and…a cat? This week’s reviews are for a diverse group of light…
Auto-tagged Nights with a Cat
You and Idol Precure ♪ – Episode 1
The Pretty Cure franchise's newest entry hits successful high note on its first try, setting up a charming new addition to a series full of young girls being…
Auto-tagged Pretty Cure, You and Idol Precure ♪
Lapis Re:LiGHTs Episode 1: Little Idol Academia
We had school idols, social working idols, space idols and idol politicians before so it’s only a matter of time before we got magic idols. Let’s find out…
Auto-tagged Lapis Re:LiGHTs
Love Live! School Idol Project – Ep. 1
Naturally, when catching up on a franchise, you save the first installment for last.
Auto-tagged Idol Project, Love Live! School Idol Project
Episode 1: Akira Vol 1
It's the first episode of Mangasplaining, the podcast where we make Chip Zdarsky Read Great Manga to see what he thinks! Featuring Chip, Deb Aoki, David Brothers, and…
Perfect Blue Criticizes The Idol Industry. Oshi no Ko Does Not.
We Sure Do Love Shiny Things With Pretty Colors That Non-Criticize Without Hurting Anyone‘s Feelings
Auto-tagged Perfect Blue
Love Me, Love Me Not, Vol. 2
Love Me, Love Me Not, Volume 2 by Io Sakisaka At two volumes in, I’m not feeling quite as connected to the characters in Love Me, Love Me…
Why Are You Not Reading? (vol. 2)
It’s been almost one and a half years of university life. With all its ups and downs, the university lifestyle has sure been one hell of a doozy:…
Comedian Yuki Nivez is Not Your Diversity Hire
Yuki Nivez has emerged as a major force in the Tokyo stand-up scene. Here, she discusses her recent thoughts on her role in that space, and her upcoming…
Dear Anime Fans: Funimation is Not Your Friend
There should be nothing more important to fans of anime than being respectful to its creators. Sure, anime is the product of much more than Japan: the international…
Housekeeping Mage from Another World: Making Your Adventures Feel Like Home!, Vol. 1
By You Fuguruma and Nama. Released in Japan as “Kasei Madoushi no Isekai Seikatsu: Boukenchuu no Kasei Fugyou Uketamawarimasu!” by Ichijinsha Bunko Iris NEO. Released in North America…
Auto-tagged HOME!
Special 1, "Not For Kids"
On this special episode of the One Piece Podcast we’re joined by Tsukento as he finishes his top ten list for his Worst Moments in 4Kids One Piece…
Auto-tagged One Piece
Special 1, "Not For Kids"
On this special episode of the One Piece Podcast we’re joined by Tsukento as he finishes his top ten list for his Worst Moments in 4Kids One Piece…
Auto-tagged One Piece
Modern Villainess: It’s Not Easy Building a Corporate Empire Before the Crash, Vol. 1
By Tofuro Futsukaichi and Kei. Released in Japan as “Gendai Shakai de Otome Game no Akuyaku Reijou wo Suru no wa Chotto Taihen” by Overlap Novels. Released in…