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Stardust Family

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By Soph Myers-Kelley Picture in a near future, Japan is managing the perceived low birth-rate crisis in addition to the societal scourge that is child abuse with one solution; requiring parental licenses for those who want to raise children. Prospective parents must pass several examinations-including a 2-week immersive examination led by a child evaluator. It is in this utopian science fiction manga where we find one such child, Hikari, and his experience evaluating hundreds of prospective parents for licensure. Hikari is, rightly so, disenchanted and unenthused when working with these couples hoping to become parents. In testing their parenting skills… Read More

筋トレ社長 (Muscle-Training President)

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by Yu-Ling Kung I am a small Asian woman in my forties, living in a big city. I joined a gym last year, and it has now been one full year. As an academic and comics nerd, I never imagined that I would spend my time lifting weights. But after years of computer-based work left my posture in poor condition, my partner insisted that I needed to take real action. That is how I began strength training and how I found myself reading comics about fitness. In Japanese fitness-themed comics, sexualized female bodies are often used as visual appeal, inviting… Read More

I’m a Terminal Cancer Patient, but I’m Fine

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by Melanie Anspacher The graphic memoir by manga artist Hilnama is strikingly unique, not only in narrative and artistic content but in the author’s mission to leave a legacy to her readers. The work was initially released as 10 online chapter installments, published on Flex Comix’s Comic Polaris manga site in 20201. From the outset, Hilnama’s goal is to help others while also recounting her experience. As she tells her readers, “If it helps even a little, that’d make me happy [pg. 5].” The published book includes an epilogue, as well as reflections on each online chapter that describe how… Read More