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Wandering Son #5
Wandering Son, Vol. 5
In the latest volume of the acclaimed series about transgendered kids exploring their unfolding identities, we’ve reached a big event; the junior high school entrance ceremony. The boys wear black uniforms with stand-up collars based on mid-19th century European military uniforms and the girls wear navy blazers, tan skirts, and red ribbon neckties. Enter our heroes; Nitori-kun is forced to wear a boy’s uniform while Takatsuki-san has to wear a girl’s! Yet one girl—Sarashia Chizuru— draws stares, whispers, and pointed fingers, because this long-haired beauty is wearing a boy’s uniform. Both Nitori-kun and Takatsuki-san are awed by the girl’s courage, but Takatsuki-san is particularly vexed by their own faintheartedness. They envy more than a few other students who experience such liberty in wearing either uniform and ponder what it ultimately means about themselves. Envy and jealousy are prominent themes in Volume 5: Chiba-san is jealous of Takatsuki-san, for whom Nitori-kun still carries a tortch. Maho envies Anna-chan’s professionalism as a model. And Chii-chan’s loyal sidekick, Shiri Momoko, is intensely jealous of anyone in whom Chii-chan shows the slightest interest. And so our protagonists set off on the journey to adolescence….
228 pages, Hardcover
First published June 26, 2006
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244 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 10, 2016
In volume five the kids we have been following begin middle school. The story began with a boy-who-wants-to-be-a-girl befriending a girl-who-wants-to-be-a-boy. We follow them and we slowly see other gltbq issues highlighted in ways they would not have been highlighted anywhere before in YA lit—until maybe this decade (especially trans issues). In this school the boys wear black military-style and the girls wear navy blazers, tan skirts, and red ribbon neckties. So it’s not so easy to cross dress there!
But one way to explore these issues is through theater, where you get to perform different characters, try out different identities. Remember Shakespeare’s time, when women couldn’t perform on the stage, so when women characters wanted to disguise themselves as men the men that played women’s characters first had to dress as women then disguise themselves as men. . . whew. So that kind of performing of gender/sexual identities happens here in a play. There’s a cute single new teacher to crush on here, too. I liked this one maybe a little less than the last ones, maybe 3.5, but I expect I will read the whole series eventually. Not enough happened in this one, but I expect more will in the next one.
But one way to explore these issues is through theater, where you get to perform different characters, try out different identities. Remember Shakespeare’s time, when women couldn’t perform on the stage, so when women characters wanted to disguise themselves as men the men that played women’s characters first had to dress as women then disguise themselves as men. . . whew. So that kind of performing of gender/sexual identities happens here in a play. There’s a cute single new teacher to crush on here, too. I liked this one maybe a little less than the last ones, maybe 3.5, but I expect I will read the whole series eventually. Not enough happened in this one, but I expect more will in the next one.
May 20, 2018
4.5 stars
This manga is my favorite slice of life story. It's well-paced and well-balanced, with endearing and complex characters and tackling important topics. Wandering Son is charming manga about trans girl Nitorin and trans boy Tatatsuki and them entering middle school. They had a fallout in previous volume so now the story is focused on Nitorin and Mako friendship, as well as Tatasuki and Sasa friendship, also new pupils and endless school shenanigans.
I adore the artwork, the style and the panel composition are perfect for this story.
It's a rare for me to see a story about transgender middleschoolers, who talk about their gender expressions, their feelings towards puberty and the changes their bodies will experience, the difference and connection between gender and sexuality. I'm using "big" words in the actual stories these conversations look realistic and natural for them to have at that age.
I love this manga a lot and I'm excited to read the sequel.
This manga is my favorite slice of life story. It's well-paced and well-balanced, with endearing and complex characters and tackling important topics. Wandering Son is charming manga about trans girl Nitorin and trans boy Tatatsuki and them entering middle school. They had a fallout in previous volume so now the story is focused on Nitorin and Mako friendship, as well as Tatasuki and Sasa friendship, also new pupils and endless school shenanigans.
I adore the artwork, the style and the panel composition are perfect for this story.
It's a rare for me to see a story about transgender middleschoolers, who talk about their gender expressions, their feelings towards puberty and the changes their bodies will experience, the difference and connection between gender and sexuality. I'm using "big" words in the actual stories these conversations look realistic and natural for them to have at that age.
I love this manga a lot and I'm excited to read the sequel.
February 17, 2019
I absolutely LOVE this series! It helps that I can relate to the characters and their situations. Our wonderful protagonists start middle school and meet a new character who is...as they put it “so awesome”! I agree.
A flaw, if it can be seen as so, is that some secondary characters that I’m curious to learn more about have very little “screen time”.
Anyway, very excited to continue reading on into the next volume!
A flaw, if it can be seen as so, is that some secondary characters that I’m curious to learn more about have very little “screen time”.
Anyway, very excited to continue reading on into the next volume!
November 29, 2013
Not bad, though distinctly less interesting than previous volumes. Perhaps I'm just getting used to it or something. The first year of junior high begins and new characters are introduced. Still more cross-dressing than I would guess goes on in the average school, but that's part of this series' appeal.
November 22, 2014
The transition to junior high takes up a lot of narrative space, but I like the new characters (especially sarashina) and the development of Chiba's character. She's one of the more complex characters and I love reading about her! And that's saying a lot because almost ALL of the characters are complex. The series continues to be strikingly down-to-earth and genuine.
January 23, 2014
So enjoying this series!! It's getting so complicated, which is the best way for a series about trans kids to be. My heart goes out to these guys as they stare puberty in the face, waiting for changes which they'd do anything to trade for the opposite.
January 27, 2020
As I read through this series, I can't help but be aware of how very different manga is from most American graphic novels I've read. It truly does have its own cultural writing style.
In all graphic novels, the white space between panels (the gutter) is space where action happens and your mind fills in the gaps. The thing is, in Japanese manga, the gutters have so very much going on. By the time you get to the next panel, so much may have taken place that you really need to pause and think about it. In American graphic novels, you may start with the swing of a punch, and in the next panel, contact has been made. But in manga, you may start with the swing of a punch, and in the next panel, a student is sitting in the nurse's office with a bandage. So yes, in both novels someone is punched, but in the American style, it's much more common for each piece of the puzzle to be spelled out. In the Japanese style, you have to infer so much more. This isn't panel-to-panel, but it happens often enough that I notice it.
Anyway, nothing of particular note to report about this volume. I do like it a bit more because the students are transitioning from elementary school to junior high school and issues of puberty are beginning to appear. I'm interested to read the next volume again -- I want to know how these issues of growing up impact students who feel increasingly uncomfortable with their assigned gender at birth.
In all graphic novels, the white space between panels (the gutter) is space where action happens and your mind fills in the gaps. The thing is, in Japanese manga, the gutters have so very much going on. By the time you get to the next panel, so much may have taken place that you really need to pause and think about it. In American graphic novels, you may start with the swing of a punch, and in the next panel, contact has been made. But in manga, you may start with the swing of a punch, and in the next panel, a student is sitting in the nurse's office with a bandage. So yes, in both novels someone is punched, but in the American style, it's much more common for each piece of the puzzle to be spelled out. In the Japanese style, you have to infer so much more. This isn't panel-to-panel, but it happens often enough that I notice it.
Anyway, nothing of particular note to report about this volume. I do like it a bit more because the students are transitioning from elementary school to junior high school and issues of puberty are beginning to appear. I'm interested to read the next volume again -- I want to know how these issues of growing up impact students who feel increasingly uncomfortable with their assigned gender at birth.
August 17, 2020
So, the question of sexual orientation comes in. In reality, it is more the question of attraction. The odd school crushes keep on coming as slights break up friendships and this is all backgrounded with the stuff going on in terms of gender.
The question of what is to be done as the kids realize that their bodies are going to change during puberty. Huge dread which seems to feed into a play that they are writing for the class to perform.
After the last volume which spent more time on the crushes, I liked this one better when it is just an accent and not the main theme. Maybe because I have a discomfort with it or maybe because I don't find it that interesting.
The question of what is to be done as the kids realize that their bodies are going to change during puberty. Huge dread which seems to feed into a play that they are writing for the class to perform.
After the last volume which spent more time on the crushes, I liked this one better when it is just an accent and not the main theme. Maybe because I have a discomfort with it or maybe because I don't find it that interesting.
May 31, 2017
A better book, overall, than volume 4. Saorin's character is becoming one of my favorites, along with Makoto, because they always seem to say what they mean. Saorin tries to lie to herself, adn fails, which seems to just make her angrier. Chii is getting annoying, not to mention her lackey Momoko, but the new play has promise to finally clear the air more between Yoshino and Shu, and hopefully Yoshino and Saorin. But seriously, we need to tone down the new teacher's inner monologues; he already seems almost as creepy as Yuki.
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July 24, 2019Genre: manga, slice of life
3 LGBTQ main characters: 2 transgender, 1 transgender/questioning
Importance of identities to plot: 3/5
Romance: 1/5
Coming out: no
Notes: the characters are now in high school and starting to deal with puberty.
3 LGBTQ main characters: 2 transgender, 1 transgender/questioning
Importance of identities to plot: 3/5
Romance: 1/5
Coming out: no
Notes: the characters are now in high school and starting to deal with puberty.
September 24, 2023
I siste boka her så ble ting litt rart. Særlig rundt læreren. De kommunierer også dårlig med hverandre, så ting går litt i loop. Så tror jeg avslutter med bok fem, selv om en del sikkert kommer frem i lyset senere i serien, men det tar litt for lang tid for min del nå.
August 18, 2017
It's fun to see the kids growing up, and a couple of new characters. Still cute and sweet and funny.
August 14, 2018
It’s still very sweet.
January 31, 2020
Pretty good sweet LGBT theme manga! Good story and loved the art😻👍😁❤️
September 6, 2021
Chib-san really is a strange girl. I'm not sure she likes anyone at all. Possibly even herself.
These kids are going through so many changes and not necessarily ones they want to go through.
These kids are going through so many changes and not necessarily ones they want to go through.
July 3, 2022
I would like to sometimes at least understand whats happening but then other times i dont
July 2, 2020
Continually impressed by this series, it's surprisingly relatable and handles gender issues well.
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July 30, 2014Come check out my book blog! Teenage Bookaholic
SYNOPSIS: *Note: This is a review for the first six volumes of the series*
The period of adolescence is full of confusion, growth, and discovery. Shuichi Nitori and Yoshino Takatsuki are entering this time in their lives, along with their classmates of course. But both students share a secret that adds to the confusion of adolescence, and could damage their social life: Shuichi is a boy who wants to be a girl, and Yoshino is a girl who wants to be a boy.
Discovering each others' secret, they befriend one another and try to navigate through elementary and junior high school while coping with their shamefully perceived identities. Along the way, they meet challenges- teasing by classmates, uniforms, romances, and overnight field trips- but find new allies in a wide range of people- quiet classmates, strangers, even famous models! As they bloom into adulthood, can Shu-kun and Yoshino-chan find the confidence to be true to themselves?
REVIEW: It was a strange fate that this series happened upon me. I was in the library, and ducked into a random aisle up on the adult fiction floor. I pretended to be browsing at the books, when this series caught my eye. I looked at the summary on the back and was curious when it mentioned the protagonists are transgendered. It is not common to find many fiction books with a transgendered protagonist, let alone not have the issue consume the entire plot.
This series had a lovely storyline that, while focusing on children, was meant as a more mature read. It kept the focus on the protagonists internal struggles, while not fixating on that point and without making it worth pity. The storyline had some dragging points, but not enough to be put down. It had realistic scenarios, maybe a little too coincidental to be strung as such, but they could very much occur, and showed how common situations had an effect on their identity.
I found some characters to be difficult to distinguish because of the art style, but the dialogue was never confusing. It also served to teach about honorifics in names. Slightly confusing as a Westerner, but through the guide, it made sense. I also appreciated the dynamics in clothing, more than just holiday wear and school uniforms.
All in all, an eye-opening read on transgender, while not being consumed by transgender. Quick and addictive read with clean paneling. I almost hate that its a still continuing series because of having to wait for the translations!
SYNOPSIS: *Note: This is a review for the first six volumes of the series*
The period of adolescence is full of confusion, growth, and discovery. Shuichi Nitori and Yoshino Takatsuki are entering this time in their lives, along with their classmates of course. But both students share a secret that adds to the confusion of adolescence, and could damage their social life: Shuichi is a boy who wants to be a girl, and Yoshino is a girl who wants to be a boy.
Discovering each others' secret, they befriend one another and try to navigate through elementary and junior high school while coping with their shamefully perceived identities. Along the way, they meet challenges- teasing by classmates, uniforms, romances, and overnight field trips- but find new allies in a wide range of people- quiet classmates, strangers, even famous models! As they bloom into adulthood, can Shu-kun and Yoshino-chan find the confidence to be true to themselves?
REVIEW: It was a strange fate that this series happened upon me. I was in the library, and ducked into a random aisle up on the adult fiction floor. I pretended to be browsing at the books, when this series caught my eye. I looked at the summary on the back and was curious when it mentioned the protagonists are transgendered. It is not common to find many fiction books with a transgendered protagonist, let alone not have the issue consume the entire plot.
This series had a lovely storyline that, while focusing on children, was meant as a more mature read. It kept the focus on the protagonists internal struggles, while not fixating on that point and without making it worth pity. The storyline had some dragging points, but not enough to be put down. It had realistic scenarios, maybe a little too coincidental to be strung as such, but they could very much occur, and showed how common situations had an effect on their identity.
I found some characters to be difficult to distinguish because of the art style, but the dialogue was never confusing. It also served to teach about honorifics in names. Slightly confusing as a Westerner, but through the guide, it made sense. I also appreciated the dynamics in clothing, more than just holiday wear and school uniforms.
All in all, an eye-opening read on transgender, while not being consumed by transgender. Quick and addictive read with clean paneling. I almost hate that its a still continuing series because of having to wait for the translations!
November 5, 2013
Among one of the loveliest manga series I've ever had the privilege to enjoy. Without knowing exactly how long this series will run in English, Volume 5 might conceivably pass as the turning point. The main characters transition from elementary school to junior high, as their relationships transition from friend/foe to a range of deeper understandings and shared bonds. Most of the minor characters who had at one point or another only appeared in stories with Takatsuki or with Nittori or with Chiba-san, all get to be thrown into the mix together and are made aware of each other. Probably the character that actually undergoes the most character development/growing is Takatsuki who makes up with Nittori as well as being forced to face the challenges of a girl (who very much doesn't wish to be a girl) going through puberty. The coolest character award goes to Chiba-san for being even more Yandere and nihilistic than I thought should could be. Woo.
For me, as well as for others I know, Hourou Musuko is more than just a fun, cute, charming, beautiful manga. Shimura Takako has crafted a masterpiece bildungsroman that's inspirational as well as encouraging to queer, transgender or otherwise questioning modern youth. Fantagraphics has so far done a mindblowingly great job of rendering this manga into English, even including all the original omake and Shimura-sensei's patented watercolor art style in full-color. Simply gorgeous. They sit literally on top of all my other manga where I have easy access to them, but also because they're larger and prettier.
For me, as well as for others I know, Hourou Musuko is more than just a fun, cute, charming, beautiful manga. Shimura Takako has crafted a masterpiece bildungsroman that's inspirational as well as encouraging to queer, transgender or otherwise questioning modern youth. Fantagraphics has so far done a mindblowingly great job of rendering this manga into English, even including all the original omake and Shimura-sensei's patented watercolor art style in full-color. Simply gorgeous. They sit literally on top of all my other manga where I have easy access to them, but also because they're larger and prettier.
August 4, 2012
Something of a transitional volume. The kids start Junior high and there are more uninteresting squabbles, but as these chapters unfold a few new characters are introduced (the new Sensei is hilarious)and some old relationships begin to progress. There's some nice incident around the fact that the main characters are approaching puberty and really don't want to be, Shuichi does not want his voice to break and Yoshino truly hates having to buy a bra and they are both jealous of the other. another gender bending play is in the works and this time Saori has to write it with Shuichi, meaning that they become closer again whilst at the same time she's aware that she's writing the gender bending love of Shuichi and Yoshino.
There's a developing bitter-sweetness to this series. All of the characters seem to be coping with quite weighty problems underneath the surface whilst trying their best to appear to their friends that they are coping. I like the way that these frustrations often result in bursts of anger and irrational behaviour, but yet the reader always has a very strong sense of where these outbursts are coming from.
Still, not an awful lot happens and I finished this section still wishing that there were a little more depth or something to strongly get my teeth into. I'm still confident, however, that will eventually come.
There's a developing bitter-sweetness to this series. All of the characters seem to be coping with quite weighty problems underneath the surface whilst trying their best to appear to their friends that they are coping. I like the way that these frustrations often result in bursts of anger and irrational behaviour, but yet the reader always has a very strong sense of where these outbursts are coming from.
Still, not an awful lot happens and I finished this section still wishing that there were a little more depth or something to strongly get my teeth into. I'm still confident, however, that will eventually come.
July 11, 2017
3.5
The teacher is weird. I like Chii-chan. Other than that, the story is moving nicely.
The teacher is weird. I like Chii-chan. Other than that, the story is moving nicely.
October 19, 2015
In this volume the kids start middle school and are struggling with their feelings and with how their bodies are changing. I like that the ways they respond in certain situations feel so realistic--lots of blowing up and storming off and having trouble apologizing for their actions when they've made someone else feel bad. But it's still really choppy at times and I have a hard time figuring out what's actually happening, and it seems like nothing new really gets introduced in this installment. I have one more volume at home, so I'll read it, but after that I might just leave it be and move on to something else.
November 23, 2013
Shu and friends are in Junior High now and the drama is still unfolding. Though the series started humorous, it's getting a lot more serious. Shu still has feelings for Takatsuki, and Saori is still angry at everyone. But there are new characters everyone must deal with at their new school, and new friendships form and Shu and Takatsuki still try to figure out their lives and gender identities.
November 29, 2013
This volume in the series seemed to be exposition for the next book or two, introducing some new characters and establishing the ambiance of a new school. I'm curious what will unfold, especially concerning the adult characters.
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October 24, 2015One of my favorite currently-running mangas! There are some problematic things in it, but I like the art and characters quite a bit. I think it's good to read it as a transgender experience, and not the transgender experience.
February 17, 2014
I love this series. It is so real, complicated, confusing, and dramatic, but in a very realistic way. Puberty is traumatic enough even without being unsure of your sexuality. Shimura does an amazing job of fully encapsulating the experience from all sides.
January 19, 2015
the art got a lot better. i can actually tell the characters apart now.
BUT. now I'm definitely reading a fairly average slice of life comic about middle school. it feels not quite right. I'm probably going to keep reading anyway.
BUT. now I'm definitely reading a fairly average slice of life comic about middle school. it feels not quite right. I'm probably going to keep reading anyway.
July 31, 2015
Rereading my copies of Wandering Son = so many feelings about these KIDS and their quiet but poignant gender strugs ;__;
Also the most heartbreaking moment of the series (according to me, that I recall) is NOT IN THIS VOLUME, but I can SEE it being set up and I'm already upset about it.
Also the most heartbreaking moment of the series (according to me, that I recall) is NOT IN THIS VOLUME, but I can SEE it being set up and I'm already upset about it.
February 16, 2021
Mmm this volume was a little boring and confusing. I'm not sure where the story is going and I think it's weird that they're doing another crossdressing play. It seems too convenient and the story is relying too much on these sorts of situations that seem too easy and mostly out of the blue.
August 30, 2014
They started middle school! I can't!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews