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Johnny Hiro #2
Johnny Hiro: The Skills to Pay the Bills
The sequel to Fred Chao's graphic novel, Johnny Hiro: Half-Asian, All Hero!
After a couple of years as an underpaid sushi chef for his incredibly stingy and negative boss, Mr. Masago, Johnny Hiro doubts his abilities to provide his girlfriend Mayumi with the kind of life he thinks she deserves. Though their relationship is happy, he wonders if he can create something more stable for the long term: a partnership she can find a lasting happiness in.
Throw in the aftereffects of Johnny’s past relationships and Mr. Masago’s prior business ventures with his current rival Shinto Pete, and it’s all a big case study in how each decision influences the next and can create vast differences in the way life develops. Figuring all of this out is even harder in New York City, with its giant gorillas, sumo wrestlers, Japanese gangsters, and rogue catering companies.
And within this crazy day-to-day existence, Hiro must find a way to look beyond the fact that he can barely make rent...and figure out how to have faith in his future.
“'Scott Pilgrim meets Bruce Lee and dates an adorable girl in a fantastically weird New York City' is about as close as you'll get, but even that doesn't convey the pure energy and enthusiasm evident in every panel of Johnny Hiro.”—Boing Boing
After a couple of years as an underpaid sushi chef for his incredibly stingy and negative boss, Mr. Masago, Johnny Hiro doubts his abilities to provide his girlfriend Mayumi with the kind of life he thinks she deserves. Though their relationship is happy, he wonders if he can create something more stable for the long term: a partnership she can find a lasting happiness in.
Throw in the aftereffects of Johnny’s past relationships and Mr. Masago’s prior business ventures with his current rival Shinto Pete, and it’s all a big case study in how each decision influences the next and can create vast differences in the way life develops. Figuring all of this out is even harder in New York City, with its giant gorillas, sumo wrestlers, Japanese gangsters, and rogue catering companies.
And within this crazy day-to-day existence, Hiro must find a way to look beyond the fact that he can barely make rent...and figure out how to have faith in his future.
“'Scott Pilgrim meets Bruce Lee and dates an adorable girl in a fantastically weird New York City' is about as close as you'll get, but even that doesn't convey the pure energy and enthusiasm evident in every panel of Johnny Hiro.”—Boing Boing
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 29, 2013
2 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
Fred Chao
16 books8 followersFred Chao is an illustrator and graphic designer. His clients have included HarperCollins Publishers, First Second Books, Soft Skull Books, and various Disney Magazines.
He also wrote and illustrated the graphic novel Johnny Hiro {half asian, all hero}, which was nominated for 4 Eisner Comic Industry awards and included in The Best American Comics 2010 anthology.
Various prints of his can be found at the Charmingwall gallery.
He lives in Brooklyn. He has no cats.
He also wrote and illustrated the graphic novel Johnny Hiro {half asian, all hero}, which was nominated for 4 Eisner Comic Industry awards and included in The Best American Comics 2010 anthology.
Various prints of his can be found at the Charmingwall gallery.
He lives in Brooklyn. He has no cats.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 28, 2013
Struggling as an underpaid and undervalued sushi chef in New York City, John Hiro is having an existential crisis. He’s not sure that he’s the boyfriend that the lovely girlfriend Mayumi deserves nor does he have any idea where his life is headed. With all these questions floating around in his head, can he learn to relax and just accept things the way they are?
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
When this arrived in the mail from Tor, I honestly had no idea what I was looking at (don’t take this statement too literally, I knew it was a book). The cover looked interesting and the tagline of Scott Pilgrim meets Bruce Lee intrigued me (this despite never having read a Scott Pilgrim book) so I was excited to dive in.
What initially leapt out at me was Chao’s style. While it’s certainly not overly flashy – electing to present the story in plain old black and white – it’s fun to take in. He’s got a great talent for putting so much emotion in the story simply through facial expressions and the body language of each character rather than hitting you over the head with narrative.
While Johnny Hiro isn’t anyone exceptional, he’s extremely relatable and that’s the biggest takeaway from this book. He spends so much time in his own head worrying about his station in life, if he’s a good partner for Mayumi or if he’s achieving his true potential. Through Johnny, Chao warns against this, that you need to slow down and appreciate what you have, to live in the now (sorry for the cliches) or you’ll grow to regret it. Despite the fact that there’s a giant monkey running around New York City, that Mayor Bloomberg is a featured character AND that there’s a flashback involving the Yakuza, none of these things seem out of place in Chao’s world. The characters are so well written and fully realized that you’re willing to follow them anywhere the story takes you.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for a review.
When this arrived in the mail from Tor, I honestly had no idea what I was looking at (don’t take this statement too literally, I knew it was a book). The cover looked interesting and the tagline of Scott Pilgrim meets Bruce Lee intrigued me (this despite never having read a Scott Pilgrim book) so I was excited to dive in.
What initially leapt out at me was Chao’s style. While it’s certainly not overly flashy – electing to present the story in plain old black and white – it’s fun to take in. He’s got a great talent for putting so much emotion in the story simply through facial expressions and the body language of each character rather than hitting you over the head with narrative.
While Johnny Hiro isn’t anyone exceptional, he’s extremely relatable and that’s the biggest takeaway from this book. He spends so much time in his own head worrying about his station in life, if he’s a good partner for Mayumi or if he’s achieving his true potential. Through Johnny, Chao warns against this, that you need to slow down and appreciate what you have, to live in the now (sorry for the cliches) or you’ll grow to regret it. Despite the fact that there’s a giant monkey running around New York City, that Mayor Bloomberg is a featured character AND that there’s a flashback involving the Yakuza, none of these things seem out of place in Chao’s world. The characters are so well written and fully realized that you’re willing to follow them anywhere the story takes you.
June 29, 2015
This is one of the books I want to remember literally EVERY TIME someone asks me for a book recommendation. Yes, it's the second book in a series, but you don't need to read the first one. I was reminded to write a review by this review --
http://t.co/zB0AHGfnve
-- which has a great description of the exact moment that Johnny Hiro stops being just a really fun book and starts wrapping its fist around your heart:
"It was a small moment, but it stopped me. With just two panels of wholly non-dramatic storytelling, Chao 180’d the filter through which I viewed Johnny Hiro. From that moment onward, I was seeing through all the humour (and there’s a lot of that) that forms the book’s skin and into the meat that lay beneath. I was charmed. I was on board."
Pick it up. Pick it up now. Please.
http://t.co/zB0AHGfnve
-- which has a great description of the exact moment that Johnny Hiro stops being just a really fun book and starts wrapping its fist around your heart:
"It was a small moment, but it stopped me. With just two panels of wholly non-dramatic storytelling, Chao 180’d the filter through which I viewed Johnny Hiro. From that moment onward, I was seeing through all the humour (and there’s a lot of that) that forms the book’s skin and into the meat that lay beneath. I was charmed. I was on board."
Pick it up. Pick it up now. Please.
March 21, 2017
This is a great book for anyone who's wondering if they've got what it takes to make change in their lives... and who like some serious quirk in their graphic novels. Johnny's adulting, doing some serious introspection, and rescuing an ex from an enormous ape, escaping angry sushi chefs, etc, and dealing with Mayor Bloomberg.
March 27, 2014
It was a very pleasant surprise to see this on a library shelf; having finished the first edition of the first volume some years ago, I didn't think there was much hope of a continuation! In an ideal world, we'd be getting new comics from Fred Chao as often as he felt like making them. Ah well.
At any rate, the humor, whimsy, style, characterization, and unique perspective have all carried over successfully. The whimsy is tempered a bit this time, admittedly, but that just makes it more compelling. One other thing I didn't notice right away is that Chao almost seems to get the cover-billed giant monkey out of the way in the first story of the volume; after that, the magical realism is turned down a notch, and we're more likely to see overblown confrontations involving real-life people/situations, with the outlandishness of the world increasingly used as backdrop. Considering that the book came out in 2013 and that story refers to 2009 (!) he may have just changed his focus since then, but I can't begrudge him that as his storytelling continues to be engaging even without quite as much wackiness.
Probably not doing this justice, but I definitely think is the kind of comic that you, whoever you are, will like.
At any rate, the humor, whimsy, style, characterization, and unique perspective have all carried over successfully. The whimsy is tempered a bit this time, admittedly, but that just makes it more compelling. One other thing I didn't notice right away is that Chao almost seems to get the cover-billed giant monkey out of the way in the first story of the volume; after that, the magical realism is turned down a notch, and we're more likely to see overblown confrontations involving real-life people/situations, with the outlandishness of the world increasingly used as backdrop. Considering that the book came out in 2013 and that story refers to 2009 (!) he may have just changed his focus since then, but I can't begrudge him that as his storytelling continues to be engaging even without quite as much wackiness.
Probably not doing this justice, but I definitely think is the kind of comic that you, whoever you are, will like.
April 24, 2018
Finding a former ex having lunch with your current girlfriend is surprising enough, but having to save said ex from a massive gorilla AND deal with New York traffic? Let's just say John Hiro's afternoon gets turned on its head as he rushes to save the day as best a twenty-something sushi chef can.
Whether individuals are familiar with reading graphic novels or no, this book is an absolute delight to read. Chao weaves heart-strikingly powerful narratives following John, his girlfriend, boss, and all those connected in their lives as they navigate the past, growing up, fears, and the simple fact of being only a few people in the millions of New York. The art style is dynamic and fun, the characters layered and fully realized, and the narratives breathtakingly impactful in their ability to hone in on simple yet important aspects of living. The dialogue flows strong throughout and the narrator has a certain tongue in cheek that adds humor and familiarity to the scenes. Each story politely asks for attention, and holds it for every page.
Whether individuals are familiar with reading graphic novels or no, this book is an absolute delight to read. Chao weaves heart-strikingly powerful narratives following John, his girlfriend, boss, and all those connected in their lives as they navigate the past, growing up, fears, and the simple fact of being only a few people in the millions of New York. The art style is dynamic and fun, the characters layered and fully realized, and the narratives breathtakingly impactful in their ability to hone in on simple yet important aspects of living. The dialogue flows strong throughout and the narrator has a certain tongue in cheek that adds humor and familiarity to the scenes. Each story politely asks for attention, and holds it for every page.
March 15, 2014
An inventive, poignant comic. We know it's possible, and though this tale may not be about a topic as heavy as some of the best known of the genre, it is universal. The hero Hiro (!) tackles relationships romantic & platonic in addition to an overgrown gorilla. He also ponders some of life's persistent questions - what am I doing with my life? should I be doing things differently? what is most important to me? A touching and clever work.
December 22, 2013
Artist Fred Chao has a little bit o' poetry in him. But he's also got a bit chunk of Monkey Punch in him, as well. The result? Johnny Hiro: The Skills to Pay the Bills: The best comic of 2013.
December 28, 2013
Fun read. My second journey into Johnny Hiro's world. I'll read another!
February 7, 2017
Fun graphic adult novel can't wait to read his others.
October 15, 2019
Johnny Hiro: The Skills to Pay the Bills is a graphic novel written illustrated by Fred Chao, which chronicles further adventures of a young man struggling to make ends meet in the city of New York.
Johnny Hiro, a sushi sous chief living day-to-day in New York City. That is if you discount fighting giant gorillas and sabotaging caterers. Johnny is going through an existential crisis as he and his girlfriend are finally settling in.
Johnny Hiro: The Skills to Pay the Bills is written and constructed rather well. The narrative is slightly more serious in tone than the first volume. It still has its fair share of funny moments and chaotic big city energy, but just like their main character, they've evolved. Chao tells more challenging stories about Hiro and Mayumi's struggle for a better life in New York and also develops the rest of the cast as a backstories are written for secondary characters. The black-and-white artwork is deceptively simple-looking, yet detailed and expressive. Every panel feels alive. Every character design embodies the persona that has been created for them.
All in all, Johnny Hiro: The Skills to Pay the Bills is a wonderful wacky graphic novel with wit and charm and waxes rather poetically about growing up and dealing with adversity.
Johnny Hiro, a sushi sous chief living day-to-day in New York City. That is if you discount fighting giant gorillas and sabotaging caterers. Johnny is going through an existential crisis as he and his girlfriend are finally settling in.
Johnny Hiro: The Skills to Pay the Bills is written and constructed rather well. The narrative is slightly more serious in tone than the first volume. It still has its fair share of funny moments and chaotic big city energy, but just like their main character, they've evolved. Chao tells more challenging stories about Hiro and Mayumi's struggle for a better life in New York and also develops the rest of the cast as a backstories are written for secondary characters. The black-and-white artwork is deceptively simple-looking, yet detailed and expressive. Every panel feels alive. Every character design embodies the persona that has been created for them.
All in all, Johnny Hiro: The Skills to Pay the Bills is a wonderful wacky graphic novel with wit and charm and waxes rather poetically about growing up and dealing with adversity.
July 1, 2020
I typically have more background or reason for picking up a comic book, but this one I was lucky to have picked off a used or damaged shelf for half price.
This has pretty much everything I would want in a book. Funny and fantastical adventures with excellent and relatable characters struggling with real concerns (on top of the not-so-real concerns such as a giant gorilla attack). Falls squarely in the "make-you-fell-something" winners circle.
I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately found an independent bookstore to buy the first volume from. Doesn't seem like the type of story where it will matter that I am reading them out of order.
This has pretty much everything I would want in a book. Funny and fantastical adventures with excellent and relatable characters struggling with real concerns (on top of the not-so-real concerns such as a giant gorilla attack). Falls squarely in the "make-you-fell-something" winners circle.
I enjoyed this book so much that I immediately found an independent bookstore to buy the first volume from. Doesn't seem like the type of story where it will matter that I am reading them out of order.
October 5, 2019
Huonosti palkattu kokki Johnny Hiro kamppailee aikuisuuden kanssa New Yorkissa. Siinä sivussa pitäisi pelastaa ex jättigorillan kynsistä. Yksityiskohdiltaan taitavasti kuvitetun sarjakuvan vahvuus on päähenkilön tavallisuudessa. Miten Johnnyn käy?
May 6, 2021
A slow start, but proceeded with great heart. I remember really loving the first volume when I stumbled on it, and then sat on this one for years after finding it used. The character has grown along with me, and I'm glad I pulled it off the shelf.
April 24, 2017
Not middle school appropriate but a great read. Interesting style of storytelling--mixes fantasy and seemingly real experiences of the author. Pushes reader to evaluate their own lives and their purpose of life
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews