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ミモザの告白 #1
The Mimosa Confessions (Light Novel) Vol. 1
A World-Changing RevelationGrowing up in a dreary suburb, Sakuma has little to brighten his humdrum days aside from his best friend. The bright, talented, and attractive Ushio seems to have everything Sakuma lacks, and his good looks, academics, and athletic prowess make him popular with the girls at school. Past trauma--and an understandable inferiority complex--slowly drive the two apart, and by the time they enter high school, they hardly even speak anymore. Thus, Sakuma finds himself alone. Against all odds, he eventually gains a friend in Natsuki, the sweetest girl in class. The two hit it off gushing about their favorite novels, and he falls head over heels for her. But that very same night, he stumbles upon an unexpected sight while walking through a familiar his old friend Ushio, dressed in a full-blown schoolgirl's uniform and sobbing uncontrollably.
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
April 1, 2025
3.5 stars
Wow um ok I don’t know what to say
Wow um ok I don’t know what to say
January 3, 2025
A delicately sensitive story about a transgender teenager's life in a small town, seen from the perspective of the childhood friend she's in love with. Since they're all teenagers, there's a lot of struggle and relationship issues caused by the seemingly sudden transition. For a story that deals with such a heavy subject, the writing makes it so light and easy to digest while also highlighting most of the important points.
Usually I'm rather picky about translation quality, but this one is so nicely done. The casual tone and word choices match the setting really well, and the change they made on Ushio's post-transition way of speaking (pronouns in the original, pitch in this version) is pretty clever.
Usually I'm rather picky about translation quality, but this one is so nicely done. The casual tone and word choices match the setting really well, and the change they made on Ushio's post-transition way of speaking (pronouns in the original, pitch in this version) is pretty clever.
April 26, 2024
A breath of fresh air
A unique powerful teen drama with an LGBT twist from Japan. This felt really fresh and unique due to the LGBT angle and how it confronted the themes and story elements. 5/5 stars.
A unique powerful teen drama with an LGBT twist from Japan. This felt really fresh and unique due to the LGBT angle and how it confronted the themes and story elements. 5/5 stars.
February 6, 2025
such an amazing representation of a trans girl in highschool but the constant centrist view on certain issues was driving me crazy
February 21, 2026
The plot is so awkward. Everyone is such a simp (for lack of a better term) for someone who already fell for someone else. I don't know why the author had to make it this convoluted.
I wish Hoshishara wasn't such an important character in the story. Her only purpose is to serve as a distraction for the MC until he and Ushio inevitably become a couple.
The insertion of the self-proclaimed polyamorous character was also strange. It felt so unnatural, as if the author couldn't wait to discuss the whole breadth of LGBT and related issues but to me it felt shoehorned in and crowded, just to get the author's point of view across.
I assume the author is interested in portraying polyamory as valid and I can get behind that, but why make the supposed poly character so unlikable and hit on younger students? And hide his other relationships? Even knowing all this Sakuma still has an epiphany and regrets calling him disgusting. Just why? Now both are disgusting...
But then again, he calls him "the lowest" later anyway. What is the reader supposed to take away from this?
Despite all of these issues, I don't know... I read the bulk in one sitting anyhow. The writing itself is great and perhaps I am curious about how this whole thing will turn out?
I wish Hoshishara wasn't such an important character in the story. Her only purpose is to serve as a distraction for the MC until he and Ushio inevitably become a couple.
The insertion of the self-proclaimed polyamorous character was also strange. It felt so unnatural, as if the author couldn't wait to discuss the whole breadth of LGBT and related issues but to me it felt shoehorned in and crowded, just to get the author's point of view across.
I assume the author is interested in portraying polyamory as valid and I can get behind that, but why make the supposed poly character so unlikable and hit on younger students? And hide his other relationships? Even knowing all this Sakuma still has an epiphany and regrets calling him disgusting. Just why? Now both are disgusting...
But then again, he calls him "the lowest" later anyway. What is the reader supposed to take away from this?
Despite all of these issues, I don't know... I read the bulk in one sitting anyhow. The writing itself is great and perhaps I am curious about how this whole thing will turn out?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
One of the most beautiful stories I've read in a long while. The story is beautifully written, with a clear and resonant prose that transcends translation. The content of the story is also a fantastic representation of the universal qualities of uncertainty and self-discovery in the trans experience. And the way things look and feel from outside; the reconciliation of past and present that all people who know those who have transitioned have gone through. Hachimoku Mei cements herself as one of my favorite contemporary Japanese Authors.
p.s. this book is also a fantastic romance, cheers.
p.s. this book is also a fantastic romance, cheers.
January 17, 2025
In the midst of consuming heavily-dark media I figured I deserved a nice change of pace, especially with the abundance of boredom that comes with the first week back at university. An old friend of mine suggested I give this a shot; she praises this book in Michelin Star level regard, as does supposedly her friend circle.
The story follows a high-school transgender girl named Ushio and her sudden transition partway into the school year - well, I initially thought that would be the case. The story is actually told through her estranged best friend Kamiki, a social recluse hellbent on studying, escaping his backwater town, and not much else. The transgender experience told second-hand seems like a sure-shot cater to me given how my cisgender self keeps getting tangled in their endeavors (shout-out underscores, Jane Remover, Frost Children). That is, if the book stayed consistent with this framing. The first half of the book displays Ushio's near immediate ostricization from her peers upon transition, not just from the obvious stubborn dorks but from her former track mates as well who feel justifiably outraged at her sudden resignation. However, this widespread tension merges to really only a singular force - the brash and bratty Noshizono, who comprise nearly all of Ushio's struggles in the first half. Her relationship with Ushio is not at all related to the tension established in Ushio's "coming out" scene, which makes the decision to pose her as the first half's central villain a bit miscalculated. Though she undeniably crosses the line even for normal transphobia standards, the other students who were complacent in the harassment of Ushio easily turn a new leaf turning her into at least a "socially acceptable" status. It's a far cry from her old beaming popularity, but given the tension established before, the diffusing seems a little too optimistic.
What's quite disappointing, the second half nearly abandons Ushio's transness. Her relationship with the cocky womanizer (and possible chaser) Sera becomes her defining trait in this portion. It's not that her transition doesn't come up between the characters (it explicitly does in the study exchange between Kamiki and Noshizono), it's that her overreaching struggles set up in the first half seem to be soundly resolved. Her status among her peers rises once again thanks to Sera. Despite her unfortunately gruff voice, she expresses no obvious signs of gender dysphoria, instead going about her social transition relatively smoothly. At this point it becomes apparent the story is primarily about the recluse Kamiki. Hachimoku upgrades his importance in the story from merely being a bystander ally to a desperate savior. He sees Sera as an immediate threat to Ushio and tries to protect her by placing first in the upcoming final exams in a fairly standard high-school romance plot. But due to this plot, Ushio acts less like a character in the story and more like a trophy to be won. We as the reader do not see much of the same meaningful character interaction between her and others as shown in the first chapter which is a shame because her character was already quite barren compared to the other major characters. I guess her character up to this point has been shy, gentle, kind? It's a bit too easy of a character for me honestly.
It's only the first installment of a series of currently four, so some gripes can be excused a little. From this book, I was expecting the transgender angle to be more prominent, yet it unfortunately falls a tad flat in that regard. I can tell the author does care about those struggles in wanting to write a story about Ushio, but unfortunately it becomes about Kamiki in the end.
The story follows a high-school transgender girl named Ushio and her sudden transition partway into the school year - well, I initially thought that would be the case. The story is actually told through her estranged best friend Kamiki, a social recluse hellbent on studying, escaping his backwater town, and not much else. The transgender experience told second-hand seems like a sure-shot cater to me given how my cisgender self keeps getting tangled in their endeavors (shout-out underscores, Jane Remover, Frost Children). That is, if the book stayed consistent with this framing. The first half of the book displays Ushio's near immediate ostricization from her peers upon transition, not just from the obvious stubborn dorks but from her former track mates as well who feel justifiably outraged at her sudden resignation. However, this widespread tension merges to really only a singular force - the brash and bratty Noshizono, who comprise nearly all of Ushio's struggles in the first half. Her relationship with Ushio is not at all related to the tension established in Ushio's "coming out" scene, which makes the decision to pose her as the first half's central villain a bit miscalculated. Though she undeniably crosses the line even for normal transphobia standards, the other students who were complacent in the harassment of Ushio easily turn a new leaf turning her into at least a "socially acceptable" status. It's a far cry from her old beaming popularity, but given the tension established before, the diffusing seems a little too optimistic.
What's quite disappointing, the second half nearly abandons Ushio's transness. Her relationship with the cocky womanizer (and possible chaser) Sera becomes her defining trait in this portion. It's not that her transition doesn't come up between the characters (it explicitly does in the study exchange between Kamiki and Noshizono), it's that her overreaching struggles set up in the first half seem to be soundly resolved. Her status among her peers rises once again thanks to Sera. Despite her unfortunately gruff voice, she expresses no obvious signs of gender dysphoria, instead going about her social transition relatively smoothly. At this point it becomes apparent the story is primarily about the recluse Kamiki. Hachimoku upgrades his importance in the story from merely being a bystander ally to a desperate savior. He sees Sera as an immediate threat to Ushio and tries to protect her by placing first in the upcoming final exams in a fairly standard high-school romance plot. But due to this plot, Ushio acts less like a character in the story and more like a trophy to be won. We as the reader do not see much of the same meaningful character interaction between her and others as shown in the first chapter which is a shame because her character was already quite barren compared to the other major characters. I guess her character up to this point has been shy, gentle, kind? It's a bit too easy of a character for me honestly.
It's only the first installment of a series of currently four, so some gripes can be excused a little. From this book, I was expecting the transgender angle to be more prominent, yet it unfortunately falls a tad flat in that regard. I can tell the author does care about those struggles in wanting to write a story about Ushio, but unfortunately it becomes about Kamiki in the end.
March 7, 2025
Me fascinó. Definitivamente Hachimoku tiene un don para crear personajes y narrativas entrañables que logran dejarte con ganas de más. Principalmente, porque no tiene identidad de libro pretencioso, sino de una novela con historia y pensamiento propio. ¿A qué me refiero con esto? Me refiero a que estos personajes se sienten vivos precisamente porque se pueden contradecir entre ellos, no están alineados como soldados de un ejército para que la historia llegue a una moraleja en concreto, sino para que el mismo lector pueda llegar a sus mismas conclusiones. Y todo esto, abarcando temas complejos y reales de la actualidad, como lo son la identidad de género y toda la polémica que hay detrás. Por ejemplo, con Nishizono diciéndole al protagonista que Ushio no debió de transicionar, pues antes de hacerlo, Ushio era el chico más atractivo de su escuela, atlético y hábil, y por su transición lo había perdido todo. Puntos que, aunque suenen duros, reflejan verdad. Son aspectos que deben plantearse muy seriamente, y que espero se expliquen más en los siguientes volúmenes.
Otra cosa que me sorprendió: el personaje de Sera. Al principio, pensé que iba a arruinar toda la trama, pues lo incluyeron sin el más mínimo *foreshadowing*. Y, aunque parece un elemento para hacer avanzar la trama, expandió dos aspectos importantes de la obra: los sentimientos de Ushio a Kamiki y el mal presagio de Kamiki y Hoshihara sobre Sera.
Primero, los sentimientos de Ushio a Kamiki fueron algo central en el primer capítulo del libro. Ushio se confesó, pero Kamiki evitaba dar una respuesta, dando señales mixtas, por lo cual Ushio decidió irse con Sera aunque ella supiera que él no la tomaba en serio como una chica. Todo esto, con el fin de intentar olvidarlo. Esto puede darnos gran detalle de cómo funciona la psicología del personaje. Para empezar, su gran necesidad de aprobación y enamoramiento causó un razonamiento alterado por la gran carga emocional que experimentaba, no solamente la confusión de su identidad de género y de estar enamorada de su mejor amigo, sino de incluso ser rechazada en la escuela por ir vestida con ropa de mujer. Intentó buscar un refugio emocional en quien sentía que la aceptaba, como Sera, incluso si sabía que no era estable al cien por cien, muchas veces el sentido de supervivencia siempre gana, e intenta mantenerte cerca de un grupo aunque no sea sano para su propio bienestar emocional.
Por otro lado, el mal presagio de Kamiki y Hoshihara hacia Sera. En un inicio, Kamiki rechaza completamente a Sera por las cosas que ha escuchado de él, como llamar a los pueblerinos "idiotas incultos" o ser un mujeriego, por lo cual se preocupa que Ushio ande cerca de él, más aún como pareja. Incluso el mismo Kamiki ve cuando varias veces Sera sale con otras chicas. Él se justifica diciendo que a todas les dedica el mismo tiempo, luego el dice que no cree en la monogamia.
Aquí es cuando te preguntas, ¿cual es la perspectiva del autor ante la trama o lo que sucede? Acá viene lo que me encanta de las novelas de Hachimoku. No interviene, deja que los personajes desplieguen su personalidad tal como son. No defiende ni ataca ninguno de los puntos de vista, pues cada uno tiene sus argumentos. (Aunque si me lo preguntas a mí, yo no creo en eso del poliamor...)
Sobre todo, me parece una obra que sabe cómo hacer sentir un mundo vivo, y realmente un Slice of Life bastante profundo que hace pensar bastante sobre la nueva realidad en la que vivimos y toda la revolución que hay en cuanto a las relaciones amorosas y temas de la adolescencia
Otra cosa que me sorprendió: el personaje de Sera. Al principio, pensé que iba a arruinar toda la trama, pues lo incluyeron sin el más mínimo *foreshadowing*. Y, aunque parece un elemento para hacer avanzar la trama, expandió dos aspectos importantes de la obra: los sentimientos de Ushio a Kamiki y el mal presagio de Kamiki y Hoshihara sobre Sera.
Primero, los sentimientos de Ushio a Kamiki fueron algo central en el primer capítulo del libro. Ushio se confesó, pero Kamiki evitaba dar una respuesta, dando señales mixtas, por lo cual Ushio decidió irse con Sera aunque ella supiera que él no la tomaba en serio como una chica. Todo esto, con el fin de intentar olvidarlo. Esto puede darnos gran detalle de cómo funciona la psicología del personaje. Para empezar, su gran necesidad de aprobación y enamoramiento causó un razonamiento alterado por la gran carga emocional que experimentaba, no solamente la confusión de su identidad de género y de estar enamorada de su mejor amigo, sino de incluso ser rechazada en la escuela por ir vestida con ropa de mujer. Intentó buscar un refugio emocional en quien sentía que la aceptaba, como Sera, incluso si sabía que no era estable al cien por cien, muchas veces el sentido de supervivencia siempre gana, e intenta mantenerte cerca de un grupo aunque no sea sano para su propio bienestar emocional.
Por otro lado, el mal presagio de Kamiki y Hoshihara hacia Sera. En un inicio, Kamiki rechaza completamente a Sera por las cosas que ha escuchado de él, como llamar a los pueblerinos "idiotas incultos" o ser un mujeriego, por lo cual se preocupa que Ushio ande cerca de él, más aún como pareja. Incluso el mismo Kamiki ve cuando varias veces Sera sale con otras chicas. Él se justifica diciendo que a todas les dedica el mismo tiempo, luego el dice que no cree en la monogamia.
Aquí es cuando te preguntas, ¿cual es la perspectiva del autor ante la trama o lo que sucede? Acá viene lo que me encanta de las novelas de Hachimoku. No interviene, deja que los personajes desplieguen su personalidad tal como son. No defiende ni ataca ninguno de los puntos de vista, pues cada uno tiene sus argumentos. (Aunque si me lo preguntas a mí, yo no creo en eso del poliamor...)
Sobre todo, me parece una obra que sabe cómo hacer sentir un mundo vivo, y realmente un Slice of Life bastante profundo que hace pensar bastante sobre la nueva realidad en la que vivimos y toda la revolución que hay en cuanto a las relaciones amorosas y temas de la adolescencia
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2026
Okay, let's unpack this.
To begin with, I'm familiar with this author's previous works so I expected there to be some supernatural element involved. As the story was unfolding, I was theorizing---maybe Ushio had their gender magically shifted? So when I realised there wasn't anything like that I was disappointed because I probably would have preferred there to be. But it didn't turn out bad anyway.
Though, I'll admit, the beginning of the book was rough. It began with endless exposition for characters I had no interest in, with no reason to care about them. There was way too much information and description for irrelevant details like the weather or the process of the protagonist grabbing his bike after school and cycling home. And then biggest, and only, question/mystery that had been formed was instantly spoon-fed to you in a 5 page block of pure dialogue. They set up this whole mystery of what happened between the protagonist finding Ushio in the park with the uniform and the ten days after when they finally came back to school, only to literally tell you the exact events that occurred with no dramatic reveal or build-up or anything. Because of the lack of questions or mysteries there were multiple parts in the book where you had no reason to keep reading other than a little bit of curiosity of where the story could go---not you wanting to know what happens next, but wondering. It didn't help that there was no comedy, the narration/inner dialogue of the protagonist was straight-forward and boring and the dialogue was shallow and cliche. On top of that, they decided to involve bullying, which is a really difficult topic to get right because of how serious it is by nature, and I don't think they got it right. You're telling me this girl went to the lengths of hardcore bullying Ushio because they liked her and seriously held the conviction that it was for her sake? And despite being so extreme as to pour milk down her back, no-one so much as anonymously reported it, even with the countless eye-witnesses and how easy it would be to get evidence? Nishizono's friends, who later on were revealed to be clever and very opinionated and passionate about their friendship with Hoshihara, ignored the bullying and even the isolation of that very friend? The worst part was how it ended though. Everything up until that point was apparently acceptable but when the bullying accidentally banged a metal flask on Ushio's face, that's too far? That's when the anonymous reports start rolling in and the bully feels remorse? You set up this entire plot of having this opposing moral standpoint just for it to end with an accident? That doesn't dismiss the bully's point, clarify or fulfill anything. It's just wishful thinking to think the bully would crash out and make a dumb mistake which solves everything.
Anyway, I know I'm laying it on thick here, but that's because I want to illustrate how shocked I am to have had all these opinions, yet still enjoyed it. Past the 30-40% mark, the book started to pick up. It had been long enough that I gave a shit about the characters now, so the their situations were more compelling. It was clear the book was all about Ushio's transgenderism and how that would conflict socially and romantically with those around her. Japanese media involving transgenderism is especially interesting to me because Japan isn't as accepting as the west, so it's less explored and more open to discussion. I feel if this were set in the west, it would be so unrealistic for there to be anyone showing any disgust to it because it's so universally accepted, so you couldn't have a drama like this. So instead of being restricted to what has already been culturally/socially established, you can see how people would react to it organically. I do think the internal exploration of it was brushed over but the external exploration was thoroughly interesting. At some point, it stopped trying so hard to be a novel and instead started exploring trains of thought that were fascinating. I mean, half the conversations with Nishizono felt like the author genuinely challenging transgenderism to see how the reader felt. And I have to admit, I got pretty riled up, imagining myself arguing with her in the protagonist's place (although in real life I'd shit my pants). I feel with a lot of media they thrust forth one opinion and tunnel vision on conveying that, when one of the most effective ways of doing that is to give the other side and challenge it.
However, these characters still lacked depth. There simply wasn't much to question about the protagonist or even Ushio, for a long time Ushio's transgenderism alone was explored, not necessarily how Ushio or the protagonist felt about it. But then, the romantic element came in, although rather abruptly. I'm still not sure why Ushio even likes the protagonist (or why the protagonist liked the other girl, for that matter). The romantic element added a lot, asking the question 'what would you do if you liked someone but they were the same sex and you weren't gay?' Toughie. For the record, if I was in that situation, as long as I was sexually attracted, fuck it, I'd bite. But it was interesting to see the protagonist's conflict with that, even at the surface level. Then Sera came along. I wasn't too for this addition because it felt like a cheap extension to this romantic plot because there wasn't enough meat on it. But I was on board once the protagonist called him 'disgusting' for his polygamy and I thought 'wait, isn't this a parallel to Nishizono's bullying?' I felt so good about myself for noticing that but later the author explicitly pointed out that was on purpose so I didn't feel so special anymore. Anyway, being able to flip the script and place the protagonist in the wrong was a great was to actually add some long-needed depth to him. The last section of the book was okay---there was a lot of focus on the actual mechanics of taking exams which wasn't that interesting. And the end was purely setting up for sequel novels. I think this would have been great if it was a little longer and wrapped itself up completely, but it's the light-novel industry, what can you do?
Anyway, it was looking grim but was an upward slope that turned out to be pretty enjoyable.
To begin with, I'm familiar with this author's previous works so I expected there to be some supernatural element involved. As the story was unfolding, I was theorizing---maybe Ushio had their gender magically shifted? So when I realised there wasn't anything like that I was disappointed because I probably would have preferred there to be. But it didn't turn out bad anyway.
Though, I'll admit, the beginning of the book was rough. It began with endless exposition for characters I had no interest in, with no reason to care about them. There was way too much information and description for irrelevant details like the weather or the process of the protagonist grabbing his bike after school and cycling home. And then biggest, and only, question/mystery that had been formed was instantly spoon-fed to you in a 5 page block of pure dialogue. They set up this whole mystery of what happened between the protagonist finding Ushio in the park with the uniform and the ten days after when they finally came back to school, only to literally tell you the exact events that occurred with no dramatic reveal or build-up or anything. Because of the lack of questions or mysteries there were multiple parts in the book where you had no reason to keep reading other than a little bit of curiosity of where the story could go---not you wanting to know what happens next, but wondering. It didn't help that there was no comedy, the narration/inner dialogue of the protagonist was straight-forward and boring and the dialogue was shallow and cliche. On top of that, they decided to involve bullying, which is a really difficult topic to get right because of how serious it is by nature, and I don't think they got it right. You're telling me this girl went to the lengths of hardcore bullying Ushio because they liked her and seriously held the conviction that it was for her sake? And despite being so extreme as to pour milk down her back, no-one so much as anonymously reported it, even with the countless eye-witnesses and how easy it would be to get evidence? Nishizono's friends, who later on were revealed to be clever and very opinionated and passionate about their friendship with Hoshihara, ignored the bullying and even the isolation of that very friend? The worst part was how it ended though. Everything up until that point was apparently acceptable but when the bullying accidentally banged a metal flask on Ushio's face, that's too far? That's when the anonymous reports start rolling in and the bully feels remorse? You set up this entire plot of having this opposing moral standpoint just for it to end with an accident? That doesn't dismiss the bully's point, clarify or fulfill anything. It's just wishful thinking to think the bully would crash out and make a dumb mistake which solves everything.
Anyway, I know I'm laying it on thick here, but that's because I want to illustrate how shocked I am to have had all these opinions, yet still enjoyed it. Past the 30-40% mark, the book started to pick up. It had been long enough that I gave a shit about the characters now, so the their situations were more compelling. It was clear the book was all about Ushio's transgenderism and how that would conflict socially and romantically with those around her. Japanese media involving transgenderism is especially interesting to me because Japan isn't as accepting as the west, so it's less explored and more open to discussion. I feel if this were set in the west, it would be so unrealistic for there to be anyone showing any disgust to it because it's so universally accepted, so you couldn't have a drama like this. So instead of being restricted to what has already been culturally/socially established, you can see how people would react to it organically. I do think the internal exploration of it was brushed over but the external exploration was thoroughly interesting. At some point, it stopped trying so hard to be a novel and instead started exploring trains of thought that were fascinating. I mean, half the conversations with Nishizono felt like the author genuinely challenging transgenderism to see how the reader felt. And I have to admit, I got pretty riled up, imagining myself arguing with her in the protagonist's place (although in real life I'd shit my pants). I feel with a lot of media they thrust forth one opinion and tunnel vision on conveying that, when one of the most effective ways of doing that is to give the other side and challenge it.
However, these characters still lacked depth. There simply wasn't much to question about the protagonist or even Ushio, for a long time Ushio's transgenderism alone was explored, not necessarily how Ushio or the protagonist felt about it. But then, the romantic element came in, although rather abruptly. I'm still not sure why Ushio even likes the protagonist (or why the protagonist liked the other girl, for that matter). The romantic element added a lot, asking the question 'what would you do if you liked someone but they were the same sex and you weren't gay?' Toughie. For the record, if I was in that situation, as long as I was sexually attracted, fuck it, I'd bite. But it was interesting to see the protagonist's conflict with that, even at the surface level. Then Sera came along. I wasn't too for this addition because it felt like a cheap extension to this romantic plot because there wasn't enough meat on it. But I was on board once the protagonist called him 'disgusting' for his polygamy and I thought 'wait, isn't this a parallel to Nishizono's bullying?' I felt so good about myself for noticing that but later the author explicitly pointed out that was on purpose so I didn't feel so special anymore. Anyway, being able to flip the script and place the protagonist in the wrong was a great was to actually add some long-needed depth to him. The last section of the book was okay---there was a lot of focus on the actual mechanics of taking exams which wasn't that interesting. And the end was purely setting up for sequel novels. I think this would have been great if it was a little longer and wrapped itself up completely, but it's the light-novel industry, what can you do?
Anyway, it was looking grim but was an upward slope that turned out to be pretty enjoyable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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January 30, 2026A gut wrenching story about a teenager finding out their old childhood friend is starting to socially transition as girl in school.
When I tell you I went blind, I mean it, I was absolutely interested in the characters (minus two who I’ll talk in the spoiler section) and the story that I finished this in 2 nights! I’m looking forward to read the rest of the light novels but now onto the spoiler section!
Ok so one of the characters I have my gripes with is this girl call nishizono, and omg the way she treated ushio was absolutely disgusting and the fact they later try to sorta redeem her but she was dying on her transphobic, I really hope they don’t make ushio apologize to her because she had a crush on her pre-transition.
Second character is sera, who’s apparently polyamorous, which I found it alright until he mentioned he never told his partners about him dating other 2 girls??? Also him dating a middle schooler while being 16 is certainly a choice… like cmon dude- I hope we see him again but at the same time I don’t want that!
Overall I’ll recommend this to all my friends! I’ll just warm them about the trigger warnings so they don’t go as blind like me!
When I tell you I went blind, I mean it, I was absolutely interested in the characters (minus two who I’ll talk in the spoiler section) and the story that I finished this in 2 nights! I’m looking forward to read the rest of the light novels but now onto the spoiler section!
Ok so one of the characters I have my gripes with is this girl call nishizono, and omg the way she treated ushio was absolutely disgusting and the fact they later try to sorta redeem her but she was dying on her transphobic, I really hope they don’t make ushio apologize to her because she had a crush on her pre-transition.
Second character is sera, who’s apparently polyamorous, which I found it alright until he mentioned he never told his partners about him dating other 2 girls??? Also him dating a middle schooler while being 16 is certainly a choice… like cmon dude- I hope we see him again but at the same time I don’t want that!
Overall I’ll recommend this to all my friends! I’ll just warm them about the trigger warnings so they don’t go as blind like me!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
Interesting start, I am sort of inclined to continue reading but also.. I massively dislike how forgiving we are towards some characters by going "oh, the longer I think about it, the more her arguments make sense". No. No, she needs a beating. :) Her little suspension from class has not been enough. I also don't appreciate how the "many girlfriends" get swept under a rug of MC being too close-minded. Nothing wrong with polyarmory, if all involved parties are okay with it. But none of these girls know of each other, so yes, we are back to plain old cheating again. Try me.
The main love triangle could be interesting, but frankly, only if it turns out girlypop figures out that her attraction still holds after Ushio came out. At least Sakuma knows where he stands, for now. I think the last scene is going to make him second-guess himself though, so now I have to continue just to see how the author will handle it. If they get a good handle on polyarmory maybe the main trio will end up together but I'm not holding out hope.
The main love triangle could be interesting, but frankly, only if it turns out girlypop figures out that her attraction still holds after Ushio came out. At least Sakuma knows where he stands, for now. I think the last scene is going to make him second-guess himself though, so now I have to continue just to see how the author will handle it. If they get a good handle on polyarmory maybe the main trio will end up together but I'm not holding out hope.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2024
A refreshing but serious look at the youth of a boy who tries his best but has to remember the world isnt as easy as he thinks, even with his best intentions.
Sometimes I got annoyed at the MC, but then again, he's a high schooler trying to deal with a sudden change in his friend, so I became either annoyed or cheering for him in his earnest nature lol.
Sometimes I got annoyed at the MC, but then again, he's a high schooler trying to deal with a sudden change in his friend, so I became either annoyed or cheering for him in his earnest nature lol.
January 8, 2026
This book perfectly encapsulates the trans experience whilst coming out in a largely conservative environment. The main character Sakuma perceives and understands the difficulties of trans individuals as his close friend Ushio transitions to her preferred gender throughout the book.
While it was difficult to read (as I often empathized with Ushio's plights and difficulties) I did find the environment and the challenges faced to be realistic and multifaceted, as transitioning comes with many difficulties to the individual going through it.
While I wished the dialogue could be better by being more mature and rid of petty squabbles, it is really a great book showcasing the difficulties that trans people face through the eyes of a close friend.
I would recommend it but do be wary of the transphobia in the book, as it explores these issues rather deeply throughout this first volume
While it was difficult to read (as I often empathized with Ushio's plights and difficulties) I did find the environment and the challenges faced to be realistic and multifaceted, as transitioning comes with many difficulties to the individual going through it.
While I wished the dialogue could be better by being more mature and rid of petty squabbles, it is really a great book showcasing the difficulties that trans people face through the eyes of a close friend.
I would recommend it but do be wary of the transphobia in the book, as it explores these issues rather deeply throughout this first volume
September 15, 2024
A really thoughtful, sensitive novel about a teenage boy coming to grips with his childhood best friend coming out as a girl.
The Mimosa Confessions paints a bittersweet picture of the social reaction to a transgender student living in a small, rural town. It doesn’t shy away from tackling transphobia as a subject matter, but also manages to shy away from making its depictions of such gratuitous or making Ushio’s transition journey feel like trauma-porn.
As someone who isn’t a huge light-novel fan I didn’t go in to this book with the highest of expectations, but it massively surpassed them all. A very decent little high-school drama, I’m looking forward to future instalments of the series.
The Mimosa Confessions paints a bittersweet picture of the social reaction to a transgender student living in a small, rural town. It doesn’t shy away from tackling transphobia as a subject matter, but also manages to shy away from making its depictions of such gratuitous or making Ushio’s transition journey feel like trauma-porn.
As someone who isn’t a huge light-novel fan I didn’t go in to this book with the highest of expectations, but it massively surpassed them all. A very decent little high-school drama, I’m looking forward to future instalments of the series.
September 27, 2025
Ok so, mixed feelings on this. I felt like the mc lacked substance and all the supporting characters were so much more interesting. I think a multi pov narrative would have been much better. I think the topics of gender and transition are handled well enough in this book, though since it’s from a (I’m assuming for now) cis male MCs perspective, it does lack depth. There’s also a bit of discussion on non monogamy in this book which I feel is handled less well. However this is the first in a series so it’s possible they could go more in depth later. I’m still unsure if I’ll read the rest, but this was solid.
September 24, 2025
This book certainly did more than just get me out of my huge reading slump. I was absolutely hooked the whole time I was reading. The MC is relatable being a bit of a loser and all, and everything surrounding the transness of Ushio is written respectfully. Just a heads up, though — there’s bullying, too.
I’m seriously looking forward to reading the next books in this series, and other books by this author. ♡
I’m seriously looking forward to reading the next books in this series, and other books by this author. ♡
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November 30, 2025I was going on a hike with a friend of mine at the time, the hike was taking a lot longer than I thought it would initially but my friend kept insisting that the view at the top was worth it.
eventually it had been like 3 hours since we started and the hike was advertised as taking two hours, I kept complaining to my friend about when we would make it to the top.
she got sick of my incessant complaining and handed me this book.
after reading it
I already knew
we were at the peak
eventually it had been like 3 hours since we started and the hike was advertised as taking two hours, I kept complaining to my friend about when we would make it to the top.
she got sick of my incessant complaining and handed me this book.
after reading it
I already knew
we were at the peak
January 3, 2026
Only book one so I can’t speak much to the conclusion but so far very well written characters and specifically dynamics between them. The protagonist kind of falls into the same pitfalls as Araragi where he’s a loser who seems to be able to do anything but it’s a little more realistic than in mono, he did apply himself very hard. Also handled trans subjects very well and I’m interested in reading more.
August 23, 2024
this was a different vibe than any other book that i’ve read but oh my god was it good. it was a beautiful, heart breaking, emotion-filled story that dove into what it means to find yourself and all the consequences of that. i will definitely read the next two books when they come out.
read time: 5 hours 35 minutes
read time: 5 hours 35 minutes
January 28, 2025
3,5 stars.
A lot of good stuff and I appreciate Kamiki, the pov character, isn't perfect but does honestly want to support Ushio.
I don't get why the story had to happen in such a short period though, it was hard to suspend my disbelief when I was reminded how all this roller coaster ride took only a few days.
A lot of good stuff and I appreciate Kamiki, the pov character, isn't perfect but does honestly want to support Ushio.
I don't get why the story had to happen in such a short period though, it was hard to suspend my disbelief when I was reminded how all this roller coaster ride took only a few days.
March 19, 2025
Absolutely amazing representation of lgbt and trans problems. Reading this as a trans woman was honestly really hard at points because of the blatant phobia from some characters, however the situations are handled really well and honestly I just love this book so much I went out to buy the next two translated books.
August 29, 2024
pretty good rep given the competition
Not pleased the one person actively interested in the trans character is a poly person named Sera who is painted as a dirtbag. But it’s nice to see trans people in LNs that aren’t treated like shit by the author.
Not pleased the one person actively interested in the trans character is a poly person named Sera who is painted as a dirtbag. But it’s nice to see trans people in LNs that aren’t treated like shit by the author.
January 23, 2025
Un tanto decepcionante, tiene un tono raro porque intenta tratar temas difíciles con personajes demasiado planos e intentando ser una romcom básica. Me recuerda al inicio de Okari Alice con los mismos problemas pero menos atrevido y auténtico. Quizá se pone wena luego pero no creo.
April 15, 2025
Muy entretenida. Quizá es 3 estrellas y media. Lo que me molestó un poco fue lo racional que intenta ser el narrador, a veces es un poco molesto, y algunos puntos de la historia parecen forzados para seguir la trama. Igual me divertí, fue una lectura ligera y amena.
October 3, 2025
This book was incredibly introspective, to the point that it forced me to ask and answer many of the questions Sakuma did. My answers, I’ll keep mostly to myself, though I’ll share this: I think that as long as I have desire, it’s ok that I let go of my guilt.
March 9, 2026
was really good and got me out of my reading slump. the mc and some other characters are a bit unlikeable and kinda annoying at times and it gets a bit frustrating at some parts but it's still a good read. I'm excited for the next volume
June 19, 2026
I love the Mei Hachimoku books and I know this is the first book in a series, but ughhhhh some parts of the book really upset me. I still enjoyed it very much and I will eventually read the rest of the series but ughhhhhhhhhh. I have mixed feelings about the ending. 3.8/5⭐️
June 26, 2026
Shockingly kind and empathetic representation given its source. The author sometimes feels like he doesn't understand what he's talking about which leads to some bizarre philosophical conversations but his heart is in the right place and the characters are fairly compelling.
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November 4, 2024ushio my beloved
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