Snow Angel, Vol. 1

Snow Angel #1

by Haruka Chizu

Long gone are the days when Muku Shiroshika would play carefree in the snow with her childhood friends. Thrust into a thankless caregiver role, Muku wants to break free from her oppressive family and regain control of her life. When her childhood friend Yuto pays her an unexpected visit, she finds hope in his words and decides to take a chance on happiness. But as she works to define herself, she finds that breaking free of her family’s influence is harder than she thought.

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Contemporary, Graphic Novels, Comics, Graphic Novels Manga

176 pages, Paperback

Published May 13, 2025

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my day job, I am a health professional who works primarily with the elderly, so I’m very familiar with the term ‘caregiver burnout’ and this manga is a fascinating example that uses it as a springboard for what will eventually become a romance but is currently a meditation on suffocation and desperation.

Muku has lost her dreams and, in all but the most basic sense, her life in service to her family. She’s forced to care for her ailing grandfather and, even when presented with options that would alleviate the stress placed on her, the family continue to take her for granted.

Which is the perfect time for her childhood friend, Yuto, and his older brother to show up and suddenly throw out a lifeline that she can only come to grasp once he tells her plainly that she is absolutely being taken advantage of. This story has one of the most brutally accurate portrayals of learned helplessness that I have ever seen.

Welcome touches abound. I love that Mutu is twenty-one, we don’t get enough stories that have little to do with high school, although her younger sister Inori fills that void somewhat. Poor Inori feels like a hostage left behind at points.

It’s nice that Yuto isn’t perfect. He comes to Mutu’s rescue, but he’s clearly running from something himself. It appears to be overwork, but his personality can shift so rapidly that it seems to run deeper. He’s chained to what he does, but in a more voluntary way than Mutu.

And the artwork is absolutely cracking. There are some stupendously gorgeous panels here and one instance where two conversations are running at the top and bottom of the page that might be a little show-offish but work real well.

Even with some manga trappings, it all feels so unflinchingly real too. Mutu’s grandmother is absolutely awful and one of those people who cannot stop being awful, even if she might want to. Oh, she doesn’t see it that way, of course, but I have known that type and she is unfortunately well portrayed.

This is a bleak story. I am more predisposed to stories that are a bit lighter, but this is very good at being very grim. It illustrates that there’s an incredibly thin line between what one might claim to be love actually turning out to be the exact opposite.

It’s hard not to root for Muku, and the moments where she manages to get her head above water are a brief catharsis that just help make it clear that she needs to break free and I plan to stick around and see that happen.

4 stars - a very strong start, even moreso if you like believable drama, with some stunning art to boot. It remind me a little of My Girlfriend’s Child, as it tackles a very hard subject yet makes it into compelling reading.

[DianaRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

the art style is absolutely stunning, and i love how the mangaka depicted muku's feeling of being smothered and pushed underwater, as well as how they conveyed her other darker emotions.

i'm excited to continue reading and see how the story develops!

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

FIRST IMPRESSION VIDEO HERE: https://youtu.be/eTb-7YIZDVs

"So what if I make mistakes? I might be pathetic and uncool but I'm gonna make my own decisions from now on!"

I will start by saying I feel my rating for this volume is unfair. I don't personally enjoy reading manga that has hard-hitting topics like this story (or at least usually as I have exceptions like My Girlfriend's Child), but I think this story is extremely well-written and is deeply needed. I honestly thought of an old friend of mine who was pushed into a young caregiver role and I feel the water scenes were so on point from what she has shared in the past.

In that sense though, I AM glad I read this despite how hard it was to see Muku "drown." It made me wish I could have been there more for my friend as I didn't realize that because of her caregiver role, she was becoming a "shell" of the person she was just a month prior. This volume brought me an awareness that I didn't know I was missing until I read Muku's story.

On a personal note, imagining being in Muku's shoes was scary honestly. I couldn't get over how delicate the art could be for many panels, only to capture the danger of the water wrapping around Muku. I think this story has a really great balance because with how many people said they cried reading this, I was VERY nervous I would be emotionally wrecked. I wasn't thankfully, but this definitely wasn't a happy volume to read, though I do agree with what someone told me that there is hope. Muku had such a powerful breakthrough at the end and I very much hope that the outcome for her life and for her family will be a hopeful one as well!

I do not think I'm going to pick up volume two, but I wish nothing but happiness for Muku and her journey of taking back her life and making her own decisions!

[Kelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, the storytelling here isn’t spectacular.

But, I do appreciate that this story is trying to say something about the challenges that young caretakers face when it comes to providing for their families, especially when it comes to helping out older adult relatives with increasingly difficult health issues.

That’s a super relevant thing to comment on.

As people live longer and life becomes more expensive around the world, that is something that more and more of us will have to deal with.

That said, I wish this story wasn’t framed as a romance. I don’t think that’s a great “vehicle” for this topic. It feels like the author is trying to cram too many things together here.

Honestly, I could care less about Mr. Gloomy Pants, secret author here.

Anyway.

We’ll see where this story goes. I’m going to keep my expectations modest though~

[The Magical Quill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Small-Animal-Like Lady is Adored by the Ice Prince by Mugi Sawai is just pure wholesomeness. You would expect everything for a wholesome read, including cute dresses, cakes, and interactions. Of course, to combat all this cuteness, they brought in the Ice Prince, who you guessed it, loves pretty things! I love the FMC, Liliana, and how she wants to live an easy life, enjoying her family and sweets. She’s not interested in the royal family or getting married out of convenience. She wants true love. But this wouldn’t be a great cozy romance without turning all that on its head and presenting her with the impossible choice of marrying a prince, not just any prince, The Ice Prince. But that doesn’t stop Liliana; now she’s more determined than ever to break off their engagement before she starts developing feelings. I enjoyed this story and all its cuteness. I love that she has a softness for the Ice Prince, simply because she’s nice. She sees something in him that truly softens her heart. I love all things cozy manga, so I’m ready to read more.

[Amanda Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this so much. It isn't that I didn't expect to love it the way that I did; I just didn't expect to connect with it—with Muku—the way that I did. The art is so lovely, and the story is evocative. The depiction of Muku's internal turmoil was perfectly shown, and I can't wait to learn more about Yuto and what he's been through the past several years. I'm so excited to read the next volume. I don't always buy published editions of the ARCs I read and review, but I want to own this series.

[Jess | jadecanread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my god, the way grandma talked got me triggered.

Beautiful artwork, realistic conflict, and an ideal childhood friendship. I’m liking it!

Recap: childhood friends who move away, present train ride with a stranger, fmc is a young caregiver to her grandpa with dementia, she’s burnt out and wants to leave, childhood friends come and overhear and she leaves with them.

[siren ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

sad & uplifting at the same time - with a really unique premise! and the art i want it framed in my eyeballs

[Bella's BookStack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went into this blindly, and it's a sad yet uplifting manga. I almost cried a few times 😭

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really interesting take on toxic families and the emotional turmoil surrounding kids forced to grow up too fast.

[Sol · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm 25 (in 2025) and have been helping take care of my grandmother with dementia in my own home since 2018... suffice it to say, many of the emotions and things communicated in this book really hit close to home for me, and I thought it was all so accurate and handled with care.

My situation isn't half as bad as the protagonist's, but I understand her so much. That feeling of not wanting to be selfish, but also the helpless feeling that you're not living for yourself, but solely for somebody else. She can only escape reality by reading books... which I also get quite a lot. It isn't denying reality, it's coping with it-- using fiction for survival, which I adore.
I feel like the subject of young caregiving was treated with so much empathy. And I appreciate this being a story about a young woman finding her voice and realizing that she has to live her own life, nobody else's. I found it to be very empowering. I hope she and her sister can escape that abusive environment. They deserve to be happy and not feel like they're bad people, because they aren't. They're basically just kids who have been made into live-in caregivers, which is so dehumanizing.

This is the kind of manga where I want to grab the mangaka's hands and thank her from the bottom of my heart for giving a voice to these emotions in the hearts of young caregivers and helpers like me. I felt really touched by it.

[Mariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Snow Angel Vol. 1 is a mixed bag of strong thematic intentions and uneven execution. Haruka Chizu introduces us to Muku, a young woman trapped in a life that feels more like obligation than choice. Instead of attending college, she works part-time jobs to support her family—primarily her younger sister’s education and her grandfather’s medical needs. She also returns home daily to care for her grandfather, a responsibility she bears almost entirely on her own.

This setup holds so much potential: a deeply resonant look at sacrifice, guilt, and the emotional burden that often falls on the shoulders of the most responsible family member. And yet, the story often stumbles when trying to explore those themes. The household dynamic is frustrating—everyone claims to care, yet no one shares the load equally. The younger sister, aside from going to school, seems to do little. The mother works and does housework, but there’s no visible effort to relieve Muku from her crushing routine. The grandmother exists more as an echo chamber for guilt and judgement than as an active participant in the family struggle.

Even the supposed solution—placing the grandfather in a care home—is dismissed, likely due to guilt or societal expectations. Yet there’s no mention of more sustainable compromises, like hiring home care help or utilizing part-time eldercare facilities (which do exist in many places, especially for dementia patients). This omission makes the guilt-tripping of Muku feel not only unfair but needlessly cruel.

The emotional toll this dynamic takes on Muku is hinted at, especially through her dissociation and emotional numbness. These aspects of her character are compelling and realistic. However, the manga's attempts at humor and levity often undercut these moments. Conversations feel choppy, superficial, and rushed—issues that make it hard to fully connect with the emotional weight of Muku’s experiences. The tone struggles to strike a balance between realism and melodrama, often falling into the latter without sufficient grounding.

Then comes the childhood friend—a possible romantic interest—appearing almost out of nowhere. The scene feels jarring and oddly paced, with barely any conversation to establish a meaningful reconnection. I enjoy the “crossing paths with a childhood friend” trope, but here it feels more like a plot device than a natural development.

To its credit, Snow Angel doesn’t shy away from portraying how toxic dynamics can form within families that believe themselves to be loving and supportive. It asks important questions about guilt, duty, and the quiet ways people hurt each other in the name of love. But the execution doesn’t quite do the themes justice—not yet.

Still, I’m intrigued enough by the premise and Muku’s emotional landscape to give Volume 2 a chance. I hope future installments allow the characters to have harder, more honest conversations—or at the very least, stop trying to redeem toxic behavior without acknowledging it first. There's something powerful here, waiting to be uncovered. I just hope the story finds its footing soon.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

The author lays it on heavy here, eschewing subtlety for an over obvious 'Cinderlla' story of a girl forced to give all her time to the family. Protagonist Muku is your typical genki but doorknob stupid non-threatening school girl who falls for emo childhood friend Yuto.

Story: Muku lived a charmed childhood with best friend Yuto until her father died. Times became hard for the family and she found herself struggling to take care of a grandfather with dementia, an overworked distant mother, a selfish and critical grandmother, and a younger sister for whom she is expected to sacrifice everything. To make matters worse, Yuto moved away soon after her father's death. Now, years later and grown, Muku realizes that her life is untenable. When Yuto and his younger brother move back into town, she finds an escape as she moves in with the brothers. But can she live with the soul crushing guilt of having abandoned her family - and can she find a job so she can finally support herself?

The heroine has two modes of melodrama: tear-inducing misery or over the top genki. There's not much in between and it would have been nice to see more nuances of her personality. The conceit of the story is that Yuto always thought she was a boy since she was a tomboy, that his younger brother adores her, and that she is going to try to figure out how to live on her own.

The illustration work is fine - about what we would expect from this type of manga. It's not a hyperrealistic and grounded story full of verisimilitude; rather, it skews a bit to a younger audience looking for oversimplified fairy tale romances.

In all, not the most exciting of stories. A bit more subtlety and nuance would have gone a long way. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[persie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i went into this manga completely blind. i wanted to read a feel good shoujo manga and was instead given something that was all too relatable. I work with the elderly so I understand the term “ elder burnout “ all too much, I’ve struggled with the thought of feeling selfish when i get too tired despite loving all the people i care for deeply. I also relate a lot with Muku, especially the struggle of her loving her family that much that she becomes somewhat of a pushover for them ( at least in the beginning ).

personal thoughts a side, the art for this manga was absolutely gorgeous. There were times I stopped reading just to admire how pretty the art on that page was. I also really loved the characters a lot too, Muku is the one we’re currently following but we also have Inori who is her younger sister, and sakuto and yuto who are the sisters childhood friends. Despite not knowing all too much about them currently, the three of them are very interesting and I can’t wait to learn more about them.

Very excited to dive into volume two once i get my hands on it; i am very worried about the manipulation inori will no doubt be receiving and i hope everything turns out better for her too 🥹.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manga that addresses caretaker burnout, young caretakers, and emotionally abusive family, usually rather realistically. There is an element of wish fulfillment here, in the childhood friends that swoop in and help main character Muku from her family home. But the situation she's escaping from feels authentic. Chizu is especiallly good at showing Muku's sense of desperate isolation. Her grandmother is also horribly realistic, a saccharine abuser who masks her verbal abuse with empty expressions of love. I was a little dissatisfied with how Chizu portrays Muku's father, who has apparently advanced dementia. As in, he doesn't really get portrayed at all. He's entirely off panel in this entire volume, so we never really get to see the full extent of his condition or get to make an informed impression of how unsuitable the home environment is for him at this point. I'm happy to take Muku at her word that his needs are straining the family to and past the breaking point, but I'm sure not every reader will be. This is quite a heavy read at times, but I also think it's an important one.

[Ya Boi Be Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an excellent first volume! It perfectly sets up the scope of focus of a girl with caretaker fatigue escaping from a toxic situation with the guilt and unrecognized pent up feelings and messy sadness. I really am looking forward to all the plot points from her dealing with guilt and anger from the situation, to her feelings about her sister whose situation is worsening with her out of the picture, and even to the romance sort of with her cohabitating with two long-lost childhood friends (one serious and prudish and the other who tells it like it is with clarity or laziness depending on his mood).
The art is breathtaking especially with the visual portrayal of her exhaustion and other feelings like being overwhelmed or dissassociating in paneling to the absolutely stunning wintery landscapes. I swear this takes place in the Winter just because the mangaka is just so good at drawing those snowy landscapes from calm rolling hills of snow and light snowfall to strong blizzards.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

❄️ 3.5 stars ❄️

Be forewarned, this cutesy cover hides Muku Shiroshika's struggles with being a caregiver to her family, leaving little space for herself. When a childhood friend returns to Muku's life, she finds the courage to stand up for herself and create a life that brings her joy.

I think this series will feature light and romantic moments in future volumes, but the introduction to the series follows Muku as she attempts to break free from her family and discover who she wants to be. She struggled with guilt of leaving her caretaking position, and anger from having so much of her life taken up by caring for family.

I look forward to discovering how Muku and Yuto's relationship develops now that they are adults. I am interested to see how Yuto became the man he is now and what he does for work.

tropes/themes: adult protagonist, childhood friends, loss of family member(s), family drama, depression, caretaking

[♡ zuly ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Even though I had read the description of this before starting, I was blown away by how deep and touching this manga was. Our main character, Muku, has given up so much of her life to be a young caretaker to her grandparents after they raised her during her childhood. As someone who also was a young caretaker to a grandparent, I found the main character's complicated emotions and difficulty processing them to be extremely relatable, I think this was extremely well-written. While this plot is very sad, I love that the main character is taking agency of her life, and trying to find a way to support her younger sister in the process. I'm also curious to see the development of the returning childhood friends, as there seems to be a romance that can bloom between the two. This was a delight!
Thank you to Netgalley and Viz Media for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Henli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Edelweiss and Viz for the digital ARC.

Muku is a young woman who was basically forced into being a caregiver for her grandfather at a young age. Family responsibilities, looking for a job, and dealing with her judgmental grandmother are constant struggles for her. She finally starts to see a way out after reuniting with an old childhood friend, Yuto.

As an oldest daughter and former caretaker for a family member, this really hit home for me. I really related to Muku and the struggles she faced, and with how easy it is to lose yourself as a caretaker.

I really enjoyed the relationship between Muku and Yuto. They were adorable as children and seem to still share a connection as adults. I'm curious to see how it plays out.

Overall I really enjoyed this and will probably pick up the second volume to see where this goes.

[Heather’s Reading Bubble · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this 5 stars but I feel as though parts of this were rushed(once I found out it is only a 4 volume series the rushing made more sense) Muku is an extremely likable heroine and her situation with her family is horrendous but relatable. She has sacrificed everything and is treated like garbage by her awful abusive grandmother. Her sacrifice is not noticed nor is it appreciated except for by her sister who I have a feeling is going to be trapped and take Mukus place as the family care giver. Snow Angel has a lot of good going for it and I am going to continue the series. Mukos family is the most fascinating part of the story. I’m hoping as the story progresses the dynamic between Muku and her two childhood friends Yuto and Sakuto is better explored because as of right now that’s the least interesting thing to me.

[Casey Halvorsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Viz Media for this arc!

5/5 stars

This is the beginning of what will surely be an emotional series! Muku has lost any hope of having a happy life since her father died ten years ago and she's been burdened with being a caretaker for her ailing grandfather, alongside her mother, grandmother, and younger sister. She doesn't realize it yet but is suffering from depression and desperately wants to be happy. On a chance meeting she reunites with her childhood best friend Yuto, now an overworked and also down in the dumps adult. I'm very interested to see how they help each other find happiness in the world, find ways to escape the things that make them depressed, and possibly love?! Lol deffo feels like it's heading into a romance but I'm not quite sure how it'll get there, excited to read the next volume!!

[Latifah S Ningrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially read this book because I was attracted by the cover and didn't read the synopsis at all. I thought this manga would show a sweet story about young people's relationships, but it turned out to be beyond my expectations.

From the beginning of reading, I was really annoyed with Muku's mother and grandmother. I think the story the author made about being a young caregiver is real, like what happens around me. The tiredness and boredom of being a caregiver are really felt by Muku. I also didn't expect Yuto, who is still a bit mysterious in this manga, to be Muku's childhood friend. I also felt sorry for Muku and Inori's relationship, and the ending was really half-hearted, making me curious about the continuation.

[Bibliothecat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to be adjusted once series is complete

I went into this blind with no knowledge beyond that it's complete in four volumes. Muku is a surprisingly well relatable character in that she uses books as her escape from reality. Her family has fallen on hard times and her mother and grandparents essentially take advantage of her but wrap it up to make it look like love and care. It seems like this series will largely deal with trauma and abuse and it's thus far well portrayed. The art is beautiful and I really appreciated how emotions were visualised e.g. through distortion. Muku's childhood friends are there to help her try and escape her situation and it seems likely there will be a romance plot alongside Muku's journey of freeing herself.

[Natasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I found this to be a bit... weird? I really like the concept of how the FMC is trying to run away from her awful family's burdens and how it shows the way the oldest daughter is always depended on, but the way she ran away was... strange. You're telling me a man you haven't seen in 10 years is just gonna pop onto your porch the exact night you blow your top at your entitled family? And he doesn't even ask you to come to his house, you practically worm your way into it?
I don't know, it felt like too much. Everything else I liked, but that just put me off.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

[Cassandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Manga. It had a lot of feelings and I really enjoyed how the past of their friendship is interwoven to show how they used to depend on one another giving believability to her trusting him so much. She finally feels seen and someone is supporting her not telling her she is being selfish. Her grandmother and mother are clearly abusive. Since she was in junior high, she has been helping to take care of her grandfather and being abused emotionally by her grandmother and mother. I appreciate that she wants to make sure she doesn't leave her sister behind. They only see her for the labor she provides not as a person to support in the family as well.

[The Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

…I don’t know how this author managed to so accurately describe my life, but the feeling of drowning and the air bubbles coming from the books, even down to having a book review blog (haha, a Goodreads).

The pressure of the older sibling to be the one to take care of the family. To be perfect or be a disappointment. And to be compared to the “good” younger sibling who doesn’t have to deal with the same issues. It hurts and it’s an argument that you can’t win because you’re expected to suck it up and do what’s right for the family.

Plus Yuto is 100% an INTJ personality type, I love him.

This series has 4 volumes.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God. This read is a revolution. This is touching on a subject that is very common, sad, abusive, manipulative, and difficult. If you're looking for a manga to recommend to readers about emotional situations from young adolescent to young adulthood--THIS IS FOR YOU. MAKE IT HUGE so we can see beyond just this volume where this story and it's tough subject matter go--with laughter too! The artwork is beautiful!

This hit so close to home. I can't wait for more!! You don't want to miss this series!!!

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm here for the plot, just not how it was executed. The art was gorgeous, and the characters are fun.

I like that Snow Angels is based on a young adult who's navigating the job market, family responsibilities, emotions, and friendships, but the final piece is not cohesive. Elder daughter syndrome is real and it's shown in this novel. I hope in the following volumes that Chizu illustrates the finer points of being an older sister.

I'll be picking up the second just to read about her and Yuto's budding relationship!

[Zephorah Dove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Viz and Edelweiss for the DRC.

I'm for sure going to look out for new volumes of this one. We have a young caregiver whose family is just taking everything from her and make her feel guilty for wanting a life of her own.

I'm genuinely curious to see what route this story will take. Since she knows a social worker now, will she get assistance that way?

Without giving any spoilers, I'm truly geeked to see where this will go. Also they were all so adorable as children!

[Judyth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the drawings of her feeling overwhelmed, like she was drowning and ignored in her position from being forced by her family to be a caretaker, were really well done. I really liked that aspect.

Her decision to suddenly force herself on friends she hasn’t seen in ten years felt a bit weird and rushed, though. I’m a little unsure, but curious to see how it goes from here.