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星屑家族 (Stardust Family) #1-2
Stardust Family
In a world set in the future, children hold the authority to determine who may become parents. Having children is illegal—unless a couple first passes a strict examination, conducted by a child, that certifies them as capable providers. It is a veritable utopia with no child abuse…or at least, so it may seem. Hikari is one such examiner in this system, spending his days evaluating prospective parents. But one day, he comes across a couple that isn’t quite like the others…
450 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
July 2, 2025
Emotional whiplash! Feelings overload! I went into this manga knowing nothing about what I was getting myself into and I think that’s how I’d recommend approaching this one. It’s an incredibly thought provoking story that manages to keep things interesting and engaging by bringing in reveals that will catch you off guard. It wrecked me in the best way and I’m going to go stare at the ceiling now and try to recover.
May 2, 2025
Super interesting concept about a world where people need permission to become parents, and while the execution was not what I expected, I still liked it a lot. It's about this caregiver inspector – a child basically – who gets send to people and lives with them for two weeks to evaluate if they are fit to become parents. Taking care of children is seen as the definition of happiness in this society and getting a license for parenting is considered a blessing, so the inspectors make life altering decisions in their job. The world building didn't go much deeper than that and left some open questions for me, but it was ok. The manga focused on a single evaluation and explored both the feelings of the inspector and the potential parents. From the cover I thought that this might go in the horror direction, but it was more of an emotional story. And by emotional I mean a whole range of emotions, because it was wholesome and sweet, but also sad and kinda unsettling at times. Some aspects of the story could have been a little more fleshed out, though. It didn't really explore what it means to be a good parent, and every time people were denied that privilege it was always because they physically abused the inspectors. And come on, a good parent has to check more criteria than just not hitting a child. Aspects like health, money or living standards were never discussed. I did like that it was mentioned that some people are perfectly happy without children, but I wish it had played an even bigger role. Overall it's a character focused story and it really succeeded there. All three of the main characters were explored well, and all had complex backstories that unfolded as the story went on and finally painted a coherent family picture. And that's a great accomplishment for a single volume of manga.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Yen Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Yen Press for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2025
⭐ 4.5/5 — A Haunting, Thought-Provoking Take on Family & Society
August 15, 2025
Interesting, smart dystopian story that fumbles it's landing towards the end. Children are sent to childless couples who want a child, to test whether they might be good parents. It's very interesting to see the interactions between one such child and his assigned family, especially because those people don't really want to be parents.
For a long time you're wondering how this all came to be, how these children are picked and trained, and when you get the answer towards the end, it's quite disappointing, I found.
3.5 stars
(Thanks to Yen Press for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
For a long time you're wondering how this all came to be, how these children are picked and trained, and when you get the answer towards the end, it's quite disappointing, I found.
3.5 stars
(Thanks to Yen Press for providing me with a review copy through NetGalley)
November 8, 2025
In a future where parenting is regulated by the government to prevent child abuse and neglect, everyone is rigorously tested before they are allowed to have a child. Hikari is a young boy, but he is also one of the final rounds of testing, moving from home to home, living with potential parents for two weeks, watching them, prodding them, provoking them, all to see how suitable their knowledge and temperament are for caregiving.
The newest candidates for assessment seem a little different, but in his push to probe, understand and rate them, Hikari starts to question some of the differences and experiences he has suppressed in himself.
It's a little overlong and predictable, but I still found myself engaged throughout and very moved by the ending.
FOR REFERENCE:
Omnibus collecting vols. 1 and 2 of the two-volume manga series.
Contents: [Volume 1] Chapter 1. The Nth Beginning -- Chapter 2. The Two Subjects -- Chapter 3. Reject -- Chapter 4. The Shape of Happiness -- Chapter 5. Foolish Children -- [Volume 2] Chapter 6. Reunion -- Chapter 7. The First Beginning -- Chapter 8. Laceration -- Chapter 9. Imitation -- Final Chapter. Praying on the Shooting Stardust -- Afterword
The newest candidates for assessment seem a little different, but in his push to probe, understand and rate them, Hikari starts to question some of the differences and experiences he has suppressed in himself.
It's a little overlong and predictable, but I still found myself engaged throughout and very moved by the ending.
FOR REFERENCE:
Omnibus collecting vols. 1 and 2 of the two-volume manga series.
Contents: [Volume 1] Chapter 1. The Nth Beginning -- Chapter 2. The Two Subjects -- Chapter 3. Reject -- Chapter 4. The Shape of Happiness -- Chapter 5. Foolish Children -- [Volume 2] Chapter 6. Reunion -- Chapter 7. The First Beginning -- Chapter 8. Laceration -- Chapter 9. Imitation -- Final Chapter. Praying on the Shooting Stardust -- Afterword
January 15, 2026
Maybe the best manga I’ve ever read. Stardust Family tackles eugenics, post humanism, trauma, and intergenerational shame and stigma with care and insight, constructing a complete world ruled by reproductive injustice and the exploitation of nonhuman children. Within this heavy subject matter, though, is a profound lightness and hope for alternative possibilities, and sites of immense love in a world whose capacity for freedom seems foreclosed. So impressed by this volume, which I found randomly at the library and decided to pick up.
May 19, 2025
Warning: this might make you cry.
I spent ten minutes ranting to my mum about this on the phone (sorry), but it gave me sooo many feelings.
This is funny, sad, beautiful, thought-provoking.
Due to a declining birthdate and increase in child abuse and neglect, the government passes a law that caregiving for children requires a license. To acquire one, potential parents must pass tests, the final stage whereby a child inspector is sent to be part of their possible family and judge them.
The aptitude to be a caregiver has now become the new benchmark for being human. If you fail, you are a pariah: denied benefits, loans, sometimes even jobs.
What happens when someone asks an inspector to purposefully fail them?
KINDNESS THAT IGNORES THE WILL OF WHOM YOU'RE BEING KIND TO CAN SOMETIMES LOOK AN AWFUL LOT LIKE CONCEIT.
This was so sweet and heartfelt and I really need you to read this.
It will really make you think - especially if you have ever dared to go against the norm, break the mould of being a ‘proper’ member of society.
Yes, I lowkey saw the twist and the ending, yet it was still so satisfying.
Arc gifted by Yen Press.
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I spent ten minutes ranting to my mum about this on the phone (sorry), but it gave me sooo many feelings.
This is funny, sad, beautiful, thought-provoking.
Due to a declining birthdate and increase in child abuse and neglect, the government passes a law that caregiving for children requires a license. To acquire one, potential parents must pass tests, the final stage whereby a child inspector is sent to be part of their possible family and judge them.
The aptitude to be a caregiver has now become the new benchmark for being human. If you fail, you are a pariah: denied benefits, loans, sometimes even jobs.
What happens when someone asks an inspector to purposefully fail them?
KINDNESS THAT IGNORES THE WILL OF WHOM YOU'RE BEING KIND TO CAN SOMETIMES LOOK AN AWFUL LOT LIKE CONCEIT.
This was so sweet and heartfelt and I really need you to read this.
It will really make you think - especially if you have ever dared to go against the norm, break the mould of being a ‘proper’ member of society.
Yes, I lowkey saw the twist and the ending, yet it was still so satisfying.
Arc gifted by Yen Press.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
January 21, 2026
Stardust Family by Aki Horoyama
Stardust Family is a two‑volume dystopian manga set in a near future Japan where becoming a parent is no longer a birthright but a licensed privilege, and children trained as caregiver inspectors decide who qualifies to raise the next generation. The story focuses on Hikari, one such inspector, who visits prospective parents to judge them over a few weeks, and finds himself confronting not just the flaws of the system but the fragile hopes and pains that make up real family bonds. It blends emotional drama, societal critique, and science fiction in a compact yet resonant tale.
I was pulled into how human this futuristic setting felt, especially through Hikari’s quiet observations and the tentative warmth he discovers with the Hirokawa couple. The narrative made me think about what it really means to belong somewhere, and how flawed and beautiful families can be even without perfect pedigree. Some worldbuilding choices felt dense, but the emotional moments stayed vivid long after reading.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Because it is a thoughtful, heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and what it means to be chosen.
Stardust Family is a two‑volume dystopian manga set in a near future Japan where becoming a parent is no longer a birthright but a licensed privilege, and children trained as caregiver inspectors decide who qualifies to raise the next generation. The story focuses on Hikari, one such inspector, who visits prospective parents to judge them over a few weeks, and finds himself confronting not just the flaws of the system but the fragile hopes and pains that make up real family bonds. It blends emotional drama, societal critique, and science fiction in a compact yet resonant tale.
I was pulled into how human this futuristic setting felt, especially through Hikari’s quiet observations and the tentative warmth he discovers with the Hirokawa couple. The narrative made me think about what it really means to belong somewhere, and how flawed and beautiful families can be even without perfect pedigree. Some worldbuilding choices felt dense, but the emotional moments stayed vivid long after reading.
Rating: 4 out of 5
Because it is a thoughtful, heartfelt exploration of family, identity, and what it means to be chosen.
April 30, 2025
In a world where parents must be licensed to have children Hikari is an "inspector" a parentless child employed by the Japanese government to ensure that prospective parents are emotionally ready to take on the responsibility of being parents, a job he his beginning to hate. However, one day, he meets Daiki Hirokawa, who asks him the unthinkable: To fail him and his wife, Chisa.
Did I cry in an airport when I got to the end of this? Yes, yes, I did, and I don't care. This was an emotional roller coaster that asks not only what truly makes a good parent but what truly makes a loving family. As a parent, this is a question that is consistently at the forefront of my mind. But, if you've ever talked to anyone that's been in the Foster system, Hikari's story is just absolutely heartbreaking. As an inspector Hikari goes through countless potential families that always tell him that they love him, they spoil him, they make him apart of their existence for two weeks at a time and then at the end for them it's like it never even happened. For Hikari, it's just another wound on an already ravaged heart. To be have that level of psychological and emotional damage is heartbreaking, to know that it actually is happening right now to children in a broken foster system? Next level heartbreaking.
Chisa herself has her own sad background story except in her case when she enters the "system" she ends up with an uncle that truly loves her and helps her to come to terms with the trauma her mother inflicted upon her and how the world sees her because of this. And of course Daiki does as well, having parents who excell at everything and expect him to do the same when all he really just wants to be is a kid.
Each of these characters brings a relatable trauma to a family that is certainly not perfect under any circumstances but in the short two weeks that Hikari is with them you see a "broken" family become whole because of the trust and love that they have in each other and it is beyond beautiful. I genuinely cannot recommend this one more.
As always, thanks to NetGalley and Yen Press for the eArc!
Did I cry in an airport when I got to the end of this? Yes, yes, I did, and I don't care. This was an emotional roller coaster that asks not only what truly makes a good parent but what truly makes a loving family. As a parent, this is a question that is consistently at the forefront of my mind. But, if you've ever talked to anyone that's been in the Foster system, Hikari's story is just absolutely heartbreaking. As an inspector Hikari goes through countless potential families that always tell him that they love him, they spoil him, they make him apart of their existence for two weeks at a time and then at the end for them it's like it never even happened. For Hikari, it's just another wound on an already ravaged heart. To be have that level of psychological and emotional damage is heartbreaking, to know that it actually is happening right now to children in a broken foster system? Next level heartbreaking.
Chisa herself has her own sad background story except in her case when she enters the "system" she ends up with an uncle that truly loves her and helps her to come to terms with the trauma her mother inflicted upon her and how the world sees her because of this. And of course Daiki does as well, having parents who excell at everything and expect him to do the same when all he really just wants to be is a kid.
Each of these characters brings a relatable trauma to a family that is certainly not perfect under any circumstances but in the short two weeks that Hikari is with them you see a "broken" family become whole because of the trust and love that they have in each other and it is beyond beautiful. I genuinely cannot recommend this one more.
As always, thanks to NetGalley and Yen Press for the eArc!
April 20, 2025
A powerful, emotional story with a unique premise.
Stardust Family is set in a future where children are sent by the government to evaluate potential families, essentially testing whether adults are capable of being good parents. It’s a thought-provoking and emotional journey that never veers into being grim, even when it explores darker themes.
The strength of this manga lies in its character work, especially the family dynamic between the three main characters, it’s beautifully done and deeply affecting. The emotional payoff, particularly toward the end, hits hard in all the right ways.
I’m keeping this vague to avoid spoilers, but if you're looking for a manga with mature storytelling and emotional depth, this is absolutely a must-read.
Stardust Family is set in a future where children are sent by the government to evaluate potential families, essentially testing whether adults are capable of being good parents. It’s a thought-provoking and emotional journey that never veers into being grim, even when it explores darker themes.
The strength of this manga lies in its character work, especially the family dynamic between the three main characters, it’s beautifully done and deeply affecting. The emotional payoff, particularly toward the end, hits hard in all the right ways.
I’m keeping this vague to avoid spoilers, but if you're looking for a manga with mature storytelling and emotional depth, this is absolutely a must-read.
April 20, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Yen Press for a complimentary early release copy of Stardust Family by Aki Poroyama.
Stardust Family went in a direction that I didn’t expect it to go into. I thought the story itself was going to hold some more darker elements and while it does have some plot points that are dark the story itself feels more light hearted than I expected. I did like the direction that the story went in, I liked how some of the elements/reveals are set up, and I enjoyed my time with these characters.
I liked the family, the character themselves felt well developed and likeable. I liked the whole idea of these kids inspecting these parents to figure out if they are acceptable parents or not. The art, writing, and character development are all well thought out. I enjoyed this story and I thought the ending was satisfying.
Stardust Family went in a direction that I didn’t expect it to go into. I thought the story itself was going to hold some more darker elements and while it does have some plot points that are dark the story itself feels more light hearted than I expected. I did like the direction that the story went in, I liked how some of the elements/reveals are set up, and I enjoyed my time with these characters.
I liked the family, the character themselves felt well developed and likeable. I liked the whole idea of these kids inspecting these parents to figure out if they are acceptable parents or not. The art, writing, and character development are all well thought out. I enjoyed this story and I thought the ending was satisfying.
June 3, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Yen Press for the ARC of Stardust Family by Aki Horoyama.
In a society where the right to parenthood is determined by child inspectors, Stardust Family presents a chilling yet thought-provoking narrative. Set in a future Japan, couples must pass stringent evaluations conducted by children like Hikari, who assess their suitability to raise offspring. This system, designed to prevent child abuse, raises unsettling questions about autonomy, societal control, and the true essence of family.
Hikari, one such inspector, encounters Daiki and Chisa Hirokawa, a couple living in a secluded shrine. Their request to fail the parenting test challenges Hikari's understanding of the system he's part of. As the story unfolds, layers of personal trauma, societal prejudice, and the longing for genuine connection are meticulously explored.
his manga resonated deeply with me, intertwining science fiction with a profound social commentary on parenting and the responsibilities it entails. It challenges the notion of whether all individuals are inherently fit to raise children, a question I've grappled with personally. The narrative presents a society where prospective parents must undergo assessments to determine their suitability, echoing my own contemplations about the need for evaluations or training before one embarks on parenthood or marriage.
The story delves into the complexities of societal expectations, highlighting how individuals, regardless of their personal readiness or character, often conform to norms like marriage and childbearing. It portrays a dystopian world where such assessments have become extreme, yet it offers a clever critique of these societal constructs.
Stardust Family doesn't provide easy answers but instead invites readers to reflect on the moral and ethical dimensions of parenting and societal norms. It's a compelling read that left a lasting impression on me.
In a society where the right to parenthood is determined by child inspectors, Stardust Family presents a chilling yet thought-provoking narrative. Set in a future Japan, couples must pass stringent evaluations conducted by children like Hikari, who assess their suitability to raise offspring. This system, designed to prevent child abuse, raises unsettling questions about autonomy, societal control, and the true essence of family.
Hikari, one such inspector, encounters Daiki and Chisa Hirokawa, a couple living in a secluded shrine. Their request to fail the parenting test challenges Hikari's understanding of the system he's part of. As the story unfolds, layers of personal trauma, societal prejudice, and the longing for genuine connection are meticulously explored.
his manga resonated deeply with me, intertwining science fiction with a profound social commentary on parenting and the responsibilities it entails. It challenges the notion of whether all individuals are inherently fit to raise children, a question I've grappled with personally. The narrative presents a society where prospective parents must undergo assessments to determine their suitability, echoing my own contemplations about the need for evaluations or training before one embarks on parenthood or marriage.
The story delves into the complexities of societal expectations, highlighting how individuals, regardless of their personal readiness or character, often conform to norms like marriage and childbearing. It portrays a dystopian world where such assessments have become extreme, yet it offers a clever critique of these societal constructs.
Stardust Family doesn't provide easy answers but instead invites readers to reflect on the moral and ethical dimensions of parenting and societal norms. It's a compelling read that left a lasting impression on me.
August 16, 2025
That was very emotional ❤️🩹
the story was very good and had a lot of emotions , sorrow😭 , happiness😊 , anger💢 and true unconditional love❤️.
The story focused on the different kinds of parents and how some parents for the purpose of having children will have different faces although they don't deserve to be parents and they only want children so they can either to accomplish something to themselves🚸 , to be like others or to just empty there frustrations and psychological issues on there children 🤬
There are those parents that doesn't dessssserve to be but has children and always blame the children for there own mistakes 🤬And those who meant or deserve to be parents❤️, and are discriminated based on the sins of their partners💔.
Not all families are by blood 🩸, sometimes you find the love🫂 , safety and happiness with those who doesn't share the same blood or those who are basically strangers.❤️
the community is the judge for everything and that is just wrong😤 , we mustn't be driven by what others say❌ , we must believe in ourselves and seek happiness for ourself and just simply live for what is benefit and blesses us.🥰
loved how they kept there promise to him and waited 40 years for him to wake up 😍, not only that❤️ , they fought for his freedom and happiness.
it was simply epic 💕, I couldn't hold my tears😭 , I was speechless 😭
just beautiful yet heartbreaking experience💔😭❤️
the story was very good and had a lot of emotions , sorrow😭 , happiness😊 , anger💢 and true unconditional love❤️.
The story focused on the different kinds of parents and how some parents for the purpose of having children will have different faces although they don't deserve to be parents and they only want children so they can either to accomplish something to themselves🚸 , to be like others or to just empty there frustrations and psychological issues on there children 🤬
There are those parents that doesn't dessssserve to be but has children and always blame the children for there own mistakes 🤬And those who meant or deserve to be parents❤️, and are discriminated based on the sins of their partners💔.
Not all families are by blood 🩸, sometimes you find the love🫂 , safety and happiness with those who doesn't share the same blood or those who are basically strangers.❤️
the community is the judge for everything and that is just wrong😤 , we mustn't be driven by what others say❌ , we must believe in ourselves and seek happiness for ourself and just simply live for what is benefit and blesses us.🥰
loved how they kept there promise to him and waited 40 years for him to wake up 😍, not only that❤️ , they fought for his freedom and happiness.
it was simply epic 💕, I couldn't hold my tears😭 , I was speechless 😭
just beautiful yet heartbreaking experience💔😭❤️
May 29, 2025
I received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
Holy. Shit.
This went from a really pretty great manga to unbelievably strange, beautiful, and absolutely heartbreaking in the final chapter, leaving me bawling!
In a vague future people must get a licence to have children with failure to get approval being tied to a great deal of socioeconomic status and opportunities as the people getting branded as defective. The assessment is carried out by specially trained adolescents called Inspectors who undergo intense education and training to assess people they stay with for two weeks to make their verdict, before moving on.
Stardust Family focuses on an Inspector named Hikari and a couple who have failed countless previous evaluations, as the history of the couple and the Inspector are explored over an eventful and emotional two weeks. An unexpected confluence of events lead to an absolutely wild reveal and a mind blowing and heartbreaking ending.
I was having a good time with a really interesting a scifi 'utopian' dystopian concept with some fascinating exploration of authoritarian consequences and some rich and fleshed out characters, but the final chapter came along with some truly jaw-dropping worldbuilding that made me literally exclaim out loud, and then proceeded to tear my heart out and then serve it back to me leaving me in floods of tears.
A truly fascinating, beautiful, and uniquely exquisite manga!
Holy. Shit.
This went from a really pretty great manga to unbelievably strange, beautiful, and absolutely heartbreaking in the final chapter, leaving me bawling!
In a vague future people must get a licence to have children with failure to get approval being tied to a great deal of socioeconomic status and opportunities as the people getting branded as defective. The assessment is carried out by specially trained adolescents called Inspectors who undergo intense education and training to assess people they stay with for two weeks to make their verdict, before moving on.
Stardust Family focuses on an Inspector named Hikari and a couple who have failed countless previous evaluations, as the history of the couple and the Inspector are explored over an eventful and emotional two weeks. An unexpected confluence of events lead to an absolutely wild reveal and a mind blowing and heartbreaking ending.
I was having a good time with a really interesting a scifi 'utopian' dystopian concept with some fascinating exploration of authoritarian consequences and some rich and fleshed out characters, but the final chapter came along with some truly jaw-dropping worldbuilding that made me literally exclaim out loud, and then proceeded to tear my heart out and then serve it back to me leaving me in floods of tears.
A truly fascinating, beautiful, and uniquely exquisite manga!
May 15, 2025
"The government... ...declared providing for children would require a license."
Stardust Family features a world where parents need to obtain a caregiver license to be able to have and take care of (even their own) children. Hikari, a young boy, is one of the inspectors sent to prospective parents to test their aptitude. One day he gets sent to Daiki and Chisa's home for inspection, where Daiki oddly requests Hikari to fail them as parents.
"I want you... ...to fail the both of us as caregivers."
This manga is absolutely amazing. It's been a good while since I've read a manga that managed to enthrall me like Stardust Family did. This story is a profound exploration of parenthood and what it means to be a family. It also features social commentary that is very relevant to our society today.
"Society begins from the family... ...and the family begins from people. As such, to build a better society... ...we must start by building better families. Better humans."
Poroyama has a wonderful art style that perfectly supports the full emotional breadth covered in the manga. Hard hitting and heart-wrenching at times, but overall it features a wonderfully hopeful message. Dialogue can be a bit hit or miss in manga, especially as it's translated, but Poroyama easily weaves the story from emotionally drenched moments to comedic relief. Accompanied by perfect pacing, this manga is a stellar example of what a good story needs to be.
"Children are people... ...not a shortcut to happiness or self-actualization."
Stardust Family is a stand-out in the world of manga. It tells a unique, perfectly paced story with loveable characters and memorable dialogue. I would recommend this manga to people who love dystopian stories featuring pertinent social commentary.
Thank you Aki Poroyama and Yen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Stardust Family features a world where parents need to obtain a caregiver license to be able to have and take care of (even their own) children. Hikari, a young boy, is one of the inspectors sent to prospective parents to test their aptitude. One day he gets sent to Daiki and Chisa's home for inspection, where Daiki oddly requests Hikari to fail them as parents.
"I want you... ...to fail the both of us as caregivers."
This manga is absolutely amazing. It's been a good while since I've read a manga that managed to enthrall me like Stardust Family did. This story is a profound exploration of parenthood and what it means to be a family. It also features social commentary that is very relevant to our society today.
"Society begins from the family... ...and the family begins from people. As such, to build a better society... ...we must start by building better families. Better humans."
Poroyama has a wonderful art style that perfectly supports the full emotional breadth covered in the manga. Hard hitting and heart-wrenching at times, but overall it features a wonderfully hopeful message. Dialogue can be a bit hit or miss in manga, especially as it's translated, but Poroyama easily weaves the story from emotionally drenched moments to comedic relief. Accompanied by perfect pacing, this manga is a stellar example of what a good story needs to be.
"Children are people... ...not a shortcut to happiness or self-actualization."
Stardust Family is a stand-out in the world of manga. It tells a unique, perfectly paced story with loveable characters and memorable dialogue. I would recommend this manga to people who love dystopian stories featuring pertinent social commentary.
Thank you Aki Poroyama and Yen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
April 26, 2025
Special thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review
I don't know if I actually have the words to explain just how much I loved this, but I will do my best.
I haven't reviewed many mangas on this platform, mainly because most of the ones I read were from before I even knew goodreads existed. But I can say without a doubt this is one of the best ones I have ever had the privilege to discover. This was such a beautiful story. Once I started it, I never wanted it to end. Once it did finally end, I was left feeling sad, happy, hopeful, bittersweet, and so many other emotions I (much like Hikari) can't even really put a name to. All the emotions there are to feel, I felt with this one
This was actually a truly gut wrenching read. It was emotional and honest and it touched on so many things that I wasn't anticipating based on the summary. I thought this was going to be a darker story, but what I got instead was so much better.
Hikari is such a complex character, and I could have read 400 more pages about him and it still wouldn't be enough. Every character was mysterious to begin with, and then went on to be fleshed out in the most beautiful and amazing ways. What I wouldn't give to see a screen adaptation of this story. I know it would leave me in tears and sorrow for days.
I don't know if I actually have the words to explain just how much I loved this, but I will do my best.
I haven't reviewed many mangas on this platform, mainly because most of the ones I read were from before I even knew goodreads existed. But I can say without a doubt this is one of the best ones I have ever had the privilege to discover. This was such a beautiful story. Once I started it, I never wanted it to end. Once it did finally end, I was left feeling sad, happy, hopeful, bittersweet, and so many other emotions I (much like Hikari) can't even really put a name to. All the emotions there are to feel, I felt with this one
This was actually a truly gut wrenching read. It was emotional and honest and it touched on so many things that I wasn't anticipating based on the summary. I thought this was going to be a darker story, but what I got instead was so much better.
Hikari is such a complex character, and I could have read 400 more pages about him and it still wouldn't be enough. Every character was mysterious to begin with, and then went on to be fleshed out in the most beautiful and amazing ways. What I wouldn't give to see a screen adaptation of this story. I know it would leave me in tears and sorrow for days.
August 23, 2025
This was so cute and had such an interesting premise. My only complaint is that I wanted more. I could definitely see this working as a longer series with everything expanded on, but this was still satisfying.
June 24, 2025
I received this book from the publisher/Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
I just couldn’t resist this manga and while I was a bit worried about the length (450 pages for just one volume) I can tell you that I just flew through this one and couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end.
Welcome to a world in which one cannot just get children. You cannot just get pregnant and put a child on this earth. Oh no, one has to first go through tests which includes having a child inspector for a while who will test them on their skills and if they will be good enough as parents. If not, you can get retested, but after a while it is just done and over for you. Sounds harsh and we also see what happens or how people are treated that do have kids without permission.
The book begins with an inspection at a family and that is how we meet Hikari (or however he is named by the families he visits), after that the book begins in earnest when he visits a couple who has been through various tests already and this is their last test. Now I hear you think are these bad people? Oh no. But as we learn through the story we see why they have been rejected, why the husband is trying his best to ask Hikari to not be accepted for parenthood. Because these two are the best parents anyone could ask for. They are kind, sweet, earnest. But they have been through a lot. Together, but also alone in the case of the woman. I really loved the couple and I was eager to find out more about them.
I loved that as the story continues we learn more about Hikari. About what he is, who he is, what happened to him before this couple. The woman he has been missing since the start, the woman that was his first “mother”. The things that happened during inspections, anywhere from great days to violence and sexual abuse (of which we see glimpses that all the kids go through these high and lows which was just shocking). Seeing him be an inspector, but also long for a family of his own. A mom and a dad who will take care of him. Love him.
The ending, the last part, oh my gosh, when I knew who THAT was I was already tearing up, but seeing those people? My tears were just fully going.
I also loved seeing more of the world. The meteor, what it brought, what it did, see how the world changed, the policies on children, the small town Hikari and his test-family are in, and more.
The art was also fabulous!
All in all, I would highly recommend this dystopian manga read to everyone. This was a ride. This was fantastic.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I just couldn’t resist this manga and while I was a bit worried about the length (450 pages for just one volume) I can tell you that I just flew through this one and couldn’t stop reading until I reached the end.
Welcome to a world in which one cannot just get children. You cannot just get pregnant and put a child on this earth. Oh no, one has to first go through tests which includes having a child inspector for a while who will test them on their skills and if they will be good enough as parents. If not, you can get retested, but after a while it is just done and over for you. Sounds harsh and we also see what happens or how people are treated that do have kids without permission.
The book begins with an inspection at a family and that is how we meet Hikari (or however he is named by the families he visits), after that the book begins in earnest when he visits a couple who has been through various tests already and this is their last test. Now I hear you think are these bad people? Oh no. But as we learn through the story we see why they have been rejected, why the husband is trying his best to ask Hikari to not be accepted for parenthood. Because these two are the best parents anyone could ask for. They are kind, sweet, earnest. But they have been through a lot. Together, but also alone in the case of the woman. I really loved the couple and I was eager to find out more about them.
I loved that as the story continues we learn more about Hikari. About what he is, who he is, what happened to him before this couple. The woman he has been missing since the start, the woman that was his first “mother”. The things that happened during inspections, anywhere from great days to violence and sexual abuse (of which we see glimpses that all the kids go through these high and lows which was just shocking). Seeing him be an inspector, but also long for a family of his own. A mom and a dad who will take care of him. Love him.
The ending, the last part, oh my gosh, when I knew who THAT was I was already tearing up, but seeing those people? My tears were just fully going.
I also loved seeing more of the world. The meteor, what it brought, what it did, see how the world changed, the policies on children, the small town Hikari and his test-family are in, and more.
The art was also fabulous!
All in all, I would highly recommend this dystopian manga read to everyone. This was a ride. This was fantastic.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
September 20, 2025
This manga came on my radar when Yen Press announced their licenses last year. I went in with low expectations and was thoroughly blown away. It uses its premise to question prejudice, societal expectations, and whether the cost of such an utopian society is worth it. The characters are nuanced and I enjoy their dynamic with one another. This is one of those rare oneshots where I actually wanted it to go on for longer, but I appreciate the self-restraint of ending it in 10 chapters. I read this over the course of a day and was full-on bawling by the time I finished. One of my favorite reads of the year.
October 26, 2025
Very, very randomly stumbled upon this while scrolling through Goodreads, but goddamnit this was so so so good.
So... total cry count is now 4... in the span of half an hour. I have never cried so much, so hard, so often, in such a short span of time over anything, really.
But yes, about the story itself... not going to spoil it, because really saying anything more than the synopsis will be a waste of the beautiful storytelling (both art and writing itself), and I think it serves quite a bit more justice to walk into this blind. That being said... well, not the best at content warnings, but off the top of my head, the ones I think would be most glaring is . And... yeah, I think go in blind if you can, but go into this safe, too. Only the is that heavy of a spoiler plot-wise, the rest are milder in comparison.
Forgot to add: twists-wise, I saw it... kind of? I mean, I figured out , at least. Did not see the ending, because... yes, I was terrified out of my wits before the black page about what I was going to read next T-T
Besides that, I genuinely, genuinely love this and recommend this because gosh was this good. The characters are amazing, and so is the world-building (although minor nitpick, with spoilers for the ending: ). And the art? Beautiful, so beautiful.
So... yes, pick this up and take a chance on it, if the synopsis interests you. You won't regret it, I swear! At the very least, it is an interesting read. At best/worst (depending on how you see it)... this shall leave its mark on you :) Not at all ominous, I know.
And yup, a solid 5 stars, evidently.
Now, to end off with the quote from the panel that made me cry a second time in 15 minutes flat:
So... total cry count is now 4... in the span of half an hour. I have never cried so much, so hard, so often, in such a short span of time over anything, really.
But yes, about the story itself... not going to spoil it, because really saying anything more than the synopsis will be a waste of the beautiful storytelling (both art and writing itself), and I think it serves quite a bit more justice to walk into this blind. That being said... well, not the best at content warnings, but off the top of my head, the ones I think would be most glaring is . And... yeah, I think go in blind if you can, but go into this safe, too. Only the is that heavy of a spoiler plot-wise, the rest are milder in comparison.
Forgot to add: twists-wise, I saw it... kind of? I mean, I figured out , at least. Did not see the ending, because... yes, I was terrified out of my wits before the black page about what I was going to read next T-T
Besides that, I genuinely, genuinely love this and recommend this because gosh was this good. The characters are amazing, and so is the world-building (although minor nitpick, with spoilers for the ending: ). And the art? Beautiful, so beautiful.
So... yes, pick this up and take a chance on it, if the synopsis interests you. You won't regret it, I swear! At the very least, it is an interesting read. At best/worst (depending on how you see it)... this shall leave its mark on you :) Not at all ominous, I know.
And yup, a solid 5 stars, evidently.
Now, to end off with the quote from the panel that made me cry a second time in 15 minutes flat:
November 25, 2025
In a world where families must apply and be screened to become parents, there are children whose job is to be an inspector and trial-run the parents for two weeks. Hikari is one of these inspectors and gets assigned to Daiki, who wishes to fail the inspection unbeknownst to his wife Chisa. Hikari learns about their pasts, why Daiki doesn't want to pass, and why Chisa is shunned by society.
This is incredible. It touches on some very heavy topics including child abuse and exploitation, miscarriage, bullying. But it's ultimately about our shared humanity and desire for love and acceptance. I think this may be the first manga I've ever cried reading? Not a light read by any means but so, so worth it.
This is incredible. It touches on some very heavy topics including child abuse and exploitation, miscarriage, bullying. But it's ultimately about our shared humanity and desire for love and acceptance. I think this may be the first manga I've ever cried reading? Not a light read by any means but so, so worth it.
April 21, 2025
Una licenza: è questo il requisito per diventare genitori, e si ottiene solo dopo una rigorosa serie di ispezioni da parte di giovanissimi impiegati, che per due settimane devono testare le capacità degli adulti che vogliono avere bambini. Si sono ridotte le violenze sui piccoli, si dice; è una società migliore, una società pulita e serena, grazie alla legge che lo impone.
E lo crede anche il giovane ispettore protagonista, crede davvero di dare un contributo fondamentale; finché qualcuno non gli chiede di fargli fallire apposta l’ispezione…
Un manga delicato e profondo, capace di toccare con abilità moltissimi temi: l’ostracismo sociale, l’ipocrisia, la dipendenza emotiva, il senso di colpa, il vero significato di famiglia.
Sorprendente e intenso.
E lo crede anche il giovane ispettore protagonista, crede davvero di dare un contributo fondamentale; finché qualcuno non gli chiede di fargli fallire apposta l’ispezione…
Un manga delicato e profondo, capace di toccare con abilità moltissimi temi: l’ostracismo sociale, l’ipocrisia, la dipendenza emotiva, il senso di colpa, il vero significato di famiglia.
Sorprendente e intenso.
November 3, 2025
I got this as an e-ARC through NetGalley, or I probably wouldn't have picked it up. I don't read a lot of stories that are so focused on parenthood. But the cover looked pretty, so I picked it up, and I'm glad I did. It was less of a dystopia than I had anticipated, more close to our world and more emotional. The art in the book is as pretty as the cover.
I was really happy that it ended the way it did.
I was really happy that it ended the way it did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2025
thanks to netgalley and yen press for an arc of this title! this was a really interesting story. the concept of the investigators was very original, but i couldn’t help but feel like it was a little bit shallow in terms of plot. i did like the characters, though, and was hoping to hear more about their lore. without spoiling too much, i did really appreciate the ending of this one in terms of the whole story.
July 28, 2025
LOVEEEEEEEEE
so sweet, heartwarming, & nothing at all like i thought it would be.
felt the premise was wholly unique & subverted all of my expectations. the art style was just as strong as the plot itself. reminiscent of ‘stargazing dog’ in its sincerity & hopeful ending.
much sweeter than expected & now i’m sad it’s over.
so sweet, heartwarming, & nothing at all like i thought it would be.
felt the premise was wholly unique & subverted all of my expectations. the art style was just as strong as the plot itself. reminiscent of ‘stargazing dog’ in its sincerity & hopeful ending.
much sweeter than expected & now i’m sad it’s over.
December 14, 2025
bro wtf i did not know what direction this was going to take at any given point. convinced the customer who recommended this to me wished me emotional damage but I guess based on what i recommend that's fair...!!! ANYWAY read if you want ur heartstrings pulled!!!
January 14, 2026
Read the 3-volume omnibus in one sitting. It was a weird, dark, and interesting story. Also, how very human to discover a new life source from space and nurture it into a never-ending supply of public service slaves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2025
My new favorite manga, it tore me apart a bit. I can't handle the emotions it just put me through.
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