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あの子の子ども [Ano Ko no Kodomo] #9
My Girlfriend's Child Vol. 9
若年妊婦の友人、ライムちゃんの病院に付き添う予定だった福は、「切迫早産気味」になり、その約束を果たすことができず、彼女からの連絡は途絶えてしまう。いよいよ臨月を迎えたある日、パチンという音とともに、ひんやりと伝う違和感を感じて…!? 高校生の妊娠をめぐる物語、第９巻！
- GenresManga
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 9, 2024
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32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 6, 2026
Boy, this pulls no punches for its penultimate volume, which covers the birth of Sachi and Takara’s child. The last volume appears to be some side stories, so this is technically where the train pulls into the station (well, maybe reverse that metaphor).
When we left off, we were amidst the drama with Raimu-chan and her own young pregnancy, capped off by Sachi being unable to meet her and Sachi’s brother, Kou, agreeing to go instead and then leaving the meeting before it even took place.
If I thought the Raimu plotline was a bit much, and I do, the way the rest of the story plays out is very, very good. I mean, the outcome for Raimu seems incredibly grim, but what that means for Kou, who has been kind of an arse this whole series, is very interesting.
Despite some tendencies towards melodrama, I think this series is at its best when it examines the human condition and I loved its acknowledgment that sometimes there are people you simply cannot get along with and, yes, they might be your own family.
It’s more than enough to hang Kou’s story on, but he’s now also left to carry an awful burden that he inflicted upon himself because he was doing what he thought was best for his sister rather than what she wanted from him. I never thought Kou was a good character, but this justifies his presence whole cloth.
Sachi is really the star of this volume though. I love how she comes through the Raimu story and makes a plan in case something like that happens again. Plus, she decides to not blame herself for things she can’t control.
On top of this, I appreciated how all that planning flies out the window the second her water breaks (which is a dead funny moment, if a touch gross). Sachi’s really the best character in the story, full stop, and she absolutely carries these chapters.
The moment where she has the baby and realizes she’s the only one smiling is incredibly strong. Everybody else is feeling all sorts of emotions, for many reasons, but she is experiencing the joy of childbirth and content in it.
That said, the entire sequence of the birth process was almost as onerous as watching open heart surgery. I can only say this as a childless person, but it felt very crazy and I can see why it stresses people out so much.
The rest of the story is sprinkled with little moments of growth and coming to terms with what’s happened. I don’t think this glorified a teenage pregnancy, certainly, but I don’t think it condemned it either. This is just something that happened and we see how a couple has to prepare to live both before and after the baby arrives.
Also, excellent resources at the end. There’s detail in the story, getting the Japanese perspective on healthcare options was fascinating, but then it’s expanded on for those who want more. Exactly as it should be.
I’m not going to say this wasn’t a little wild at times, but my overall impression of it is, and will remain, very positive. It tackled a tough topic, presented a variety of issues around it, and educated without being too preachy. It balanced itself really well.
4.5 stars - great volume, some quotable lines, and very strong narrative work. Add in the resources and it definitely overcomes my small nitpicks that barely warrant mentioning. It’s dramatic, but very solid.
When we left off, we were amidst the drama with Raimu-chan and her own young pregnancy, capped off by Sachi being unable to meet her and Sachi’s brother, Kou, agreeing to go instead and then leaving the meeting before it even took place.
If I thought the Raimu plotline was a bit much, and I do, the way the rest of the story plays out is very, very good. I mean, the outcome for Raimu seems incredibly grim, but what that means for Kou, who has been kind of an arse this whole series, is very interesting.
Despite some tendencies towards melodrama, I think this series is at its best when it examines the human condition and I loved its acknowledgment that sometimes there are people you simply cannot get along with and, yes, they might be your own family.
It’s more than enough to hang Kou’s story on, but he’s now also left to carry an awful burden that he inflicted upon himself because he was doing what he thought was best for his sister rather than what she wanted from him. I never thought Kou was a good character, but this justifies his presence whole cloth.
Sachi is really the star of this volume though. I love how she comes through the Raimu story and makes a plan in case something like that happens again. Plus, she decides to not blame herself for things she can’t control.
On top of this, I appreciated how all that planning flies out the window the second her water breaks (which is a dead funny moment, if a touch gross). Sachi’s really the best character in the story, full stop, and she absolutely carries these chapters.
The moment where she has the baby and realizes she’s the only one smiling is incredibly strong. Everybody else is feeling all sorts of emotions, for many reasons, but she is experiencing the joy of childbirth and content in it.
That said, the entire sequence of the birth process was almost as onerous as watching open heart surgery. I can only say this as a childless person, but it felt very crazy and I can see why it stresses people out so much.
The rest of the story is sprinkled with little moments of growth and coming to terms with what’s happened. I don’t think this glorified a teenage pregnancy, certainly, but I don’t think it condemned it either. This is just something that happened and we see how a couple has to prepare to live both before and after the baby arrives.
Also, excellent resources at the end. There’s detail in the story, getting the Japanese perspective on healthcare options was fascinating, but then it’s expanded on for those who want more. Exactly as it should be.
I’m not going to say this wasn’t a little wild at times, but my overall impression of it is, and will remain, very positive. It tackled a tough topic, presented a variety of issues around it, and educated without being too preachy. It balanced itself really well.
4.5 stars - great volume, some quotable lines, and very strong narrative work. Add in the resources and it definitely overcomes my small nitpicks that barely warrant mentioning. It’s dramatic, but very solid.
January 13, 2026
Baby is here!!!! I cried so hard for these two and their baby!!! They have come such a long way.
December 20, 2025
we finally reach the culminating point of this series. i was so emotional reading this, i felt like i've been going through so many things along with sachi from the very beginning. i love this series and i'm very sad to see it come to an end soon.
January 13, 2026
My girlfriends child continues to be one of the if not the most educational manga I have ever read. I highly recommend it just for the knowledge it provides alone. That being said I really loved this volume and seeing just how far Sachi has come and grown from when we first met her. My only gripe was the outcome of Raimus story. I found it to be a distraction and completely unnecessary like I have found the entirety of Raimu and her story. Honestly I would’ve been quite happy if this was the final volume but lucky for me there is one more and I’m excited for it.
December 27, 2025
MAKOTO IS HERE!!! This is an amazing series and so happy about the ending. Well a little happy I hate how what happened to Raimu-Chan she deserves justice and so does her baby. Cant wait for the volume 10
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2026
As I knew very well even before I'd started, I cried while reading this final volume (technically). But despite it, I loved the ending! Even though things ended on an uncertain note, Sachi now has her friends and family all around her to support her and baby Makoto UwU
January 14, 2026
I’m bawling.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews