It Rhymes With Takei

by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Harmony Becker (Artist)

Following the award-winning bestseller They Called Us Enemy, George Takei’s new full-color graphic memoir reveals his most personal story of all—told in full for the first time anywhere! George Takei has shown the world many actor, author, outspoken activist, helmsman of the starship Enterprise, living witness to the internment of Japanese Americans, and king of social media. But until October 27, 2005, there was always one piece missing—one face he did not show the world. There was one very intimate fact about George that he never shared…and it rhymes with Takei. Now, for the first time ever, George shares the full story of his life in the closet, his decision to come out as gay at the age of 68, and the way that moment transformed everything. Following the phenomenal success of his first graphic memoir, They Called Us Enemy, George Takei reunites with the team of Harmony Becker, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger for a jaw-dropping new testament. From his earliest childhood crushes and youthful experiments in the rigidly conformist 1950s, to global fame as an actor and the terrible fear of exposure, to the watershed moment of speaking his truth and becoming one of the most high-profile gay men on the planet, It Rhymes with Takei offers a sweeping portrait of one iconic American navigating the tides of LGBTQ+ history. Combining historical context with intimate subjectivity, It Rhymes with Takei shows how the personal and the political have always been intertwined. Its richly emotional words and images depict the terror of entrapment even in gay community spaces, the anguish of speaking up for so many issues while remaining silent on his most personal issue, the grief of losing friends to AIDS, the joy of finding true love with Brad Altman, and the determination to declare that love openly—and legally—before the whole world. Looking back on his astonishing life on both sides of the closet door, George Takei presents a charismatic and candid account of how far America has come…and how precious that progress is.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Nonfiction, LGBT, Memoir, Biography, Comics, History

340 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 10, 2025

About the author

George Hosato Takei is an American actor best known for his role in the TV series Star Trek, in which he played the helmsman Hikaru Sulu on the USS Enterprise. His baritone earned Takei recurring appearances as the announcer for The Howard Stern Show starting on January 9, 2006, after that show's move to satellite radio.

Reviews

[Dee (in the Desert) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 solid stars for "Uncle" George Takei!!! I loved Star Trek of course, but more than that I sincerely admire and support his many, many years of activism. And I learned a lot from his previous and excellent "They Called Us Enemy”. So with the same team was bringing us his autobiography in Graphic Novel format, I wanted to have it as a Pride read🏳️‍🌈. I found it very interesting - George's acting career, love life and marriage to Brad, and of course all the many, many important and good things that George has been and still is fighting for. There were a couple places I would have liked a bit more or less detail, but overall, this is a remarkable look at a remarkable human! Highly recommend it!

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you only know George Takei from Star Trek, you only know a fraction of his life. This man has stayed BUSY. After a childhood spent in the Japanese internment camps during WWII (as documented in his previous comic memoir The Called Us Enemy), Takei studied architecture, got into student politics and political campaigning, got a BFA and MFA in acting, acted in dozens of films and volunteered for progressive candidates including several presidential campaigns. In the 1970s he ran for the LA City Counsel and lost, but then was appointed to the board for the Southern California Rapid Transit District, helping design the LA Subway System. He served on that board for over a decade and also helped found the Japanese American National History museum in LA; he was later married to his long time partner in the museum when gay marriage became legal. He wrestled with keeping his sexuality secret for decades before finally coming out and making LGBTQ+ activism a big part of his life. This comic book is long, and at times very wordy; but Takei has lead such an interesting life I was carried through and feel more affection for him than ever before.

[Angie Miale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A graphic novel that follows George Takei’s entire life. There is so much depth here, it doesn’t focus on any one part, but it’s a sweeping story that spans many decades. I absolutely loved this story. The epilogue moved me to tears. The artwork is engaging and adds significantly to the story. I like how the artist drew George, his co-stars on TNG, and talk show hosts like Joy Behar and Howard Stern.

This book - although it’s about Takei’s entire life, it also has a strong historical backdrop that is a good overview of LGBTQ history in the 20th and early 21st century.

- being a child in an internment camp
-figuring out he was gay as a teenager and becoming more and more determined to be closeted
-going to school for architecture
- finding more and more opportunities to try acting
-the stonewall riots
- stage roles
- being cast in Star Wars
-meeting his husband in a gay running club
-his active involvement in politics and running for office
-the AIDS crisis
- coming out first as an ally to fight for gay rights
- during prop 8 deciding to come out of the closet
- instead of his career getting canceled, he had more opportunities than ever
-an emotional epilogue about the fight for civil rights, and a bumpy ride of wins and setbacks in the fight.

I highly recommend for fans of history or Star Trek or are just interested in civil rights.

[Stewart Tame · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is pretty much what it appears to be: George Takei's autobiography in comics form.

I honestly don't remember my first encounter with his work. It was almost certainly on classic Star Trek, but I don't recall the exact episode. In some ways, it feels like I've known who he is my entire life.

Some of the details of his early life were covered in They Called Us Enemy, produced by the same team as the current volume, so the book doesn't dwell on those events. But he's had a long career, both as an actor and as an activist (continuing the alliteration, he originally went to college to study architecture.)

Each section of the book begins with Takei being interviewed–on The View, The Howard Stern Show, etc.--and then slips into the past. One thread that runs throughout the book is his decision to go public with his sexual orientation at such a late (by some standards, at least) age.

I enjoyed the book immensely. It's a cliché with autobiographies, but I really do feel that I know him better from having read it. And as long as I'm entertaining clichés, let me add a wish that he live long and prosper as well.

Excellent book if you've got any curiosity about and/or fondness for George Takei. Recommended!

[trice (semi ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

this got my attention after i read they called us enemy a year ago. it's a pretty interesting book, which is a phrase i only apply to rare few nonfictions. plus, the art is nice!! yay

this book def brings a really important message. i have queer friends who are forced to hide bc of unsupportive environments and it's pretty hard on them; i can't imagine how difficult it is to hide for decades like the author did. this book motivates and reminds us that we shouldn't be ashamed of who we are.

but honestly, enjoyment-wise, i prefer they called us enemy. it's mainly bc i'm not super interested in the acting part of the author's life, so i got somewhat bored with it halfway through. i know it's a big part since the author is literally an actor, but still...anyway, i digress. it's subject to personal opinion.

all thanks to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this arc!!

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

George Takei retells, amends, and extends his 1994 memoir, To the Stars: The Autobiography of George Takei, Star Trek's Mr. Sulu, to include the major and very personal part of himself that he was hiding at the time. No longer closeted and now a prominent gay rights activist, Takei can include his love life and concerns about gay rights in with his tales about being imprisoned as a child during World War II by the U.S. government along with his family and other Japanese Americans, acting in Star Trek on television and film, and being active in California politics.

A lifelong Star Trek fan, I enjoyed learning more about the man behind Hikaru Sulu, even if the book is a bit slow-paced and overly long with a few too many digressions.

The art is generally adequate, but the artist isn't particularly strong when it comes to capturing the likenesses of the many celebrities who are constantly popping into Takei's life.

[Jen Petro-Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stellar. (Pun intended!)

[Ellen-Arwen Tristram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning, moving, hopeful and informative look at George Takei's entire life, from a childhood spent in confinement, years of success in acting, in protesting civil rights, and finally coming out as gay at the age of 63. At a time when the American government - and many parts of the world - seem to be moving backwards, Takei shows us the struggle, sacrifice and hardship many have undergone to reach where we are. He has achieved so many milestones, and reminds us that - whatever challenges currently face the world - there is living proof that the power of people to change minds and change lives remains.

A stunning book. I didn't know about Takei's history - other than being a Star Trek fan, I was pretty ignorant in fact. I think this is essential reading for our LGBTQIA+ community and for allies. I feel humbled that Takei has shared his entire story, including the years of living secretly, too frightened to come out publicly with so much at stake. Ultimately, he realised that his very being was at stake, and he to be himself. An actor spent his acting because of the fear instilled in him, the belief that being gay would rip it away from him.

And yet it hasn't - he is no longer a frightened young man concerned with making end meet, but a privileged veteran star who has worked tirelessly on philanthropic causes for so many different people. Honestly, I also learnt a lot - I don't keep up closely with American News , so I didn't realise how important he was. A good man. A fantastic father.

There is hope, in this graphic novel, and I think its publication is very timely.

Actual rating 4.75 - would have liked a little more context and detail in some places!

Thank you to NetGalley and Top Shelf Productions for the copy - it's now out, in all its wonderful glory! Come and meet the man behind Sulu.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are familiar with Geroge Takei because of his work on Star Trek, or if you are familiar with him because of his recent work with LGBTQ rights, then this is a great book that covers his life after the events that followed his first book about his childhood.

You don’t have to have read “They Called Us Enemy”, the book that Geroge wrote about being interred with his family during World War II, in concentration camps that the American threw together for all the people of Japanese descent on the west coast.

This book covers the rest of his life, to date, and how he had to be very very closeted, first because he didn’t want to be driven out of Hollywood, didn’t want to damage any show he was on, and didn’t want to damage getting any work after Star Trek. He kept peeking out of his closet, so to speak, but was too afraid to go much further than that.

I can’t imagine waiting so long to come out. He must have been in so much pain. But, as he likes to say, he was an actor, and it was just an act he put on to appear heterosexual. He did it to survive.

I thought I was just going to look at this, as the eARC came in late last night, but I stayed up late reading the whole thing, despite knowing how it would all turn out. Very moving. Very painful. Very sad. But, how liberating it probably was when he finally could hold his husbands hand in public, and discuss and champion LGBTQ rights not as just an ally.

Highly recommend this. All the stars.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book will be published on the 10th of June 2025.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels very timely given everything that is happening in America right now. It's scary out there, and it's very easy to be discouraged, but Mr. Takei speaks openly from his experiences as someone who was a child in the Japanese American concentration camps during WWII, who lived the first 68 years of his life in the closet, and as an activist who has fought for so many human rights causes throughout his life. His story is one of hope, and one that, though dark at times, should serve as inspiration to young people today who haven't yet lived through times of great hardship and don't know what to do in the face of such uncertainties. I'm incredibly grateful to have seen this book listed on NetGalley when I did, and I'm also grateful to Mr. Takei for writing it. LLAP

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow, what a memoir and what a life lived.

this graphic memoir is intense and absolutely packed with info. I did really enjoy it but I had to spread out my reading over weeks. it's a lot. BUT, it's totally worth the read just be prepared for how much text there is.

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Negative. How can a word so dark and nullifying be at the same time absolutely, rhapsodically, life-affirming? But it is! It so positively is.”

I haven’t cried so much in a book or been so incredibly inspired by one person in a very long time. To really get to know who George Takei is and get the full scope of his story, it’s important to read They Called Us Enemy before starting here. While this book begins while he’s still in school, the echoes of the past still haunt him and he speaks about it quite a bit.

When you pick up a story about someone’s life, you go into it (for the most part) thinking you know who they are. I know who George Takei is from his movies and television shows. I know him from his social media and activism. I know who he is because when something happens, he speaks up. And that bravery is awe inspiring. I just didn’t know the scope or the impact he’s had on so many things. I didn’t know everything he did for us. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t stop tearing up while reading this.

It Rhymes With Takei in and of itself is an act of defiance to an unjust system. Knowing him a little better makes me wish I could meet him… again. Ten or so years ago, my husband and I (then partners. We’ve been married since 2017) met George and Brad at a convention. We stood in line to meet them. We thanked him for what he did for the community. But had I really known the extent, I probably would have bawled my eyes out.

So writing all of this, I just want to say, this was an incredible book. If you are even considering picking it up, I highly recommend it. If you are a part of the LGBTQIAP+ community, this is your history. You need it.

Thank you to Top Shelf Comix and NetGalley for an eARC.

[Peacegal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beloved actor George Takei takes a look back at his extraordinary career and what it meant to be "in the closet" in a deeply homophobic culture in the mid-20th century. This was a time when gay bars and clubs were routinely raided by police, their customers arrested and brutalized. Even a gay rumor in the tabloids could destroy a promising actor's career. Takei lived a decent part of his life in perpetual fear, before coming out publicly late in life.

TAKEI is a weighty graphic novel that tackles some intense topics. At times, the illustration style could be inconsistent--sometimes faces were drawn in a more realistic style, other times they were very cartoony. George Takei has lived long enough that he has seen the back-and-forth of history on human rights topics--just when progress was being made, we are now in the midst of a backlash. It concludes by acknowledging that the fight continues, but is ultimately hopeful.

[Eli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. I definitely recommend reading They Called Us Enemy first for some background. While he does refer to his time as a child spent in a Japanese American concentration camp in California during WWII, he doesn't go into detail like he does in his first graphic autobiography.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the same wonderful team who did They Called Us Enemy - and some panels from that graphic memoir appear in this one, which was very cool. This is a pretty hefty graphic memoir, but that makes sense since George Takei has had A LIFE! My favorite parts were the panels where George is crushin' on someone; he just looks so darn cute! Like heart-eyes come to life.

[Bunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received via Netgalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review

I love so much that George Takei did graphic novel autobiographies. I love an autobiography in general, but to do it comic book style makes it so much more approachable for reluctant readers and it's just so smart.

I read this while circling Orlando for 40 minutes waiting to land, and it just made me smile. I've followed him online pretty much since the invention of Twitter, and remember so much of what he references of current day, but his early life sections were obviously new to me, and the art is so good, and the story even better.

An amazing Pride read, and an amazing Other 11 Month read, as well. So lovely.

[Lucy Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just wanted to start this review by thanking the author, artists, and @idwpublishing through NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC copy.

I grew up a Star Trek fan. I would definitely say that I am on the younger end of Star Trek lovers but I grew up with a dad who loved Science Fiction and Fantasy, and I used to watch Star Trek with him when I was little and as I got older I started watching it on my own. I remember really loving Spock and Sulu when I was a kid so when I got older and realized who the actors were, I was interested in watching more things they had been in.

So, when I saw that George Takei had a graphic memoir, I got very excited! I read They Called Us Enemy as soon as I was able to get a hold of a copy and purchased one the next chance I got. I was thoroughly not disappointed. I’m always a little hesitant when reading memoirs. I don’t usually liked memoirs and sometimes I get bored reading them – which I know is not the point but it's hard to read if it doesn’t hold my attention. However, this memoir was amazing. It wasn’t just that it was a real story – it was the way that it was told and portrayed. The art brought real life and feeling to each moment. The wording in the narration was real and touched my heart and sometimes reflected how I’ve felt in my own life as an autistic individual trying to blend into a mostly neurotypical society.

I cried several times as I read this story. I almost couldn’t make it all the way through because I kept tearing up and was unable to read the words on the pages. I’ve teared up several times just writing this review. I am not gay nor Asian American nor a famous actor, and yet this story touched something in my heart because in the end we are all humans having a connected experience with each other. This story was so important not just for the message it held – that of being true to ourselves and bringing freedom to others – but also for the history it holds. Takei lived through a lot of the history that I as a young person never did and only learned about a little in school. He has real history and perspective on events I’ve only vaguely learned about, and it was eye opening.

I would highly recommend this story and much like his last memoir, I will be purchasing a copy of this for my own little lending library. If I could give this a 6 out of 5 stars I would, so for now I will give it a 5 out of 5 stars. Words cannot express how much I loved this book.

[Jennifer Colvin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonder graphic novel on the insight of George Takei’s life. He talks about family, his career, his involvement with politics & activism, & mostly his journey through the decades as a closeted gay man finally making his way out of the closet so late in life.

I cannot tell you how much I teared up with joy or sadness from this memoir. As bisexual Asian American this hit for me closer than it probably would with some. Reading about Takei’s struggles both internally and externally was really quite interesting. I have a great respect for this beautiful man! Thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do George!

🖖

Thank you to NetGalley, IDW publishing, & the author/illustrators for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Suki J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to IDW Publishing and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was just brilliant. Following George Takei's life from his early years of being imprisoned in an internment camp in the US during WW2, through years growing up being closeted in a time when to be gay was challenging and even dangerous. I loved following his highs and lows, and the gradual process of him feeling ready to come out at 68.
Incredibly touching, occasionally funny, at times anger inducing, this was very accessible and well written.
The illustrations were excellent and complimented the memoir perfectly.
I couldn't put this down and read it in one sitting. Highly recommend.

[Emily Marguerite · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt, beautifully illustrated. Made me cry

[Jacob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a graphic novel reader but I saw this featured on Hoopla for Pride month and thought it would be a good Pride month travel read. I knew a bit about Takei, the broad strokes, including that he came out later in life, but I didn't know the details of his life, or his long history of activism since the Civil Rights movement. I admire him more after reading this book.

The graphic novel is moving, hard at times (especially seeing the effects of the AIDS epidemic and intentional political apathy at its peak) but also funny, touching, and educational. The story peppers in delicious bits of trivia for Trekkies like me (e.g. learning that his Star Trek family backed his campaign when he ran for Las Angeles city council, or that his good friend Nichelle Nichols figured out he was gay and accepted him long before he came out, or Leonard Nimoy's allyship in refusing to voice the Star Trek animated series unless George and Nichelle - more marginalized actors - were also invited to join the project).

It also gives a lot of history as it covers a number of important social events and movements from the internment of Japanese Americans such as George and his family during WWII (which George is actively involved in commemorating - he and his husband got married at the Japanese American National museum, which he co-founded), the civil rights and early gay rights movements, the marriage equality movement, and George's activism for public transit. Over the course of the story, George travels the world, and I enjoyed seeing all those different locales beautifully depicted by the illustrator Harmony Becker.

It ends on a hopeful note that we very much need today, reminding us how much we have fought for and won, even though we must continue to fight for queer and trans rights (a fight Takei continues to be part of). May you live long and continue to prosper, George Takei!

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

It Rhymes With Takei is the continuation of George Takei autobiography which commenced with They Called Us Enemy. The first graphic novel dealt with the period of Mr. Takei's life, during WWII, when he and his family and thousands of other Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps by the US government.

The second book continues with George's life, from going to college, discovering his love of acting and ultimately how he came out as a gay man. It's a fascinating journey and well documents the struggle he had with dealing with his homosexuality. We follow him through college, his visit to Stratford and travels through Europe, his developing civic activity.

It's an excellent story. You can really feel his pain and fear about coming out, his fear that he might be outed by an undercover police officer that would ruin his career and life. It's a microcosm of life in the US during this period and so well portrayed. Both books together make a fascinating life story. Well worth reading both books. (4.0 stars)

[Maria Almaguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takei continues his autobiography in his newest graphic memoir, this time focusing on his journey to acknowledge publicly his homosexuality and love of his life, Brad. (His first book, They Called Us Enemy, describes his childhood in the Japanese American internment camps during WWII--definitely check that out)!

Here, Takei poignantly describes his struggle to succeed as an actor while painfully hiding his sexual orientation during a time in which homosexuality was viewed as borderline criminal. He finds love and compassion in his friendships and family--and painfully describes the rift with his brother-- and steps into greater roles as a political activist, fighting for both LGBTQ rights as well as the plight of immigrants and citizens different from us, which he continues to this day. What an amazing life! Even if you're not a Star Trek fan, you'll enjoy this memoir of love and acceptance.

[Raina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Takei teams up with the same folks he worked with for They Called Us Enemy to tell the story of his life after his childhood incarceration. Star Trek doesn't take up much of the page count.
I learned a lot about his political activism, where his catch-phrase came from, and about his relationship with his family. The lens is largely focused on what it was like to be closeted as a celebrity in the late 20th Century, the process of coming out, and on the legacy he wants to leave. The illustrations are full-color, with varied panel layouts. Another of his autobiographies (To the Stars) came out in the early 1990s, and that appears to focus on Star Trek, which might be one of the reasons why this book has a different lens.

Recommended if you're interested in queer history, Star Trek, political activism, Japanese-American history.

[Beth Given · Rating 4 out of 5]

George Takei spent years performing, but even when standing in the spotlight, there was an important part of him hidden from the world. For much of Takei's acting career, being gay would have disqualified him both in his career on film and in his political activism. But as he watched the Stonewall riots, the AIDS crisis, and other professionals taking the fall for sharing their sexual orientation, Takei wondered if remaining closeted was the right choice. As the decades progressed, he shared his queerness, and became a great advocate for the ongoing LGBTQIA+ rights movement.

I was impressed with George Takei's previous graphic memoir, They Called Us Enemy, and this one is just as impressive: beautiful artwork, important topics. I did feel like this one got a little long in places, but the last third was particularly great. The art was really well-done throughout.

I'm always interested when Mormonism pops up in "regular" (non-Mormon) books, and this one has a panel in front of the LA Temple following the passing of Prop 8.

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

George has lived so many lives

[Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man i love george takei so much.

[Ronald Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and personal bio for George. Not the first but probably the most honest and revealing. Many times brought a tear to my eye. Perhaps I am biased but George is a hero of our troubling times.

[Lisa ♥♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Whatever progress we’ve seen only happened because brave people stood up and demanded it. The strength of our nation is in its abundant diversity. And if we have the courage to fight for our principles America will be okay.”

George Takei is one of my favorite people in the whole world. He writes and speaks so genuinely and intelligently you can’t help but hang on to every word. This book is no exception. Told through snippets of his life, we got to see the struggles, losses, and heartwarming victories in his personal journey.

Every second of this book was a delight and it really made me think of how far we’ve come. It also made me realize that work will continue always.

We just need to be brave.

[Rachel Aranda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars

I was introduced to Mr. Takei through Star Trek, like most people in the world. My mom is a big fan and saw it when it first aired. I grew up knowing about Mr. Takei’s activism as these were important issues and my respect for him grew as the years went by. I’m so glad I picked up this graphic novel on a whim as I got to learn a lot more in depth about Mr. Takei’s history. There were spots I wish he went a bit more in depth in but I understand it could be for other people’s privacy or in a previous book of his. Still I would have assumed the reader had never picked up any other books of his to make it more complete. This is a longer graphic novel but it in no way felt too long. In fact, I would have been fine if it was a little longer to expand on certain points in his life like his relationships with parents and siblings after he came out. Overall, a really good memoir in a graphic novel style. Definitely plan to pick up his other graphic novel since it’s by the same team who worked on this one.