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世界で一番早い春 [Sekai de Ichiban Hayai Haru] #1
Drawing From Your Memory 1
Mahoro Haruta is a manga artist whose first series became a huge bestseller. Her publisher expects her sophomore effort to be even better. There’s just one problem: Mahoro has no idea what to draw next, because she plagiarized the story that skyrocketed her to stardom from a high school classmate named Yukishima, who shared a few precious months with Mahoro in the school’s manga club before passing away and leaving her his notebook.
When, after a strange encounter, Mahoro wakes up ten years in the past—around the time of her first meeting with Yukishima—she realizes this could be her chance to redeem herself, erase her regrets, and maybe even save Yukishima’s life…
When, after a strange encounter, Mahoro wakes up ten years in the past—around the time of her first meeting with Yukishima—she realizes this could be her chance to redeem herself, erase her regrets, and maybe even save Yukishima’s life…
192 pages, Paperback
First published October 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
March 7, 2026
[Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha for an ARC of this manga in exchange for an unbiased review.]
One of my favourite tropes in any genre is the time loop story, which combines here with a story about creating manga, righting past wrongs, and almost certainly a little dollop of romance.
Mahoru is drawn back to her high schooler past with many regrets tagging along. Notably, that her wildly successful manga is entirely based on ideas she took from the manga club’s only other member, Yukishima.
That sounds awful, but he intended for her to have them as they were bequeathed to her. Yukishima, it turns out, had a heart condition and ends up not making it to see his big debut.
When Mahoru makes it back to the past, she sees her chance to change things and even help Yukishima. Naturally the course of fate is not so easily diverted and all of Mahoru’s actions begin shifting the past around her.
These two characters are a great pairing. Yukishima is clearly obsessed and has no interest in anybody who isn’t actively creating. Mahoru is skilled, but she also doesn’t have the ability to come up with ideas to apply her skills to.
He’s somewhat harsh, but, as Mahoru begins to loom larger and larger in his vision, he also begins to encourage her and really wants her to be doing her own stories. They actually make for a good team and he pushes hard because he really sees her potential.
As Mahoru starts to change things, it’s interesting to see what exactly does react to her actions. Even the weather seems content to throw obstacles into her path and I love that aspect of the story. This isn’t a one and done where one simple tweak fixes things and that helps heighten the tension.
There are even a couple of other clever little twists in plotting that made the story even more interesting. Arashi, the student council member out to get the manga club, has a very welcome backstory that makes him more than just the villain he first seems.
I mean, his identity is not shocking and we haven’t seen the last of his involvement with Mahoru - in several senses of the word, I wager - but his arc is better than it looked like it would be. His whole plot point also dumps the entire club, all both of them, in a serious dilemma that goes from bad to worse, even as Mahoru promptly takes charge and uses her future knowledge to try and fix things.
The way this plays out and the idea they come up with to fix things is, in a word, brilliant. It was one of my favourite parts of the book and a conceit that I could easily see working in the real world. I wish we’d had more page time devoted to it.
And then it all goes wrong again and, boy, it sure feels like Yukishima’s sister knows more than she’s actually saying. It provides a good start, a reason to care, and hints at more problems to come.
My very minor gripe with this would probably be that the opening pages are a little too wacky for a story revolving around somebody’s death. It could stand to take itself a bit more seriously. This absolutely handles its drama and characters far better than its comedic side. I maybe laughed at the tomato juice, but only because of how nonsensical it was, I assure you.
Still, stories where people try to correct their mistakes are always interesting. And stories where they have to overcome major obstacles to do so are even better. This is a great blend that promises to be a good ride. I’m very excited to see what becomes of Mahoru and Yukishima and how the former handles the next loop.
4.5 stars - very, very close to giving this full marks, honestly, as I enjoyed the heck out of it. If you like this sort of story it is a no brainer as it has tons to recommend it and loads of potential.
One of my favourite tropes in any genre is the time loop story, which combines here with a story about creating manga, righting past wrongs, and almost certainly a little dollop of romance.
Mahoru is drawn back to her high schooler past with many regrets tagging along. Notably, that her wildly successful manga is entirely based on ideas she took from the manga club’s only other member, Yukishima.
That sounds awful, but he intended for her to have them as they were bequeathed to her. Yukishima, it turns out, had a heart condition and ends up not making it to see his big debut.
When Mahoru makes it back to the past, she sees her chance to change things and even help Yukishima. Naturally the course of fate is not so easily diverted and all of Mahoru’s actions begin shifting the past around her.
These two characters are a great pairing. Yukishima is clearly obsessed and has no interest in anybody who isn’t actively creating. Mahoru is skilled, but she also doesn’t have the ability to come up with ideas to apply her skills to.
He’s somewhat harsh, but, as Mahoru begins to loom larger and larger in his vision, he also begins to encourage her and really wants her to be doing her own stories. They actually make for a good team and he pushes hard because he really sees her potential.
As Mahoru starts to change things, it’s interesting to see what exactly does react to her actions. Even the weather seems content to throw obstacles into her path and I love that aspect of the story. This isn’t a one and done where one simple tweak fixes things and that helps heighten the tension.
There are even a couple of other clever little twists in plotting that made the story even more interesting. Arashi, the student council member out to get the manga club, has a very welcome backstory that makes him more than just the villain he first seems.
I mean, his identity is not shocking and we haven’t seen the last of his involvement with Mahoru - in several senses of the word, I wager - but his arc is better than it looked like it would be. His whole plot point also dumps the entire club, all both of them, in a serious dilemma that goes from bad to worse, even as Mahoru promptly takes charge and uses her future knowledge to try and fix things.
The way this plays out and the idea they come up with to fix things is, in a word, brilliant. It was one of my favourite parts of the book and a conceit that I could easily see working in the real world. I wish we’d had more page time devoted to it.
And then it all goes wrong again and, boy, it sure feels like Yukishima’s sister knows more than she’s actually saying. It provides a good start, a reason to care, and hints at more problems to come.
My very minor gripe with this would probably be that the opening pages are a little too wacky for a story revolving around somebody’s death. It could stand to take itself a bit more seriously. This absolutely handles its drama and characters far better than its comedic side. I maybe laughed at the tomato juice, but only because of how nonsensical it was, I assure you.
Still, stories where people try to correct their mistakes are always interesting. And stories where they have to overcome major obstacles to do so are even better. This is a great blend that promises to be a good ride. I’m very excited to see what becomes of Mahoru and Yukishima and how the former handles the next loop.
4.5 stars - very, very close to giving this full marks, honestly, as I enjoyed the heck out of it. If you like this sort of story it is a no brainer as it has tons to recommend it and loads of potential.
May 23, 2026
Oh the PATHOS!! The TRAGEDY!! The TEARS!!
This is depressing, but oh so hopeful. Please please please please PLEASE let it have a HEA!! My poor sweet precious BAIBIES. I want nothing but goodness and happiness and love for them until they are old and grey!
I will buy every volume of this until it jumps the shark. PLEASE don't end up jumping the shark! I NEED this to end well!
5, I'm not crying I just having something in both of my eyes at the same time, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.
This is depressing, but oh so hopeful. Please please please please PLEASE let it have a HEA!! My poor sweet precious BAIBIES. I want nothing but goodness and happiness and love for them until they are old and grey!
I will buy every volume of this until it jumps the shark. PLEASE don't end up jumping the shark! I NEED this to end well!
5, I'm not crying I just having something in both of my eyes at the same time, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for an eARC of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2026
3.75 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and Kadansha Comics for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!
In this manga Mahoro is a famous author of a series that isn’t actually her own creation. She was following the notes of someone she met in high school, who was never able to see his work published due to the timing of his death. Mahoro and the audience get transported back to her high school days where she begins trying to ‘fix’ things.
Time loop is one of my favorite tropes in any form of media so I naturally had a lot of fun reading this! The friendship found in the manga club was so wholesome I loved it. I’m definitely looking forward to see how this story advances in further volumes.
Thank you NetGalley and Kadansha Comics for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!
In this manga Mahoro is a famous author of a series that isn’t actually her own creation. She was following the notes of someone she met in high school, who was never able to see his work published due to the timing of his death. Mahoro and the audience get transported back to her high school days where she begins trying to ‘fix’ things.
Time loop is one of my favorite tropes in any form of media so I naturally had a lot of fun reading this! The friendship found in the manga club was so wholesome I loved it. I’m definitely looking forward to see how this story advances in further volumes.
May 4, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for this advanced copy.
This is a combination of drama and magical realism. The concept is interesting, but sadly the execution isn't that good. For me, the art is too "bright" for a story that evolves around tragedy and grief. So, I don't really get the vibes.
And the storyline doesn't make sense. Like the MMC has died from cardiac failure, and then she goes back in time to save him from the sickness he always had from child? How? With The power of making manga together? ridiculous.
Well, I am not gonna continue this series. Tyvm 🥰
This is a combination of drama and magical realism. The concept is interesting, but sadly the execution isn't that good. For me, the art is too "bright" for a story that evolves around tragedy and grief. So, I don't really get the vibes.
And the storyline doesn't make sense. Like the MMC has died from cardiac failure, and then she goes back in time to save him from the sickness he always had from child? How? With The power of making manga together? ridiculous.
Well, I am not gonna continue this series. Tyvm 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2026
huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honwst review
Genuinely such a cute and heartwarming manga. Looking forward to the next one!! I think this is a perfect read for the summer time even though its a little sad.
Genuinely such a cute and heartwarming manga. Looking forward to the next one!! I think this is a perfect read for the summer time even though its a little sad.
April 20, 2026
I went into this title completely blind, knowing absolutely nothing about the story, characters or even a general genre. I just saw a beautiful cover and a title that intrigued me and pressed "Request title"
Best decision ever.
Mahoro Haruta is a mangaka artist who has been working on manga for around ten years. But when her series is over and she's requested to start a new one, she makes a confession: the original manga was never hers. Or more specifically, the idea.
Ten years ago, when she was still in school, she had a classmate names Yukishima who was very passinated for manga and worked like crazy on his ideas. Despite all her struggling to write down a draft, he'd seen her work and known she had what it took to create a manga. But a couple of months later, Yukishima died and left her a notebook full of many ideas for stories and designs, thanking Haruta for her company and belief in him.
Feeling the injustice of Yukishima's death, Haruta decides to continue his manga and write down all the other ideas he created to share with the world, working hard and in the process becoming a well known and respected mangaka. But it was left her dealing with imposter syndrome, feeling like all her success should have belong to her classmate, and she was only riding on his talent, ignoring all the hardwork and dedication she put into those years.
Heartbroken and miserable of the things she has done and the things she's unable to do, she one day wakes up ten years in the past! Seeing this as her chance to return all the fame and recognition she supposebly stole, Haruta dedicates herself to help him reach new heights and support him in all he needs. But things become more complicated than when they first appeared, with seemingly small changes bringing big consequences, and Yukishima's death looking more and more inevitable.
Reading this volume, it reminded me a lot of Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto. It asks the question: "Why do you draw?" Once a mangaka publishes their first story, it stops being a pasttime. It becomes grueling work, with deadlines, page limits, little pay, little breaks and just enough recognition for momentary satisfaction before being shoved inside the machine again. So why does one draw?
In this volume, Haruta seems to draw solely in memory of Yukishima. His ideas, his stories, all for him. She has no confidence in her own skills, even when others are amazed at her work, because she knows the behind the scenes process and knows it isn't as glamorous as others make it out to be.
We readers still don't know why Yukishima draws. There's an implication; you write and draw because you aren't satisfied just reading manga. Is that all that there's for him? Is there no other reason he was so dedicated to writing and drawing? Maybe, because of his poor health, he knew he didn't have time and wanted to leave a mark behind. Is that all that there is to him? Or something else?
Guess we'll need to read the next volume to find out!
Once again, thanking Netgalley for this copy!
Best decision ever.
Mahoro Haruta is a mangaka artist who has been working on manga for around ten years. But when her series is over and she's requested to start a new one, she makes a confession: the original manga was never hers. Or more specifically, the idea.
Ten years ago, when she was still in school, she had a classmate names Yukishima who was very passinated for manga and worked like crazy on his ideas. Despite all her struggling to write down a draft, he'd seen her work and known she had what it took to create a manga. But a couple of months later, Yukishima died and left her a notebook full of many ideas for stories and designs, thanking Haruta for her company and belief in him.
Feeling the injustice of Yukishima's death, Haruta decides to continue his manga and write down all the other ideas he created to share with the world, working hard and in the process becoming a well known and respected mangaka. But it was left her dealing with imposter syndrome, feeling like all her success should have belong to her classmate, and she was only riding on his talent, ignoring all the hardwork and dedication she put into those years.
Heartbroken and miserable of the things she has done and the things she's unable to do, she one day wakes up ten years in the past! Seeing this as her chance to return all the fame and recognition she supposebly stole, Haruta dedicates herself to help him reach new heights and support him in all he needs. But things become more complicated than when they first appeared, with seemingly small changes bringing big consequences, and Yukishima's death looking more and more inevitable.
Reading this volume, it reminded me a lot of Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto. It asks the question: "Why do you draw?" Once a mangaka publishes their first story, it stops being a pasttime. It becomes grueling work, with deadlines, page limits, little pay, little breaks and just enough recognition for momentary satisfaction before being shoved inside the machine again. So why does one draw?
In this volume, Haruta seems to draw solely in memory of Yukishima. His ideas, his stories, all for him. She has no confidence in her own skills, even when others are amazed at her work, because she knows the behind the scenes process and knows it isn't as glamorous as others make it out to be.
We readers still don't know why Yukishima draws. There's an implication; you write and draw because you aren't satisfied just reading manga. Is that all that there's for him? Is there no other reason he was so dedicated to writing and drawing? Maybe, because of his poor health, he knew he didn't have time and wanted to leave a mark behind. Is that all that there is to him? Or something else?
Guess we'll need to read the next volume to find out!
Once again, thanking Netgalley for this copy!
May 2, 2026
This one was just okay for me. I wasn't super into the manga club setting. Or the weird head shaped characters. I did enjoy the sort of Groundhogs Day aspect. The drawing was well done. I didn't feel there was a good job the first time around showing us the connection between the two MCs. I can see many people enjoying this one. I just wasn't the audience.
May 4, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Kadansha Comics for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for a voluntary and honest review!
3.50 🌟
This was light, fast and nice start but I need more from the story, More details☺️
3.50 🌟
This was light, fast and nice start but I need more from the story, More details☺️
June 17, 2024
Ça ne réinvente pas la roue, mais c'est target le genre d'histoire que j'aime bien.
July 30, 2024
4,5/5
April 8, 2026
Drawing From Your Memory is a beautiful manga about students that are in a manga club working on creating their own stories, until unfortunately the male lead, Yukishima, suddenly passes away from a heart condition. Our main character, Haruta, was given his notebook of plot ideas and ends up bringing his work to life for the years to come. However an event brings her back to the past, before her senpai passed away. Now she will try to find the right path for him to survive and make his dreams as a manga artist come true! However what is she to do when the unfortunate fate might strike again?
I enjoyed reading this and was enticed by the time-traveling aspect, which is becoming a favorite of mine lately. It still felt like the story was a bit too simple, or perchace slow, which has moved my rating from a five to four. However, I will be awaiting the next volume since the cliffhanger in the end was well done. Also the side characters have their own flair and the author’s note in the end was hilarious! A manga with great potential!
Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this manga!
I enjoyed reading this and was enticed by the time-traveling aspect, which is becoming a favorite of mine lately. It still felt like the story was a bit too simple, or perchace slow, which has moved my rating from a five to four. However, I will be awaiting the next volume since the cliffhanger in the end was well done. Also the side characters have their own flair and the author’s note in the end was hilarious! A manga with great potential!
Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this manga!
May 9, 2026
This manga ended up being way more emotional than I expected. I love a good time travel trope, and I thought it would just be a cute manga about art and friendship, but it ended up being waaay deeper and heavier than I expected.
The manga club scenes were really fun, and the artwork was beautiful, except for the weird head shapes of some of the manga club members lol. I also really loved the emotional layer underneath the fun story.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The manga club scenes were really fun, and the artwork was beautiful, except for the weird head shapes of some of the manga club members lol. I also really loved the emotional layer underneath the fun story.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Read
March 29, 2026I received an ARC of Drawing From Your Memory by Shiki Kawabata thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
My heart hurts. I absolutely feel in love with this book. I can definitely see how there will be significant character growth and relationship development. This first volume is a perfect hook and setup for the rest of the series. I can see this being extremely successful!
My heart hurts. I absolutely feel in love with this book. I can definitely see how there will be significant character growth and relationship development. This first volume is a perfect hook and setup for the rest of the series. I can see this being extremely successful!
Read
April 19, 2026I really like this. This is a time travel but it feels a little different cause it’s in her own life. I liked that she couldn’t remember the little things like where her seat in class was, that felt genuine. I think we are discovering what the MC wants end game of her time travel to be, however, I don’t know that she will get there in the end. I totally want to read more!
5/6 stars.
5/6 stars.
February 1, 2026
j'ai adoré coup de cœur ❤️
May 2, 2026
This was very cute, but also pretty sad! I love the hint of a second volume at the end!
Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy
Thanks to NetGalley for the early copy
March 2, 2026
This wasn’t quite as… emotionally deep as I was expecting. Haruta doesn’t seem to have an attachment to her senpai so much as she has a fear of being a failure. And having the side characters relegated to silly shape jokes meant it was difficult to determine how seriously to take things. A comparison to Orange made me think this was going to be gut wrenching, but it just isn’t fully committed to that
{Thank you Kodansha for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
{Thank you Kodansha for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review; all thoughts are my own}
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received this one from Kodansha Comics on Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
Oh wow, I hadn’t expected this one to get so emotional and for me to get so attached to it that I now desperately want the next book in the series!
This was a stunning manga that I absolutely loved. Be prepared to have your heart broken. We start in the now with our MC totally broken down from drawing manga, then cue back to a flashback to the past where we learn how she started at the manga club, and all about her dear senpai who sadly never got to see his debut and gave an idea notebook to our MC. She has been living in guilt ever since. Yes, she couldn’t have done anything about what happened to him, but she feels bad that the manga he had in his mind and that she gave life is going so far. She wants him to have the credits and to be fair, I could understand that. But I also agree with her editor, it is her that brought it to life. She deserves at least a lot of the credits as well.
And just when she was done with it all she slips, the notebook flies, and she is back in the past. Yup. It is 10 years ago. She gets a new chance. And from that moment I was so invested in the manga. Was this a dream or was she really and truly getting a new chance with her senpai and is she able to help him? I loved seeing her help him (especially since she got her manga prowess along the ride), motivate him, think of new plans. In the meantime she was counting down the days on her calendar. She knows how much time she has. She knows what she needs to do. But I was on the sidelines worrying because I have read enough manga like this with time travel or people being isekai-ed in which events change and that means other events may happen that didn’t happen in the first timeline. I wanted to warn her. To tell him to go to a doctor. Or visit someone. Because I had a bad feeling. But again, even with the worrying, I was also enjoying this new timeline. I was proud of our MC, I was proud of her senpai. And yes, I may also been shipping them just a little bit.
We also meet Senpai’s sister again and I was very sus of her given how she reacted. She seemed to know our MC, and that was sussy.
Plus, I am so sorry, but I had such a laugh at how blind our MC is in regards to people. Her editor in the first part is Arashi. Who do we meet throughout the story? Arashi, because he also was a student and he popped by a few times at the mangaclub. And she never once thought he was that Arashi. XD
The last part was such a fucking rollercoaster. I was just crying. Getting emotional. And then THAT happens and I was shocked. No, I won’t spoil anything, but I can tell you I am now even more invested. More intrigued. More curious. I definitely want the next book!
The art was gorgeous, I really enjoyed it!
All in all, a gorgeous and emotional time travel manga that I would highly recommend to all~
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Oh wow, I hadn’t expected this one to get so emotional and for me to get so attached to it that I now desperately want the next book in the series!
This was a stunning manga that I absolutely loved. Be prepared to have your heart broken. We start in the now with our MC totally broken down from drawing manga, then cue back to a flashback to the past where we learn how she started at the manga club, and all about her dear senpai who sadly never got to see his debut and gave an idea notebook to our MC. She has been living in guilt ever since. Yes, she couldn’t have done anything about what happened to him, but she feels bad that the manga he had in his mind and that she gave life is going so far. She wants him to have the credits and to be fair, I could understand that. But I also agree with her editor, it is her that brought it to life. She deserves at least a lot of the credits as well.
And just when she was done with it all she slips, the notebook flies, and she is back in the past. Yup. It is 10 years ago. She gets a new chance. And from that moment I was so invested in the manga. Was this a dream or was she really and truly getting a new chance with her senpai and is she able to help him? I loved seeing her help him (especially since she got her manga prowess along the ride), motivate him, think of new plans. In the meantime she was counting down the days on her calendar. She knows how much time she has. She knows what she needs to do. But I was on the sidelines worrying because I have read enough manga like this with time travel or people being isekai-ed in which events change and that means other events may happen that didn’t happen in the first timeline. I wanted to warn her. To tell him to go to a doctor. Or visit someone. Because I had a bad feeling. But again, even with the worrying, I was also enjoying this new timeline. I was proud of our MC, I was proud of her senpai. And yes, I may also been shipping them just a little bit.
We also meet Senpai’s sister again and I was very sus of her given how she reacted. She seemed to know our MC, and that was sussy.
Plus, I am so sorry, but I had such a laugh at how blind our MC is in regards to people. Her editor in the first part is Arashi. Who do we meet throughout the story? Arashi, because he also was a student and he popped by a few times at the mangaclub. And she never once thought he was that Arashi. XD
The last part was such a fucking rollercoaster. I was just crying. Getting emotional. And then THAT happens and I was shocked. No, I won’t spoil anything, but I can tell you I am now even more invested. More intrigued. More curious. I definitely want the next book!
The art was gorgeous, I really enjoyed it!
All in all, a gorgeous and emotional time travel manga that I would highly recommend to all~
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 19, 2026
"The manga I have written so far. . . None of it is my own work." - Haruta
Like many creative people, Haruta hit a wall. A writing AND artist block back in high school! Unable to achieve anything she was ready to give up entirely. Until a tragedy lands a special notebook in her hands that leads to a very successful career as an adult.
Only now with a new deadline approaching fast she finds herself unable to make anything. The guilt after all these years is also weighing heavily and she believes it's time to come clean. She stole someone's future and wants nothing more than to return it all to him! Something hears her drunken cries and throws her back ten years. Haruta will return the notebook, redeem herself, and maybe save Yukishima-Senpai!
"You gotta push past the embarrassment and do whatever you can." - Yukishima
This was a sweet and rather emotional read! Wasn't expecting to feel so much within the first volume of the series!
Haruta did have good intentions as to why she brought Yukishima's work to life, but it did take her a while to finally voice her guilt. I liked watching her go back in time and utilizing the skills she learned over the course of ten years. Yukishima having pushed her in ways she never expected and now in a way she's paying him back.
I was emotional because of the rawness of losing someone and then being able to see them again! Live and well! Poor Yukishima being utterly lost as to why Haruta, a girl he just met, is hugging him and being overly excited to see him. Meanwhile Haruta's trying to calm down and act like she did in Highschool without giving away future her knowledge. It doesn't always go right. Haruta tries not to alter the timeline too much, but little things cause ripples. Will they be good ripples?!
This read is very fast paced and at the beginning it may seem very abrupt with things. But I enjoyed it because of how the rest of the plot falls into place. My heart hurt several times and especially with that cliffhanger ending! This read does have some mild language, death, and grief.
I am very invested in this story and want the next installment! I want everyone to have an HEA even if it isn't the whimsical fairy tale ending. The artwork was beautiful and helped to convey the emotions of the characters and scenes. Arashi was one of my favorite characters! Love the cold and strict characters but deep down they have the biggest heart. Translation notes at the end!
Do enjoy this emotional manga and be ready for that cliffhanger! And don't forget to give the author some stars!
Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha Comics!
shutupandbookup.com
Like many creative people, Haruta hit a wall. A writing AND artist block back in high school! Unable to achieve anything she was ready to give up entirely. Until a tragedy lands a special notebook in her hands that leads to a very successful career as an adult.
Only now with a new deadline approaching fast she finds herself unable to make anything. The guilt after all these years is also weighing heavily and she believes it's time to come clean. She stole someone's future and wants nothing more than to return it all to him! Something hears her drunken cries and throws her back ten years. Haruta will return the notebook, redeem herself, and maybe save Yukishima-Senpai!
"You gotta push past the embarrassment and do whatever you can." - Yukishima
This was a sweet and rather emotional read! Wasn't expecting to feel so much within the first volume of the series!
Haruta did have good intentions as to why she brought Yukishima's work to life, but it did take her a while to finally voice her guilt. I liked watching her go back in time and utilizing the skills she learned over the course of ten years. Yukishima having pushed her in ways she never expected and now in a way she's paying him back.
I was emotional because of the rawness of losing someone and then being able to see them again! Live and well! Poor Yukishima being utterly lost as to why Haruta, a girl he just met, is hugging him and being overly excited to see him. Meanwhile Haruta's trying to calm down and act like she did in Highschool without giving away future her knowledge. It doesn't always go right. Haruta tries not to alter the timeline too much, but little things cause ripples. Will they be good ripples?!
This read is very fast paced and at the beginning it may seem very abrupt with things. But I enjoyed it because of how the rest of the plot falls into place. My heart hurt several times and especially with that cliffhanger ending! This read does have some mild language, death, and grief.
I am very invested in this story and want the next installment! I want everyone to have an HEA even if it isn't the whimsical fairy tale ending. The artwork was beautiful and helped to convey the emotions of the characters and scenes. Arashi was one of my favorite characters! Love the cold and strict characters but deep down they have the biggest heart. Translation notes at the end!
Do enjoy this emotional manga and be ready for that cliffhanger! And don't forget to give the author some stars!
Thank you, NetGalley and Kodansha Comics!
shutupandbookup.com
May 7, 2026
I'll start with the positives. I love it when translated manga keep in the Japanese words that don't have a direct English translation. For example things like suffixes like "chan" "kun" "san" "sama". This is just so beautiful to me. It allows for the sharing of culture instead of completely covering over something that is so uniquely Japanese. Keep this up Kodansha. The fun of reading things from different cultures is in experiencing something unique and different from your own.
I always feel so tired when translated copies erase culture. Keep as many cultural things as you can, the reader will learn something new and adjust. And with things that are not translatable, put an asterisk and add a footnote explaining what it means and keep it moving. Sigh... It was refreshing to see that quite a few cultural nuances were kept in this.
Now onto the the things I found wanting.
The major concept of the manga is a concept that has been done quite a lot to the point where I believe it has become its own sub genre. So my expectations were high starting this.
The story is interesting and has some gripping and adorable scenes. However there isn't enough building of attachment to the characters or putting of weight on things that require it. The characters seem a bit too much like props and less like people. The heavy things or even happy things are moved on from a bit too fast. So as a reader I did not connect much.
To add to that the dialogue comes off as flat as well. Usually with manga dialogue has to be amazing in order to keep the reader engaged and turning the pages. But it is so rushed and lacking in depth and feeling. So when big events happen they don't have the effect they should due to rushed and dry writing. This could potentially be an issue with translation though as opposed to how the original work is actually written. Sometimes translators just don't have the ability to deliver the same experience as an original work. I've seen it many times as someone who speaks 3 plus different languages and has consumed translated media in those languages.
The volume ends on a massive cliff hanger which has me quite curious as to what's going to happen next. I just hope the dialogue and writing will improve as the project goes on.
I received a review copy for free via NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I always feel so tired when translated copies erase culture. Keep as many cultural things as you can, the reader will learn something new and adjust. And with things that are not translatable, put an asterisk and add a footnote explaining what it means and keep it moving. Sigh... It was refreshing to see that quite a few cultural nuances were kept in this.
Now onto the the things I found wanting.
The major concept of the manga is a concept that has been done quite a lot to the point where I believe it has become its own sub genre. So my expectations were high starting this.
The story is interesting and has some gripping and adorable scenes. However there isn't enough building of attachment to the characters or putting of weight on things that require it. The characters seem a bit too much like props and less like people. The heavy things or even happy things are moved on from a bit too fast. So as a reader I did not connect much.
To add to that the dialogue comes off as flat as well. Usually with manga dialogue has to be amazing in order to keep the reader engaged and turning the pages. But it is so rushed and lacking in depth and feeling. So when big events happen they don't have the effect they should due to rushed and dry writing. This could potentially be an issue with translation though as opposed to how the original work is actually written. Sometimes translators just don't have the ability to deliver the same experience as an original work. I've seen it many times as someone who speaks 3 plus different languages and has consumed translated media in those languages.
The volume ends on a massive cliff hanger which has me quite curious as to what's going to happen next. I just hope the dialogue and writing will improve as the project goes on.
I received a review copy for free via NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise of this manga sounded absolutely juicy, so I was eager to try it out. An artist who achieved success only through plagiarizing her deceased classmate's ideas, regrets it, and time travels back to before he died? Sign me up.
My main issue with this manga is that it sticks very close to the premise and seems afraid to explore much beyond it. Little details about the main characters seem pushed to the back-burner for the central plot of trying help her classmate achieve his dreams. But why exactly are either of them so devoted to drawing manga and making art in the first place?
We get a whole conversation with Yukishima saying his appreciation for art is what pushes him forward but... no actual exploration of what his art means to him. There is absolutely no detail about what the manga story she plagiarized even is. There's no premise, genre, or even any panels depicting it. Just... nothing.
For a story that is meant to be exploring storytelling and how meaningful its creation can be, I think it completely fails to have any appreciation for its craft.
With comp titles of Orange and Nozaki-kun, I wasn't sure at all what to expect tonally. Was it a tragic drama? A romcom? The answer is that it swaps back-and-forth depending on the scene. I'm not opposed to the slice-of-life sections skewing towards goofy fun if they contrast and enhance the emotional moments later, but I didn't really feel like there was a good balance between the two.
Additionally, since this is a time travel story, I would expect a heavy emphasis on the cause and effect to each characters' actions. Unfortunately in this story, there are none. All of the major plot events that changed from the first loop to the second are seemingly very arbitrary (if it was raining, if a main characters' heart condition worsened) and none actually are caused by the main character's intervention. That poses the question, why write this story as a time travel one at all, if the core conceit is never used?
While I loved the ideas presented in Drawing From Your Memory, unfortunately a great premise doesn't guarantee a great story.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for my ARC provided through Netgalley.
My main issue with this manga is that it sticks very close to the premise and seems afraid to explore much beyond it. Little details about the main characters seem pushed to the back-burner for the central plot of trying help her classmate achieve his dreams. But why exactly are either of them so devoted to drawing manga and making art in the first place?
We get a whole conversation with Yukishima saying his appreciation for art is what pushes him forward but... no actual exploration of what his art means to him. There is absolutely no detail about what the manga story she plagiarized even is. There's no premise, genre, or even any panels depicting it. Just... nothing.
For a story that is meant to be exploring storytelling and how meaningful its creation can be, I think it completely fails to have any appreciation for its craft.
With comp titles of Orange and Nozaki-kun, I wasn't sure at all what to expect tonally. Was it a tragic drama? A romcom? The answer is that it swaps back-and-forth depending on the scene. I'm not opposed to the slice-of-life sections skewing towards goofy fun if they contrast and enhance the emotional moments later, but I didn't really feel like there was a good balance between the two.
Additionally, since this is a time travel story, I would expect a heavy emphasis on the cause and effect to each characters' actions. Unfortunately in this story, there are none. All of the major plot events that changed from the first loop to the second are seemingly very arbitrary (if it was raining, if a main characters' heart condition worsened) and none actually are caused by the main character's intervention. That poses the question, why write this story as a time travel one at all, if the core conceit is never used?
While I loved the ideas presented in Drawing From Your Memory, unfortunately a great premise doesn't guarantee a great story.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics for my ARC provided through Netgalley.
April 19, 2026
[Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha for this arc!]
Drawing from Your Memory Vol. 1 by Shiki Kawabata is a surprisingly moving take on the time-loop concept, blending creative ambition with regret and second chances in a way that feels both intimate and quietly powerful.
The story follows Mahoru, a successful manga artist who suddenly finds herself back in her high school days, face to face with the one person she can’t stop thinking about: Yukishima, the classmate whose ideas shaped her career and whose future she already knows will be tragically short. What could have been a straightforward “fix the past” narrative quickly becomes something more layered, as Mahoru realizes that changing events isn’t as simple as she hoped.
What really stood out to me is the dynamic between Mahoru and Yukishima. He’s intense, almost single-minded when it comes to creativity, while she struggles with originality despite her technical skill. Their relationship feels a bit rough at times, but it’s also where the story finds its heart: two people pushing each other, sometimes uncomfortably, toward becoming better artists, and maybe better versions of themselves.
I also appreciated how the manga treats the idea of time travel. Instead of offering easy solutions, it introduces resistance, as if the world itself pushes back against Mahoru’s attempts to rewrite things. This creates a subtle but constant tension, making every small change feel meaningful but uncertain.
Emotionally, the tone sits somewhere between hopeful and bittersweet. There are moments that make you smile, especially in the characters’ shared passion for manga, but there’s always an undercurrent of something heavier: grief, guilt, and the fear that some things might be impossible to change.
Overall, this first volume left me genuinely invested. It’s not just about going back and fixing mistakes: it’s about understanding them, and maybe learning how to move forward. I’m really curious to see where Mahoru’s journey leads next.
Drawing from Your Memory Vol. 1 by Shiki Kawabata is a surprisingly moving take on the time-loop concept, blending creative ambition with regret and second chances in a way that feels both intimate and quietly powerful.
The story follows Mahoru, a successful manga artist who suddenly finds herself back in her high school days, face to face with the one person she can’t stop thinking about: Yukishima, the classmate whose ideas shaped her career and whose future she already knows will be tragically short. What could have been a straightforward “fix the past” narrative quickly becomes something more layered, as Mahoru realizes that changing events isn’t as simple as she hoped.
What really stood out to me is the dynamic between Mahoru and Yukishima. He’s intense, almost single-minded when it comes to creativity, while she struggles with originality despite her technical skill. Their relationship feels a bit rough at times, but it’s also where the story finds its heart: two people pushing each other, sometimes uncomfortably, toward becoming better artists, and maybe better versions of themselves.
I also appreciated how the manga treats the idea of time travel. Instead of offering easy solutions, it introduces resistance, as if the world itself pushes back against Mahoru’s attempts to rewrite things. This creates a subtle but constant tension, making every small change feel meaningful but uncertain.
Emotionally, the tone sits somewhere between hopeful and bittersweet. There are moments that make you smile, especially in the characters’ shared passion for manga, but there’s always an undercurrent of something heavier: grief, guilt, and the fear that some things might be impossible to change.
Overall, this first volume left me genuinely invested. It’s not just about going back and fixing mistakes: it’s about understanding them, and maybe learning how to move forward. I’m really curious to see where Mahoru’s journey leads next.
May 2, 2026
Haruta has just admitted to her editor that she's a fraud. That the award-winning, made into a movie manga that she created was not hers at all, but her classmates from high school. His reaction is far from what she expects, instead of him being furious he points out that all she did was take some of his ideas and bring them to life, which means that she is still on the hook for a new series that she is certain she cannot produce. Something strange happens that evening though, after getting a little intoxicated she falls and hits her head, only to wake up ten years in the past back in her old manga club room and back with the boy who allowed her to have a career. Haruta is certain that she's come back in time to ensure that it's Yukishima Senpai gets all of the glory for his manga!
I think we all know by now that I enjoy a good time-traveling story, and this so far was great. Especially since it seems like we may have a bit of a romance thrown into the mix!
Haruta is really a great character, and given the fact that it seems like Yukishima had to die for her to have a career, her reaction to making a series on her own is understandable. However, Arashi, her editor, makes a very valid point. She has to be talented to have been able to have been able to bring Yukishima's story to life; it's just impossible for it to be any other way. So I have a theory that hopefully the story will move in the direction of Yukishima and their group of friends (cause Arashi and Yukishima's sister are clearly going to play roles in this), helping Haruta gain the confidence she needs to craft her own story. Yup, I also hope there's a romance in store between the two of them; they are too cute together! That being said I also wouldn't be too upset if Yukishima still ends up passing away in the end. I know that sounds cold but just because she's traveling back in time and now has a goal to save him he also has a heart condition. It would be kind of weird if she can somehow same him from something that most definitely would kill him ya know?
The one thing I kinda find weird is she didn't know that her editor had also gone to school with her? Like I get that he may be younger than her but he was also class president you'd think she would have at least been aware of him. This isn't set that far into the future either You also have to kind of wonder if Arashi knew who she was too. It's implied that he enjoyed manga in his teen years and for some unknown reason opted to not be in the manga club so I feel like he would have at least known she existed. I mean it's not weird enough for me to have this be any less than four stars but it is just one of those things that didn't make much sense to me.
Other than that very tiny thing this looks like it's going to be a solid time traveling romance (fingers crossed) that reminded me a bit of Re:Life.
As always thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the eArc!
I think we all know by now that I enjoy a good time-traveling story, and this so far was great. Especially since it seems like we may have a bit of a romance thrown into the mix!
Haruta is really a great character, and given the fact that it seems like Yukishima had to die for her to have a career, her reaction to making a series on her own is understandable. However, Arashi, her editor, makes a very valid point. She has to be talented to have been able to have been able to bring Yukishima's story to life; it's just impossible for it to be any other way. So I have a theory that hopefully the story will move in the direction of Yukishima and their group of friends (cause Arashi and Yukishima's sister are clearly going to play roles in this), helping Haruta gain the confidence she needs to craft her own story. Yup, I also hope there's a romance in store between the two of them; they are too cute together! That being said I also wouldn't be too upset if Yukishima still ends up passing away in the end. I know that sounds cold but just because she's traveling back in time and now has a goal to save him he also has a heart condition. It would be kind of weird if she can somehow same him from something that most definitely would kill him ya know?
The one thing I kinda find weird is she didn't know that her editor had also gone to school with her? Like I get that he may be younger than her but he was also class president you'd think she would have at least been aware of him. This isn't set that far into the future either You also have to kind of wonder if Arashi knew who she was too. It's implied that he enjoyed manga in his teen years and for some unknown reason opted to not be in the manga club so I feel like he would have at least known she existed. I mean it's not weird enough for me to have this be any less than four stars but it is just one of those things that didn't make much sense to me.
Other than that very tiny thing this looks like it's going to be a solid time traveling romance (fingers crossed) that reminded me a bit of Re:Life.
As always thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha for the eArc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you, NetGalley, Kodansha Comics, and Shiki Kawabata for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Final Verdict: 3.0
I'm not exactly sure what I expected from this manga. To be honest, what drew me to it in the beginning was the pretty artwork and the premise of the story. The idea that a mangaka got famous off the work of their deceased classmate was wholly interesting to me, and I expected the theme of the story to be a bit more serious than it was. One, I would have enjoyed learning what the concept of the manga was. Right now, it's simply a bestseller, but why? What's so special about it? The characters, the art, and the writing itself? The main character says that they fleshed out the idea, but all the building blocks were originally there. Doesn't this mean that they also had a part in writing it? Was the whole story written down to begin with, and they only edited it a little? And honestly, with those sales, why would the author even need to work on another manga? There are plenty of authors out there who only have one work and never create anything else because it's their life project, and many who retire early because manga is too hard on their bodies and minds. Maybe I'm thinking about this a little too hard, but I just find the concept of this baffling. This could be because this is the first volume, and the story gets much deeper as we go on. For me, it doesn't seem like the main character is the main character at all. Much more is fleshed out about her classmate than her, and I honestly felt that to be a little disappointing. That being said, I am looking forward to the second volume as I hope it will clear up some of my confusion. I don't think this was a bad read at all. I was simply left wanting more.
Final Verdict: 3.0
I'm not exactly sure what I expected from this manga. To be honest, what drew me to it in the beginning was the pretty artwork and the premise of the story. The idea that a mangaka got famous off the work of their deceased classmate was wholly interesting to me, and I expected the theme of the story to be a bit more serious than it was. One, I would have enjoyed learning what the concept of the manga was. Right now, it's simply a bestseller, but why? What's so special about it? The characters, the art, and the writing itself? The main character says that they fleshed out the idea, but all the building blocks were originally there. Doesn't this mean that they also had a part in writing it? Was the whole story written down to begin with, and they only edited it a little? And honestly, with those sales, why would the author even need to work on another manga? There are plenty of authors out there who only have one work and never create anything else because it's their life project, and many who retire early because manga is too hard on their bodies and minds. Maybe I'm thinking about this a little too hard, but I just find the concept of this baffling. This could be because this is the first volume, and the story gets much deeper as we go on. For me, it doesn't seem like the main character is the main character at all. Much more is fleshed out about her classmate than her, and I honestly felt that to be a little disappointing. That being said, I am looking forward to the second volume as I hope it will clear up some of my confusion. I don't think this was a bad read at all. I was simply left wanting more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of the publication date!
Mahoro started off as a cute high schooler, aspiring to be a mangaka. Being one of two manga club members (who actually turn up), she grows close to Yukishima senpai and together they work together, pushing each other to be the best. After a fight, they never see each other again and he’s out of her life until she hears of his death from his younger sister. In death he leaves a book of ideas for Mahoro.
Armed with the book, she spends countless hours/days/weeks/months studying each idea and his art style. 10 years later, she wins an award for her manga based on her senpais ideas and has massive imposter syndrome. She goes home and drown in drink, slipping on the mess in her apartment and falling head first onto the book…and winds up waking up 10 years in the past and right into her senpais lap?!?!
Volume 1 delves into the story as we witness first hand how Mahoro uses her new knowledge to help her senpai realise his dreams earlier and hopefully to see if she can prevent his death. The twists and turns the story takes is what drives the story forward and keeps readers intrigued so we immediately want to pick up volume 2 to find out more.
I am absolutely obsessed with the time travel/loop and romance trope and genres so this was right up my alley!
I loved seeing the connections between events from the past and how they shaped the future Mahoro lived.
The plot is well written, the character design and art and beautiful and the pacing is quick enough to keep things moving but also knows when to give us a brief look into someone’s inner mind. Earning a 5/5 for me.
Mahoro started off as a cute high schooler, aspiring to be a mangaka. Being one of two manga club members (who actually turn up), she grows close to Yukishima senpai and together they work together, pushing each other to be the best. After a fight, they never see each other again and he’s out of her life until she hears of his death from his younger sister. In death he leaves a book of ideas for Mahoro.
Armed with the book, she spends countless hours/days/weeks/months studying each idea and his art style. 10 years later, she wins an award for her manga based on her senpais ideas and has massive imposter syndrome. She goes home and drown in drink, slipping on the mess in her apartment and falling head first onto the book…and winds up waking up 10 years in the past and right into her senpais lap?!?!
Volume 1 delves into the story as we witness first hand how Mahoro uses her new knowledge to help her senpai realise his dreams earlier and hopefully to see if she can prevent his death. The twists and turns the story takes is what drives the story forward and keeps readers intrigued so we immediately want to pick up volume 2 to find out more.
I am absolutely obsessed with the time travel/loop and romance trope and genres so this was right up my alley!
I loved seeing the connections between events from the past and how they shaped the future Mahoro lived.
The plot is well written, the character design and art and beautiful and the pacing is quick enough to keep things moving but also knows when to give us a brief look into someone’s inner mind. Earning a 5/5 for me.
May 15, 2026
First I would like to Thank NetGalley, the Author and Artist and the Publisher for this ARC.
As always I went into this completely blind, knowing absolutely nothing about the story, characters or even a general genre. I just saw a beautiful cover and a title that intrigued me and pressed "Request title".
After the first few pages I feared that this was going to be a slow and boring story about a grown woman with regrets of a life and love lost.
But then there was some time travel and she kept her memories so it suddenly got interesting.
The story follows Mahoro Haruta, a mangaka who has been working on a manga series for the past ten years. But when her series ends and she's requested/pressured to start a new one, she makes a confession: the original manga was never hers. Or more specifically, the idea was not hers.
Ten years ago, when she was still in school, she had a clubmate named Yukishima who was very passionate for manga and worked like crazy on his ideas and debut. Despite all her struggling to write down a draft, he'd seen her work and known she had what it took to create a manga. But a couple of months later, Yukishima died and left her a notebook full of many ideas for stories and designs, thanking Haruta for her company and belief in him.
It is sad and heartfelt and I think a lot of people would love to spend some more time with the ones they love and Haruta got that chance and she wanted to do it differently. And then there is another plot twist. Because we never have as much time as we think we do.
As always I went into this completely blind, knowing absolutely nothing about the story, characters or even a general genre. I just saw a beautiful cover and a title that intrigued me and pressed "Request title".
After the first few pages I feared that this was going to be a slow and boring story about a grown woman with regrets of a life and love lost.
But then there was some time travel and she kept her memories so it suddenly got interesting.
The story follows Mahoro Haruta, a mangaka who has been working on a manga series for the past ten years. But when her series ends and she's requested/pressured to start a new one, she makes a confession: the original manga was never hers. Or more specifically, the idea was not hers.
Ten years ago, when she was still in school, she had a clubmate named Yukishima who was very passionate for manga and worked like crazy on his ideas and debut. Despite all her struggling to write down a draft, he'd seen her work and known she had what it took to create a manga. But a couple of months later, Yukishima died and left her a notebook full of many ideas for stories and designs, thanking Haruta for her company and belief in him.
It is sad and heartfelt and I think a lot of people would love to spend some more time with the ones they love and Haruta got that chance and she wanted to do it differently. And then there is another plot twist. Because we never have as much time as we think we do.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book was so melancholy but wholesome at the same time!
Shiki Kawabata has a wonderful way of blending high-stakes drama with a really sweet, artistic soul.
We are introduced to Mahoro, a professional manga artist who is secretly crushed by guilt because she built her entire career on the stolen ideas of a late high school friend named Yukishima. The premise is so unique and honestly a little bit heartbreaking because you can tell how much she truly cares about art despite her shortcomings.
But, the story takes a magical turn when Mahoro suddenly finds herself transported 10 years into the past. It is her chance to finally do the right thing and help Yukishima achieve his own dreams instead of taking them up for herself and as a way get rid of her own guilt.
Watching her navigate her high school years with the knowledge of a professional artist is both funny and really touching. The art style is crisp and expressive, making every emotional beat feel very real.
The volume ends on a massive cliffhanger just as Mahoro thinks she has changed the future for the better. Even with her intervention, fate seems to be pushing Yukishima towards the same tragic end, only this time it might be happening even sooner than before. It leaves you desperate to know if she is caught in a loop or if she just made things much worse by trying to help.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC*
Shiki Kawabata has a wonderful way of blending high-stakes drama with a really sweet, artistic soul.
We are introduced to Mahoro, a professional manga artist who is secretly crushed by guilt because she built her entire career on the stolen ideas of a late high school friend named Yukishima. The premise is so unique and honestly a little bit heartbreaking because you can tell how much she truly cares about art despite her shortcomings.
But, the story takes a magical turn when Mahoro suddenly finds herself transported 10 years into the past. It is her chance to finally do the right thing and help Yukishima achieve his own dreams instead of taking them up for herself and as a way get rid of her own guilt.
Watching her navigate her high school years with the knowledge of a professional artist is both funny and really touching. The art style is crisp and expressive, making every emotional beat feel very real.
The volume ends on a massive cliffhanger just as Mahoro thinks she has changed the future for the better. Even with her intervention, fate seems to be pushing Yukishima towards the same tragic end, only this time it might be happening even sooner than before. It leaves you desperate to know if she is caught in a loop or if she just made things much worse by trying to help.
*Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC*
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’m a big supporter of getting smaller, less know mangas translated and published overseas so I wanted to give this a try. If I had walked past the cover in a Kinokuniya or a Junkudo store it would have immediately caught my attention because of how beautiful and gentle it appears. After reading, I can firmly say I enjoy Shiki Kawabata’s art style. It’s got that good typical shoujo vibe going on, with soft lines and sparkling backgrounds. Whilst the book is probably aimed at the shoujo age demographic, the themes the book covers, regret and wishing to go back and change the past, would also resonate with those who read josei books as well.
The time loop trope is so interesting; it. a lead to so many different possibilities and outcomes for Mahoro and Yukishima-senpai. There is also the butterfly effect at work here. Mahoro is realising that if she changes things then there will be consequences; things that didn’t happen originally but are the result of her new interference. I really want to know what is causing the time loop. Mahoro thought that it was Yukishima-sempai’s old book, it in the lastest loop she hadn’t received it yet?
I feel for Mahoro. She sees taking Yukishima-senpai’s book and continuing his work where he left off as stealing his work and profiting off it. However, I think, that it was a beautiful tribute to him and the only way that, at the time, she could think of honouring him.
I think I’ll read the next in the series when it comes out.
The time loop trope is so interesting; it. a lead to so many different possibilities and outcomes for Mahoro and Yukishima-senpai. There is also the butterfly effect at work here. Mahoro is realising that if she changes things then there will be consequences; things that didn’t happen originally but are the result of her new interference. I really want to know what is causing the time loop. Mahoro thought that it was Yukishima-sempai’s old book, it in the lastest loop she hadn’t received it yet?
I feel for Mahoro. She sees taking Yukishima-senpai’s book and continuing his work where he left off as stealing his work and profiting off it. However, I think, that it was a beautiful tribute to him and the only way that, at the time, she could think of honouring him.
I think I’ll read the next in the series when it comes out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One chapter in and I already know it's going to hurt!
Volume 1 finished and the pain is real!
Here we have your slice of life, maybe-eventually-romance manga but only, maybe, if Mahoro can change the past? Maybe?
As an adult, Mahoro's a wildly successful mangaka, but she knows full well it's all based on the ideas of her senpai that passed when she was a first year high school student, and now trying to make a successor work she's stuck! (There's guilt in that, and she's tried to explain it, but her editor's right - they're just ideas, and it took her hard work and brain to actually make it happen.) But suddenly - TIME LOOP and senpai's alive and she's 10 years younger but with the full knowledge of what's going to happen just a few months in the future! Can she change things at all??
What I liked about this is that yeah, she's not like 'haha I stole his work oh no I have to deal with the consequences!' but no, she's really kind of selflessly trying to pump him up and get him recognition he deserves in the limited time she thinks she has left (I've only read volume 1 so who knows what the outcome will be!) and fully aware like, this is in his honor, this is something I did for him even if I benefitted, and who cares about my future fame/career if he gets recognition and even gets to live. Refreshing!
I'll definitely be keeping up with this series, so thank you Kodansha for the eARC for review!
Volume 1 finished and the pain is real!
Here we have your slice of life, maybe-eventually-romance manga but only, maybe, if Mahoro can change the past? Maybe?
As an adult, Mahoro's a wildly successful mangaka, but she knows full well it's all based on the ideas of her senpai that passed when she was a first year high school student, and now trying to make a successor work she's stuck! (There's guilt in that, and she's tried to explain it, but her editor's right - they're just ideas, and it took her hard work and brain to actually make it happen.) But suddenly - TIME LOOP and senpai's alive and she's 10 years younger but with the full knowledge of what's going to happen just a few months in the future! Can she change things at all??
What I liked about this is that yeah, she's not like 'haha I stole his work oh no I have to deal with the consequences!' but no, she's really kind of selflessly trying to pump him up and get him recognition he deserves in the limited time she thinks she has left (I've only read volume 1 so who knows what the outcome will be!) and fully aware like, this is in his honor, this is something I did for him even if I benefitted, and who cares about my future fame/career if he gets recognition and even gets to live. Refreshing!
I'll definitely be keeping up with this series, so thank you Kodansha for the eARC for review!
April 15, 2026
If you are looking for a story that tugs at your heartstrings while celebrating the bittersweet nature of creativity, look no further. Volume 1 of Natsuki Kawabata’s Drawing from Memories is a stunning debut that manages to be both profoundly heartbreaking and incredibly inspiring.
The Plot: A Journey Through Time and Ink
The story follows a professional mangaka (manga artist) who finds herself stuck in a creative and emotional rut. Through a mystical turn of events, she is transported back in time to her formative years. Her mission? To reconnect with her senpai—the very person whose talent and passion first inspired her to pick up a pen.
Watching her navigate the past with the knowledge of the future creates a narrative tension that is impossible to shake. It’s not just a "time travel" story; it’s a deep dive into the regrets we carry and the people who shape our destinies.
Why You Need to Read It
Heartfelt Narrative: Kawabata captures the "blank page anxiety" and the raw idolization of a mentor with surgical precision. The emotional stakes feel incredibly real.
Stunning Visuals: The art style perfectly mirrors the themes of the book—delicate, expressive, and rich with atmospheric detail. You can practically feel the ink on the pages.
Unputdownable Pace: Despite being a character-driven drama, the pacing is masterful. I found myself glued to the pages, finishing the entire volume in one sitting.
The Plot: A Journey Through Time and Ink
The story follows a professional mangaka (manga artist) who finds herself stuck in a creative and emotional rut. Through a mystical turn of events, she is transported back in time to her formative years. Her mission? To reconnect with her senpai—the very person whose talent and passion first inspired her to pick up a pen.
Watching her navigate the past with the knowledge of the future creates a narrative tension that is impossible to shake. It’s not just a "time travel" story; it’s a deep dive into the regrets we carry and the people who shape our destinies.
Why You Need to Read It
Heartfelt Narrative: Kawabata captures the "blank page anxiety" and the raw idolization of a mentor with surgical precision. The emotional stakes feel incredibly real.
Stunning Visuals: The art style perfectly mirrors the themes of the book—delicate, expressive, and rich with atmospheric detail. You can practically feel the ink on the pages.
Unputdownable Pace: Despite being a character-driven drama, the pacing is masterful. I found myself glued to the pages, finishing the entire volume in one sitting.
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