I Met Shiro in a Hidden World: Volume 1

by Joanne Chiang, Caacatte (Illustrator)

Naomi believed it was just another summer
visit to her dear grandmother's house. After
spending time with her granny, she went for
the usual stroll in the wilderness behind
the house. Distracted by her surroundings,
she somehow ended up in a new world.
She met a friendly snake not long after-
and it could talk! But there's a problem; she
couldn't seem to find her way back home.
Will she be able to figure it out with the help
of the snake?

Genres: Manga, Fantasy, Romance

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 15, 2026

Reviews

[Mairi Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it and I can't wait for the second part to be released! Hero was cute in his shy way and the heroine was a ray of sunshine always bubbling.

[daiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for providing this book for review purposes via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

This was a cute little graphic novel that one can easily finish in one sitting.
The book started off as a slice of life that transcended into the unknown when Naomi, the main protagonist, wanders off and lands in the world of the yokai. There she meets an adorable little snake who turns out to be more than he seems.
I enjoyed the characters in this and how opposite to each other they were. The art style felt appropriate for the story and I think that it really brought everything to life. I liked how energetic and curious Naomi was portrayed in this and her interactions with Shiro were quite funny at times.

I think this is a great book to pick up if you need something light, cosy and wholesome.

[Eilidh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I loved this. Like, I adored this.

I went into those expecting something cute and fun, and it was, but I was hooked!

The plot, the tension, the craic. I love it and can’t wait for volume 2.

💕 Thank you for the arc! 💕

[anjaRUok · Rating 3 out of 5]

this is very cute and enchanting and, simple woman that i am, i'm always sold on characters with flowy white hair and purple eyes 🤍💜

[Autumn Rose Dearborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this story felt a little chaotic and I wasn’t sure I was going to be a fan, but the second half gripped me. It’s a really cute story with a mysterious and intriguing magic system that I’m interested to learn more about. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me access to read this early.

[theotakuwoman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute read which I enjoyed overall! I loved the love Naomi has for her grandmother and vice versa. I also thought the characters were cute. Naomi is very curious and outgoing. Shiro is a little more cautious and reserved but he tends to gravitate toward Naomi. This manga kind of gave me hints of Kakuriyo vibes with the yokai aspect of it. I'm very curious about what will happen next.

Thank you to Joanne Chiang for giving me the opportunity to read this before release. This is her first manga and she currently has a kickstarter up for the first volume until December 9th. The link can be found on her Instagram bio for more information.

[Jada · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Joanne Chiang and NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Naomi loves adventure, exploring, and her family. During the summer, she visits her grandparents with her mom and dad. This summer, however, she ends up stumbling into the Yokai realm full of beauty and danger. Here, she meets Shiro, a kind talking snake who guides her.

The art is SO beautiful, and it's in full color! I loved seeing the beauty of the Yokai realm. Naomi is also such a sweet, fun, and innocent protagonist. You can't help but root for her! The story itself is very simple and similar to other "spirited away" story lines, but the vibrant art and kind characters make this a worthwhile read for shoujo fans!

[Dayamarali Espinosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this (I met Shiro in a Hidden World Vol 1).

Naomi is an adventure-seeking girl who falls into the yokai realm. She meets a friendly talking snake who teaches her about his world while they search for answers to get her home. Will she make it back home, or will she have to survive this new place as an outsider?

I enjoy reading this comic/manga book and I'm looking forward to read the Vol 2 to know what happen next because near the end page of the book Shiro safe her from the bad monster (eater-soul). I rating this a 4 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#NetGalley #Imetshiroinahiddenworld #manga

[Michelle | BookTok✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cute story and manga that can be read easily in a few hours at most. The first half of the story provided a lot of descriptions that I’m not sure needed to be included and lagged the story some but once you got to the main part of the story, it was cute and ran well.

The main plot has your thinking about what’s going to happen and when and knowing that it won’t be finished in volume one gets you excited for the next volumes.

We haven’t had full explanations of both MCs but as of now, you have a good background on the FMC and the MMC seems to have a mysterious past that we will uncover.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

[Isa Newbury | reading_isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Thank you to NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC; all opinions are my own.**

4 ⭐️

What a cute fantasy graphic novel! I loved the concept and thought that the art was cute and fit the story. Naomi somehow wanders in the land of yokai, and is met on the other side by a snake who guides her to his home to keep her safe. His name is Shiro, and he is actually a beautiful young man (she screams this at his face ☠️)! This does a great job setting up for volume 2!

[_linnslibrary_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to netgally for this early copy to review!
I really enjoyed this first volume in a new manga series! First of all the art style and the colours are stunning! Our FMC is such a heartwarming and adventurous person and I loved to follow her on her little adventure! And of course we meet a handsome MMC with white long hair, got to love that! This volume ended on a little cliffhanger and I really want to continue this series!

[Scarlett · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🌟

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing this ARC in advance of publication in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun, cutesy read for cozy vibes + a great palette cleanser!

Artwork
The artwork was lovely. Huge appreciation to the talented illustrator because there was so much detail which added to the cozy vibes. The character expressions were well done and I loved it.

Characters
Naomi was adorable, such a bright, cheerful girl. I loved spending time in her POV and getting to know her heart. Shiro was a bit of a mystery. I would love to learn more about him in Volume 2.

This was such a wholesome read! I loved it.

Pacing & Writing
I struggled to determine which dialogue came first on the page and whether certain lines were internal thoughts or spoken aloud. There were also moments where a bit too much was told directly to the reader rather than shown. That said, this may just be a personal reading preference.

Overall, though, it was such a cute read!

[pining.deciduous · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review releases August 18th
Graphic Novel Fantasy 100% 4.7*
This was a very cute read. Never minded me a lot of a Alice in wonderland inspired story. And although some things were reminiscent of others the other still put their unique twist on it. I look forward to seeing what happens next!

[Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve just finished volume one of I Met Shiro in a Hidden World, and I have so many thoughts!

The story is filled with wonderful characters and absolutely adorable creatures. One of my favorite aspects is Naomi’s relationship with her grandmother—it’s incredibly wholesome and adds a warm, heartfelt emotional core to the story.

When the narrative shifts to the Hidden World and we finally meet Shiro, the snake, the charm only grows. Shiro is irresistibly cute, as are all the creatures introduced in this world. The art and character designs make the Hidden World feel cozy, magical, and inviting.

Overall, this first volume sets up a sweet and enchanting story that I’m excited to continue.

I highly recommend checking it out! 🥰😊

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A lighthearted Alice in Wonderland + Wizard of Oz-esque manga

My Review: I Met Shiro in a Hidden World by Joanne Chiang is Volume 1 in a new I Met Shiro in a Hidden World series. It is categorized as "Comics, Graphic Novels, Manga | Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy." It is scheduled for release on 8/15/26.

About the Book: "Naomi is an adventure-seeking girl who falls into the yokai realm. She meets a friendly talking snake who teaches her about his world while they search for answers to get her home."

In My Own Words: A curious, young adventurer mysteriously enters into a fantastical realm, only to find strange and peculiar beings. Unfortunately, she becomes stranded and is unable to find her way home.

About the Main Characters: The leads were an 18-year old female and a 22-year old magical being.

Naomi - > Curious, adventurous, observant, inquisitive, innocent, loves food, adores grandmother, easily embarrassed, aware of or perhaps attracted to new partner

Shiro - > Enchanting, ability to transform, protective, mysterious past, magical quality, appreciates solitude and quiet existence but also seems to want companionship, mindful of new partner and interested in learning more

About the Cast of Characters/Relationships: The cast of characters proved to be interesting & unique, yet oddly familiar, in a way. They were diverse and plentiful.

There were a number of featured relationships that begged to be explored. The dynamics of each told their own story.

In Naomi's world, the evident contrast between her parents and her grandparents was notable. In Shiro's world, the creatures and malevolent beings were intriguing.

About the Conflict/Action/Mystery: The conflict in this volume was largely connected to relationships, primarily. There was also an air of good versus evil, especially when it came to the fantasy realm that Naomi entered. This is exactly where the action and mystery angle came in. Added to that were the glimpses into Shiro's questionable memories and clouded past.

About the Setting/World building: I loved Shiro's realm. From the gateway to the creatures to the environment to the food & decor to the everyday items - I appreciated it all. It gave off a sense of wonder. It was totally whimsical.

About the Artwork: The artwork was nicely done. It was both colorful and playful. I loved the incorporated word play and the visual storytelling related to the emotions and character actions, in particular. The design and layout was simple but effective in communicating the story.

With that said, I confess that some of the panels were slightly challenging to read. It may have been due to the coloring, which made the black lettering hard to read. I would suggest that white lettering be considered in those few spots, just for visual ease, in terms of the reader.

My Final Say: I really liked I Met Shiro in a Hidden World. I think this installment was a great start to what promises to be an amazing series. It was pleasing to read, and it left me guessing, in the best way. This story had action, movement, tension, intrigue, and wonder. It left me with questions that I most definitely want answered. I loved the subtle romantic tones. It was not in your face, rather a groundwork was laid. I look forward to what comes next.

Other: Readers who enjoy whimsical fantasy manga stories and stories with temporal & worldly shifts should like this book.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: YA/NA
Re-read: Yes
Status/Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: 📱
Pacing: F
Series: Yes
Cover: +

Appreciation is extended to the author/publisher and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to a digital ARC in exchange for an honest critique. It was a pleasure to review this work of fiction. I look forward to reading more in this series.

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I met Shiro in a Hidden World is a comic/manga that follows Naomi as she goes on a wilderness walk and trips into the yokai world where she meets a snake who tells her this world isn’t safe for humans.

Initially I was a bit confused as to who the audience was meant to be. I’m assuming since the main characters are 18 and 22 and that it’s categorised under romance that this is meant to be for teens and adults but the narrative style and art style evoked a more simplistic, fairytale vibe that would be more common in a children’s book.

There’s also a lot of emotions and actions verbally described in the periphery of the panels, which may make sense in a children’s book but seem distracting for an adult audience. That said, there are a lot of people who might struggle to read the emotions from a drawing in which case this inclusion makes the story more accessible. But i wondered if the reason they were there had more to do with the author/artist not trusting that their art style was capable of convincingly conveying the emotion or action. I will say for scenes with the snake the extra words did add to the humour. And overall this did not affect my enjoyment of the story.

This is the first volume so the pace is relaxing as we meet Naomi, her family, set up the world and the story. I’m glad we met Naomi’s family before she went to yokai world because it does a good job of helping you understand Naomi as a person. Also i loved her grandparents - i would happily read more about those two just being cute together 😅

I’m rating this three stars because i definitely enjoyed it but since it is volume 1 it’s doing a lot of set up work and while im interested in the next volume i wouldnt say the story has gripped me yet as we’ve only just met the world, the problem and the romance. I hope to see more of the yokai world next volume as well as learn more about Shiro who certainly seems like an interesting person.

I think fans of gentle anime would enjoy this. It reminded me of Kamisama Kiss or even Fruits Basket minus the emotional damage. Or readers of comics such as Crumbs or Mooncakes which have a cozy, magical feel to them.

[Shreela Sen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot : The plot is very simple, but it keeps moving, & holds interest. The end indicates more books to follow.

Characters : The cast is relatively small, but each character feels richly developed and memorable, thanks to thoughtful backstories that give them real depth and motivation. A standout choice is making a snake one of the central figures—brilliant, considering how snakes are so often typecast as villains or symbols of danger in stories. Here, the author subverts those expectations beautifully, creating a nuanced, charismatic character that's impossible not to root for (or at least be fascinated by).

Particularly touching is the warm, heartfelt relationship between Naomi and her grandmother. Their bond is portrayed with genuine tenderness and authenticity, adding an emotional layer that grounds the fantastical elements and makes the story all the more relatable.

World-building : It's really a very beautiful world where Naomi enters. The moment Naomi steps into this magical realm, you're swept away by its breathtaking beauty—lush, dreamlike landscapes filled with wonder that feel alive on the page. It has a strong sense of Japanese folklore and traditional tales woven into its fabric (though I'm not certain of the exact inspirations), but the level of imagination and detail is perfectly balanced: immersive enough to dazzle without overwhelming the plot. Adding to the charm are some clever, laugh-out-loud parallels and humorous touches between the fantasy world and our own—little moments of wit that land perfectly.

Graphics : The art of the book is lovely. The expressions of everyone are spot-on. Esp., I love the expressions of the snake - very expressive - which is commendable, considering there aren't many facial muscles that you can draw on a snake's face!

Writing style : Very accessible. clean, simple language paired with vivid, evocative descriptions that paint clear pictures in your mind. There's no unnecessary fluff, no overwritten passages—just elegant, purposeful prose that lets the story and visuals shine.

I absolutely loved the read ... the whole vibes & looking forward to the next in the series!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Shiritaku · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, der war richtig cute!
Zu Beginn gibt's eine kleine Vorstellung der Charaktere, wodurch man vor allem zu Naomi schon einen gewissen Draht bekommt. Ebenso kriegt man Einblicke in ihre Vergangenheit und danach direkt in die Gegenwart, wo alles beginnt. Sie ist zu Besuch bei ihrer Oma und macht sich zu einem Ausflug bereit, denn sie will etwas die Gegend erkunden. Nach einer Weile kommt sie etwas vom Weg an und gerät dadurch plötzlich in eine andere Welt.. in der sie kurz darauf auch gleich auf eine Schlange trifft - die plötzlich spricht! 🐍 Natürlich traut sie ihren Augen und Ohren zunächst nicht, doch kurz danach beginnt sie langsam zu realisieren, dass die Schlange tatsächlich mit ihr spricht. Durch ihn erfährt sie einige Dinge über die Welt, in die sie da gestolpert ist - und begibt sich mit ihm auf den Weg zu seinem Haus, nachdem er immer wieder erwähnt, dass es abends nicht sicher ist außerhalb. Unterwegs begegnet sie vielen unbekannten Dingen und die Schlange erklärt ihr alles so gut es geht. Beim Haus angekommen gibt's dann einen ordentlichen Twist.. den ich erstmal nicht weiter verraten will, denn am besten findet ihr das selbst heraus 🤭
Anfangs fühlte sich die Story noch etwas langatmig auf, aber kam dann doch schnell in Fahrt, als wir in der Gegenwart angekommen sind. Das Artwork ist ganz hübsch, wenn an manchen Stellen auch noch etwas “unsauber” - denke mit der Zeit entwickelt sich das aber sicherlich. Die Anordnung der Texte fand ich allerdings etwas verwirrend, manchmal wusste man auch nicht gleich, was nun ausgesprochen und was nur gedacht ist. Nach ner Weile war aber auch das Hindernis überwunden. Die Charaktere haben tolle Designs und bisher sind sie auch ganz charmant. Zum Schluss wurd’s dann auch nochmal etwas spannender und regt direkt zum Weiterlesen an 😸
Wenn ihr also auf eine Fantasy-Welt, eine Schlange und ein abenteuerlustiges Mädchen habt, dann seid ihr hier genau richtig. Und in der Welt wartet noch mehr auf euch, als ihr zunächst denkt 🤭

[Nora Nedkova · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute volume! It wasn't on my radar, however I saw it available as a Read Now and with that cover I knew I wanted to give it a go.

We follow our main character Naomi, starting from when she was young where we come to understand that she has a very curious and adventurous spirit, said to have inherited it from her beloved grandmother.
She loves sharing the findings of her "adventures" with her granny, who more often than not can pay her much more attention than her parents, who have a very busy schedule and could hardly spare time to listen about butterflies.
Naomi looks at most things in life with a sense of childlike wonder and it's hardly surprising that it's a girl like her who manages to pass through a fairy portal during one of her adventures. On "the other side" Naomi is met with a friendly talking snake that is just as confused as her about how Naomi managed to get there!
Her true adventures begin then. Naomi's soul energy is bright and pure, which speaks about her good character, however in the land so far from her home there are monsters who love nothing more than to feed on souls, especially ones as bright as hers. Can she manage to find her way back home while avoiding the monsters together with her new snake friend? Especially if that snake can turn into a handsome young man at command!

I really liked the art and all the cute animals, especially with everything being in full colour! Would be interested to read the second volume :)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy and to review. All opinions are my own

[TheRedBookBox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Met Shiro in a Hidden World Vol 1 - story by Joanne Chiang Art by Caacatte & Panix - Wonderful debut for the series! Our FMC, Naomi, is full of energy and curiosity and is absolutely adorable! Our MMC, Shiro, is quiet and kind and quite the looker in his human form (and super cute in his snake form). This first volume mostly familiarizes Naomi and the readers with the world the story is set in, but we also get to see some adorable banter between the two. This volume was created beforehand but only published after being funded by a successful kickstarter; there are a few places to get ahold of physical copies, but it looks like everyone else is going to have to wait until August 15th 2026 for the full release. Hopefully author Joanne will have started a kickstarter for Vol 2 by then!

Thank you to Joanne Chiang for the advanced reader's copy!

Notes:
Dual POV for FMC and MMC
No violence but there’s a strong possibility of it
Full color

#graphicnovels
#imetshiroinahiddenworld
#netgalley
#manga
#FantasyRomance

Publisher’s summary

Naomi is an adventure-seeking girl who falls into the yokai realm. She meets a friendly talking snake who teaches her about his world while they search for answers to get her home. Though the new world is magical and filled with unique and interesting critters, it also holds hidden dangers if one is not careful. And, as wonderful as her new companion is, her goal is to return. Will she make it back home, or will she have to survive this new place as an outsider?

[Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sitting here writing this review with no pants on. For they have been charmed off.

Seriously, the world needs some whimsy and some magic. I read for the characters and that's what kept me turning pages. It's not really a plot-heavy piece (in volume one), so it's all about the journey.

Naomi, the lead, is what I'd call, "high-energy and easily wowed." It borders on naivete, which is important since I can see that becoming an important piece of her story and character growth.

It's magical world stuff, which I do find interesting even if some find it over-done. I think other worlds are quite a bit better than our real world at the moment. There's more room for creative freedom as well... which means we get plenty of ridiculously fluffy critters... and then Shiro the snake... It kinda sounds like a wrestling name when I say it that way.

So, Shiro is the balance to Naomi's ebullient energy. He is grounded, understands/respects the dangers that lies beyond the beauty of the world, and luckily Naomi discovers him before she got herself into trouble.

That's all of the story I'm going to give away.

The characters interact naturally and that's the main thing for me. They are also very distinct, so their banter and responses end up being quite funny... they push one another.

I don't feel like typing anymore. Go read it. I need to go find my pants.

[Fabiola Meza C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Rating
⭐⭐⭐ (2.5 out of 5 stars)
------------------
Summary
Naomi grew up ignored by her parents but close to her grandmother. One day, after visiting her grandmother she gets lost in the woods and ends ups in a different world. She runs into a snake who is going to help her get back.
------------------
What I Liked
• The artwork was nice.
• Shiro is an interesting character and I would have loved to learn more of him. Though I’m sure that would be in the next one.
------------------
What I Didn't Like
• I’m not a fan of things like a character turning around and reading “turn around” next to the image. Especially when it is like 90% of how the book is written.
• Naomi is 18 but acts like she is 10… she reads rather young
------------------
Tropes:
• The Damsel in Distress
• Magical Creatures
------------------
My Review
As this was short, I have a lot of questions about the plot which I’m sure will be explained later… I just didn’t enjoy Naomi’s character. She is supposed to be older but she doesn’t act her age at all so she felt like a little kid getting lost in the woods. This just wasn’t for me.

[Astrophel R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Joanne Chiang for an arc. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Genre: Fantasy/Romance/Graphic Novel
Are There Gay People in this?*: ❌

This was a super cute start to a series! Naomi is a really endearing protagonist, and while I do wish she would act with a little more urgency when her life is in danger, it's really easy to forgive her when she's so full of whimsy. I also really like the fact that they're not making a big deal of the fact that they need to spend time in close quarters despite being different genders. The one thing that kind of bothered me at times is that the text bubbles can over explain things that are already shown through dialogue or the art. I personally prefer when books let me come to my own conclusions about characters a bit more, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the book.

* I count a book as including gay people if any of the main or secondary characters are implicitly or explicitly queer or trans. This does not necessarily mean the protagonist is queer or that there is a queer romance

[Jordan Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I just have to say—I really enjoyed reading this manga! From the very first page, it swept me into a charming little world full of warmth, mystery, and absolutely gorgeous artwork. The illustrations are so beautiful that I kept stopping just to admire the scenery panels. You can really feel the love and care the artist put into every detail.
The story so far is adorable and cozy in the best possible way. It follows a young girl who goes to visit a family member, and during her trip she decides to go out for a walk—a simple little hike that suddenly turns into something magical. After getting lost in the forest (relatable!), she stumbles upon a mysterious creature. Instead of being scary, the creature becomes her gentle guide, leading her through the woods to safety. Their interactions are sweet, wholesome, and full of wonder.
It has that perfect blend of adventure, cuteness, and soft fantasy that makes you instantly connected to the characters. Honestly, I’m already attached.
I’ll definitely be waiting eagerly for more chapters to be released! If the rest of the series keeps the same charm, this could easily become one of my new comfort reads.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book, and cannot wait for the next books in the series.

This was my first venture into the Manga style of fantasy books, so I wasn't entirely sure of what to expect. But I was definitely not disappointed. I highly recommend it to anyone really. The artwork is fantastically done by her artists. You can tell they took care the time to make it perfect. It all flows very well.

Aside from the well written, and alluring story itself, I enjoyed the added folk lore and history the author subtly added as you read through. I was eager to look up the meanings to different words and historical Japanese lore. I learned some new things about a culture I already had deep respect for. Which was an added bonus for me.

There were also parts that reminded me of my own family history. Which had me thinking about the advice given to me from loved ones that have passed on. And I plan on sharing this book with the rest of my living family.

The author Joanne is one of the nicest people you could talk to, and I am glad to have received one of the first printed copies. Well worth picking up and enjoying!

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was absolutely adorable! This is perfect if you’re looking for something lighthearted and cozy that can be read in one sitting.

While visiting her grandmother, Naomi goes exploring and stumbles upon the world of the yokai. She meets a talking snake and sees other creatures that captivate her attention. Becoming lost, she accepts the snake’s invitation to his home. Once there she discovers there’s more to the snake than she realized.

This story started a little slow for me with the depiction of Naomi’s everyday life. Once she moves into the yokai world, the story really picks up. Naomi is upbeat and full of wonder and optimism. She really is the complete opposite of the MMC who is adorably shy and serious. Their interactions made me smile the whole time.

The art is perfect for this story. It captures the feelings, actions, and cutest animals very well. If I were Naomi I’d stop to coo over them too! I couldn’t believe where the story ended but it’s left me wanting the next volume now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joanne Chiang for the advanced copy.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naomi gets lost while wandering the forest at her grandmother’s house. She is a young woman who is in awe of everything around her. Not long after she gets distracted by butterflies, she walks through a stone arch… into another world. Here she meets a snake that can speak, and who helps her through this strange spirit land.

This was an interesting take on the “lost in another world” trope that is highly popular right now. The illustrations are beautiful and I enjoyed the idea of a snake (who’s too adorable for words) that transforms. I found Naomi to be a shallow main character. Her awe of every single thing she sees is too much to believe and was slightly distracting rather than supporting the storyline. The first third of the story is used to develop this trait in Naomi. The last third of the book is where the story really gets interesting.

Thank you BookSirens for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[MugofChai · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows Naomi, a free spirited girl, who accidentally stumbles through a Tori gate into a mysterious new world. It's here that she meets the alluring Shiro, a white snack with the ability to talk, and together they set off on a journey to send Naomi back home to her world.

This was such a cute start to the series! Naomi's innocence and intrigue towards everything was honestly adorable, and I can see why Shiro is smitten already~

It felt a little strange to see each scene being essentially described on the side (like the character would turn and there'd be small words on the side saying "turning around"), but you could essentially move past it after a while. The story itself feels exciting and new, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the plot will progress from here!

Hopefully it won't break our hearts (because I can feel the heartbreak coming..)~


Rating: 3/5

— Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing an ARC for review. All opinions are my own.

[Aishwarya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Met Shiro in a Hidden World Vol. 1 by Joanne Chiang is a very cute fantasy graphic novel. The story follows Naomi, a curious and adventurous girl who is staying with her grandmother and loves exploring new places. One day, while wandering around, she accidentally enters a hidden magical world.

There she meets Shiro, a mysterious and adorable yokai snake. I won’t give any spoilers, but Shiro helps Naomi understand this new world and explains many things about it to her. As Naomi learns more about the magical place, she also realizes that she has accidentally entered a dangerous area, and Shiro tries to protect her and help her return home safely.

The illustrations are very cute, and the expressions of the characters are drawn beautifully. Overall, it is an enjoyable read. The story ends on a cliffhanger, so now we have to wait for Volume 2 to see what happens next. ✨🐍💖

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book ❤️

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the free early access to a Digital Copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

This was a cute read I was pleasantly surprised by! I went into this rather blindly I’d say. It was cute looking and that is what drew my attention towards it in the first place. The ending definitely made me interested in seeing where the story is going to be heading. I’m curious about Shiro’s story most as well since this volume didn’t go into details about him as much as it did about Naomi. Which Naomi was adorable a very bright cheerful girl. The dynamic between her and Shiro work very well.

While if I had to say 1 particular criticism was I had a hard time determining what dialogue went first on each page as well as what were thoughts and what were spoken out loud. Other than that I liked this book it was a fun little read!