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The Gods Lie
Natsuru Nanao, a 6th grader who lives alone with his mother, strikes up an unlikely friendship with the reserved and driven Rio Suzumura. Natsuru plays hookey from soccer camp that summer, and instead of telling the truth to his mother, he spends all his time with Rio and her kid brother at their rickety house, where a dark secret threatens to upend their fragile happiness.
214 pages, Paperback
First published September 20, 2013
81 people are currently reading
5367 people want to read
About the author
Kaori Ozaki
27 books171 followersKaori Ozaki (Japanese name: 尾崎かおり) is a professional comic artist and character designer. She made her debut in 1993 at the age of 15 for shojo publisher Shinshokan with the short series An Angel above the Piano. Her breakthrough work Immortal Rain earned her great acclaim globally as it was translated into a dozen languages and eventually published in the United States by Tokyopop. She worked on the eleven volume series for 12 years before switching publishers and switching genres with her first title from Kodansha's young adult magazine Afternoon, The Gods Lie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,117 reviews
February 2, 2017
My face, after I got through about half of this:
No, it's ok, I don't need to be able to see to read.
T___T
Only thing that bugs me is this author doesn't write nearly enough. Please tell me I'm not the only one who loved her Immortal Rain series ...
No, it's ok, I don't need to be able to see to read.
T___T
Only thing that bugs me is this author doesn't write nearly enough. Please tell me I'm not the only one who loved her Immortal Rain series ...
March 4, 2019
It not that this was a *bad* book, exactly, it's just that this was an....incredibly mediocre and disjointed book? I'm honestly confused a bit; I feel like I read a book with chunks missing from it.
"The Gods Lie" doesn't know what kind of book it is. It starts out as a two-school-kids-who-are-both-kinda-loners-become-pals story, then it seems to become a summer adventure, then a family drama, then a romance, then something darker, and then at the end we get this semi-spiritual info dump moment about how "oooHHHH the gods lie to us!! They say things will be alright but peOPLE DIE!" If the plot had been tightened up abit lot I think things would have been better.
The plot issues aside, there were just so many wtf moments in here that were just plain bad. First of all, we get to see a 6th grade boy come up behind his mom in the kitchen and proceed to grope her breasts. No explanation given, he just apparently likes doing this. 😬 Then there is also a moment when a character gets punched for trying to help another girl. The girl who gets punched is a tropey "popular princessy school girl" who is only treated badly because she is pretty. She offers chocolate to a school mate, tries to offer help to a girl in need, but because she is "pOpUlAr" she gets treated like garbage. Sure, the girl is a little prissy and talks about her hair a lot, but everything about her treatment felt off to me. Lastly, the end is so lackluster. No spoilers, but the resolutions are over in about 7 pages and just felt again like the author didn't know what they wanted to do with the characters, plot, or meaning.
My feelings on this are very much reflected in the Goodreads 1-star rating motto: "I didn't like it." I didn't hate it, there were a couple okay things, but I just plain old didn't like it. 🤷
"The Gods Lie" doesn't know what kind of book it is. It starts out as a two-school-kids-who-are-both-kinda-loners-become-pals story, then it seems to become a summer adventure, then a family drama, then a romance, then something darker, and then at the end we get this semi-spiritual info dump moment about how "oooHHHH the gods lie to us!! They say things will be alright but peOPLE DIE!" If the plot had been tightened up a
The plot issues aside, there were just so many wtf moments in here that were just plain bad. First of all, we get to see a 6th grade boy come up behind his mom in the kitchen and proceed to grope her breasts. No explanation given, he just apparently likes doing this. 😬 Then there is also a moment when a character gets punched for trying to help another girl. The girl who gets punched is a tropey "popular princessy school girl" who is only treated badly because she is pretty. She offers chocolate to a school mate, tries to offer help to a girl in need, but because she is "pOpUlAr" she gets treated like garbage. Sure, the girl is a little prissy and talks about her hair a lot, but everything about her treatment felt off to me. Lastly, the end is so lackluster. No spoilers, but the resolutions are over in about 7 pages and just felt again like the author didn't know what they wanted to do with the characters, plot, or meaning.
My feelings on this are very much reflected in the Goodreads 1-star rating motto: "I didn't like it." I didn't hate it, there were a couple okay things, but I just plain old didn't like it. 🤷
May 22, 2020
for more reviews and content please visit my blog amanjareads.com
This review contains a few light spoilers. I've kept the details low about them though so proceed with caution based on your own level of spoiler tolerance. Also, most of you know very well that you're not going to buy a manga you probably haven't heard of and won't read it anyway so treat yourself to some mild spoilers already!
The Gods Lie is a manga about two young teens finding each other one summer vacation. It's in many ways a traditional summer romance. The difference with this one is that it is grounded in the real world and ends the way most real summer romances end. In delusional tragedy.
Two middle schoolers of the same neighborhood cross paths one summer and quickly bond over having a lack of parental figures. One has a neglectful mother and the other is left home alone with their younger brother after the death of her grandfather.
She's been fending for herself and has an even bigger secret that she's been keeping from everyone. She's been forced to mature very quickly and her strength shows as much as her worry.
When her secret is exposed you'll understand her frugality and lack of childlike behavior.
Over the summer they fall easily in love and come to rely on each other. The absolutely tragic part comes at the end when they are torn apart for very realistic reasons but ones that the reader will not want to accept.
The reader will likely side with the narrator under an umbrella of delusional hope. They trick themselves into thinking that their paths will cross again one day but we know that that cannot be true.
The whole story happens very quickly and it is important to keep in the mindset of an adolescent. Try to remember how easy it was to develop feelings for someone back then and how quickly the whole world could change.
As with nearly all manga books I've ever picked up this one can be read in just over an hour. It's a nice way to end a day but be prepared to be more saddened than uplifted.
The gods are said to lie because it is the best they can do to protect us. The book ends on a lie of hope because people must lie to each other to spare feelings and not suffer in the despair of existence.
It's a lovely story regardless of how you feel emotionally at the end. Personally, I enjoy a good bummer ending every once in a while. Shakes things up, reinforces my nihilism.
Dive in and enjoy a not so typical young romance.
This review contains a few light spoilers. I've kept the details low about them though so proceed with caution based on your own level of spoiler tolerance. Also, most of you know very well that you're not going to buy a manga you probably haven't heard of and won't read it anyway so treat yourself to some mild spoilers already!
The Gods Lie is a manga about two young teens finding each other one summer vacation. It's in many ways a traditional summer romance. The difference with this one is that it is grounded in the real world and ends the way most real summer romances end. In delusional tragedy.
Two middle schoolers of the same neighborhood cross paths one summer and quickly bond over having a lack of parental figures. One has a neglectful mother and the other is left home alone with their younger brother after the death of her grandfather.
She's been fending for herself and has an even bigger secret that she's been keeping from everyone. She's been forced to mature very quickly and her strength shows as much as her worry.
When her secret is exposed you'll understand her frugality and lack of childlike behavior.
Over the summer they fall easily in love and come to rely on each other. The absolutely tragic part comes at the end when they are torn apart for very realistic reasons but ones that the reader will not want to accept.
The reader will likely side with the narrator under an umbrella of delusional hope. They trick themselves into thinking that their paths will cross again one day but we know that that cannot be true.
The whole story happens very quickly and it is important to keep in the mindset of an adolescent. Try to remember how easy it was to develop feelings for someone back then and how quickly the whole world could change.
As with nearly all manga books I've ever picked up this one can be read in just over an hour. It's a nice way to end a day but be prepared to be more saddened than uplifted.
The gods are said to lie because it is the best they can do to protect us. The book ends on a lie of hope because people must lie to each other to spare feelings and not suffer in the despair of existence.
It's a lovely story regardless of how you feel emotionally at the end. Personally, I enjoy a good bummer ending every once in a while. Shakes things up, reinforces my nihilism.
Dive in and enjoy a not so typical young romance.
January 23, 2018
Lindo pero predecible. El final es abrupto, y hasta busqué en internet pensando que mi tomo estaba incompleto, pero no.
Otro que falla en mi eterna busqueda de libros que me hagan llorar.
Otro que falla en mi eterna busqueda de libros que me hagan llorar.
August 3, 2022
One of my favourite short series without a doubt. It offers a realistic, if somewhat cynical, "life experience" for its heroes through clear, lovely panels and engaging conversation. Highly recommended.
February 6, 2017
Wow! What an amazing manga!!! Everyone should read this, it honestly made me cry!
June 21, 2016
In Summary
The Gods Lie is part issues story and part young romance. While the ultimate outcome to the situation at the Suzumura household is predictable, Natsuru’s struggle to change Rio’s reality tugs on the heartstrings. And although melancholy dominates the mood, the manga manages to end on a hopeful note.
The Review
When I read the title of The Gods Lie, I thought the phrase had an accusatory tone. As it turns out, the nuance of the words is actually more sympathetic. Our main character is Natsuru Narao who’s recently moved out of Tokyo. For the most part, he’s a typical sixth grader: loves playing on the soccer team, gets along with other boys, and doesn’t understand girls. However, he has his sore spots, and when a new coach openly pities the fact that he’s small and doesn’t have a dad, he ditches soccer camp. Not wanting to explain things to his mom, he instead hides out at the rickety home of his reserved classmate Rio Suzumura and her kid brother Yuuta, where he discovers she’s hiding a much more serious secret of her own.
The manga doesn’t include an age rating, but even though the protagonist is eleven, I would put The Gods Lie in the “13 and Up” category. In addition to themes of child neglect, there are disturbing images when Natsuru stumbles upon the secret in Rio’s garden. And even though both kids are in elementary school, they bear the weight of adult responsibilities.
Rio is a standard character for her situation. The oldest child of a deadbeat dad, she struggles to make ends meet, keep up appearances, and care for her younger brother, even as she clings to her father’s promise that he’ll return home. As for Natsuru, he’s the only son of a widow, and while having a single mom isn’t that unusual, they don’t have a typical parent-child relationship. When Natsuru’s mom is first introduced, I wasn’t sure who she was because he calls her by her first name and treats her like an older sister. He also grabs her breasts, which seems a bizarre habit. Boob-groping aside, he’s a likable kid, and his personal experience with disappointment and tragedy allow him to empathize with Rio more than others would.
Mingled in the midst of secrets and messy circumstances is also a story of first love. With Natsuru staying with Rio and helping to watch Yuuta, it starts off as a very realistic game of playing house. The interesting thing is that the more Rio falls for Natsuru, the more childlike she becomes. In essence, he allows her to put down the role of adult and be the twelve-year-old she really is. As for Natsuru, he wants desperately to save Rio, but because he’s also only a kid himself, his efforts fall short. Even so, there’s beauty in the moments of escape he creates for her and Yuuta. Ozaki-sensei’s shojo-style illustrations are about average overall, but the character expressions convey an amazing depth of emotion.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
The Gods Lie is part issues story and part young romance. While the ultimate outcome to the situation at the Suzumura household is predictable, Natsuru’s struggle to change Rio’s reality tugs on the heartstrings. And although melancholy dominates the mood, the manga manages to end on a hopeful note.
The Review
When I read the title of The Gods Lie, I thought the phrase had an accusatory tone. As it turns out, the nuance of the words is actually more sympathetic. Our main character is Natsuru Narao who’s recently moved out of Tokyo. For the most part, he’s a typical sixth grader: loves playing on the soccer team, gets along with other boys, and doesn’t understand girls. However, he has his sore spots, and when a new coach openly pities the fact that he’s small and doesn’t have a dad, he ditches soccer camp. Not wanting to explain things to his mom, he instead hides out at the rickety home of his reserved classmate Rio Suzumura and her kid brother Yuuta, where he discovers she’s hiding a much more serious secret of her own.
The manga doesn’t include an age rating, but even though the protagonist is eleven, I would put The Gods Lie in the “13 and Up” category. In addition to themes of child neglect, there are disturbing images when Natsuru stumbles upon the secret in Rio’s garden. And even though both kids are in elementary school, they bear the weight of adult responsibilities.
Rio is a standard character for her situation. The oldest child of a deadbeat dad, she struggles to make ends meet, keep up appearances, and care for her younger brother, even as she clings to her father’s promise that he’ll return home. As for Natsuru, he’s the only son of a widow, and while having a single mom isn’t that unusual, they don’t have a typical parent-child relationship. When Natsuru’s mom is first introduced, I wasn’t sure who she was because he calls her by her first name and treats her like an older sister. He also grabs her breasts, which seems a bizarre habit. Boob-groping aside, he’s a likable kid, and his personal experience with disappointment and tragedy allow him to empathize with Rio more than others would.
Mingled in the midst of secrets and messy circumstances is also a story of first love. With Natsuru staying with Rio and helping to watch Yuuta, it starts off as a very realistic game of playing house. The interesting thing is that the more Rio falls for Natsuru, the more childlike she becomes. In essence, he allows her to put down the role of adult and be the twelve-year-old she really is. As for Natsuru, he wants desperately to save Rio, but because he’s also only a kid himself, his efforts fall short. Even so, there’s beauty in the moments of escape he creates for her and Yuuta. Ozaki-sensei’s shojo-style illustrations are about average overall, but the character expressions convey an amazing depth of emotion.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2018
This was a sweet and very touching short manga about two children who learn the true meaning of friendship.
RTC
RTC
February 8, 2017
The logical fallacy argumentum ad ignorantium denotes a rhetorical pinch in which the speaker invokes a sterilized version of the truth in the wake of self-pardon. That is to say, to claim to have never known any better.
The manga THE GODS LIE is a very quick read and an emotional rollercoaster, and it's well worth the ride. The way this story of summertime innocence so quickly and unapologetically shifts to a much darker tone prickles the fingertips and numbs the toes. Sniff the air and one can sense the coming tide of personal drama ebbing with each passing second.
Natsuru Nanao is a transfer student. He's in sixth grade. His mother pens saccharine light novels for a living. He has no father.
Rio Suzumura is a townie. She, too, is in sixth grade. Her mother "left a long time ago." Her father is purportedly off to Alaska, fishing for crab meat.
Neither Natsuru nor Rio have any illusion about the world's expectations for them. At school, there are bullies; at soccer practice, there are joyless coaches; and all throughout the neighborhood, the assumption is such that if your life isn't as good as theirs, then clearly you're doing something wrong.
In THE GODS LIE, it isn't until the weight of parental abandonment and the icy burn of forced maturity nudge these two kids together that readers start holding their breath. There's a reason Rio and her little brother, Yuuta, are living on only ¥1,000 a day. There's a reason Natsuru is skipping summer camp and keeping his distance from his mother.
Kids have secrets, sure, but so do the adults responsible for raising them. Sometimes, the adults don't know any better . . . so they lie. And sometimes, when they do know better . . . they still lie.
Ozaki's manga conjures a good deal of humor as well as tears, chronicling the budding relationship of two sixth-grader's fighting back against wave after wave of dissatisfaction. Natsuru is a genuinely nice kid. So is Rio. Unfortunately for them, niceness means nothing in the face of poverty, aloneness, and whatever fragment of humanity is left after having your dignity stomped under foot by those who would dare tell you what is or is not your "fault" in life.
If the gods lie "because it's the best they can do," then what hope is there for us humans?
The manga THE GODS LIE is a very quick read and an emotional rollercoaster, and it's well worth the ride. The way this story of summertime innocence so quickly and unapologetically shifts to a much darker tone prickles the fingertips and numbs the toes. Sniff the air and one can sense the coming tide of personal drama ebbing with each passing second.
Natsuru Nanao is a transfer student. He's in sixth grade. His mother pens saccharine light novels for a living. He has no father.
Rio Suzumura is a townie. She, too, is in sixth grade. Her mother "left a long time ago." Her father is purportedly off to Alaska, fishing for crab meat.
Neither Natsuru nor Rio have any illusion about the world's expectations for them. At school, there are bullies; at soccer practice, there are joyless coaches; and all throughout the neighborhood, the assumption is such that if your life isn't as good as theirs, then clearly you're doing something wrong.
In THE GODS LIE, it isn't until the weight of parental abandonment and the icy burn of forced maturity nudge these two kids together that readers start holding their breath. There's a reason Rio and her little brother, Yuuta, are living on only ¥1,000 a day. There's a reason Natsuru is skipping summer camp and keeping his distance from his mother.
Kids have secrets, sure, but so do the adults responsible for raising them. Sometimes, the adults don't know any better . . . so they lie. And sometimes, when they do know better . . . they still lie.
Ozaki's manga conjures a good deal of humor as well as tears, chronicling the budding relationship of two sixth-grader's fighting back against wave after wave of dissatisfaction. Natsuru is a genuinely nice kid. So is Rio. Unfortunately for them, niceness means nothing in the face of poverty, aloneness, and whatever fragment of humanity is left after having your dignity stomped under foot by those who would dare tell you what is or is not your "fault" in life.
If the gods lie "because it's the best they can do," then what hope is there for us humans?
October 13, 2019
Rating: 5+/5 || Recenzia pe Secretele Simonei || Cumpără The Gods Lie
Ploaie de flori roz de primăvară
Nu am mai citit de mult timp o manga într-un format fizic (ultima a fost volumul 1 din Sailor Moon de Naoko Takeuchi) așa că am fost extrem de bucuroasă acum când cei de la Books Express mi-au trimis o manga pe care pusesem ochii.
Ambalat cu dichis, mi-a fost milă să rup ambalajul de care s-a ocupat draga de Ana de la BE, așa că am deschis pachețelul cu grijă și am păstrat florile roz primăvăratice pentru a le lipi în agenda mea. Buburuzele sunt și ele puse la expoziție, așa că nu vă faceți griji. ^_^
The Gods Lie de Kaori Ozaki este o manga formată din 5 capitole care pune accent pe relațiile de familie, prietenie, viața de școală și o serie de elemente de romantism.
Protagoniștii noștri sunt un băiat pe nume Nanao și o fată pe nume Suzumura. Cei doi sunt în clasa a șasea și ajung să intre în discuții din momentul care Suzumura îl bagă în seamă pe Nanao. În acel moment, băiatul se simte oarecum emoționat deoarece el este ignorat de fetele din jur.
Zâmbetele de copii ascund secrete întunecate
Suzumura locuiește alături de frățiorul ei Yuuta iar Nanao alături de mama sa care este o scriitoare ce e mereu stresată de termenele limită. În momentul în care Nanao aduce acasă un pui de pisică, mama sa care este alergică simte că e ceva în neregulă. El este nevoit să scape de pisicuț așa că decide să îi ceară ajutorul Suzumurei. Fata acceptă cu o singură condiție: să fie plătită pentru serviciul ei.
Nanao se simte nevoit să facă acest lucru și ajunge să înțeleagă între timp de ce colega sa are nevoie de bani. Ajuns acasă la ea, observă că locuiește singură cu Yuuta și aceștia evită mereu să ofere detalii despre familia lor. În cele din urmă Suzumura dă de înțeles că ei sunt singuri. Tatăl lor, plecat în Alaska să muncească (să vâneze crabi), ar trebui să revină cât de curând așa că fata ține frâul familiei până atunci.
Mi s-a părut extrem de ciudat ca un tată să își lase singuri copiii, însă am descoperit că ei rămăseseră alături de bunicul lor care este dispărut! Secretul întunecat care se ascunde în spatele zâmbetelor lui Suzumura și Yuuta este unul la care nu m-aș fi gândit niciodată!
Zeii mint
Mi-a plăcut foarte mult această manga și m-am bucurat să descopăr un subiect nou pe care nu îl mai întâlnisem într-o bandă japoneză sub această formă. Auzim des despre copii abandonați din diverse motive iar în The Gods Lie am cunoscut o poveste tragică prin care niciun copil nu ar trebui să treacă.
Suzumura este un caracter tare care reușește să fie extrem de puternică pentru ea și frățiorul ei. Își ia destinul în mâini și încearcă să ducă o viață pe cât de normală posibil. Ea se responsabilizează mult prea devreme, fapt pentru care se maturizează și devine mamă și tată în același timp. Am apreciat foarte mult puterea ei de caracter, dar s-a văzut că în viață există multe situații care depășesc abilitățile unui copil.
Nanao este un băiețel tare simpatic care descoperă primii fiori ai dragostei într-un mod nostalgic. Mi-a plăcut mult de relația care se formează între el, Suzumura și Yuuta, iar dorința lui Nanao de a o proteja pe Suzumura este una extrem de mare, aducându-l până în pragul lacrimilor.
Mi-a plăcut semnificația titlului și a fost interesant să aflu de ce mint zeii, scopul lor fiind de a ne proteja pentru că ne iubesc. Finalul mi s-a părut scurt, dar plin de speranță potrivit pentru tot tumultul prin care au trecut personajele.
O manga plină de emoție, nostalgie, momente copilărești, fiori ai dragostei, relații familiale și dramă care a intrat instant în topul preferatelor mele. Kaori Ozaki a devenit una dintre ilustratoarele japoneze preferate, stilul ei de a desena și de a exprima sentimente combinând cu tandrețe copilăria, umorul, romantismul și greutățile prin care trec niște copii. V-o recomand cu mare drag și abia aștept să mai descopăr serii manga pline de sensibilitate. :)
Citate:
Ploaie de flori roz de primăvară
Nu am mai citit de mult timp o manga într-un format fizic (ultima a fost volumul 1 din Sailor Moon de Naoko Takeuchi) așa că am fost extrem de bucuroasă acum când cei de la Books Express mi-au trimis o manga pe care pusesem ochii.
Ambalat cu dichis, mi-a fost milă să rup ambalajul de care s-a ocupat draga de Ana de la BE, așa că am deschis pachețelul cu grijă și am păstrat florile roz primăvăratice pentru a le lipi în agenda mea. Buburuzele sunt și ele puse la expoziție, așa că nu vă faceți griji. ^_^
The Gods Lie de Kaori Ozaki este o manga formată din 5 capitole care pune accent pe relațiile de familie, prietenie, viața de școală și o serie de elemente de romantism.
Protagoniștii noștri sunt un băiat pe nume Nanao și o fată pe nume Suzumura. Cei doi sunt în clasa a șasea și ajung să intre în discuții din momentul care Suzumura îl bagă în seamă pe Nanao. În acel moment, băiatul se simte oarecum emoționat deoarece el este ignorat de fetele din jur.
Zâmbetele de copii ascund secrete întunecate
Suzumura locuiește alături de frățiorul ei Yuuta iar Nanao alături de mama sa care este o scriitoare ce e mereu stresată de termenele limită. În momentul în care Nanao aduce acasă un pui de pisică, mama sa care este alergică simte că e ceva în neregulă. El este nevoit să scape de pisicuț așa că decide să îi ceară ajutorul Suzumurei. Fata acceptă cu o singură condiție: să fie plătită pentru serviciul ei.
Nanao se simte nevoit să facă acest lucru și ajunge să înțeleagă între timp de ce colega sa are nevoie de bani. Ajuns acasă la ea, observă că locuiește singură cu Yuuta și aceștia evită mereu să ofere detalii despre familia lor. În cele din urmă Suzumura dă de înțeles că ei sunt singuri. Tatăl lor, plecat în Alaska să muncească (să vâneze crabi), ar trebui să revină cât de curând așa că fata ține frâul familiei până atunci.
Mi s-a părut extrem de ciudat ca un tată să își lase singuri copiii, însă am descoperit că ei rămăseseră alături de bunicul lor care este dispărut! Secretul întunecat care se ascunde în spatele zâmbetelor lui Suzumura și Yuuta este unul la care nu m-aș fi gândit niciodată!
Zeii mint
Mi-a plăcut foarte mult această manga și m-am bucurat să descopăr un subiect nou pe care nu îl mai întâlnisem într-o bandă japoneză sub această formă. Auzim des despre copii abandonați din diverse motive iar în The Gods Lie am cunoscut o poveste tragică prin care niciun copil nu ar trebui să treacă.
Suzumura este un caracter tare care reușește să fie extrem de puternică pentru ea și frățiorul ei. Își ia destinul în mâini și încearcă să ducă o viață pe cât de normală posibil. Ea se responsabilizează mult prea devreme, fapt pentru care se maturizează și devine mamă și tată în același timp. Am apreciat foarte mult puterea ei de caracter, dar s-a văzut că în viață există multe situații care depășesc abilitățile unui copil.
Nanao este un băiețel tare simpatic care descoperă primii fiori ai dragostei într-un mod nostalgic. Mi-a plăcut mult de relația care se formează între el, Suzumura și Yuuta, iar dorința lui Nanao de a o proteja pe Suzumura este una extrem de mare, aducându-l până în pragul lacrimilor.
Mi-a plăcut semnificația titlului și a fost interesant să aflu de ce mint zeii, scopul lor fiind de a ne proteja pentru că ne iubesc. Finalul mi s-a părut scurt, dar plin de speranță potrivit pentru tot tumultul prin care au trecut personajele.
O manga plină de emoție, nostalgie, momente copilărești, fiori ai dragostei, relații familiale și dramă care a intrat instant în topul preferatelor mele. Kaori Ozaki a devenit una dintre ilustratoarele japoneze preferate, stilul ei de a desena și de a exprima sentimente combinând cu tandrețe copilăria, umorul, romantismul și greutățile prin care trec niște copii. V-o recomand cu mare drag și abia aștept să mai descopăr serii manga pline de sensibilitate. :)
Citate:
"I see...
All those lights...
They only shine if someone is home." (p.42)
"I didn't know the real reason that she was crying.
I was just carried away by the feeling of her in my arms, trembling and warm." (p.81)
"Bon, Bon, the festival, only this day and the morrow...
And that day after shall bring the dropping bride...
The peony that blossoms soon drops its petals...
Only for this day, the flowers of kindness bloom..." (p.108-109)
"— You know, when you're all grown up, if you stand outside getting soaked while watching a storm, people will think there's something wrong with you.
— I guess that's true...
— It is true. So let's get soaked while we still can." (p.109-110)
"— Whenever we play soccer in gym class, nobody can keep up with you. Because you're so fast.
When you run, I can hear the wind, and it's like the whole field sways." (p.183)
"She was so cute that it hurt." (p.185)
"— Natsuru... You know what my name means? «A reason to live.» That's how you write it.
To me, you were always like a blue sky I could only see from a distance...
Thank you, Natsuru. I never dreamed that you'd become part of our family..." (p.192-194)
July 19, 2024
”It's the summer when Natsuru is 11. Ever since he's turned one of them down on Valentine's Day, the girls of his class have been constantly ignoring him. This changes just before summer break, when Suzumura, the tallest girl in the year, suddenly talks to him. Later, Natsuru meets Suzumura again outside school and finds out she has a secret…
Can you tell I’m majorly hyperfixating on anime/manga rn? I wanted a one-shot/one-volume manga to read and the gods lie caught my eye with its intriguing premise! Gosh, that got dark and emotional, I had tears in my eyes. There’s a few elements about the main character Natsuru that I don’t like (you’ll see what I mean if you read!). The twist with Suzmura is gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking, this is a story that won’t leave your mind in a hurry.
4 Stars
Can you tell I’m majorly hyperfixating on anime/manga rn? I wanted a one-shot/one-volume manga to read and the gods lie caught my eye with its intriguing premise! Gosh, that got dark and emotional, I had tears in my eyes. There’s a few elements about the main character Natsuru that I don’t like (you’ll see what I mean if you read!). The twist with Suzmura is gut-wrenchingly heartbreaking, this is a story that won’t leave your mind in a hurry.
4 Stars
December 6, 2024
I’ll be honest, I gravitated towards this manga mainly because the cover reminded me of Studio Ghibli. Inside was a hazy summer story of two kids and their bittersweet mix of budding friendship, first love, and troubling home lives.
I tend not to expect much from such short manga, especially in the sense of characters, but this one managed to be quite heartfelt. I liked Natsuru and Rio, and Rio’s brother was just so adorable. For what started as a sweet slice of life, I hardly expected the darker turn things took in the second half. I liked Ozaki’s way of storytelling, even with the hopeful open ending. The dynamic art style enhanced the story greatly as well!
I tend not to expect much from such short manga, especially in the sense of characters, but this one managed to be quite heartfelt. I liked Natsuru and Rio, and Rio’s brother was just so adorable. For what started as a sweet slice of life, I hardly expected the darker turn things took in the second half. I liked Ozaki’s way of storytelling, even with the hopeful open ending. The dynamic art style enhanced the story greatly as well!
July 6, 2016
I say to myself: hey this looks cool! It can't be tragic! EXCEPT IT IS AND I CRIED AND GAH.
More sensibly, if you're a fan of Hosoda (THE BOY AND THE BEAST) or Shinkai (CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES) or even Takahata from Ghibli (ONLY YESTERDAY) you'll find a lot to enjoy in this one volume manga.
11 year old Natsuru is ostracized by the girls after rejecting the advances of the class princess. He's cool with it though as long as he has soccer. Unfortunately a new soccer coach and the rising pressures of graduating elementary school for middle school make it difficult for him to understand why everything suddenly has to change.
Rio meanwhile is trying to protect her younger brother Yuuta while waiting for their father to return from crab fishing. She's desperate to keep their situation secret so the authorities don't come, but the stress of her secrets are making it difficult for her to survive.
Summer break becomes an important milestone for the two as they struggle to cope with what it means to grow up.
There's a certain amount of realism to this manga that struck me. Both kids are in situations where adults have let them down for different reasons. For Natsuru, the new head coach--some big shot who is affiliated with the JFA and is a professional--is constantly on his back about his skills before ultimately telling him "well your birthday puts you at a serious disadvantage you know". For Rio, her father basically abandoned them and left her to handle everything with no way to communicate at all (and when you find out WHY god I never wanted to punch a fictional character so much). The fact that they come together and create their own family for summer break is heartwarming and sad at the same time.
This is a sweet innocent tale that ends on a hopeful, but sadly realistic note (think 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND). Having never read this manga-ka before I think I'll seek out more. With plenty of tissues ready.
More sensibly, if you're a fan of Hosoda (THE BOY AND THE BEAST) or Shinkai (CHILDREN WHO CHASE LOST VOICES) or even Takahata from Ghibli (ONLY YESTERDAY) you'll find a lot to enjoy in this one volume manga.
11 year old Natsuru is ostracized by the girls after rejecting the advances of the class princess. He's cool with it though as long as he has soccer. Unfortunately a new soccer coach and the rising pressures of graduating elementary school for middle school make it difficult for him to understand why everything suddenly has to change.
Rio meanwhile is trying to protect her younger brother Yuuta while waiting for their father to return from crab fishing. She's desperate to keep their situation secret so the authorities don't come, but the stress of her secrets are making it difficult for her to survive.
Summer break becomes an important milestone for the two as they struggle to cope with what it means to grow up.
There's a certain amount of realism to this manga that struck me. Both kids are in situations where adults have let them down for different reasons. For Natsuru, the new head coach--some big shot who is affiliated with the JFA and is a professional--is constantly on his back about his skills before ultimately telling him "well your birthday puts you at a serious disadvantage you know". For Rio, her father basically abandoned them and left her to handle everything with no way to communicate at all (and when you find out WHY god I never wanted to punch a fictional character so much). The fact that they come together and create their own family for summer break is heartwarming and sad at the same time.
This is a sweet innocent tale that ends on a hopeful, but sadly realistic note (think 5 CENTIMETERS PER SECOND). Having never read this manga-ka before I think I'll seek out more. With plenty of tissues ready.
April 16, 2017
5 stars
When I started this, I thought that I would hate it. It was pretty weird when Natsuru was grabbing his mom's boobs. Their entire relationship took a while to get used to, and even though it's obvious that they are close, I just don't know. I guess you have to have a few boob references since it is a boys' comic, but, yuck.
Natsuru is your typical eleven year old boy (boob squeezing aside). He loves soccer, has just moved to a new town, and accidentally alienated the most popular girl in his class when he rejected her Valentine's chocolates. He's having problems with the new soccer coach, a demanding man who makes him feel inadequate, and he soon dreads going to soccer camp. Instead, he pretends that he's going, and plays hooky, without his mom's knowledge.
While dodging his soccer commitments, he runs into Rio, a quiet, serious girl in his class. They strike up a friendship, and Natsuru ends up staying with Rio and her younger brother, Yuuta. As he spends time with the siblings in their rickety house, things seem kind of odd. That's when he learns that their father, a fisherman, is away in Alaska, catching crab. Rio is trying to make ends meet until he returns, stressing that they will run out of money or that the authorities will be called on them before her father returns home. Natsuru agrees to keep their situation a secret, and they spend the summer vacation together, until Rio's deep, dark secret shatters their blossoming friendship.
Wow. This story was not what I expected. Poor Rio. This girl is suffering under the weight of the world. Guilt, abandonment, and fear are her daily concerns. There isn't one adult in her life that she can trust and confide in. Her mother walked out on the family years ago, her grandfather, the one steady anchor in her life, died, and her father was a useless piece of garbage. In spite of all of that, Rio is a kind, considerate girl who cares for her brother the best she can. When she realizes that Natsuru is having some issues, too, she doesn't hesitate to welcome him into her home.
As the reality of Rio and Yuuta's situation slowly unravels, Natsuru is forced to see life from someone else's perspective, someone not as fortunate as he is. Then it's Natsuru's turn to grow up and try to be a caregiver for both Rio and Yuuta. This was a touching read, and I was sorry when it ended. Despite it's themes of abandonment and Rio's unfortunate experiences, the story ends on an uplifting note. The beautiful, expressive art only adds to the emotional pull of The Gods Lie.
Recommended.
When I started this, I thought that I would hate it. It was pretty weird when Natsuru was grabbing his mom's boobs. Their entire relationship took a while to get used to, and even though it's obvious that they are close, I just don't know. I guess you have to have a few boob references since it is a boys' comic, but, yuck.
Natsuru is your typical eleven year old boy (boob squeezing aside). He loves soccer, has just moved to a new town, and accidentally alienated the most popular girl in his class when he rejected her Valentine's chocolates. He's having problems with the new soccer coach, a demanding man who makes him feel inadequate, and he soon dreads going to soccer camp. Instead, he pretends that he's going, and plays hooky, without his mom's knowledge.
While dodging his soccer commitments, he runs into Rio, a quiet, serious girl in his class. They strike up a friendship, and Natsuru ends up staying with Rio and her younger brother, Yuuta. As he spends time with the siblings in their rickety house, things seem kind of odd. That's when he learns that their father, a fisherman, is away in Alaska, catching crab. Rio is trying to make ends meet until he returns, stressing that they will run out of money or that the authorities will be called on them before her father returns home. Natsuru agrees to keep their situation a secret, and they spend the summer vacation together, until Rio's deep, dark secret shatters their blossoming friendship.
Wow. This story was not what I expected. Poor Rio. This girl is suffering under the weight of the world. Guilt, abandonment, and fear are her daily concerns. There isn't one adult in her life that she can trust and confide in. Her mother walked out on the family years ago, her grandfather, the one steady anchor in her life, died, and her father was a useless piece of garbage. In spite of all of that, Rio is a kind, considerate girl who cares for her brother the best she can. When she realizes that Natsuru is having some issues, too, she doesn't hesitate to welcome him into her home.
As the reality of Rio and Yuuta's situation slowly unravels, Natsuru is forced to see life from someone else's perspective, someone not as fortunate as he is. Then it's Natsuru's turn to grow up and try to be a caregiver for both Rio and Yuuta. This was a touching read, and I was sorry when it ended. Despite it's themes of abandonment and Rio's unfortunate experiences, the story ends on an uplifting note. The beautiful, expressive art only adds to the emotional pull of The Gods Lie.
Recommended.
February 14, 2016
Los dioses mienten trata sobre Nantsuru, un chico normal de 11 años que le encanta el fútbol, tiene problemas para llevarse con las chicas y vive con su mamá que es escritora. Hasta aquí todo normal, pero un verano en su colegio deciden cambiar de profesor de gimnasia y éste destroza sus ilusiones de convertirse en un jugador profesional. Al llegar las vacaciones de verano Nantsuru no aguanta la idea de pasar los días con su nuevo entrenador y se escapa del viaje de estudio. Sin saber qué hacer se queda en un parque en el cual se encuentra con una compañera de colegio llamada Suzumura y al ser invitado a su casa descubre que su vida no es para nada fácil. Aqui es donde la historia toma giros inesperados y se vuelve totalmente distinta.
Este tiempo que comparten juntos es justamente ese momento donde automáticamente algo en nosotros cambia y entendemos de alguna forma lo complicado que es ser un adulto. Ese momento que todos lo que nos resultaba importante de niño queda en segundo lugar y descubrimos otro mundo más difícil como son las obligaciones, las prioridades, el valor de la familia, la muerte etc.
Simple, profundo y conmovedor, este manga es realmente recomendable, en especial a quien les gusta el anime del estilo de las productoras Madhouse o de Studio Ghibli.
Este tiempo que comparten juntos es justamente ese momento donde automáticamente algo en nosotros cambia y entendemos de alguna forma lo complicado que es ser un adulto. Ese momento que todos lo que nos resultaba importante de niño queda en segundo lugar y descubrimos otro mundo más difícil como son las obligaciones, las prioridades, el valor de la familia, la muerte etc.
Simple, profundo y conmovedor, este manga es realmente recomendable, en especial a quien les gusta el anime del estilo de las productoras Madhouse o de Studio Ghibli.
February 11, 2016
La verdad que me pareció muy bonito pero ojalá hubiera sido mas que un solo tomo!!
April 17, 2018
Hay algo que falta en estas historias y no sé qué es, pero está claro que no son lo mío. Es el quinto manga que leo y sigo sin encontrarle el punto...
October 6, 2023
Puede ser considerado turbio y encantador a la vez. También muy triste pero con final feliz. Also men are trash.
May 13, 2023
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 stars)
I haven't read mangas that are this short and yet still manage to tell a compelling story, though, to be honest, I haven't read a lot of oneshots or short mangas.
In any case, this short manga tells the story of two elementary school kids who live seemingly normal lives but there are dark secrets hiding behind the normal facade.
The mangaka paints a vividly realistic and cynical picture of how life works through the lives of Natsuru and Rio. Even though it's barely 5 chapters, the manga manages to capture the hardships faced by young kids who don't get to live according to the norms of the society. The characters of Natsuru and Rio, too, are amazingly dynamic and are easy to get attached to.
Honestly, the only thing that was bad about this manga was Natsuru's weird habit of fondling his mom's boobs. It was pretty pointless and probably included as a gag but it still creeped me out.
Bottom line: A little sad, a little fun; the perfect slice of life!
I haven't read mangas that are this short and yet still manage to tell a compelling story, though, to be honest, I haven't read a lot of oneshots or short mangas.
In any case, this short manga tells the story of two elementary school kids who live seemingly normal lives but there are dark secrets hiding behind the normal facade.
The mangaka paints a vividly realistic and cynical picture of how life works through the lives of Natsuru and Rio. Even though it's barely 5 chapters, the manga manages to capture the hardships faced by young kids who don't get to live according to the norms of the society. The characters of Natsuru and Rio, too, are amazingly dynamic and are easy to get attached to.
Honestly, the only thing that was bad about this manga was Natsuru's weird habit of fondling his mom's boobs. It was pretty pointless and probably included as a gag but it still creeped me out.
Bottom line: A little sad, a little fun; the perfect slice of life!
February 7, 2017
Randomly came across this at Barnes and Noble today. I'm very glad I did. This book is emotional and made me want to cry. I could feel my dread set in when things began to turn partway through and nearly cried by the end. This is really good and I highly recommend it if it interests you.
June 18, 2021
A beautiful and tragic tale of abandonment and youthful determination. The title has heavy implications, but the story leads you down a very unassuming road for quite some time. In the end, it will most certainly take an emotional stranglehold of your well-being.
January 31, 2021
A really beautiful love story. I wish this was a bit longer .. also the art is stunning. I want to draw like that.
December 12, 2020
Waaaaa este manga es bonito, triste y oscuro. 5 capítulos que se leen super rápido, el dibujo es magnífico y su historia un tanto fuerte ya que vemos temas como la muerte y el abandono pero prevalece la amistad y el amor lo cual sacó a relucir porque sin esas dos cosas Rio no hubiera aguantado lo que sucedería después. UFFFFFF me alegra que todos pudieran seguir adelante, el final abierto me deja feliz porque puedo imaginar el encuentro ... No se que hacen aun por estos lares leyendo mi reseña, vayan a leer el manga que solo es un volumen y es buenisimo.
February 10, 2021
This manga is very short, but it is enough to make me feel a lot of emotions and empathy in different degrees to all the characters.
May 22, 2022
I loved this book so much. It's beautiful, heartfelt... but ended way too abruptly. I planned to give it a strong 4☆, but it kinda feels like content is missing? I'm a bit sad about it, because everything else was just amazing.
Actual rating: 3.5/5
Actual rating: 3.5/5
September 7, 2024
꒰ 3.5★ ꒱ؘ ࿐ ࿔*:･ﾟ
such an emotional comic!!
wished the story was longer because honestly the ending fell a bit flat, almost like the author had a limit to the pages she could use
such an emotional comic!!
wished the story was longer because honestly the ending fell a bit flat, almost like the author had a limit to the pages she could use
Read
April 15, 2024"The gods lie. They lie because it's the best they can do. We reach out for their lies and we keep on living."
You know it's about to be absolutely heartbreaking when It's a standalone manga that has a cover with the blue sky/ocean and one or two teens or kids standing there. Well, This one is no exception.
I don't think I can really rate it, there were moments which I think we're completely unnecessary, but amidst everything I'm reading it's a nice break. The message is simple and bittersweet
Also YUUTA
November 21, 2019
A sweet emotional roller coaster of a love story , the ending could be more longer but still it is pretty standard manga size (page count). The art and characters are very nice and beautiful.
October 27, 2024
Aku nangis 😭 Innalillahi. Rasanya seperti dihantam. Berat banget hidupnya Rio 😭 Ayah nggak bertanggung jawab yang ninggalin dia gitu aja dengan berbohong kalau dia ke Alaska buat kerja nangkep kepiting. Rio bertahan dari uang peninggalan almarhum kakeknya, kah? 😭 Ya Allah....
Aku lega karena di ending baik Rio dan adiknya serta Natsuru dapat resolusi yang melegakan. Namun, pada kenyataannya, banyak anak yang nggak dapat resolusi seperti itu! Banyak yang enggak tertolong dan terpaksa menjalani kehidupan yang lebih keras 😭
It's really hard to grow to be a responsible adult so we can protect those innocent kids as best as we can 😭
AAAAAAAAAA!!!
Aku lega karena di ending baik Rio dan adiknya serta Natsuru dapat resolusi yang melegakan. Namun, pada kenyataannya, banyak anak yang nggak dapat resolusi seperti itu! Banyak yang enggak tertolong dan terpaksa menjalani kehidupan yang lebih keras 😭
It's really hard to grow to be a responsible adult so we can protect those innocent kids as best as we can 😭
AAAAAAAAAA!!!
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