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Caterpillar Girl and Bad Texter Boy
When a beautiful girl asks her childhood friend out, his response is a shocker: "You're too perfect." What's a girl to do, except transform into a giant caterpillar and try, try again?
194 pages, Paperback
Published June 26, 2018
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137 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
June 23, 2018
If O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi" and Kafka's "Metamorphosis" had a baby that was raised by Shojo Beat and Patrick Ness's "A Monster Calls," you'd get Caterpillar Girl and Bad Texter Boy.
The titular characters are two friends: Suzume, who is kind, smart, and gorgeous, and Akane, who has struggled with anxiety and feelings of low self-worth since his parents separated when he was a child. Suzume has a bit of an obsession with Akane, and when he rejects her out of bewilderment that someone as "perfect" as her would want to date someone like him, she disappears, then reappears as . . . a giant caterpillar. Hijinks ensue as an increasingly-desperate Akane tries to find a cure for the increasingly-inhuman Suzume with the help of Yutaka, a friend of Suzume who's keeping a massive secret.
What sounds like a fantastic premise is anchored by all-too-believable characters. Teens (and older readers) who've struggled with social isolation, anxiety, depression, one-way romantic relationships, and accidental metamorphosis into giant insects will find much to relate to in this single-volume (?) graphic novel.
The titular characters are two friends: Suzume, who is kind, smart, and gorgeous, and Akane, who has struggled with anxiety and feelings of low self-worth since his parents separated when he was a child. Suzume has a bit of an obsession with Akane, and when he rejects her out of bewilderment that someone as "perfect" as her would want to date someone like him, she disappears, then reappears as . . . a giant caterpillar. Hijinks ensue as an increasingly-desperate Akane tries to find a cure for the increasingly-inhuman Suzume with the help of Yutaka, a friend of Suzume who's keeping a massive secret.
What sounds like a fantastic premise is anchored by all-too-believable characters. Teens (and older readers) who've struggled with social isolation, anxiety, depression, one-way romantic relationships, and accidental metamorphosis into giant insects will find much to relate to in this single-volume (?) graphic novel.
January 10, 2019
The girl is the cutest thing in the universe, but I hate the guy for the crap he did. But it was sweet and deep and nice and all that other shit.
September 1, 2018
This was interesting but not amazing. The art style is very nice and I understand the concept of a young high school girl going to extreme efforts to get her life-long crush to like her but...I mean he only comes to like her when she’s absolutely miserable and basically became his exclusive property. I did, however, like how the heroine owned her actions and the little (eventually dang huge) caterpillar was the perfect blend of creepy cute. Not the best, not the worst. Nice little single volume read though - which is basically like a unicorn on the manga world.
August 20, 2018
i both love and hate this book, it gave me some complex, super conflicted feelings but also i would probably read this again?? jesus what DID i even read
September 30, 2018
This was the most beautiful manga- and book- I have ever read. I feel like I say that for every book I love but I honestly love this book with all my heart. I felt so deeply and sorrowful for the way Suzume made Akane feel. This book is about a girl, Suzume, who asks out her boy-next-door, a shy boy- Akane. Akane, in shock that Suzume likes a loser like himself, rejects her. The next day, A caterpillar shows up at the door. It says its Suzume.
I loved this book with all my heart and life. Way too many mangas are part of a series, so I enjoyed how this is a standalone. Every single part of this manga was so mesmerizing and dreamy; Two broken people, healing each other throughout the process of finding themselves. Not only was this a romance tragedy (kind of tbh), but Sanzo managed to add a bit of myths and magic in, too. CGABTB hit me right in the feels. People usually cry at the end of a book, but I started crying at page 23 and didn't stop till i finished the book- filled with sentimental and loving scenes, this is the perfect manga. I can't believe I'm saying this, but might have love as much as I loved Orange by Ichigo Takano.
And of course the art was fantastic as always!
I loved this book with all my heart and life. Way too many mangas are part of a series, so I enjoyed how this is a standalone. Every single part of this manga was so mesmerizing and dreamy; Two broken people, healing each other throughout the process of finding themselves. Not only was this a romance tragedy (kind of tbh), but Sanzo managed to add a bit of myths and magic in, too. CGABTB hit me right in the feels. People usually cry at the end of a book, but I started crying at page 23 and didn't stop till i finished the book- filled with sentimental and loving scenes, this is the perfect manga. I can't believe I'm saying this, but might have love as much as I loved Orange by Ichigo Takano.
And of course the art was fantastic as always!
February 3, 2019
A bittersweet tale in the form of a Japanese graphic novel of a girl who asks a boy out whom she is in love with. An awkward boy, he rejects her saying she is too perfect for him. Devastated she turns into a caterpillar monster. No longer perfect, she hopes the boy she loves will now reciprocate her love. But she has not thought about her decision because there may not be a way to change back into a human. Themes include be careful what you wish for and be aware of other's feelings. The book focuses on the boy who has trouble with his self worth and is anxious. I'm not sure why the title says Texter Boy since he is not referenced texting, unless something is lost in translation like it means he is a bad communicator because that would make sense.
November 8, 2018
Loved this. I love the artwork - that caterpilla is creepy cute. I enjoyed the exploration of dealing with anxiety and putting on a front to society, misunderstanding people's intentions and being wrapped up in your own perspective. I like that the author stuck to their guns and went for an unconventional ending. Sad it's a one shot though, I would love to see more of these two characters.
February 2, 2019
3.5 stars. The Bad Texter Boy part of the title didnt ever really make sense to me. I enjoyed 90% of this story. The other 10% I loathed. The art is great, and we do have 2 characters that are hard to like. They both make mistakes. All in all, this one was a fair read. Not for everyone though.
August 8, 2018
Weird little fable about self-loathing.
July 28, 2019
2.5 stars
This was surprisingly depressing. I don’t know how to feel about it at all.
This was surprisingly depressing. I don’t know how to feel about it at all.
August 15, 2023
You don't love me, but what if I was a worm? 🐛
Suzume is perfect. So perfect in fact that Akane, who has serious self-worth issues, rejects her feelings for him because she's "too different" from him. Despondent, Suzume leaves, and goes missing.
And a month later, a large, strange, black, caterpillar appears, and calls out Akane's name in Suzume's voice... can she be his girlfriend now that she's given up everything that made her "too good" for him...?
Firstly, the title of Caterpillar Girl and Bad Texter Boy is somewhat poorly translated; a better translation would be "Badly Communicating" Boy. There is no texting, good or bad, in this manga. It's a story about not understanding one another's feelings.
This isn't a happy story. Even so, the artstyle is wonderful. Sanzo captures these characters and makes them miserable and cute. Caterpillar-Suzume is simple, strange, and adorable in design all at once.
As a one-shot manga, it's worth the read, as well as the melancholy thoughts that might follow about the people in your life, and whether you're considering them properly or not.
★★★★☆ 4/5. I love the worm. She made me sad.
Suzume is perfect. So perfect in fact that Akane, who has serious self-worth issues, rejects her feelings for him because she's "too different" from him. Despondent, Suzume leaves, and goes missing.
And a month later, a large, strange, black, caterpillar appears, and calls out Akane's name in Suzume's voice... can she be his girlfriend now that she's given up everything that made her "too good" for him...?
Firstly, the title of Caterpillar Girl and Bad Texter Boy is somewhat poorly translated; a better translation would be "Badly Communicating" Boy. There is no texting, good or bad, in this manga. It's a story about not understanding one another's feelings.
This isn't a happy story. Even so, the artstyle is wonderful. Sanzo captures these characters and makes them miserable and cute. Caterpillar-Suzume is simple, strange, and adorable in design all at once.
As a one-shot manga, it's worth the read, as well as the melancholy thoughts that might follow about the people in your life, and whether you're considering them properly or not.
★★★★☆ 4/5. I love the worm. She made me sad.
April 23, 2023
This was a lot more emotional than I thought it would be.
August 5, 2024
The girl is so cute and her feelings reminded me of my own experience with chronic pain. Loved it!
September 18, 2018
In Summary
The title makes it sound like a comedy, but it’s not. Despite the supernatural transformation of a character into a giant bug, this single-volume story is really a commentary on human relationships and the immense impact that invisible emotional hurts have on our lives.
The Review
Caterpillar Girl and Bad Texter Boy sounds like the name of a superhero team or a comic duo. However, the characters of this seven-chapter, single volume manga are not heroic, and while there is some humor, the story is more melodrama than laughs.
”Bad Texter Boy” refers to Akane Kuchinashi, and it’s a misnomer because you only see him using his smartphone on the first page. He’s more accurately described as a borderline NEET (a shut-in). Although he attends school, he doesn’t have any confidence, is bad at interacting with others, and therefore keeps to himself.
However, Akane does have one friend: Suzume Kikuo, the girl next door. She’s beautiful, smart, and popular—the exact opposite of him. So Akane’s shocked when Suzume asks to be his girlfriend. Instead of being happy about it, he turns her down, saying that she’s too perfect and he’s too messed up for it to work. Unwilling to give up, Suzume decides to rectify the situation, not by changing Akane, but by turning herself into a giant caterpillar.
And there you have the humor in the story, with Akane freaking out at his transformed friend and Suzume struggling to do things in her new body. However, the story doesn’t devolve into a weird ”my girlfriend is a bug” comedy. Akane feels incredible guilt about the situation so he seeks out Yutaka Ouga, the schoolmate who told Suzume how she might change herself. However, when he finds Yutaka, she is strangely hostile toward him.
With the introduction of Yutaka, the focus shifts to the origins of Akane’s pathetic personality. In addition to self-reflection on Akane’s part, Yutaka inadvertently stumbles upon a major element of dysfunction in the Kuchinashi family. At the same time, Suzume’s personality starts to degrade. The narrative that results is less about a bizarre magical transformation and more about the lingering effects of the damage people inflict upon one another.
Although Yutaka claims to be happy with her ending, the book’s conclusion is better described as bittersweet. Despite its magical elements, Caterpillar Girl and Bad Texter Boy is not a fairy tale, and Suzume’s ultimate state and the burden Akane embraces at the end is a metaphor for the scars in their relationship.
Extras include embedded author’s afterword, 4-page bonus manga, and title page in color.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
The title makes it sound like a comedy, but it’s not. Despite the supernatural transformation of a character into a giant bug, this single-volume story is really a commentary on human relationships and the immense impact that invisible emotional hurts have on our lives.
The Review
Caterpillar Girl and Bad Texter Boy sounds like the name of a superhero team or a comic duo. However, the characters of this seven-chapter, single volume manga are not heroic, and while there is some humor, the story is more melodrama than laughs.
”Bad Texter Boy” refers to Akane Kuchinashi, and it’s a misnomer because you only see him using his smartphone on the first page. He’s more accurately described as a borderline NEET (a shut-in). Although he attends school, he doesn’t have any confidence, is bad at interacting with others, and therefore keeps to himself.
However, Akane does have one friend: Suzume Kikuo, the girl next door. She’s beautiful, smart, and popular—the exact opposite of him. So Akane’s shocked when Suzume asks to be his girlfriend. Instead of being happy about it, he turns her down, saying that she’s too perfect and he’s too messed up for it to work. Unwilling to give up, Suzume decides to rectify the situation, not by changing Akane, but by turning herself into a giant caterpillar.
And there you have the humor in the story, with Akane freaking out at his transformed friend and Suzume struggling to do things in her new body. However, the story doesn’t devolve into a weird ”my girlfriend is a bug” comedy. Akane feels incredible guilt about the situation so he seeks out Yutaka Ouga, the schoolmate who told Suzume how she might change herself. However, when he finds Yutaka, she is strangely hostile toward him.
With the introduction of Yutaka, the focus shifts to the origins of Akane’s pathetic personality. In addition to self-reflection on Akane’s part, Yutaka inadvertently stumbles upon a major element of dysfunction in the Kuchinashi family. At the same time, Suzume’s personality starts to degrade. The narrative that results is less about a bizarre magical transformation and more about the lingering effects of the damage people inflict upon one another.
Although Yutaka claims to be happy with her ending, the book’s conclusion is better described as bittersweet. Despite its magical elements, Caterpillar Girl and Bad Texter Boy is not a fairy tale, and Suzume’s ultimate state and the burden Akane embraces at the end is a metaphor for the scars in their relationship.
Extras include embedded author’s afterword, 4-page bonus manga, and title page in color.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2022
Came here as soon as I finished the manga, because I wanted to review the story as it was still fresh in my mind.
I went into this story blind, my boyfriend had lend me his copy of this book for me to read, he said it was great. I did not have much expectations going in, i thought it would be a satirical love story, a stab at typical romance. What I got instead was possibly the most heart wrecking manga I ever read. It was bittersweet and full of moments that made me smile, but also gave the reader a look into the mind of someone struggling with anxiety. This was a great read. A little out of the box, but great. It took me a while to get into the story and look past it's weird premise and see it as the work of art it is. Because that is what this is, a work of art. I read some reviews stating that the characters were hard to like, for me, this wasn't the case. It was easy for me to feel empathy towards all main characters, especially in the last three chapters of the manga.
I recommend this to anyone looking to be positively surprised by a quick read. It's short, but great. Worth reading.
I went into this story blind, my boyfriend had lend me his copy of this book for me to read, he said it was great. I did not have much expectations going in, i thought it would be a satirical love story, a stab at typical romance. What I got instead was possibly the most heart wrecking manga I ever read. It was bittersweet and full of moments that made me smile, but also gave the reader a look into the mind of someone struggling with anxiety. This was a great read. A little out of the box, but great. It took me a while to get into the story and look past it's weird premise and see it as the work of art it is. Because that is what this is, a work of art. I read some reviews stating that the characters were hard to like, for me, this wasn't the case. It was easy for me to feel empathy towards all main characters, especially in the last three chapters of the manga.
I recommend this to anyone looking to be positively surprised by a quick read. It's short, but great. Worth reading.
February 27, 2021
I thought this was going to be some shitpost type of story but it’s a commentary on human relationships, how abuse and trauma shapes a person and extends its influence onto every aspect of a person’s life and taints it, the immense impact that our own negativity and self-hatred affects others in our lives as much as it hurts us. How social expectations subjects individuals to depression, suicidal ideation and developing several toxic coping-mechanisms.
The ending was perfect for this type of story; the damage is done and all a person can do is spend the rest of their life trying to fix what others and themselves have done.
I’m happy I gave it a chance instead of brushing it off as some random monster girl romance book. I read it thinking I’ll entertain myself and make fun of the premise, instead, this book read me. Ironic.
The ending was perfect for this type of story; the damage is done and all a person can do is spend the rest of their life trying to fix what others and themselves have done.
I’m happy I gave it a chance instead of brushing it off as some random monster girl romance book. I read it thinking I’ll entertain myself and make fun of the premise, instead, this book read me. Ironic.
April 13, 2019
Awwwwww look at the title ^_^ must be such a cute love story story! :O Romance *plays Ye Jawaani Hai Dewaani soundtrack in the background* But lmfao wait for it to hit you on wrong side. I don't believe in love but goddamn it love stories are cute as fuck and its hard to *not* read one in a while. but this one isn't your average cute love manga. i mean its cute but creepy shady cute. the type that make you think 'uh uh i'm good man' and grimace.
This is hell of a book with its weird twists and those feELINGS!!! surprise! surprise! I loved it :*
recommended to everyone who desire to get out of their comfort zone and face their traumas. (might not be directly related but slight mindfuck is guaranteed.)
This is hell of a book with its weird twists and those feELINGS!!! surprise! surprise! I loved it :*
recommended to everyone who desire to get out of their comfort zone and face their traumas. (might not be directly related but slight mindfuck is guaranteed.)
September 8, 2019
The first 3/4 of this manga was so enjoyable. A broken cast of characters reflecting on themselves and the search for happiness and acceptance. The backstory of Aa-chans childhood especially gave great insight to some of his actions and nature.
But while it had great set up it ended very abruptly in comparison to where it felt the story was taking us. The end for Yutakas story just didn't add up completely which was frustrating. But what really made this manga fall short where it started so well was Suzume's side of everything. It felt clumsily explained maybe due to the story primarily focusing on Akira.
I do think it's worth a read but I would advise others to have expectations similar to a short story
But while it had great set up it ended very abruptly in comparison to where it felt the story was taking us. The end for Yutakas story just didn't add up completely which was frustrating. But what really made this manga fall short where it started so well was Suzume's side of everything. It felt clumsily explained maybe due to the story primarily focusing on Akira.
I do think it's worth a read but I would advise others to have expectations similar to a short story
August 14, 2020
I read this in one seating and after a bit of reflecting on what I just read, I understood what the mangaka's message was. Although the supernatural aspect threw me off a little, the message was simple: self-loath doesn't just harm yourself, but the people closest to you. Since Akane was so focused on his flaws, he never really noticed how the world is changing around him. For instance, he, like the rest of the school, never got to know Suzume far from her smart girl persona. Even after knowing Suzume cared for him, he would always bring himself down. It was his fault that Suzume was like this in the first place. The story ends bittersweet with Akane and Suzume accepting that this is now their reality as they continue with their "normal" lives.
August 2, 2018
A boy is approached by the most perfect girl in school, who wants to be his girlfriend. He is in shock that she would like a loser like him, and turns her down. The next thing he knows, a giant caterpillar shows up at his house. It's the girl, who asks if she can now be his girlfriend, since she made a wish not to be perfect any more.
You'd think it's a silly premise, but the story is very well done, and is a sad tale about two broken people. The story develops wonderfully too, the mystery of how she could become a caterpillar becomes a springboard for a rich tale, and a depressing one. It's only one volume, but you should definitely read it. It's much more powerful than you think.
You'd think it's a silly premise, but the story is very well done, and is a sad tale about two broken people. The story develops wonderfully too, the mystery of how she could become a caterpillar becomes a springboard for a rich tale, and a depressing one. It's only one volume, but you should definitely read it. It's much more powerful than you think.
July 10, 2022
2.8!
yukuta’s ending didn’t rlly make sense to me and the actual ending felt a bit hmm.. inadequate? like we didn’t get a complete ending to suzume’s story but ig that’s not entirely necessary considering we got development to akane’s story.
but overall, the message this manga sends is very bittersweet imo. insecurities are (pardon my french) a bitch, and this story (quite literally) shows you how they cause misery not only for yourself but also others around you. it’s hard to control and even worse when others are affected by it bc well, if only you controlled them yknow?? which makes the insecurities worse and the cycle continues.
yukuta’s ending didn’t rlly make sense to me and the actual ending felt a bit hmm.. inadequate? like we didn’t get a complete ending to suzume’s story but ig that’s not entirely necessary considering we got development to akane’s story.
but overall, the message this manga sends is very bittersweet imo. insecurities are (pardon my french) a bitch, and this story (quite literally) shows you how they cause misery not only for yourself but also others around you. it’s hard to control and even worse when others are affected by it bc well, if only you controlled them yknow?? which makes the insecurities worse and the cycle continues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2019
At first, I wasn't quite sure about this story, it was given to me as a gift and from the general look, I thought it might be a bit far out for me (even though the cover art was very good). The more I read the more the story stood out and presented itself as something I easily enjoyed. The characters were relatable the situations, however impossibly supernatural, were not so altogether impossible that it made it difficult to understand.
It didn't quite end the way I might have liked but none the less this was a very good read! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new quick manga.
It didn't quite end the way I might have liked but none the less this was a very good read! I would recommend it to anyone looking for a new quick manga.
May 4, 2022
I honestly don’t know how I feel about this story. I picked it up to to a quick flip through for the art style and I loved it. The summary didn’t give me much to go off on and honestly it looked like it would be this cute little romance manga. Boy was I wrong. It pulls you in making you think it’s romantic but it’s very sad and almost toeing the line of depressing. Overall the story line wasn’t bad but it also wasn’t what I thought it was going to be from first glance. I may have to think on it more to see how I truly think about it.
May 30, 2021
I would give this a 3.5 but since I cannot here, I have rounded up.
The thing I loved the most was Suzume's cute little caterpillar form.
There is a lot I want to say about this. I am not sure that I actually liked it or not. I found it...sad and depressing but also a little relatable in those ways. Chapter 6 was my favorite chapter.
I honestly do not know what else I want to say about this. It is one of those things that when you open your mouth to speak...nothing comes out.
The thing I loved the most was Suzume's cute little caterpillar form.
There is a lot I want to say about this. I am not sure that I actually liked it or not. I found it...sad and depressing but also a little relatable in those ways. Chapter 6 was my favorite chapter.
I honestly do not know what else I want to say about this. It is one of those things that when you open your mouth to speak...nothing comes out.
July 11, 2018
This manga was surprisingly good. I bought it on a lark and really enjoyed it. It felt like a twist on beauty and the beast. Where the perfect girl is the one who turns into a monster. This book probably isn't for everyone, it is quite weird but if you're looking for something outside the box I would recommend it.
June 16, 2022
Very cute and unexpectedly tragic story. I love how silly Suzume was! The character’s emotional progress reminded me of A Silent Voice in a way. I wish it was longer so there was more time to further deepen the story. I believe it has potential to be something better.
A cute and fun read nonetheless!!
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
A cute and fun read nonetheless!!
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2018
I mainly bought it since I stumbled upon it while raising butterflies this year (summer of 2018).
I'd say it's a very cute story with interesting parts and artwork, but it's not the most magnificent plot of all. A nice and average good story and inspiring art for my shelf.
I'd say it's a very cute story with interesting parts and artwork, but it's not the most magnificent plot of all. A nice and average good story and inspiring art for my shelf.
July 31, 2019
I hoped it would be a cute fan service or rom com manga about a guy dating a monster. It was a tome about how parental abandonment creates cycles of self-loathing which ripple outward to ruin any meaningful relationship. Depressing and crushing.
March 22, 2021
This book is strange and magical and sad and beautiful. There was nuance in all of the characters we met, despite it being a quick read. I loved it, and only wish I could spend more time with these strange sweeties.
January 2, 2019
What an odd yet enjoyable book...! Equal parts supernatural horror and teen comedy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews