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Degrassi Extra Credit #1
Turning Japanese
TURNING JAPANESE
It's the end of Ellie's senior year, and as though final exams aren't enough to worry about, she's been placed in a compromising position by one of her bosses at a comic book company. Is quitting her only option?
J.T. turns to the Internet to help cope with the recent troubles in his life. But now he spends most of his time locked in his room, and he can't seem to move on. Is his new habit just making his problems worse?
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
3 people are currently reading
123 people want to read
About the author
J. Torres
398 books80 followersComic book writer whose credits include the Eisner Award nominated Alison Dare, the YALSA listed Days Like This and Lola: A Ghost Story, as well as Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, Love as a Foreign Language and Teen Titans Go, which garnered him a Shuster Award.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 26, 2010
I want to start off with some information that covers all 4 of the Degrassi Graphic Novels. They read just like episodes of the show, with two main plotlines. All 4 take place basically in the summer between Seasons 5 and 6 with some overlap into those 2 seasons. I'm not sure if I would suggest them for people that aren't familiar with the show, they just kind of jump in where the show left off so there isn't much framework for someone that is new to these characters.
Also, all 4 are illustrated by different people, I'm going to guess the reason for this was because these all came out in a short amount of time and it would be impossible for 1 person to illustrate them all that fast. Though because of the way the different artists draw the characters it helps that there is a page near the front of each book that shows all the characters who are main players in that specific story.
Onto the book, Ellie's internship at a Comic Book company alternates with J.T.s summer at home trying to get over his trying year. I definitely enjoyed Ellie's story more so, there were some great comic references and we got to see more of the characters in her story.
I enjoyed the art, especially the full page illustrations, they provided more detail and in turn more expression on the characters faces.
I think the author did a great job of staying in tune with the show right up to the signature ending without much resolution (which I found hilarious when I first started watching the show). It's hinted that that things will turn out ok but you never actually see it happen!
Also, all 4 are illustrated by different people, I'm going to guess the reason for this was because these all came out in a short amount of time and it would be impossible for 1 person to illustrate them all that fast. Though because of the way the different artists draw the characters it helps that there is a page near the front of each book that shows all the characters who are main players in that specific story.
Onto the book, Ellie's internship at a Comic Book company alternates with J.T.s summer at home trying to get over his trying year. I definitely enjoyed Ellie's story more so, there were some great comic references and we got to see more of the characters in her story.
I enjoyed the art, especially the full page illustrations, they provided more detail and in turn more expression on the characters faces.
I think the author did a great job of staying in tune with the show right up to the signature ending without much resolution (which I found hilarious when I first started watching the show). It's hinted that that things will turn out ok but you never actually see it happen!
May 27, 2018
3.5. This was so enjoyable for this Degrassi fan. The same A/B storyline structure about serious subjects (this one is about sexual harrasment and porn addiction, ilu Degrassi). Of course, resolved by the end and with my childhood fave characters. Definitely going to pick up the other ones.
September 14, 2020
This was...not it. I'm a major Degrassi fan and figured that even if the art in this was just meh and the storyline sounded basic that I'd like it anyway, but oh boy, I was wrong.
JT's porn addiction plotline was just so unnecessary and felt so inappropriate for his character considering that this takes place almost immediately after his drug overdose. I figured they'd use this brief window of time between his suicide attempt and him being stabbed to do something to develop his character more or let him interact with more important characters, but nope.
As for Ellie's plot, I was so excited to see her and Marco as comic characters and was hoping for an interesting plotline for her, but this was so tone-deaf. Ellie is sexually harassed and groped at work in this comic by an older man and instead of a storyline about how people can reach out when they're being harassed, she has a storyline filled with her friends making jokes and telling her that "the difference between flirting and harassment depends on whether the guy is cute." Um, nope!!! A literal underage girl is being harassed and groped by her employer in this. That's not flirting and writing it off as a joke completely does not sit well by me. Also, this situation is 'resolved' by Ellie working from home, an option which she explains means she won't even be able to do her job properly, while the guy who harassed her continues to work with no punishment, no consequences, and no changes to his worklife.
Overall, I'm going to go ahead and hope this book isn't counted as canon, because it was truly terrible.
JT's porn addiction plotline was just so unnecessary and felt so inappropriate for his character considering that this takes place almost immediately after his drug overdose. I figured they'd use this brief window of time between his suicide attempt and him being stabbed to do something to develop his character more or let him interact with more important characters, but nope.
As for Ellie's plot, I was so excited to see her and Marco as comic characters and was hoping for an interesting plotline for her, but this was so tone-deaf. Ellie is sexually harassed and groped at work in this comic by an older man and instead of a storyline about how people can reach out when they're being harassed, she has a storyline filled with her friends making jokes and telling her that "the difference between flirting and harassment depends on whether the guy is cute." Um, nope!!! A literal underage girl is being harassed and groped by her employer in this. That's not flirting and writing it off as a joke completely does not sit well by me. Also, this situation is 'resolved' by Ellie working from home, an option which she explains means she won't even be able to do her job properly, while the guy who harassed her continues to work with no punishment, no consequences, and no changes to his worklife.
Overall, I'm going to go ahead and hope this book isn't counted as canon, because it was truly terrible.
April 14, 2024
I wanted to read these as a big degrassi fan but this one kind of fell short. Both storylines seemed slow and weird and I'm hoping the others turn out better.
June 24, 2022
CW: harassment,porn
Truly I thought Id take a week to read this but I finished it within hours of picking it up ; never wanted to put it down!! I LOVE the art work ; it fits perfectly with the timeline. If you can remember this is like exams,after JT&Liberty give their baby up for adoption so before we see a lot of Jimmy's artwork with the painting in the school but we hear whispers and see him drawing Rick with his gun. Although this book makes me confused why Ellie goes on to date her boss that cheats on maybe it's because they say "its creepy if you dont like him but flirting if you do." I feel like thats wrong but realistic to how a lot of younger people think especially when you remember the Degrassi&Pretty Little Liars teacher dating storylines. I do love seeing Jimmy help Ellie and I think he had a smart idea for the little context he was given. I wish Ellie wouldve been more open with him but it does make sense that she wasnt ready for that yet. I loved the JT storyline,relatable yet funny and very JT. The chocking the chicken made me laugh so hard ; its a subtle yet not too subtle totally Degrassi joke!! I love seeing Hazel at the club with Ellie&Alex&Paige. I still think Ellie&Alex wouldve been so cute as a couple too but Alex&Paige are cute in this book too and its nice see Alex&Hazel have an inside joke. A very cute and happy read that still fits very well with the timeline and show storylines.
Truly I thought Id take a week to read this but I finished it within hours of picking it up ; never wanted to put it down!! I LOVE the art work ; it fits perfectly with the timeline. If you can remember this is like exams,after JT&Liberty give their baby up for adoption so before we see a lot of Jimmy's artwork with the painting in the school but we hear whispers and see him drawing Rick with his gun. Although this book makes me confused why Ellie goes on to date her boss that cheats on maybe it's because they say "its creepy if you dont like him but flirting if you do." I feel like thats wrong but realistic to how a lot of younger people think especially when you remember the Degrassi&Pretty Little Liars teacher dating storylines. I do love seeing Jimmy help Ellie and I think he had a smart idea for the little context he was given. I wish Ellie wouldve been more open with him but it does make sense that she wasnt ready for that yet. I loved the JT storyline,relatable yet funny and very JT. The chocking the chicken made me laugh so hard ; its a subtle yet not too subtle totally Degrassi joke!! I love seeing Hazel at the club with Ellie&Alex&Paige. I still think Ellie&Alex wouldve been so cute as a couple too but Alex&Paige are cute in this book too and its nice see Alex&Hazel have an inside joke. A very cute and happy read that still fits very well with the timeline and show storylines.
August 6, 2024
why did i never know about these degrassi graphic novels???? ellie is being sexually harassed and j.t. is addicted to masturbating. ya gotta love the duality of degrassi. i actually really loved this. probably because i’m an ellie girlie at heart. the art is better than i was expecting, with enough actor likeness to know who everyone is without further context. i loved seeing paige and alex help ellie recognize and respond to sexual harassment. the little moments spinner had were also delightful. it just makes me want to rewatch these seasons (lately i’ve been rewatching mid-season 11 to mid-season 12, stopping before “bittersweet symphony” because reasons) or read fanfiction.
content/trigger warnings; sexual harassment, masturbation, discussion of teen pregnancy and adoption,
content/trigger warnings; sexual harassment, masturbation, discussion of teen pregnancy and adoption,
April 13, 2024
I love all things Degrassi. So I love that I read this, but it doesn’t mean I liked it.
I’m not sure if the author has seen a full episode of Degrassi? Maybe saw a few scenes, read some scripts, and read character bios? Some parts I could read in the character’s voices, but some pages I was just baffled.
For the most part, I could recognize the drawn characters. It’s as if they were put under a basic anime Snapchat filter, but sure, I can mostly tell (except Craig or the quick Manny came). The illustrator draws eyes over hair. I can’t get over that - even though it supports my shitty Snapchat filter theory…
I’m not sure if the author has seen a full episode of Degrassi? Maybe saw a few scenes, read some scripts, and read character bios? Some parts I could read in the character’s voices, but some pages I was just baffled.
For the most part, I could recognize the drawn characters. It’s as if they were put under a basic anime Snapchat filter, but sure, I can mostly tell (except Craig or the quick Manny came). The illustrator draws eyes over hair. I can’t get over that - even though it supports my shitty Snapchat filter theory…
August 18, 2020
This reads just like an episode! I saw this and it gave me instant nostalgia, I just had to pick it up and it did not disappoint. It was strange that J.T. was not dead and that followed a slightly different timeline at least for him but that could be my nostalgic brain forgetting things. This graphic novel definitely makes me need to re-watch the show! Also the art style is AMAZING!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2019
This was cute, but the JT subplot was really cringe-worthy.
April 2, 2023
i love ellie nash
May 30, 2024
What did I just read...lol
April 8, 2025
Some things felt weird but very cute. I'm glad for the extra stories to feed my Degrassi obsession. And the art is phenomenal.
May 19, 2025
yeah no this was weird & a let down. JT’s storyline was disturbing & I don’t think was a great choice for this type of thing at all.
September 12, 2025
surprisingly I really like this one I love the fact that she loved to drink coffee she loved comic books like me they did really good with the art love when I can relate to a character in a book
May 13, 2008
Reviewed by Taylor Rector for TeensReadToo.com
TURNING JAPANESE is about the kids at Degrassi High School and their personal lives. Just your basic, average teenagers. They don't have super powers and they aren't geniuses.
Ellie has a job at a comic book store and her boss is highly inappropriate with her. J.T. turns to some not-so-great things on the Internet to relieve the stress of his girlfriend (maybe it was his ex; I never did figure that out) giving their baby up for adoption.
I felt like I was thrown into a story that gave me almost no background on what was going on and was kind of hard to understand. But if you like manga, or stories based on the Degrassi characters in particular, this is definitely the book for you!
**An added note from "The Genius:" If you're a follower of the Degrassi The Next Generation television show, you'll be able to follow the plot of TURNING JAPANESE quite easily. For those unfamiliar with the show and its plot, however, this probably isn't the best place to learn about the characters. I highly recommend Degrassi, though, so start from the beginning!
TURNING JAPANESE is about the kids at Degrassi High School and their personal lives. Just your basic, average teenagers. They don't have super powers and they aren't geniuses.
Ellie has a job at a comic book store and her boss is highly inappropriate with her. J.T. turns to some not-so-great things on the Internet to relieve the stress of his girlfriend (maybe it was his ex; I never did figure that out) giving their baby up for adoption.
I felt like I was thrown into a story that gave me almost no background on what was going on and was kind of hard to understand. But if you like manga, or stories based on the Degrassi characters in particular, this is definitely the book for you!
**An added note from "The Genius:" If you're a follower of the Degrassi The Next Generation television show, you'll be able to follow the plot of TURNING JAPANESE quite easily. For those unfamiliar with the show and its plot, however, this probably isn't the best place to learn about the characters. I highly recommend Degrassi, though, so start from the beginning!
June 24, 2023
This one was my favorite of the four. Although the art wasn't that great, the storyline was the best. J.T.'s addicted to porn subplot was eh? But Ellie's sexual harassment seemed fresh and new. The books are sooo short, and the endings always seem abrupt and borderline cheesy.
Overall I enjoyed this book and the others, mostly because I'm a huge Degrassi fan. I also bought these books for super cheap :)
Overall I enjoyed this book and the others, mostly because I'm a huge Degrassi fan. I also bought these books for super cheap :)
May 24, 2013
A great way to expand the world of Degrassi for fans. I honestly wish they had made more than just four books for "Extra Credit". And I especially enjoyed how they gave you a place that the storyline can fit in between episodes. :)
March 26, 2016
I love Degrassi the next generation so when I saw these I had to buy them. I can't remember if this actually happened in the show or not. But it was a good message to pass into readers. Onto the next one.
March 27, 2008
This book is great I wouldn't want it to end. It would leave u wondering like that feeling u get when at the end of a book says to be continued....
It's great!!!!!!!!!!!!
It's great!!!!!!!!!!!!
July 31, 2011
Good for any Degrassi fan.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews