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My Brain is Different: Stories of ADHD and Other Developmental Disorders
In this manga essay anthology, follow the true stories of nine people (including the illustrator) navigating life with developmental disorders and disabilities.
This intimate manga anthology is about the struggles and successes of individuals learning to navigate daily life with a developmental disorder. The comics follow the stories of nine people, including: a junior high dropout finding an alternate path to education; a former "troublesome" child helping kids at a support school; a so-called problem child realizing the beauty of his own unique quirks; and a man falling in love with the world with the help of a new medication. This book illustrates the anxieties and triumphs of people living in a world not quite built with them in mind.
This intimate manga anthology is about the struggles and successes of individuals learning to navigate daily life with a developmental disorder. The comics follow the stories of nine people, including: a junior high dropout finding an alternate path to education; a former "troublesome" child helping kids at a support school; a so-called problem child realizing the beauty of his own unique quirks; and a man falling in love with the world with the help of a new medication. This book illustrates the anxieties and triumphs of people living in a world not quite built with them in mind.
184 pages, Paperback
Published April 1, 2022
66 people are currently reading
1416 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 198 reviews
April 17, 2022
TW: mental health issues including depression and schizophrenia, physical abuse, suicide.
I am diagnosed with anxiety and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and although I do not have the developmental disorders portrayed in this book such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), I understand that it can get incredibly lonely and overwhelming navigating the struggles that come with these illnesses/disorders. I also have people I care about who are managing struggles due to ASD.
Voices being heard through widely-available and engaging media such as these are so incredibly important, to reach out to countless people suffering in familiar ways and tell them they are not alone. To educate the rest of us on these topics. To stop gaslighting people for not being "normal". This is so so incredibly important!
I am diagnosed with anxiety and OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), and although I do not have the developmental disorders portrayed in this book such as ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), I understand that it can get incredibly lonely and overwhelming navigating the struggles that come with these illnesses/disorders. I also have people I care about who are managing struggles due to ASD.
Voices being heard through widely-available and engaging media such as these are so incredibly important, to reach out to countless people suffering in familiar ways and tell them they are not alone. To educate the rest of us on these topics. To stop gaslighting people for not being "normal". This is so so incredibly important!
June 17, 2022
There are some interesting tidbits about growing up neurodiverse or living with neurodivergent people but the storytelling is not particularly engaging. There are a lot of and-then-this-happened, and-then-this-happened transitions that make for a string of occurrences rather than a story. And there is a lot of repetition in the nine stories shared as most follow the exact same arc, with loads of depression, suicidal thoughts, bullying, and discouragement. Fewer stories told a little deeper might have held my attention better.
April 18, 2022
[Content warning: bullying, suicidal ideation, abuse, self-harm, probably things I’m forgetting]
A collection of stories of people who are living with developmental disorders themselves or with others who have them. Across a broad spectrum, see the highs, the lows, and the treatments that people use to survive what most would classify as ‘normal life’.
This is one of those books that is very good and I will very likely never, ever read again. It’s almost impossible for me to give an objective opinion on this, but there is an inherent value to these narratives that is likewise impossible to deny.
As somebody who is already dealing with ADHD, OCD, social anxiety, and is most likely on the spectrum (it’s not easy getting a diagnosis when you’re a mostly-functional adult), there is an aspect of being seen here that makes things a little uncomfortable, personally, and the stories involving children are particularly triggering.
The takeaway, really, is that things have come a long way, but they haven’t gone nearly far enough in terms of providing care and support and waiting for the system to get things right in some of these cases is positively maddening, but rings very true.
These are raw stories of people who want to feel normal, but have no idea what that even entails, let alone how it should feel. There are tears, hurt feelings, physical trauma, impacted relationships, caregiver burden, all sorts of issues. Nobody struggling with their mental health has an easy time of it, obviously, but some struggles are incredibly dark.
Even the moments of hope that a diagnosis gives are somewhat blunted by how much these people had to endure to get there. Being able to put a name on something is huge, but it doesn’t just solve the problem.
As a narrative, it’s a bummer. Also, the art isn’t especially good, though it gets the job done. The stories themselves cover a wide variety of subjects and conditions and, although there’s a definite sameness to the difficulties and symptoms, these are clearly unique people with specific struggles.
It’s also very humanizing, which is incredibly important. These are people first and their problems second, but when they aren’t getting the help they need, they are very frequently viewed as problem-first by society rather than the other way around.
As a work that wants to help people empathize with the plight of those affected by this or to understand them better, it is very good. Whatever else I might feel about this, it definitely does more good than anything else and, while not blunting reality is important, do be aware that said reality can be incredibly hard to take.
5 stars - in hindsight, I should not have read this book. However, somebody may read these stories and see themselves and feel seen and realize why they’ve been struggling with life so much and, for that reason alone, this is worthy of existing.
A collection of stories of people who are living with developmental disorders themselves or with others who have them. Across a broad spectrum, see the highs, the lows, and the treatments that people use to survive what most would classify as ‘normal life’.
This is one of those books that is very good and I will very likely never, ever read again. It’s almost impossible for me to give an objective opinion on this, but there is an inherent value to these narratives that is likewise impossible to deny.
As somebody who is already dealing with ADHD, OCD, social anxiety, and is most likely on the spectrum (it’s not easy getting a diagnosis when you’re a mostly-functional adult), there is an aspect of being seen here that makes things a little uncomfortable, personally, and the stories involving children are particularly triggering.
The takeaway, really, is that things have come a long way, but they haven’t gone nearly far enough in terms of providing care and support and waiting for the system to get things right in some of these cases is positively maddening, but rings very true.
These are raw stories of people who want to feel normal, but have no idea what that even entails, let alone how it should feel. There are tears, hurt feelings, physical trauma, impacted relationships, caregiver burden, all sorts of issues. Nobody struggling with their mental health has an easy time of it, obviously, but some struggles are incredibly dark.
Even the moments of hope that a diagnosis gives are somewhat blunted by how much these people had to endure to get there. Being able to put a name on something is huge, but it doesn’t just solve the problem.
As a narrative, it’s a bummer. Also, the art isn’t especially good, though it gets the job done. The stories themselves cover a wide variety of subjects and conditions and, although there’s a definite sameness to the difficulties and symptoms, these are clearly unique people with specific struggles.
It’s also very humanizing, which is incredibly important. These are people first and their problems second, but when they aren’t getting the help they need, they are very frequently viewed as problem-first by society rather than the other way around.
As a work that wants to help people empathize with the plight of those affected by this or to understand them better, it is very good. Whatever else I might feel about this, it definitely does more good than anything else and, while not blunting reality is important, do be aware that said reality can be incredibly hard to take.
5 stars - in hindsight, I should not have read this book. However, somebody may read these stories and see themselves and feel seen and realize why they’ve been struggling with life so much and, for that reason alone, this is worthy of existing.
April 29, 2022
I adore this book. I found the stories to be very healing as someone who has recently discovered that I have ADHD. I loved how the stories showed neurodivergent people from childhood to adulthood. This book is really hopeful while still showing the difficult things people go through to try to fit into society. I feel seen and have learned a lot about different neurodivergent experiences. Also, this is my first experience reading manga, and now I am so excited to explore more!
December 11, 2022
TLDR; did you have a rough time growing up with understanding school, social situations and relationships? Well, let the stories of 9 strangers tell you why it's probably because of undiagnosed ADHD or ASD.
All joking aside, I felt fucking seen, heard, x-rayed, broken down and atomized. These stories follow a similar pattern - growing up/school/life difficulties, moment of diagnosis, followed by how they are doing now that they have some tools at their disposal. As an educator who is still trying to figure out my own developmental disorders, this proved to be a reminder to always approach everyone with empathy and understanding. While there is a time and place for cracking the whip (so to speak, I don't actually whip them) for those who are not doing the work, it is to approach each student with what is the trouble getting in the way of you completing what I have asked you to do. The initial parts of each story were very revealing, not only for my own life, but also about students with whom I've worked with in the past. There were plenty of indispensable pieces of knowledge and techniques that I need to keep reminding myself to apply in real life.
While this is a very personal review about my connections with it, these are more of my general thoughts about the volume. While the art isn't great, the overarching theme and message more than make up for it as it is a project by a woman working through her own condition to spread awareness and empathy for others with developmental disorders. While the format of each story did feel repetitive, each had its own differences to make takeaways unique. I did find some stories in the middle a little tough to focus on compared to those at the beginning and end, but it's more of a non-fiction and I don't do well with those anyways. This could be a sticking point for a lot of people though, as it can feel monotonous to see similar stories, conditions and scenarios.
All in all, I think this is going to stick with me for awhile. There's a lot for who I am as a person and an educator to hold onto, but a lesson about understanding others, knowing that they might be coming from a difficult place and your action can help or hinder their movement throughout the world.
All joking aside, I felt fucking seen, heard, x-rayed, broken down and atomized. These stories follow a similar pattern - growing up/school/life difficulties, moment of diagnosis, followed by how they are doing now that they have some tools at their disposal. As an educator who is still trying to figure out my own developmental disorders, this proved to be a reminder to always approach everyone with empathy and understanding. While there is a time and place for cracking the whip (so to speak, I don't actually whip them) for those who are not doing the work, it is to approach each student with what is the trouble getting in the way of you completing what I have asked you to do. The initial parts of each story were very revealing, not only for my own life, but also about students with whom I've worked with in the past. There were plenty of indispensable pieces of knowledge and techniques that I need to keep reminding myself to apply in real life.
While this is a very personal review about my connections with it, these are more of my general thoughts about the volume. While the art isn't great, the overarching theme and message more than make up for it as it is a project by a woman working through her own condition to spread awareness and empathy for others with developmental disorders. While the format of each story did feel repetitive, each had its own differences to make takeaways unique. I did find some stories in the middle a little tough to focus on compared to those at the beginning and end, but it's more of a non-fiction and I don't do well with those anyways. This could be a sticking point for a lot of people though, as it can feel monotonous to see similar stories, conditions and scenarios.
All in all, I think this is going to stick with me for awhile. There's a lot for who I am as a person and an educator to hold onto, but a lesson about understanding others, knowing that they might be coming from a difficult place and your action can help or hinder their movement throughout the world.
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May 22, 2023
I appreciated the different points of view included in this book, especially since they are of different age ranges and life experiences. This is very much rooted in Japan, so some of the support systems in place are not ones we have access to in the US, but it is still very much worth a read.
June 11, 2022
Do you have a developmental disorder and wish to be seen? Do you love someone who has a DD condition and wish to see life through their eyes? Read this manga, seriously.
The stories can be difficult to read (please check the content warnings), but each story ends hopefully. Each author learns how to live life in an authentic manner and look forward to the future.
What I really appreciated was that there's no one "look" for people with development disorders. Each experience is as unique as the person telling the story.
The stories can be difficult to read (please check the content warnings), but each story ends hopefully. Each author learns how to live life in an authentic manner and look forward to the future.
What I really appreciated was that there's no one "look" for people with development disorders. Each experience is as unique as the person telling the story.
April 16, 2023
Really insightful to read to many personal and authentic stories. It shows where the struggles and issues are (some are shared, some are different) and that there really is a spectrum how differently development disorders can manifest themselves.
April 16, 2023
These manga essays felt a little brief, but were still powerful. The art is very cute and expressive; the style adds humour despite the heaviness of the stories being told. I'd love to see a longer, deeper series of these.
January 3, 2023
This was in our teen collection, and it's rated 13+, but I think it might actually be better in an adult collection? I'm not sure. The stories are collected from adults and a lot of them are about not being diagnosed until reaching adulthood, which I know is a narrative for a lot of folks with ADHD/autism/other conditions collected in this book. (BTW, I'm not sure if "developmental disorders" is the best term in the US? Everyone in this book seems to use it to describe their conditions but "disorder" seems like it has more negative connotations than people in the US generally use to talk about ADHD, autism, etc. Especially when talking about adults with those conditions? IDK IDK I did look it up and it seems like it's technically correct in US English but I think a lot of folks prefer neurodiverse or neuro-atypical or similar language?)
ANYWAY also it talks a lot about specific Japanese programs for work-study and work accommodations available for those with disabilities. Which honestly sound like pretty good programs but also like things that function differently in the US? So it was interesting to read about but might be a lil disheartening for an American teen to read about. (Honestly also for American adults...)
The art is cute and appealing though.
ANYWAY also it talks a lot about specific Japanese programs for work-study and work accommodations available for those with disabilities. Which honestly sound like pretty good programs but also like things that function differently in the US? So it was interesting to read about but might be a lil disheartening for an American teen to read about. (Honestly also for American adults...)
The art is cute and appealing though.
November 18, 2023
I’m neurodivergent (autism, depression, anxiety, and suspected OCD), and I’ve been looking for more books that share ND stories and help raise more awareness and understanding for how complex neurodiversity is and how difficult it can be to exist in a world not made for us.
This book wasn’t it, tho.
The story telling and art both felt dull and uninteresting. There’s lots of telling as opposed to showing in the narratives, and the art doesn’t add a whole lot of additional meaning. Very bland overall.
A lot of stories, while based on real experiences, felt formulaic—X was a trouble child, got bullied in school, was very depressed/suicidal, then got on meds and became a successful and well-adjusted adult. It’s not always like that, tho, and sharing only these kinds of stories feels like it perpetuates a lot of stereotypes around neurodiversity, particularly autism.
This book wasn’t it, tho.
The story telling and art both felt dull and uninteresting. There’s lots of telling as opposed to showing in the narratives, and the art doesn’t add a whole lot of additional meaning. Very bland overall.
A lot of stories, while based on real experiences, felt formulaic—X was a trouble child, got bullied in school, was very depressed/suicidal, then got on meds and became a successful and well-adjusted adult. It’s not always like that, tho, and sharing only these kinds of stories feels like it perpetuates a lot of stereotypes around neurodiversity, particularly autism.
April 21, 2023
That was really good. I don't know if I have any disorders, but some of these stories certainly felt familiar. I think it's a good book to read, since it encourages you to have more empathy for people who don't conform with "normal". I really feel like "normal/average" in people is really an illusion anyway.
Some of my favorite stories were about people who didn't discover they were neurodivergent until they were adults. The last story in particular was good, because she was a teacher's aide for children with learning disabilities and went, "Wait, I got what these kids got" which made her a more empathetic teacher who felt an obligation and purpose to reaching these kids, since she wasn't given the same help when she was younger.
Some of my favorite stories were about people who didn't discover they were neurodivergent until they were adults. The last story in particular was good, because she was a teacher's aide for children with learning disabilities and went, "Wait, I got what these kids got" which made her a more empathetic teacher who felt an obligation and purpose to reaching these kids, since she wasn't given the same help when she was younger.
July 28, 2024
Included disorders: ADHD, ASD (autism), LD (learning disabilities), Schizophrenia, depression, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, adjustment disorder
TW: suicide, bullying, domestic abuse
~~~
Storytelling-wise it falls a little flat, as it's always the same concept for each chapter/story: "X has a hard time in school and growing up, then gets diagnosed by doctor, and from then on things get better".
I had to take breaks between the chapters, as they were all so similar, making it difficult for me to properly concentrate and remember each of them individually. Although some stories did stand out by having some extreme characters (i.e., abusive parents who hit their children, or even teachers who lose control in class).
Even if you don't have concentration problems, I'd suggest to read maybe 1-2 chapters a day to let each sink in. And/or take notes.
Otherwise quite informative. While I don't plan on getting kids, some of the advice mentioned there was interesting nonetheless, and could totally be used for neurotypical children as well. The art is cute too – simple but works.
And I did tear up once and then, especially when the characters finally got accepted by the people around them.
It's more of an "info dump" type of memoir. Still, very recommendable, if you want to learn more about ADHD and similar disorders, and what these people usually have to go through – especially in a country that isn't as up to date about these disabilities as you might've expected.
-28.07.24
TW: suicide, bullying, domestic abuse
~~~
Storytelling-wise it falls a little flat, as it's always the same concept for each chapter/story: "X has a hard time in school and growing up, then gets diagnosed by doctor, and from then on things get better".
I had to take breaks between the chapters, as they were all so similar, making it difficult for me to properly concentrate and remember each of them individually. Although some stories did stand out by having some extreme characters (i.e., abusive parents who hit their children, or even teachers who lose control in class).
Even if you don't have concentration problems, I'd suggest to read maybe 1-2 chapters a day to let each sink in. And/or take notes.
Otherwise quite informative. While I don't plan on getting kids, some of the advice mentioned there was interesting nonetheless, and could totally be used for neurotypical children as well. The art is cute too – simple but works.
And I did tear up once and then, especially when the characters finally got accepted by the people around them.
It's more of an "info dump" type of memoir. Still, very recommendable, if you want to learn more about ADHD and similar disorders, and what these people usually have to go through – especially in a country that isn't as up to date about these disabilities as you might've expected.
-28.07.24
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June 16, 2022I've been trying to read some books that don't, on the surface, appeal to me. I've found several manga titles that I thought might not be for me that I've found thoroughly engaging, thus making me want to explore more.
Since first encountering My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness, I've been picking up various memoir/essay manga, some absolutely hooking me in, and some just not engaging me in any way.
Unfortunately, this was one of the latter. I think these stories about developmental disorders are necessary, and can be very helpful for parents or people trying to research said disorders. As someone just reading for a story, I wasn't interested. There were too may details, too much introspection, which, I get it, is part of some of the disorders that the authors are writing about. But it didn't hold my interest, and I found myself skipping pages with some frequency.
I don't want to rate it because I didn't expect to like it. I'm not the target audience. It seems like it would be very helpful for people seeking out this kind of book.
Since first encountering My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness, I've been picking up various memoir/essay manga, some absolutely hooking me in, and some just not engaging me in any way.
Unfortunately, this was one of the latter. I think these stories about developmental disorders are necessary, and can be very helpful for parents or people trying to research said disorders. As someone just reading for a story, I wasn't interested. There were too may details, too much introspection, which, I get it, is part of some of the disorders that the authors are writing about. But it didn't hold my interest, and I found myself skipping pages with some frequency.
I don't want to rate it because I didn't expect to like it. I'm not the target audience. It seems like it would be very helpful for people seeking out this kind of book.
July 12, 2022
CW: Suicide mentions/ideation/attempts, bullying, abuse, self-harm
I was really excited to check this out, I was diagnosed with ADHD at the beginning of the year (kind of knew I had it for years though) and I really love hearing other people's stories because developmental disorders are really taboo around the world. These were personal stories and some stories were so familiar I couldn't believe it, while others didn't share any of the same experiences I've had. It was nice to see all kinds of people and their different relationships and diagnosis stories.
I really hope we can see more volumes like this (though I know there's undoubtedly more out there, I'm looking forward to finding them!)
I recommend checking this one out for sure, but be mindful of the content warnings because there's some heavy topics.
I was really excited to check this out, I was diagnosed with ADHD at the beginning of the year (kind of knew I had it for years though) and I really love hearing other people's stories because developmental disorders are really taboo around the world. These were personal stories and some stories were so familiar I couldn't believe it, while others didn't share any of the same experiences I've had. It was nice to see all kinds of people and their different relationships and diagnosis stories.
I really hope we can see more volumes like this (though I know there's undoubtedly more out there, I'm looking forward to finding them!)
I recommend checking this one out for sure, but be mindful of the content warnings because there's some heavy topics.
July 4, 2022
I really enjoyed this... and identified a lot with some of these stories. It’s good to get more of these stories out there and the manga format was great for that, making it a fun, quick read. More folks need to read this, especially parents!
April 8, 2023
Cute but got a little repetitive near the end
December 29, 2024
This was an interesting read. I think it could definitely be a helpful/relatable read. I liked that it was the stories of multiple people.
October 2, 2023
Borrowed through Overdrive.
Highly recommended. Will try to get my own copy, as I can think of many people I'd like to lend this to.
Highly recommended. Will try to get my own copy, as I can think of many people I'd like to lend this to.
February 26, 2023
4'5 / 5
Aunque se ha avanzado mucho en el estudio, diagnóstico y difusión de los trastornos del desarrollo, éstos siguen siendo poco conocidos y aún generan rechazo en la sociedad. Esta obra nos ofrece 9 casos reales de trastornos diagnosticados, contados en primera mano por sus protagonistas (su autora tiene TDAH y su hijo mayor está en la zona gris), cómo les afectó en su niñez y en la vida adulta, y lo que supuso saber qué les pasaba.
Con esta obra, Monzusu nos muestra una realidad que permanece siempre muy oculta a aquellos que nos podemos considerar "normales". Rechazo, problemas en el día a día, dificultades varias, todo ello lo sufren muchísimas personas en el mundo a las que normalmente simplemente se les ignora, lo que puede generar a que acaben sufriendo mucho, como es posible ver en las historias de este manga. A través de las distintas personas, que no personajes, y sus historias reflejadas en este manga, debemos concienciarnos y valorar lo diferente, aprendiendo tender una mano a aquellos que lo necesitan, no poniéndoles más obstáculos.
Algo que me ha gustado muchísimo de la obra, además de la visibilidad que da a todas estas problemáticas que siempre intentan ocultarse, es cómo trata los distintos trastornos. No me refiero sólo a que se traten desde una perspectiva personal y cercana, sino también a cómo es capaz de transmitir lo que viven todas estas personas, logrando que alguien que no sufre ese trastorno pueda comprenderlo y sentir empatía por él o ella.
Pienso que este manga debería ser lectura obligatoria para todo el mundo, una forma de luchar contra la invisibilización y los prejuicios que sufren todas estas personas. Es necesario ver la diversidad y abrazarla, no tratar de cambiarla u ocultarla, sino adaptarnos a ella y ofrecer ayuda siempre que sea necesario en un mundo en el que todos y todas somos diferentes.
Irbis.
Aunque se ha avanzado mucho en el estudio, diagnóstico y difusión de los trastornos del desarrollo, éstos siguen siendo poco conocidos y aún generan rechazo en la sociedad. Esta obra nos ofrece 9 casos reales de trastornos diagnosticados, contados en primera mano por sus protagonistas (su autora tiene TDAH y su hijo mayor está en la zona gris), cómo les afectó en su niñez y en la vida adulta, y lo que supuso saber qué les pasaba.
Con esta obra, Monzusu nos muestra una realidad que permanece siempre muy oculta a aquellos que nos podemos considerar "normales". Rechazo, problemas en el día a día, dificultades varias, todo ello lo sufren muchísimas personas en el mundo a las que normalmente simplemente se les ignora, lo que puede generar a que acaben sufriendo mucho, como es posible ver en las historias de este manga. A través de las distintas personas, que no personajes, y sus historias reflejadas en este manga, debemos concienciarnos y valorar lo diferente, aprendiendo tender una mano a aquellos que lo necesitan, no poniéndoles más obstáculos.
Algo que me ha gustado muchísimo de la obra, además de la visibilidad que da a todas estas problemáticas que siempre intentan ocultarse, es cómo trata los distintos trastornos. No me refiero sólo a que se traten desde una perspectiva personal y cercana, sino también a cómo es capaz de transmitir lo que viven todas estas personas, logrando que alguien que no sufre ese trastorno pueda comprenderlo y sentir empatía por él o ella.
Pienso que este manga debería ser lectura obligatoria para todo el mundo, una forma de luchar contra la invisibilización y los prejuicios que sufren todas estas personas. Es necesario ver la diversidad y abrazarla, no tratar de cambiarla u ocultarla, sino adaptarnos a ella y ofrecer ayuda siempre que sea necesario en un mundo en el que todos y todas somos diferentes.
Irbis.
April 20, 2022
This is a non-fiction collection of manga "essays" from individuals diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, and other developmental disorders. Some of them are from the POV of a parent but most are from the POV of the neurodivergent individual.
This is a great collection but the material it deals with is fairly heavy as neurodivergent individuals deal with a lot of ableism, bullying, abuse and other societal pressures. Some content warnings:
suicidal ideation, child abuse, bullying, ableism, sexism, self-harm
This is a great collection but the material it deals with is fairly heavy as neurodivergent individuals deal with a lot of ableism, bullying, abuse and other societal pressures. Some content warnings:
suicidal ideation, child abuse, bullying, ableism, sexism, self-harm
January 7, 2023
Muy necesario! Una lectura interesante para conocer cómo viven las personas con trastornos del desarrollo su día a día y cómo tienen que esforzarse mucho más que los demás para obtener los mismos resultados.
Me encanta cómo se expone la labor que tenemos como sociedad de entender y respetar la diversidad que nos rodea.
Me encanta cómo se expone la labor que tenemos como sociedad de entender y respetar la diversidad que nos rodea.
October 15, 2023
VALORACIÓN: 4 estrellas
Definitivamente, un manga que debería leer todo el mundo. La única pega que le pongo es que tiene más faltas de ortografía de las razonables.
Definitivamente, un manga que debería leer todo el mundo. La única pega que le pongo es que tiene más faltas de ortografía de las razonables.
November 30, 2022
Real tales in neurodivergent society.
I'll be perfectly honest that this book was not a typical read for me preferring escapism to things that might hit closer to home so while some parts I could relate to there were others I didn't enjoy as much and that is fine because this book is not about entertaining everyone but instead is meant to be an example to its readers (and perhaps to people they talk to) with examples of stories volunteered by people that have had to deal with being different.
Having been diagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder (before it was rolled into ADHD) I have tried less to force myself to do things like how everyone else does and to find work arounds Although it has not always been easy I have been fortunate to have others nearby that have supported me even as society discovered more about those who are classified as neurodivergent.
My only real complaints about this book is being a fledgling mangaka many of MONNZUSU's characters have a tendency to look similar and there are a few errors in the translation that I noticed that interrupted my reading. In general a book filled with examples of what people experienced with their own lives in this graphic presentation was a much easier way than trying to sit down and reading a regular book with more drawn out descriptions.
Those sensitive people that might get a little teary while reading might find themselves letting loose a little bit of their salty water as we see these nine tales of adjusting in a world that is still learning. :)
I'll be perfectly honest that this book was not a typical read for me preferring escapism to things that might hit closer to home so while some parts I could relate to there were others I didn't enjoy as much and that is fine because this book is not about entertaining everyone but instead is meant to be an example to its readers (and perhaps to people they talk to) with examples of stories volunteered by people that have had to deal with being different.
Having been diagnosed Attention Deficit Disorder (before it was rolled into ADHD) I have tried less to force myself to do things like how everyone else does and to find work arounds Although it has not always been easy I have been fortunate to have others nearby that have supported me even as society discovered more about those who are classified as neurodivergent.
My only real complaints about this book is being a fledgling mangaka many of MONNZUSU's characters have a tendency to look similar and there are a few errors in the translation that I noticed that interrupted my reading. In general a book filled with examples of what people experienced with their own lives in this graphic presentation was a much easier way than trying to sit down and reading a regular book with more drawn out descriptions.
Those sensitive people that might get a little teary while reading might find themselves letting loose a little bit of their salty water as we see these nine tales of adjusting in a world that is still learning. :)
April 20, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this collection of stories about neurodiversity. It’s a really wonderful collection that humanizes adults with differing conditions while also explaining them. The stories, which all come from real people, deal with adults across different ages so there is a broad spectrum and I feel that this adds to the relatability. While each individual is obviously different, there are commonalities in their journey. And as someone who isn’t neurotypical, I personally could really relate to some moments in these narratives.
Overall, I think the author did a wonderful job representing these people. It really helps that she’s neurodivergent herself. I really appreciate that she made this manga cause it helps bring awareness to something that affects so many people. And as she notes, this topic is only very recently gaining relevance in Japan and there are a lot of people who aren’t really aware of what it’s like to actually live with those conditions. So, not only this is a well done, I feel that it’s an important one to read.
My only real complaint about this collection is that I wish it highlighted more conditions, but I understand that’s tough to do with only 9 stories.
Overall, I think the author did a wonderful job representing these people. It really helps that she’s neurodivergent herself. I really appreciate that she made this manga cause it helps bring awareness to something that affects so many people. And as she notes, this topic is only very recently gaining relevance in Japan and there are a lot of people who aren’t really aware of what it’s like to actually live with those conditions. So, not only this is a well done, I feel that it’s an important one to read.
My only real complaint about this collection is that I wish it highlighted more conditions, but I understand that’s tough to do with only 9 stories.
June 23, 2022
As a parent of a girl with Aspergers and another with recall delays, this book was helpful as to “getting inside their heads” so to speak. I’ve read all kinds of books, papers,.. on ASD and ADHD in girls, and this manga would be a helpful tool in explaining their world to others, especially other teens because of the popularity of manga. Their are recalled memories of abuse and attempted suicides, which I found frightening as a parent. I embraced my daughter’s ASD diagnosis and have encouraged her to be herself and tried-still trying- to get her tools to help her do this.
Cultural differences may have been at play here- These are all persons of Japanese heritage, but the message is still that there is help and support and room for growing and understanding out there.
Cultural differences may have been at play here- These are all persons of Japanese heritage, but the message is still that there is help and support and room for growing and understanding out there.
July 1, 2022
Good to read if you have developmental disorders (like ADHD, depression, ASD), as you will likely relate to some of the stories. Even more important for neurotypical family members, coworkers, and educators to read in order to better understand those with developmental disorders.
For me, a 3 star read because some of the stories were repetitive. Less stories (there are 9) and more detail in each may have been more engaging to read.
For me, a 3 star read because some of the stories were repetitive. Less stories (there are 9) and more detail in each may have been more engaging to read.
May 9, 2022
I am so incredibly thankful for this book and will definitely be recommending it to friends. Many of the true stories in this anthology book were so relatable to me. And it was also interesting to see the similarities/differences between neurodivergent people in Japan compared to here in the US.
There were a lot of moments that felt so real and definitely hit me pretty hard.
There were a lot of moments that felt so real and definitely hit me pretty hard.
January 3, 2025
In concept alone this book is a 5/5. I absolutely LOVE manga and portraying different developmental disorders through imagery is incredibly powerful.
This manga portrays several stories (based from real life people) of growing up neurodivergent.
A lot of the stories were extremely relatable and insightful. It helped me see understand what some of my friends go through on a daily basis.
My only wish is for the stories to have more detail.
This manga portrays several stories (based from real life people) of growing up neurodivergent.
A lot of the stories were extremely relatable and insightful. It helped me see understand what some of my friends go through on a daily basis.
My only wish is for the stories to have more detail.
December 20, 2022
I stumbled upon this while browsing at the library and checked it out because, well, my brain is different, and so are the brains of many if not most of the people in my social circle. While the simple art style wasn't my favorite (and I found it difficult to tell some characters apart because their designs were so similar), I enjoyed reading about the experiences of neurodivergent people in Japan. I think that this book serves two functions: assuring neurodivergent readers that they are not alone, and informing neurotypical readers about the variety of lives that neurodivergent people lead; and it does both of these pretty well. Worth a read if you come across it and enjoy nonfiction manga.
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