放浪息子 7

Wandering Son #7

by Takako Shimura

In this sensitive manga series about transgendered preteens, the boy who wants to be a girl deals with acne, and is scouted for the school’s theater club along with Chiba-san. Shimura Takako’s groundbreaking, critically acclaimed, and beloved Wandering Son continues to explore gender identity among its cast of middle school students in our 7th volume. Nitori-kun gets his first signs of acne. This may well be the end of the world. But when he turns to nationally famous model Anna-chan for help, events take an unexpected turn. Meanwhile, Nitori-kun and Chiba-san are scouted by the theater club after the success of their gender-bending play, The Rose of Versailles. But when Takatsuki-san congratulates Chiba-san, Chiba-san calls her a hypocrite. If Takatsuki-san wanted to join the theater club, she wouldn’t congratulate Chiba-san ― she’d be jealous. So says Chiba-san, but what does she know? Black & white

Genres: Manga, LGBT, Comics, Graphic Novels, Queer, Young Adult, Transgender

Paperback

First published December 25, 2007

About the author

Takako Shimura (native name: 志村貴子) is a manga artist primarily known for her manga works published in Japan which feature LGBT (especially about lesbian and transgender) topics. Originally from Kanagawa, she now resides in Tokyo.

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 7, middle school continues in the story of friends Nitorikun, the boy who wants to be a girl, and Takatsuki-san, the girl who wants to be a boy. Skirts the line between teen drama and slice of life, as we see teens face the horrors of. . . acne. And middle school level desire, which barely gets expressed.

Not a whole lot happens in this one, except, notably, Nitori-kun contacts a famous model for advice. And there's lots of crushes and blushing and confusion and pain and laughter. This is character-driven manga, not issue-driven, primarily, with very likable and realistic and fun characters (more girls by far than boys), not blown up with manga silliness, highlighting issues of gender identity in ways we could not have seen twenty years ago. It's just a middle school story you might have read twenty years ago but one that now narrates and brings out in the open gender questioning/exploring that was always there.

Where I live (in one of the five safest glbtq places in the country, OUT magazine says) this seems to be more a thing than ever, to openly explore gender identity from every possible angle, to role play, to explore real feelings, to change names, maybe to cross dress, maybe not, to not take anything for granted. . . with gay and lesbian marriages now in many areas a regular thing that we might never have imagined twenty five years ago. . . at the same time people are getting assaulted in some areas for being gay. Troubling, fascinating times, exciting times, still, and complicated.

[Aleksandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Charming volume with lovely fitting illustrations.
The reason it’s not four stars or higher is because I’m not a huge fan of slice of life in manga form. In anime - I love it, but I prefer more plot-driven manga. The testament of it is that I’ve been reading Wandering Son since October 2017 and I’m still not done with it.

I do recommend this manga, it has wonderful story about middle graders, authentic and endearing. The manga features two transgender main characters, a girl and a boy.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never know which way this story will go. I'm warming up to Chiba a little, but she's still kind of a brat. She just has some growing up to do. I mean these are middle schoolers. They're all a little unlikable. Except Shu. Protect him at all costs.

I kind of love how the friendships have shifted a little and new ones have formed. I was not expecting the thing with Anna to happen, but I don't mind it? Although I don't want Shu to feel like he has to hide his tastes to make Anna like him. And Maho is still mostly the worst. I'm liking this new development with Chiba and Yoshino though. I want to see where that goes.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this series! Although this volume doesn’t heavily touch on the transgender stuff like previous volumes it was still very enjoyable to read as I did it in one sitting. That’s Takako’s talent for creating such wonderful characters that have quickly grown on me. This volume does hint at depression/mental health with one of the characters who doesn’t seem to be queer. I admired how one of the characters really goes out of their way to try and cheer up this character. Another reason this series would be beneficial for kids of this age to actually be able to get their hands on this series to read.

Very excited, but saddened as I believe the next volume is the final one translated into English.

[Jophiël van der Meij · Rating 4 out of 5]

After watching the anime - which I thoroughly enjoyed - I went on something of a quest to get my hands on the first volume in this series, translated in English.
As might be surmised from this specific review, Volume 7 was the first in the series I could find.

I would probably give this volume 3.5 stars. Not a lot happens, but the slice of life scenes of this handful of loveable characters are still very much enjoyable. Growing up...it's never easy.

[Robert Hudder · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume it is periods, pimples and breasts. There are more questions about the little things that the kids are doing. One character in particular tries to get at what is feminine and masculine by asking the two kids why they do certain things as the opposite gender does as well. i.e. boys have long and short hair.

I am not sure that this is about pushing folks into the closet or an exploration about gender role stereotypes.

We will see. Only one more volume to go but right now there are several miserable teens here.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow paced and more character driven than plot driven but nicely done. I'd not read the previous volumes because I came across this volume in a sale and couldn't say no. Good middle-grade book, trans themes nicely handled.

[Elliot]

Genre: manga, slice of life
3 LGBTQ main characters: 2 transgender, 1 questioning/gay

Importance of identities to plot: 2/5
Romance: 1/5
Coming out: no

Notes: The kids continue to deal with puberty, mainly period side effects and acne. Also they go on a ski trip!

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like and dislike the direction this went or might be going.

[Kurtis Burkhardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good sweet LGBT theme manga! Good story and loved the art😻👍😁❤️

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The students go on a school trip!

I liked this volume a bit better than 6.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a sweet manga, I wish there were more volumes published in English!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shu is dating Anna! That was a surprise. However, I think secrets will come out over the ski trip....

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, these kids just can't catch a break. So much love to our two main characters, to Anna and Chii, to all of them really (except Maho and that one girl who hates everyone but Chii....like what is wrong with them!? Some people just like to be jerks I guess >:( ) Anyway. My heart goes out to these characters who try and fail and keep trying. It's sad, it's funny, it's realistic and it's gorgeous. Wandering Son is a series I want to keep reading and reading, but I have no idea when another volume will be released in English D:

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

SOB! There are no more volumes currently published in English! What will I do!
I love Takatsuki so much for reaching out to Chiba. Not sure why I'm so drawn to her. The tragedy, maybe? And isher mother a single mother?
It occurred to me that aside from Nitori and Mako there are no other boys that are main characters. There are a few recurring peripherals, but they don't show up regularly.

[Nathan Frechette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one dragged significantly more than the earlier volumes, and feels like it's getting away from the issues the other volumes tackled. I hope it picks up again, I really love this series.

[J PH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing good development, but no "oh my god that moment". Which, I mean, you can't have every volume.

[o · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last volume that is currently published in English :( I'll miss reading this series - so lovely.

[andrew y · Rating 4 out of 5]

chiba and takatsuki are ALMOST FRIENDS. chiba why are you tsundere~~~


save me from myself please

[Meaghan Steeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

I shouldn't have waited so long before getting back into this series- I forgot too much!

[Nic · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review of volumes 1-7 is on No Flying No Tights.

[Jennifer Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgot to review this volume when I read it, but I loved this volume just like the others.