Oct 24, 2024
The Bride Was a Boy – Spoiler Free – Recommended
TLDR
Story – 7/10 – 7 x 0.275 = 1,925
Art – 8,5/10 – 8,5 x 0.2 = 1,7
Characters – 8/10 – 8 x 0.225 = 1,8
Enjoyment – 7/10 – 7 x 0.3 = 2,1
Total: 7,525 -> 8
Story – 7/10
The story of “The Bride Was a Boy” is quite simple: it is an autobiographical take on the life of the author as a trans woman – Chii – who married a man in Japan. It is written from the perspective of an MtF (Male to Female) transgender person, although the story fluctuates between the perspective of the
...
transition and her romance with her now husband. It is quite wholesome, easy to read and closely recalls the spirit of “My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness”, although for the better. It also has a very explicit educational purpose of explaining how the trans experience in Japan is, mostly in bureaucratic and legal terms, such as the problems with changing “legal” gender while married – a problem that, according to the author, is more common – or at least was in 2016 – in the western world than it should.
Art – 8,5/10
The art style is incredibly unique and is perfect for the light-hearted way in which it was written, as there isn't a heavy focus on any topic in particular – again, it balances the seriousness of her social and medical transition with the romance aspect of the manga. There aren’t any detailed scenarios – for there isn’t any need for any – and the characters are caricatured in a cute and funny way. Page composition is also experimental in nature, and it works quite well on how everything is presented.
Characters – 8/10
Not much can be said about the characters, for there are literally only just two of them – Chii and her husband. In that regard, they are humane and quite likeable, being representations of their real selves.
Enjoyment – 7/10
“The Bride Was a Boy” presented a good reading experience. While it elucidated the trans reality in Japan further, its touches of comic relief made the reading enjoyable and swift. It is a short read that simply deserves a Recommendation for its relatability and usefulness for the reader interested in the trans experience in Japan, as well as the LGTQIA+ and Otaku communities in general, who can add another wholesome, cute story to the trans manga niche.
Reviewer’s Rating: 8
What did you think of this review?
Nice
0
Love it
0
Funny
0
Confusing
0
Well-written
0
Creative
0Show all
.png)
![Q4 2017 Anime & Manga Licenses [Update 12/23]](https://cdn.myanimelist.net/r/50x78/s/common/uploaded_files/1506711459-312b42bb5679de27f5e052bbc95ce478.jpeg?s=92481c01a766e65b8116f4d3d8c45a8d)
