Take a photo of a barcode or cover
librarianryan 's review for:
Not Your Idol, Vol. 1
by Aoi Makino
This is a funny little manga (not funny haha). I once read an article about the Japanese Idol culture. To this American it seems a little strange. Girls are picked to be in a girl group (think Japanese Destiny’s child) or some other entertainment industry. They are meant to be “for the people” and as such can not date or appear to date, and must remain “forever young”. I find the culture odd because it makes me think of legal pedophilia. But that is mainly because I don’t know much about it.
However this book has given me a bit of a different look. Our main gal doesn’t like to wear mini skirts or dress feminine. She gets mad at other girls around her who just want to dress for the boys. Part of it feels backward to current American society where we are being more aware and accepting of gender fluidity. However in this book, that is not the case. She gets teased and ignored because she doesn’t look like or act like other girls. But she has a very big secret. She was once the main center Idol for Pure Club. She was the star. Until she was attached at a hand holding event. She feels, rightly so, that her body is her own and it belongs to no man, and no male has dominion over it. So when she sees girls who take grouping and other things for granted or think of it as no big deal, she becomes upset and defensive.
Of course there is a boy involved. He seems like a good guy. He sees the idol under the pants. But why??
While at times this story irked me for what feels backwater stereotyping of women’s roles in society, I need to know what happens next. I am curious. I am also curious, as this is a manga how long a run it will have. Will they wind up the story in 2 volumes or will it go on for 20-30.
Overall I enjoyed the read, but I didn’t love it. It makes me more curious about a society I know nothing about so that is a plus, and the story was entertaining. Was it great literature. No. Will people still be talking about this manga in 20 years? I don’t know yet. Right now I say no, but we will have to wait and see how the story progresses.
However this book has given me a bit of a different look. Our main gal doesn’t like to wear mini skirts or dress feminine. She gets mad at other girls around her who just want to dress for the boys. Part of it feels backward to current American society where we are being more aware and accepting of gender fluidity. However in this book, that is not the case. She gets teased and ignored because she doesn’t look like or act like other girls. But she has a very big secret. She was once the main center Idol for Pure Club. She was the star. Until she was attached at a hand holding event. She feels, rightly so, that her body is her own and it belongs to no man, and no male has dominion over it. So when she sees girls who take grouping and other things for granted or think of it as no big deal, she becomes upset and defensive.
Of course there is a boy involved. He seems like a good guy. He sees the idol under the pants. But why??
While at times this story irked me for what feels backwater stereotyping of women’s roles in society, I need to know what happens next. I am curious. I am also curious, as this is a manga how long a run it will have. Will they wind up the story in 2 volumes or will it go on for 20-30.
Overall I enjoyed the read, but I didn’t love it. It makes me more curious about a society I know nothing about so that is a plus, and the story was entertaining. Was it great literature. No. Will people still be talking about this manga in 20 years? I don’t know yet. Right now I say no, but we will have to wait and see how the story progresses.