The artwork is so beautiful and stylish. I love the visuals with James showing how music can take you to another place. You can literally tell how much fun the artist had drawing this. I also liked the relationship drama between Dan and the theater kid. The struggle with James and his parents is also well-executed. I felt his overwhelming frustration and sadness. And the cringe is IMMACULATE. Kawaii desu!

Now, the story’s all over the place leading up to the big anime convention. There’s a weird fixation on James asianness. Toward the latter half, we start getting flashbacks, but it’s hard to tell where the present starts and ends.

But the story is mostly dumb—wonderfully dumb—and it revels in that though it manages to touch slightly on when others stereotype your culture to the smallest parts, inadequacy, financial struggles, same-sex attraction questioning, white and Asian beauty standards, racism and/or colorism in the anime communities (

I thought Maya’s race was ambiguous at first. Because y’know many people think dark skin automatically equals Black. Though she was wearing a bonnet, she looked more South Asian to me. Her mom and Grandma too.

; when will mangakas tire of the Sambo lips, Lord only knows. 

Oh yeah, a character tells Maya they don’t expect her to act Black so don’t expect them to act Asian. Whatcha mean there? Let’s unpack that. Battle of the racial stereotypes, bay-bee! Who will win? *violent eye-roll*

Covering all the relevant issues bogged the story down. I think if the book were published into two parts. The narrative would have read smoother, or some issues should’ve been cut for sake of time.

Overall, mostly good. It’s like Chex mix. The ending ties up the loose ends nicely.