Emotional and different

Our Not-So-Lonely Planet is a series I had heard recommended many times on LGBT manga lists, so I bought the entire collection for our library. 

This series follows a gay couple, the serious and anxious Asahi and the handsome and outgoing Mitsuki. They have been dating for a while, though Asahi is closeted and not out to any of their families or friends. That being said, the couple has set an ultimatum for themselves: they will vacation around the world, and when they return to Japan, they’ll marry. 

In this volume, they travel to three countries, and the volume does a good job of making you want to visit as well. I think one of the things that will throw off readers is that there is a very specific art style used throughout this manga. Some people may love it, and some hate it, as I feel it had a bit of a throwback/90s style compared to most modern manga. Again not a bad thing, just something I think readers may have strong feelings regarding. 

This is a hard volume to review as I was drawn in by the couple and their story, but we don’t really learn too much about them. It’s a bit slow, and we learn that Asahi has some health problems, as well as issues within their relationship, but it doesn’t go into strong detail. I think this is a side-effect of this being part of a series and holding things back to be learned over time. That’s fine with me as I plan on reading the rest of the series, but the pacing may be make or break for some readers.

Title: Our Not-So-Lonely Planet Travel Guide, Volume 1
Author: Mone Sorai
Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
ISBN: 9781427867551

Three Descriptors: Emotional, Relatable, Strong art/setting