I received this book from Netgalley/the publisher in exchange of an honest review.

I just LOVE books about people going to Japan, learning the language, travelling through the country/staying there for a while, so this graphic novel? I needed it in my life!

In this one we first meet Julia who during a fun party meets Marc and they start dating and then slowly the idea of going to Japan starts. We see them prepare, learn the language (or at least get a basic understanding of it), we see them get hyped and figure things out, and then it actually starts. They are going, and I was just so excited. We see them get to their apartment (which isn’t big and boy I would definitely go crazy if I had another person with me at that point), discover foods and find out that no gluten/vegan isn’t the easiest options, see them go to Japanese school to learn the language (which I adored to see, that they were really sticking in the effort to learn the language even if they weren’t going to stay a long time), and then slowly they are getting used to what Japan is. Well, OK, not always, haha. We see that some things are just strange/weird, for instance one time Julia is entranced by the TV and the weird things that pass by, she is all sparkly eyed, haha.

I love seeing various cultural differences pop by + also about that whole trash/garbage plan that Japan has which has always confused me, haha. So many things that need to be sorted and put in the right spots, LORD I would go crazy.

But we also see the two grow. As a couple. As people. We see how Marc is really going and making a demo to send to Kojima (yes, that Kojima). His worries and his energy. We see that Julia has more problems with things in the country, especially in the way of communicating. She just doesn’t dare to speak up. Worried she may say the wrong thing. Or that she won’t find the words. I did agree with Marc, just try it. It is scary yes, but how else do you want to practice your skills? I loved that they were so good together, Marc and Julia, again, if I was cramped in that small space with barely any room to breathe or have silent moment, I would go crazy. And not just me, my hubby would as well. We both just need our spaces.

I loved seeing Japan through Marc and Julia’s eyes. From hanami to manga/anime to safety drills to learning Japanese to food and gorgeous sites. It was a lot of fun and I am so happy I was able to read this book.

We also see that Julia has arthritis and how she tries to handle the pain + figure out a way to just go on without doing treatments (as they don’t have a lot of money) until they are back in Spain. My heart broke for her that she had to make these decisions. Food or treatment. Treatment or food.

The art was also so fun. I love the limited colour palette of red/pink/blue.

All in all, I would highly recommend this one! This was just so good and I flew right through it.