An awesome graphic novel about being spirited away and finding home + more again!

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024 and BOY did it deliver! It was absolutely gorgeous.

😍 While Anzu wasn’t always the easiest for me, I did grow very fond of her and started to root for her to find her home again, to get back to her family. She got stronger and stronger as the book continued and I was just loving every moment of it.
😍 The Japanese myths/mythology + the language. From youkai to Obon to items and their powers to a dark goddess holding kids hostage to all sorts of other things. I am a big fan of Japan and that is also a big part of why I wanted to read this book, and I am so happy it delivered.
😍 The journey of Anzu and the Gatekeeper of Yomi was such an adventurous one, sometimes a tad scary, and I loved seeing both of them grow fond of the other. In the beginning, well, I could definitely understand that Anzu didn’t quite like the Gatekeeper. He stole her necklace, brought her in here (well, with a little help of the evil goddess of the night), I would also not be amused, but I loved that they found a way to cooperate and that you could slowly see the bond growing stronger between them.
😍 Oh, and that the journey has a time limit. She needs to get home before a certain time… or she is stuck in this place forever. It adds some pressure and makes things more high stakes than if she had all the time.
😍 I loved seeing the Gatekeeper get stronger as well. When we meet him we see he is shunned by the community because he is seemingly not doing his tasks, but as the story continues we see his powers grow and we see him get stronger. More fit for the role of GateKeeper.
😍 That we are not just here on Anzu’s journey to find home, but also meet a little ghost who desperately wants to be free. And not just one ghost, many.
😍 Be prepared to bring along tissues, because there are some sad moments in this one (or happy ones that just bring out the waterworks).
😍 Obaachan. That is all I will say.
😍 The art was absolutely stunning and I loved every bit of it. It was so pretty and it was like I was there with Anzu.
😍 Also have to mention the cover of course! Seeing the sun almost rising behind that torii, see the evil goddess above and see Anzu and the GateKeeper. So awesome!

All in all, if you are looking for a wonderful book full of mythology, a dash of grief/loss, a lot of growth, and gorgeous art, I would recommend this one!