The Bride was a Boy

RKasa Sep 23, 2018

9

This true story of trans woman Chii's covers her life growing up in a boy's body, her transition, and finally her wedding and marriage. She frankly discusses difficulties she's encountered in being a transgender person, from wanting to gossip about love with cisgender women to questions she's gotten from cisgender people in general, but there are many happy moments as well, including her coming-out tale and various stories about her relationship with Husband-kun, from their meeting to their wedding. There is a fair amount of informative material included, such as definitions of LGBT+ related terms (from a Japanese perspective) at the end of each chapter, and a detailed overview of the main requirements to legally transition in Japan. It is also just a very cute story. Chii-chan and Husband-kun are adorable in their interactions, and as a fellow happily married person, I found that their everyday romance is quite relatable. The book is a mix of standard-type stories and 4koma, all of which are drawn in a cute and simple art style. Some of the jokier 4koma didn't really stick the landing with me (and I'm not sure how much of that is the localization), but the rest of the writing is solid and there are no structural problems with the pacing or storytelling. There is also a bibliography at the back, as well as afterwords by both Chii and Husband-kun, a bonus comic, and a brief author bio. I am unsure about other editions, but Seven Seas' English-language release includes the introduction and first chapter in full color on glossy stock. Highly recommended for just about anyone.

MissCheese Oct 20, 2021

9

I like the art style and As A trans girl myself this is Soooooooo Relatable