welcome to this book review,
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review !
This manga was a surprise, the art is what first caught my attention and the premise really intrigued me. From the first couple of pages I was captivated, the mystery of knowing why Nina (AKA: Karen) left the idol world and was hiding, dressing herself as a guy (even though everyone knew she was a girl) with a new name in a new town. I hated Miyu and her victim blaming/downplaying sexual harassment of herself and another girl. The author beautifully wove the links between the people and the surrounding events without giving away the punch.
The cliffhanger left me wanting for more !
I totally recommend.
Though it should get some trigger warnings for sexual and physical harassment and PTSD.
-Bookarina

I really enjoyed this manga. It’s an interesting change from manga I’ve read in the past. It’s heavily focused on women and girls being attacked and not feeling safe, especially idols.

I read it in one sitting and I’m so sad I didn’t realize it wasn’t coming out until May! Now I have to wait even longer to know what happens next.

Trigger warnings for sexual assault and violence.

Thank you, NetGalley, for a complimentary copy of this manga!

Wow, just wow!!! I read this one in one sitting...not only because it was a short read, but I got sucked into the story!! I felt for Karen and Tsuji and I love Hikaru! The story is fantastic and I can't wait to read the next one! The graphics were great as well. I loved the "background images" when the MCs were remembering the past. The manga was well-written and addressed touchy subjects, such as assault, gender expectations, and the struggles in the aftermath of such incidents really well...the fears, the problems trusting people, the desire to change your appearance--all that was portrait well in this book!

Though it is very early in the series, this series has SO MUCH POTENTIAL and so much going on in it. The art is absolutely gorgeous! If I could draw eyes like that, it’s probably the only thing I would want to do all day… but that's not all this manga is. This manga is set up to tackle major issues that seem to be plaguing our society nowadays.

What things, you ask? Things like objectifying women, using the excuse that ‘she dressed provocatively so she must have wanted it,’ victim shaming, etc. Things like how Kamiyama is obviously suffering from PTSI/PTSD and trying to cope as best she can on her own, or how the assailant assaults her and his ‘logic’ behind it. You now got the potential to go into the realm of addressing mental health issues.

Side note: if you mix in the fact that Hikaru has experience with someone else in a similar position as Nina and him naively trying to be what she needs, those two are destined to become friends on some level.

But don't forget, it’s manga and you can’t just leave it at that! So add in that you have additional complications flying around. It’s just a mixing pot of intrigue and drama!

I honestly can’t wait to until the next volume comes out!! In fact, I’m 100% sure this volume is joining my physical library once it gets released! I only hope the rest of the series delivers on all the promises this volume seems to be making.

While the culture of Japanese Idols may be unfamiliar to an American audience, the topics central to Not Your Idol won't be - this book directly addresses sexual assault, make privilege, and the ways women and girls have learned how to protect themselves from the same in a way that still allows the main characters, Nina and Hikaru, to develop. Nina, a former Idol, is recovering off the grid from an attack by a fan, when she meets Hikaru at her new school. Hikaru seems trustworthy, but is any boy, really? Nina's trauma is presented in a very raw, realistic way; it crops up unexpectedly, preventing her from doing basic things, and lingers pervasively in her life. The first volume ends with a question of identity begging to be answered. I am definitely looking forward to volume 2.

Premis: A young pop star idol is attached by a fan. She hangs up her mini skirt, changes her name and goes to high school wearing the boys uniform and insisting she doesn't want to be a girl anymore. When a girl at another local high school is assaulted, and the local train adds a women's only car to combat groping, everything comes simmering to the top.

Verdict: Volume 1 isn't enough of this manga to be able to tell if the author is going to be able to pull off tackling the complexities of sexual assault, gender identity, fame, sexuality, and misogyny with skill, but boy is this manga bold, and perhaps badly needed both in Japan and America. I for one will be checking out additional volumes as they arrive to see how things go. This could be an incredible character story as well as a morality tale against misogyny and all the ways men police women's bodies, dress and actions, or it could fall flat on its face under the weight of it all. Only future volumes will tell.

Skip if you are triggered by sexual assault or "she was asking for it" comments.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3190399846?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

I went into this with little information as I wanted a blind experience on this read. Thank you, Netgalley, for providing a free eARC for my unbiased opinion.

I just finished this less than thirty seconds ago, but I'll try to collect my thought as best as I can.

I definitely want to continue this series. This book was...hard to read. I'm very lucky as a woman. I've never been sexually assaulted, groped, or cat-called. Guess it's a plus that I've always dressed and acted more like a man than anything--that's simply my personality and life choice. This book raised a lot of very current problems, and I genuinely hope the series will continue to tackle them. It deals with the topics of physical assault, sexual assault, teacher-student rape, and how people view all of these situations. The main character has the unique opportunity to see both ends of the spectrum in terms of how women and men treat assault towards women. She sees women who belittle others for wanting to be safe and not be attacked, she sees men who complain about women wanting their own train cars for safety and stricter regulations, and she sees men and women who stand up against assault and rape culture.

This book isn't graphic--you don't see anyone being raped or horrifically assaulted, but please note that it is very emotional and could potentially be triggering if you have been through anything like this.

As a whole, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the discussions it raised about how dangerous it can be for quiet girls and how subtle sexism has pervaded our world. I definitely recommend this, and I cannot wait for volume two.

I was not expecting this book to turn into a psychological thriller, but I loved it. It does deal with assault so if you are recommending it as reading material, make sure you inform the person ahead of time. There were a couple of quirks that felt odd, such as a girl who is in hiding purchasing an expensive/flashy apartment and someone who is timid suddenly standing up for herself after one pep talk, but these were minor issues. I can't wait for the next volume.

A sweet little shojo manga. What I found interesting is the look at Japan's "girl idol" fandom--young girls in frilly skirts with some singing ability and the public meet-and-greets known as "handshakes" as well as the dominant male culture that keeps women living in fear. A great manga for the #metoo era.

Thanks to the publisher (Viz Media) and NetGalley for the eBook I was able to read as an advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy!

A great beginning to a new series (but the ending--they really left me hanging). Our main character was once the center in an idol group, but after a mishap at a handshake event (read: meet and greet) she has left and gone undercover, as a regular high school freshman. She cut off her hair and refuses to wear skirts, so that she can blend into society as a man and has chosen to leave the idol group behind her.

Can't wait to read the next installment.

A great start to this series. It deals with many issues that are relevant today including identity, mental health, sexual assault and dealing with trauma. I'm interested to see where the author goes with this storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viz for the opportunity to read an early copy of this manga!

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this incredibly complex, deep, thought provoking, intriguing, and thrilling story. I wasn't quite sure what to expect after the first few pages, as the dialogue was clunky and I am definitely not familiar with K-pop groups or the world they exist in. However, Aoi did a wonderful job educating me as to the standards and pressure these young women (and men) experience.

I appreciated how much thought went into Nina's PTSD, including her triggers and resulting coping behavior. I haven't read a story in recent memory that death with trauma in such an authentic way. I could see how Nina struggled with her fears, which made it easy for me to root for her triumph over them. I would've loved to have seen more of her family and support system though, aside from her ever present Idol friends who periodically pop into the page through conversations on her AirPods. In fact, her living alone was the most unbelievable part of this fictional story.

I loved the feminist moments, I loved the glimpses into Japanese culture, I loved the twists and suspense and, ultimately, the cliffhanger. That being said, I may have to sit with the ending before I know how I feel about it. Needless to say, I am thrilled to have gotten an early copy of this Manga, and I cannot wait for the next volume. Congratulations to Aoi Makino on their new series!

Absolutely adored this first installment! Cannot wait to continue on. As someone who has been assaulted, I appreciated the portrayal in this manga. Thank you so much,

This manga is a perfectly timed psychological thriller that expertly explores various aspects of the #metoo movement. It twists and turns just enough for a first volume, and doesn't shy away from the tough topics it is dealing with. I'm really excited for the next installment!

In this manga, our female MC was assaulted while she was a famous singer. After the assault she leaves the group to become normal. In the process she makes herself look as boyish as possible to prevent ever being assaulted again. At school she meets a boy, but is conflicted about her feelings. This manga was really interesting. I liked the story and the artwork. It was easy to follow. I've had issues lately with manga being hard to follow. I would love to know where this story goes from here. It was intriguing and suspenseful.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy!

How!! How can it just end there?

This author does a great job at roping you in and keeping you hooked. This is the story of a high school freshman who was once the center for an idol group, but gave it up when she is assaulted with a knife at a handshake meeting. Ever since that moment, she’s wanted to live as a boy to avoid men’s advances. She doesn’t go completely unnoticed, however, and one of the boys at school realizes who she is despite her best efforts.

From here, it’s a take on women in society and how they are treated for what they wear, how they act, and the personas they put on. It’s also a take on how one woman allowing abuse makes men think they’re behavior is excusable.

Just when Nina begins to open up, it turns out her attacker may be closer than she thinks.

The art in this series is very pretty, and the characters are written very well. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for supplying me with an Arc of this manga*
I enjoyed reading this manga, the storyline was very interesting. Enough to keep you interested until the end. It left you wanting more from it, the manga had a very topical subject matter. The art style is lovely to look at and it has made me look forward to the next volume.

I haven't read manga in a very long time but once in a while will catch up with a graphic novel.
So what I'm obscurely trying to say in a roundabout way is I'm not sure if the theme in Not Your Idol Vol 1 is standard now, topical or an outlier.

Synopsis
A psychological suspense series about a girl who has given up her life as an idol after being assaulted by a fan.

After that day, she stopped being a girl. In the wake of an assault, Nina Kamiyama, a former idol in the group Pure Club, shuns her femininity and starts dressing as a boy. At high school, she keeps to herself, but fellow student Hikaru Horiuchi realizes who she is. What secrets is she keeping? The shocking drama starts. Goodreads


Kamiyama is deeply affected by this assault, which has led to her leaving the idol group and reinvented herself by changing her name and adopting a non-feminine presentation at school. I would even go so far as to say is broken by this incident as she's retreated into the background in this new environment, hasn't made any friends at school, lives alone and doesn't appear to be moving on or processing this traumatic event. The impression given is she must deny her femininity to feel safe, to be safe. It is almost if she believes that only men have the luxury of safety at all times.

What is admirable
It's not likable but it's appreciated that the conversation can be had about sexual assault, stalking, stereotypes, gender expectations. In this instance, assaulted by a guy who wasn't caught, finding out that she is being stalked, makes Kamiyama's behaviour even more tense and erratic - verbally lashing out or walking off when being spoken to. The affects of the assault is clear, she is traumatised: it has turned Karen from a fun-loving idol into reclusive Kamiyama who stands out for all the wrong reasons.


What I don't get
Given all that has happened to Kamiyama and her age, why is she living by herself. Where is her family in this? Where is her support network? I don't class daily phone call from Pure Club as sufficient to help someone recover from PTSD. That is very odd to me, so much so that I see it as a plot device which is irksome.
Hiraku is supposed to be the good guy, so why is he following Kamiyama, questioning her and asking for an autograph. If as stated, he understands the wider context of sexual assault and it's behavioural changes, then why does he act the way he does around her? What is this saying about his character arc?


More queries

I'm not sure what the driver is for this story. Is it about the life of an idol and the sacrifices that it entails?. We are shown the benefits and limitations of this life - being told what to do and say,
Having to deny your emotions, individuality and embrace what's best for the group to survive and thrive. No part of your life is off-limits. To acknowledge and accept that your value is primarily as a commodity to the fans and the sponsors.
Is it a critique of this form of celebrity and the stereotypes that it enforces regarding attractiveness, clothing choices and the perception it influences other and the general objectification of young girls? We see the latter through the conversations of the boys and girls at school.
Or is it about surviving; what does the aftermath of assaults look like for victims. sexual or otherwise, particularly when there is no resolution or justice?

Conclusion
Having come to the end, I'm kind of unsettled as it's not clear, there are no conclusions or revelations. I feel unfulfilled.
To finish off, the drawing style was okay but marred by the large watermark through the centre of each page which was distracting and some of the lettering was too small. Additionally, it was really irritating to read with Adobe Digital Edition, as it didn't work on my phone so I was limited to reading on the PC. Finally, flashback scenes were hit and miss.
Thus in summary, this first installment is not as intriguing as I expected it to be. I kind of want to find out more about the perpetrator and the cliff hanger that Vol 1 ended on, but am in no rush to prioritise doing so.
2 Stars - It was okay

Many thanks to Netgalley and Viz Media for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

Great new manga that focusses on some serious issues - such as the discrimination and derogation of woman and peer pressure and bullying. It's probably a good thing that I received a free copy, because it's been a while since I read a manga, not because of anything specific reason but 'life' usually gets in the way. Nonetheless, Not Your Idol is a very interesting take on the whole girl dressing like a boy idea. The story gives the trope depth that I feel has yet to be seen - at least in manga available in western media!

Nina is great. In the sense that her fear is not overly dressed, nor is her reactions to the events happening around her. She does misunderstand sometimes, but at the same time these misunderstandings are valid because of the trauma she experienced. I particularly liked the criticism that the manga (so far) provides on idol culture in relation to gender roles in society. While I can't say much about Japan's own culture, but it's a relateable concept even here, where women had been objectified in music videos and various movies roles (though these have, in varying degrees, improved over the years, it still needs work). I like also that Nina is scared but she also hates the hypocrisy, yet wants to improve the way people view 'beauty', 'role of women', and 'being an idol'.

Hikaru, on the other hand, is currently being projected as the potential but not necessarily love interest of Nina. he has his own problems and seems to understand Nina because of what happened to his sister. However, as we are viewing the story through Nina's eyes, she sometimes doubts him.

On the whole, I am interested in this manga. It feels serious, yet there are some light moments that break through, and give the general feel of your expected Shoujo manga. I look forward to reading this further, hopefully the next volume comes out soon after this one!

This is my first time reading Manga and it was far more intense and detailed then I expected it to be. Beautifully illustrated and poetically written.

The author addresses sensitive subjects including sexual and physical assault, gender expectations, PTSD, and the deep phycological trauma often experienced by assault victims.

I enjoyed the look of the manga animation and quickly worked through this book in one sitting however I am still not sold on this genre.

I received a free copy from the publisher and Netgalley in return for and honest review.