Cover Image: Gudetama: Surviving the Holidays

Gudetama: Surviving the Holidays

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

"Gudetama: Surviving the Holidays" brings the lovably lethargic egg into the chaotic world of holiday festivities, offering a whimsical take on the season's trials and tribulations. While the illustrations retain the adorable charm characteristic of Gudetama, the graphic novel falls into the same pattern as its predecessors, leaving it a tad lackluster for me.

The synopsis promises a helpful guide through the holiday chaos with Gudetama's unique perspective. The theme resonates with the struggles many face during this time of year, from gift-giving dilemmas to the inevitable self-reflection brought on by failed resolutions. The simplicity of the narrative aligns with the character's trademark apathy, creating a lighthearted approach to common holiday woes.

Wook-Jin Clark's illustrations continue to capture the essence of Gudetama's charm, with the lazy egg's expressions bringing smiles to readers' faces. The visual style remains consistent with the character's established brand, featuring vibrant colors and endearing designs that fans of Gudetama will appreciate.

However, the graphic novel, like its predecessors, falls short in terms of narrative depth. The episodic structure and limited character development may leave some readers wanting more substance. While Gudetama's lazy demeanor is part of the character's appeal, it can also result in a lack of dynamic storytelling that may not engage readers seeking a more robust narrative.

The book maintains the adorable and humorous essence of the Sanrio character but might leave readers looking for a more substantial narrative experience. The illustrations are undeniably cute, making it a worthwhile quick read for fans of Gudetama or those seeking a light-hearted approach to holiday stress. However, for those seeking more depth, it might fall short of expectations. 🍳📚🎄

Was this review helpful?

Essa graphic novel é muito divertida. Eu nunca tinha lido nada do Gudetama, mas é uma graça como ele dá sempre uns conselhos práticos, e não muito bons, para as pessoas resolverem seus problemas.

Was this review helpful?

This third instalment of the Gudetama comics is just as delightful and colorful as the previous. Highly suggest for libraries with large millennial populations (as that is who it seems to be geared towards).

Was this review helpful?

"Sanrio character designer" is probably one of my top ten dream jobs (up there with one of Gladys Knight's Pips). Can you imagine proposing that a lazy, apathetic cartoon fried egg with a butt crack should be the next mass produced cute character? And then have it be a success?

The comic itself was less entertaining. While the art was bright, engaging, and emotionally propulsive, the plot itself was meh. It was basically an advice manual for surviving the holiday season, and while the advice cme from a good place the solutions were all too pat. Sometimes problems really can't get solved in five panels on one comics page. I'm ordering a gudetama pluhsie, though. My kids and I need more cute lazy apathetic egg in our lives.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first experience with Gudetama, an egg that lies around, and dispenses wisdom. (Though it was never discussed, I suspect he also likes lasagna and hates Mondays.) It was an encounter I certainly could have lived without. The artwork was . . . well, not impressive.

And, Gudetama's advice is either common sense, or, in some cases, just plain dubious:

Question - "I get really lonely this time of year. What can I do?"

Gudetama's answer - "Be patient. The year is almost over. Take a nap. Refresh yourself, and wake up in the new year as a new you."

Wha-? I'm all for taking naps, but expecting to wake up with a new personality seems a bit much. And, how will that cure loneliness?

Yeah, yeah - I was obviously not the intended audience for this one, so if you're a fan of talking breakfast foods, Gudetama might just fulfill your minimum daily requirement of yolks, er . . . yuks.

Was this review helpful?

If you love Gudetama, and know who he is, you might love this collection.

But, if like me, you have never heard of him, and find his little advice and quips to be either common sense, or just stupid, and not funny then I would run not walk to the nearest exit.

Others have compared him to Garfield, but Garfield, the cat, not the former president by the same name, was occasionally funny. I read this whole book and could only say well, I suppose that is supposed to be funny.

I am obviously not the target audience.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

For years now, I have been fascinated with kawaii, albeit in stationery. This was an excellent read for the season, especially in 2020! Many of my pen pal and swapping friends also like kawaii and its subsets, and I have recommended this book to them. I can see myself making it a habit / tradition to read each year when the holiday season approaches. This book is an excellent intro into the world of graphic novels. Three stars from me because I liked it.

Was this review helpful?

Catching up with reviews that have caught up with me.
Very cute and sweet. Had the exact right amount of humour and seriousness in this book.
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me a free copy to review.

Was this review helpful?

Cute and sweet guide. Probably not the right guide for 2020 holiday season but let's ignore that. The art is really cute and well done. Someone compared this to Garfield but Gudetama isn't as sarcastic as Garfield. And he actually wants to help.

Was this review helpful?

I received this book as an arc from Netgalley and I initially requested it as it looked like an adorable graphic novel that would be perfect for the festive season. I am not very familiar with the Gudetama character but the lazy little egg just looks so adorable and I wanted to find out more about the character. It wasn't really what I expected as it just follows various characters with seasonal problems and Gudetama offers solutions - I wrongly assumed that it would have some kind of plot or a better structure. Overall, I liked the artwork, Gudetama is utterly adorable and it was a cute quick festive read but I'd only recommend it to those who really love the character already.

Was this review helpful?

A good balance of humor and seriousness answering all your holiday questions.

No one gives better advice than the laziest person in the room. Fortunately, that happens to be Gudatama in this graphic novel. Answering everything from gifts for people you dislike and how to celebrate the new year.

There is a lot of dialogue in this holiday survival guide. Spanning from three panels on the top of the page to a full two-page spread. The holiday help requests vary from ridiculous to serious with a Gudatama touch to all of them. The entire graphic novel is in bright and vibrant colors. The characters are drawn cartoon style with good background detail. I found quite a few of the stories interesting. This is a fun and lighthearted read to mentally prepare for the holidays. This graphic novel is geared towards older teens and young adults.

Was this review helpful?

This volume of Gudetama is perfect for fans who need a break from all the little dramas that the holidays bring. Gudetama walks characters through the big and little crisis that occur whenever families get together for big holiday celebrations. It's definitely a quick escape read and makes you slightly nostalgic for all the chaos that we have to miss this year.

Was this review helpful?

'Gudetama: Surviving the Holidays' with story and art by Wook-Jin Clark brings more of the Sanrio grouchy egg and his questionable advice.

This time, it's the holidays and all the trauma they can bring. From having parents visit that want to take over your entire tiny apartment to creating the perfect resolution for the new year. There is a hunt for the perfect, if impossible to find, gift, and wishing for snow.

Gudetama doles out decent advice this time, or lets folks find the answers on their onw. This is a fun seasonal comic with a really strange couple of main characters. The art is fun too, and I had a good time reading this.

I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.

Was this review helpful?

I love everything about Gudetama, so of course I requested this book on Netgalley! It makes for a great gift book, especially during the holiday season. While our holiday season is definitely messed up this year due to Covid, this book will definitely transcend time and will always feel relatable. After all, who doesn't love a lazy egg?

Was this review helpful?

I know nothing about Gudetama but one of sanrio products. I was little bit surprise it has its own comics. I do not expect much about the series.

Gudetama: Surviving the Holidays a colorfull book. You can simply read it in one sitting. It brought me to random people and their holiday problems.

I was little bit confuse with Gudetama's role in this book. There is nothing wrong with the art but I can not enjoy the story. I might should read the previous book.

Was this review helpful?

This manga was so cozy to read, and absolutely perfect for the lead up to winter!!
In "Gudetama: Surviving the Holidays", we follow Gudetama and his friend, Nisetama, as they wander around helping different characters! From choosing gifts for family and friends, to surviving air travel at this busy time of year, Gudetama provides solutions whilst also giving us a little chuckle.

Honestly i'm just ready for the winter holidays at this point, and i think this manga will be perfect to pick up in December if you're looking for a short read that will give you all the wintery feels!!

I'm looking forward to reading the next installment in this series, because I also enjoyed reading the Valentines themed manga a few months back, and the artwork is simply delightful. Gudetama to is just too hilariously relatable!!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Oni-Press for providing this eArc in echange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

4/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc

A very cute short novel. Which turns out to be what it lacked on. I wanted more. Appreciate the inclusion of cultures. And also the thought of a lazy egg being a wise old man in the inside.

Was this review helpful?

I have seen Gudetama many times since its creation. Many people around me often carry the merchandise on their persons. Since then, I've always been a little bit curious about this character. When Gudetama: Surviving the Holidays was available, I decided to check it out. I am glad I read this because this character is so relatable to me, an adult. Honestly, I recommend this book to everyone who has been timid about reading manga or interested in the character.

Was this review helpful?

I love Gudetama and his attitude so I was very excited to read this Holiday book!

The illustrations are gorgeous and complement the short stories very well, however I wish the plot was
a bit more intricate and the stories a bit less repetitive.

An enjoyable and quick read!

Was this review helpful?

I was really confused with this one. I enjoyed the colour scheme, but apparently Gudetama is a thing and I have no experience with it. I did not even know that. But it was a fun book to read nevertheless.

Was this review helpful?