I was never a Star Trek fan. I saw one episode while visiting my cousin, (Kirk in the Old West?), and that was enough for me. So, I'm not sure how George Takei popped up on my radar - charming appearances on talk shows, or hilarious Facebook posts . . . somehow I became aware of him, and I liked what I saw.

As impressive as his first graphic memoir, They Called Us Enemy was, this one is even better. An overview of George's life after his release from the internment camp to the present day, we learn of his early acting aspirations, and his budding homosexuality - AND, how he initially fought against both urges. Out of fear that his career would be over, Takei remained deeply closeted until he was 68 years old. I loved the story of how he met his husband, and how their love grew over time.

The book features fantastic artwork, and George's tale is simply wonderful.

Enjoyable but far too long and wordy for a graphic novel! Would've been better as another novel memoir. Happy Pride!

It Rhymes With Takei by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Harmony Becker, and Steven Scott continues Takei's story that begun in They Called Us Enemy, which recounted Takei’s childhood in a Japanese American internment camp.

This follow-up focuses on another powerful chapter of his life. In October, it will be 20 years since Takei, then 68, publicly came out as gay. From a young age, he knew he was different from other boys, and quickly learned that this difference had to be hidden. He lived through decades of discrimination and silence, surviving and ultimately thriving in a world that was often hostile to his identity. As someone who had little awareness of the LGBTQ+ history he recounts, I found this to be a poignant and eye-opening account of what it’s like to be gay in a rapidly changing era.

I got this graphic novel as a digital ARC from Netgalley for my review.

I loved this book. It's an autobiography of George Takei that centers around his identity as a homosexual who remained closeted most of his life to then make the decision to come out during a time of LGBT activism, with great support.

Books like this are so important at a time in our history where so many people are still divided on these topics. It's a good reminder that a lot of the progress here is so recent and very tentative and so much work needs to be done to spread love in a world full of hate.

Reading about George Takei's life in this way made me cry at so many different parts of his story. It was so real and genuine and I could really feel as if he was talking to me through the novel. I could hear his voice in every line of this story. It was exceptional and I was very surprised that the story caught up to real time events that have happened. I'm glad that it did though. This is a story that I feel is needed during this year especially and I'm so glad I was able to read and enjoy it.

A stunning, moving, hopeful and informative look at George Takei's entire life, from a childhood spent in confinement, years of success in acting, in protesting civil rights, and finally coming out as gay at the age of 63. At a time when the American government - and many parts of the world - seem to be moving backwards, Takei shows us the struggle, sacrifice and hardship many have undergone to reach where we are. He has achieved so many milestones, and reminds us that - whatever challenges currently face the world - there is living proof that the power of people to change minds and change lives remains.

A stunning book. I didn't know about Takei's history - other than being a Star Trek fan, I was pretty ignorant in fact. I think this is essential reading for our LGBTQIA+ community and for allies. I feel humbled that Takei has shared his entire story, including the years of living secretly, too frightened to come out publicly with so much at stake. Ultimately, he realised that his very being was at stake, and he to be himself. An actor spent his acting because of the fear instilled in him, the belief that being gay would rip it away from him.

And yet it hasn't - he is no longer a frightened young man concerned with making end meet, but a privileged veteran star who has worked tirelessly on philanthropic causes for so many different people. Honestly, I also learnt a lot - I don't keep up closely with American News , so I didn't realise how important he was. A good man. A fantastic father.

There is hope, in this graphic novel, and I think its publication is very timely.

4.75 - not quite perfect, as I would have liked a little more context and detail in some places!

Thank you to NetGalley and Top Shelf Productions for the copy - it's now out, in all its wonderful glory! Come and meet the man behind Sulu.

George Takei is inspiring, smart, funny, and wise. His life experiences have led him on a long path to justice, starting when he was a child and his family was held in barracks during WWII due to their nationality being Japanese. As he grew older, he had a loving family that supported his interests in theater, and even influenced him politically in a positive way. However, he knew early on that he was gay, and in a time in our nation's history when this wasn't legal or accepted, he felt he had to remain in the closet.

This memoir was very touching, with wonderful friendships made along the way, and the power of using your voice for good. He also worked closely with the LA transit system and used his notoriety as a Star Trek actor to support causes he believed in. George lost friends during the AIDs epidemic, and fought for marriage equality as it became an issue that came up for vote, then overturned in the courts. He has had many highs and lows in his life, but always has kept a good head on his shoulders and stayed strong.

I felt that this would be a fantastic book for anyone who has been rejected by their family for being LGBTQ or who worries about our current political climate. "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." is a fitting quote for the overall theme of this book.

George Takei's graphic memoir tells the story of his life and struggles from young adulthood to the present. The memoir traces how he fell in love with acting and decided to pursue it as a career even as he feared disappointing his parents. It also shows his struggles with his sexuality, trying to ignore the way he felt, coming to terms with and having to hide his feelings, and then ultimately telling the world that he is gay and becoming a huge advocate for the LGBTQ community. This book covered a lot of topics including Takei's love for his craft, the history of LGBTQ rights (especially in California), and of course a deep dive into his personal life.

This was a pretty dense memoir, especially for a graphic memoir, and there was a lot going on. I enjoyed the parts where Takei talked about getting his start in acting and it was obvious that he has a lot of passion for the work. His involvement in politics in California was also interesting, but I think there was maybe too much ground to cover for a book of this length. The work that he has done is so important, but it felt like it was jumbled up with acting, personal struggles, and family conflict, which maybe lessened the overall impact. I almost feel like maybe this could have been split into two books just so that the readers could get more into the nitty gritty of Takei's life and work. Overall it was still an enjoyable read. Fans of Takei will definitely love it and I would also recommend it to people who are interested in the history of gay rights in California.

Thank you Netgalley, George Takai, Top Shelf Productions, and DW Publishing for the advanced reader copy.
It is so unbelievable important that everyone read this graphic novel, especially now during the current political climate.
George Takei is such an inspiration to queer people everywhere. Several times in the novel, I found myself tearing up while also getting inspired for the future. The fight that LGBTQ people have had to endure is still ongoing and people like George continue to lead us. It's important that we never give up hope and we keep fighting. For those who came before us and those who will be here after us.
I wish many happy days ahead of George and Brad.
Additionally, the artwork in the novel was incredible and you could almost feel the story come off the page.

this got my attention after i read they called us enemy a year ago. it's a pretty interesting book, which is a phrase i only apply to rare few nonfictions. plus, the art is nice!! yay

this book definitely brings a really important message. i have queer friends who are forced to hide bc of unsupportive environments and it's pretty hard on them; i can't imagine how difficult it is to hide for decades like the author did. this book motivates and reminds us that we shouldn't be ashamed of who we are.

but honestly, enjoyment-wise, i prefer they called us enemy. it's mainly bc i'm not super interested in the acting part of the author's life, so i got somewhat bored with it halfway through. i know it's a big part since the author is literally an actor, but still...anyway, i digress. subject to personal opinion.

all thanks to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this arc!!

“Negative. How can a word so dark and nullifying be at the same time absolutely, rhapsodically, life-affirming? But it is! It so positively is.”

I haven’t cried so much in a book or been so incredibly inspired by one person in a very long time. To really get to know who George Takei is and get the full scope of his story, it’s important to read They Called Us Enemy before starting here. While this book begins while he’s still in school, the echoes of the past still haunt him and he speaks about it quite a bit.

When you pick up a story about someone’s life, you go into it (for the most part) thinking you know who they are. I know who George Takei is from his movies and television shows. I know him from his social media and activism. I know who he is because when something happens, he speaks up. And that bravery is awe inspiring. I just didn’t know the scope or the impact he’s had on so many things. I didn’t know everything he did for us. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t stop tearing up while reading this.

It Rhymes With Takei in and of itself is an act of defiance to an unjust system. Knowing him a little better makes me wish I could meet him… again. Ten or so years ago, my husband and I (then partners. We’ve been married since 2017) met George and Brad at a convention. We stood in line to meet them. We thanked him for what he did for the community. But had I really known the extent, I probably would have bawled my eyes out.

So writing all of this, I just want to say, this was an incredible book. If you are even considering picking it up, I highly recommend it. If you are a part of the LGBTQIAP+ community, this is your history. You need it.

Thank you to Top Shelf Comix and NetGalley for an eARC.

It Rhymes With Takei" by George Takei has a gorgeous cover, heartfelt and humorous moments, and insight into being a closeted gay man for almost 7 decades. What a great read!

Imagine feeling that you need to hide an essential part of who you are from the world until you were well into your 60s. Popular actor and political activist George Takei did that, for reasons disclosed in his newest memoir, “It Rhymes with Takei.”
Takei takes his readers through milestone events in his life, combining the historic with the personal. I didn’t know much about Takei, but I enjoyed learning more through this engaging memoir told in graphic novel format.

If you come to this memoir expecting Takei's voice from social media, you may be mildly disappointed. However, if you're more used to him from his prior graphic memoir <i>They Called Us Enemy</i> or his other creative work, the privileging of earnestness over snark shouldn't be surprising. This is the Takei who ran for office and has solicited exceptional amounts of money for civil rights causes, and he's honestly lovely.

The rest of the team for this book is returning from <i>They Called Us Enemy</i>, so the book has a cohesive visual identity with that work. The bright and vibrant style tones down at appropriate moments in the drama and each of the people is distinct. The narrative is straightforward, without any particularly ambitious happening, but the authors do take pains to ensure that we understand what's happening in the wider world at all times during the book, which is especially important when situating a personal story in the wider struggles of American history for a youth audience. A timeline at the end may have enhanced that sense even further, but it isn't strictly necessary.

Takei has become an enduring American icon for a reason and I look forward to him continuing to tell his story.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

I loved George Takei’s first graphic novel memoir They Called Us Enemy, so as soon as I saw he had a new memoir coming out I knew I’d be picking it up. This follows his time as a student, an actor, a politician, and an activist- all while needing to stay closeted to protect his career and reputation in a time where the queer community faced extreme hostility. It explores the conflict between wanting to speak out for his community but wanting to protect himself, his decision to come out later in life, and the many ways he’s used his platform to advocate for change.

It Rhymes With Takei by George Takei, Steven Scott, Justin Eisinger and with beautiful artwork by Harmony Becker is a powerful blend of the personal and the political, telling as it does the story of George Takei's life as a closeted Gay man until his coming out in 2005, the challenges he faced in his career and family life because of his sexuality, and his work as a political campaigner for Gay rights and marriage equality. This is the same team that created the wonderful "They Called Us Enemy" and once again they have done an incredible job of portraying a huge amount of social history through the eyes of one man. The book is a roller coaster of emotions, from George's fears for his career as a young Gay man working in film and television, to his fears of disappointing his parents with his unconventional choice of career, to his joy and exuberance while travelling the world, his devastation at the loss of many friends during the AID's crisis, his love for his long term partner Brad and of course his delight at finally being able to marry him after decades together.
This is a powerful and impactful book that tells the story of one man, but it is also the story of many others in so many ways and the charisma of Takei shines through, it is almost impossible not to hear his voice in your head while reading.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

"They Called Us Enemy" is one of my favorite graphic novels that I have read. "It Rhymes With Takei" did not disappoint. George Takei has truly lived one of the most interesting and fascinating lives. He has overcome a lot of adversity. It was really amazing to be able to read about all the activism he has done, as I had not known about it. I'm so glad that George and Brad got a happy ending and finally get to be together openly. It makes me happy that this is being published during Pride month. Thank you George for your activism, and for your books that will leave behind a great legacy.

Takei's story is told simply and plainly, his emotions and thoughts about living a closeted life and the losses he encountered when he finally came out of the closet at 68, as well as the triumphs, are conveyed strongly through the story written by Steven Scott and Justin Eisinger. Harmony Becker's illustrations are absolutely fantastic. Characters are conveyed without portraiture, but their essences are caught perfectly, and the whole feeling of the moment is expressed with brilliant use of color and design, for a captivating whole. 

As a primer on LGBTQ+ American history  of the 20th century with a California focus, as seen by a man who was working with more than one prejudice against him, this comic is an important chronicle of the progress we've made and the work that went into it. 

For Pride Month 2025, I would recommend this book as way to ground ourselves, acknowledge our successes and failures and gird our loins fr the next fight, knowing that there have always been good, smart and funny people like George Takei on our side.

I have always loved graphic novels, but I am particularly drawn to graphic memoirs. Being able to see visually into the life of the subject adds a layer of truth to the story that is hard to ignore.

In his newest graphic memoir, It Rhymes with Takei, George Takei takes us behind the curtains of his life before coming out in 2005, with humility and poise. Other than his role as Sulu in Star Trek and his various guest star roles in television shows, I regrettably did not know much about George before reading this. George’s struggle to stay in the closet for almost 70 years is unfortunately not an uncommon story, and reading his story makes me wonder what his life would have been like if he had been able to live more openly as a gay man. I appreciate the courage it takes to relive and retell that story, and I am grateful for the privilege of getting to read this work.

It Rhymes with Takei is a heartwarming and hopeful read, and I would reccomend it to other young queer people who sometimes need a reminder of how far we have come in the fight for equality, and how far we still have left to go.

Thank you to IDW Publishing and Top Shelf Productions for the opportunity to read this advanced reader copy, and thank you again to George for sharing your story!

It Rhymes with Takei is an autobiographical graphic novel, centred around George Takei's life in - and then out of - the closet and how it affected every other aspect of his life. It moves quickly past his childhood experience of an internment camp, which is of course the focus of 'They Called Us Enemy', although this experience is naturally referred to at various points throughout the book. The narrative skips through childhood and begins in detail in High School, where Takei gets his first taste of campaigning when running for Student President, and also picks up an interest in the theatre. His interests in politics and acting run in tandem throughout his life, complimenting and - at times - conflicting with each other.

While most readers will probably know the major points in American gay history, Takei makes them personal without being sentimental. We see his fear when he attempts to find community amongst gay men only to be warned of police infiltration and brutality. By the time of the Stonewall riots, this fear has been joined by anger and guilt. Then there is the tragedy and uncertainty of the AIDS epidemic, which turns into anger at the reaction of the American political establishment. Throughout his career there is a constant anxiety about being 'found out', and much of the book hinges around this tension between keeping his secrets and grasping the opportunities he encounters.

This story really benefits from being a graphic novel rather than a prose autobiography. It helps that the art in this book is also lovely, with a great use of colour to tell the story. The layouts are really well done and each section flows clearly. While naturally Star Trek is a presence in the book, it isn't the main subject and no knowledge is needed. Likewise, Takei at various times discusses actors and celebrities he's met, but not in a way that makes you miss out on important content if you don't know them.

Highly recommended. Thank you to the publishers for providing a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.