I cried after reading the first chapter!! That's how great this book is!
It's perfect for teenagers, middle schoolers, college students, and especially people who have just gone through a hard day at work.
It's interesting because I don't know if I would have cried like I did with this book if I were my younger self. In fact, I'm almost certain I wouldn't have. I would have glossed over the character's frustrations and thought, "Is that not how everyone experiences a first job?" nowadays, I cried out--actual tears-- in anger and frustration with Kobayashi (sorry! I almost forgot his name) as he experienced this feeling of...ugh...just not being understood by his peers/coworkers and then being labled a problematic/slow worker. (T-T) I wish I could have given him a hug, although he probably would have been weirded out by that. I'm glad that Kobayashi found Uno when he did, even if Uno is seemingly very different from everyone else.
I think a lot of people, today, would consider Uno to be somewhere on the autism spectrum, and maybe he is. I can't really tell. I identify with a few of the ways Uno interacts with the world and I have friends and family members that go through similar set ups/protocols/lists--it is a smart way to work/live life. I WISH I could be that way, but my brain and body don't wish for all that restriction 100% of the time.

One thing that I do think will turn some people off to this book is the drawing style. It is very obvious that the big eyes/mouths lead you to think this is a juvenile/YA manga, and it is. But that should not turn off readers who are a bit older from reading this gem.

I have been recommending Spacewalking With You to everyone I know! I've even been delaying writing a review online through NetGalley because it upsets me to know that once this review is written out, all I can do is wait for the next volume to come out in English so I can buy it.

***Thank you to Mangaka Inuhiko Doronoda for writing and drawing such a beautiful story about two friends.***

Also thank you to NetGalley and the publisher Kodansha Comics. I don't usually thank the publisher or NetGalley but without you, even though I read A LOT of manga, I probably never would have read this book. I certainly would have hesitated just picking it up in a store on my own since the art style is one I usually don't go for. Thank you for translating it into English. Since it was an obvious homerun back home, I'm just glad Spacewalking With You didn't have to wait to long to have an English translation.

#netgalley #netgalleyreviews

This manga made me cry so much and I absolutely love it and Uno is 100% autistic and Kobayashi is almost certainly ND too (I kin both of them so much) and aaaa I can’t wait for more of this series!!

This manga was a beautiful revelation.

Among important themes, such as Uno's neurodivergence and Kobayashi's struggles with social relationships, we find ourselves immersed in a story about friendship, openness to the new and different, and, above all, growth.

This manga, winner of the 2024 Taisho Award, is one of my first readings on these topics—topics I know well, yet had never explored through the pages of a manga. The representation that emerges is flawless, thoughtful, and detailed. Kobayashi's emotions take center stage in the early chapters, and his point of view dominates most of the volume. Yet, through the eyes of this boy, we also come to know Uno, whose arrival at school prompts Kobayashi to look inward.

Kobayashi feels left behind. He’s slower to grasp things than his classmates and every part-time job ends abruptly because he keeps making the same mistakes. And yet, from the moment he meets Uno, he begins to question himself. He listens in class, asks for explanations at work, takes notes in a little notebook—and things start to improve.
He wants to try. He wants to change.

From the moment Uno explains how he handles things that feel "too big" for him, the two of them start "spacewalking together". They feel like astronauts on the Moon—everyday challenges become heavy steps on unfamiliar ground. But even if one step at a time, they keep moving forward. They keep living.

Uno’s neurodivergence becomes real—tangible—through the manga’s pages. Disjointed, inconsistent drawings, arms that stretch and distort, shouted words that echo in Uno’s ears, almost breaking the fourth wall to reach the reader—these are captured in pages rich with emotion and meaning.
A unique style from a truly unique voice.

This book talked about so many things that I really enjoyed them discussing and making a point to include it in the story. If you have triggers please look them up before reading but I highly recommend!

Spacewalking With You is about two teens going through life. How hard it is for them. But you get to see them learn how to cope with their problem. Uno is a shy and nervous boy that is new to the school. And that is trying to make it past high school. He’s always loved space and wants to know Everything about it. He’s also learning how to ask and do many things. That is out of his comfort zone. I like how he tries to go out in the real world and live and also make friends. Kobayashi seems like a delinquent, but he’s not. He’s trying really hard to learn new things and ask for help. I like how he tries. He does his best with school and work. And is able to find help with his learning. In a way that he knows he can understand it. I like that the story shows how they cope with everything going on. Also, how they are able to fall in love with space. And how space is beginning to help both of them in away.. The art style is great. And I cannot wait to see you. What’s next for these two.

Kobayashi masks his feelings of incompetence with a chill guy apathy. Then he meets new kid Uno, who shows him that not everyone learns the same and that he's maybe not as dumb as he thinks and just needs to go about learning things in a different way.

I didn't think it was hilarious or even very funny, but I thought it was really sweet. The boys in the story learned to be more honest about themselves and in their friendships, which turned out to be far more rewarding than pretending. It showed how respecting and embracing the needs of differently wired people can help you think outside the box about your own needs. When they started showing generosity toward one another, it benefitted them all. Very sweet!

OMG THIS WAS SO FREAKING ADORABLE. The way Kobayashi actually acknowledged Uno and wanted to understand him without any judgement and the way Uno's little actions changing Kobayashi's way of thinking made my heart melt 🥹💗 ABSOLUTELY love their bond and Uno is so FREAKING cute i can't nwbsheghsvs

This story is absolutely amazing, such a fun, easy, and heartwarming read. Need the other Volumes ASAP

Spacewalking with you was an absolute joy to read! Although Kobayashi and Uno are very different personalities, this book clearly demonstrates how different types of people, regardless of how they are perceived, can struggle with the same things. Kobayashi's struggles with asking for help are extremely relatable for so many of us, and Uno's struggle to control his emotions. Seeing their journey in finding that "little thing extra to make them feel normal" was beautiful to see and offers readers a therapeutic experience. Then there are characters such as Mikakawa and Saku who embody the "don't judge a book by its cover" trope, which can be super beneficial for younger readers to see! Inoue-sensei feels like a guardian angel in the boys' lives, I can't wait to read more stories from these characters as i find my own space tether!

Wow, just wow. I really enjoyed the simple, character-driven storytelling in this story. I love the way that the two leads help each other learn and grow, and support each other through their difficulties. Can't wait for the next installment.

Thanks NetGalley for the copy!
A story that teaches us empathy, not judging others, putting ourselves in other people's shoes and understanding that we don't know the other person's condition outside of the environment we know them in. It does, in general, show empathy. The characters are top-notch, becoming increasingly endearing, and finding each other was the best thing that could have happened to them. From here on out, they're only going to improve. Fate plays a mysterious role but never fails. This reading has a huge impact on me, and it came at a very critical time for me: not to be afraid.

"I couldn't really follow what Uno was saying earlier. Still...I think that bright dot...is more than just a dot."

Kobayashi has trouble focusing on anything and everything. Throw in a forgetful nature and the adults in his life doubting he will amount to anything, Kobayashi chooses to lean into his "I don't care" image. Then he meets Uno. Uno is energetic and friendly and knows quite a bit about space. This unlikely duo spark-up an even more unlikely friendship that has them feeling like they are spacewalking.

I cannot express how much I enjoyed reading this. The characters and their quirks made for such a delightful, yet insightful read. Though not overtly stated, it is presumed that Uno is autistic, while Kobayashi is depressed, with anxiety riddling them both. The story really highlights how everyone faces their own struggles - including asking for help and adapting to change. And it was quite inspiring to see these characters be open to new chances to not only help themselves but also help each other. There were many tender and sweet moments while also some hard scenes to get through (Uno and people yelling around him). Paired with a simple yet creative art style, this manga has so much heart and much to offer to readers. I am anxious to read the next volume.

Much appreciation to NetGalley/publisher/author for the complimentary copy of this manga. All opinions stated are my own, honest thoughts.

A fun and dorky manga. I found the characters to be very likable and the story interesting. Excited to see where it will go.

I looooved this story. Such an improbable friendship with an immense acceptance for difference. I wish every Uno could find their Kobayashi.

This series felt like a warm hug.

I cannot express how much I appreciated creator’s careful and respectful approach to neurodivergency. As a ND myself seeing some of the things I have experienced on paper, and beautifully too, has left me speechless. In a good way!

While you could say the artist needs a bit more time for their art style and character designs to settle in, I found the pages to be cute and wtih a series like this, what truly matters is how capable the creator is when visualising an experience or a feeling, And Doronoda is excellent at this!

This is a series that everyone has to read, doesn’t matter you’re ND or not. We all share the same space and leaving room for diversity and not making a portion of people not feeling welcome or feeling like they’re too much simply for being themselves is all the more important now!

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this arc!

5/5 stars

This is a lovely and heartwarming first volume in a series I'm sure will be one of my favourites! Here we follow highschoolers Kobayashi, who has trouble focusing in and out of school, and quirky new transfer student Uno. Both teens are clearly neurodivergent, and seeing them become close friends and teach each other different ways to deal with every day life is so refreshing and sweet. I love Kobayashi's patience and understanding with Uno, and Uno's slowly coming out of his shell and learning how to have a friend 🥹 Absolutely fantastic, can't wait for the next volume!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for providing a free of charge eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Inuhiko Doronda crafts a beautiful story of acceptance and friendship in this first volume of her award-winning slice of life manga series.

The book focuses on two teenagers, Kobayashi, who lacks focus both at school and at work, and Uno, the new, eccentric transfer student. Although never specifically addressed the two teens are both neurodivergent. This first volume sees the two of them becoming friends, and gaining a deeper understanding of themselves as they learn how the other copes with a world that can be difficult to navigate, and unkind.

This manga is definitely one where the plot is secondary to the characters and their interactions, Inuhiko Doranda has created beautifully complex and relatable characters. This is a beautiful, heartwarming book that highlights just how great people can be, and one that will give a feeling of hope to every reader that doesn't feel like they fit in, or feels adrift in the world.

I'm looking forward to meeting everyone again in volume two, and sharing the next stage of their journey. If you enjoyed Heartstopper, this should be your next read.

Spacewalking With You 1 is a heartwarming coming of age slice of life. The characters learn about themselves and friendship. The characters are also relatable and realistic.

[Thank you to NetGalley for ARC access in return for an honest review]

I've been in the worst reading slump recently and so I've been gravitating towards mangas and graphic novels and honestly I'm so glad that I did. I really enjoyed this manga, I love Uno and Kobayashi - they're both characters who struggle to fit in with the rest of the world around them and while there aren't explicitly stated, there are elements of neurodivergence from Uno and we some learning difficulties that Kobayashi struggles with (which has made him come off as a delinquent student). I love how the characters, despite being quite different at the start of the story, postively impact each other.

Absolutely recommend giving it a read.

Throughout this reading experience, I was thoughtful and reflecting on my own life and coping mechanisms.
This coming-of-age manga follows Kobayashi, a teenager, struggling to focus on school and at his part-time job, until the arrival of the new student, Uno, shakes up his usual routine. I think there is possibly neurodivergent, learning disability, and mental illness representation in this manga; it’s not explicitly stated that characters are neurodivergent or have learning disabilities.

I love reading about chosen/found family and enjoyed that aspect of this manga. I loved how this story explored the importance of standing up for what you believe in. It also explored taking accountability for your actions and practicing open communication. The characters are layered and imperfect; I enjoy this in character development because it makes them feel more realistic. There was such an accurate artistic representation of what it feels like to be overstimulated in public. I really admire it when an artist can portray deep, complex emotions in their art.

The ways this manga explored neurodivergence and how people cope with living in a neurotypical-centered world made me feel seen.

Spacewalking with you Volume 1 by Inuhiko Doronoda is an amazing introduction to the characters in this manga. The main character, Kobayashi, struggles with school and part-time job and befriends Uno, a new transfer student. What I love about this manga is that it each character, including the teachers and Kobayashi's classmates have their own unique personalities and motivations. As a slice-of-life manga it deals responsible with social issues such as learning disability and forming new friendships. . A wholesome read.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.