Not Your Idol: Volume 1 by Aoi Makino by Aoi Makino is a psychological thriller that explores sexism and rape culture. I will not get into the plot since there are many reveals about the characters and plot twists throughout the manga.

With that said, Not Your Idol is a one sitting, keep turning the page, well-written thriller. The art was also well done. I liked that the imagery really captures the deep emotions of the characters. Aoi Makino took great care in expressing the characters’s personalities through the drawings. 

I appreciated that the manga’s principal focus was misogynism, rape culture, and toxic masculinity. It was skilled in the way it pointed out how people enable sexism through big and small actions. For example, I liked how some characters used judo to reinforce their machismo, while others correctly see martial arts as first a practice in nonviolence, and secondly to be only used as needed self defense. Also, there are scenes that show the consequences of the nice girl and pretty girl tropes. Not Your Idol doesn’t offer any answers, but it does an outstanding job asking how we can improve our world for women and girls.

I wished the comic would have dealt with the gender spectrum and nonbinary identities more directly. At first, I thought there was a nonbinary character. But, even though the book challenges gender roles, norms, and gendered fashion, the question of what about nonbinary people is left hanging. However, there is a scene where a character is not allowed to go on an all female train car because she is misgendered. So, it is implied, that non-binary identities are marginalized. I hope in the next volume there are explorations of transgender and nonbinary experiences.

There is a mystery throughout its pages and I’m eager to read the next volume to get answers. I rated this book a 4 out 5 stars. I recommend this book for graphic novels fans who like to read about social issues. Also, for teens and adults who enjoy fiction that makes them think and challenges the world order.

ARC received from VIZ Media through NetGalley in return for an honest review, thank you.

This book deals with such hard topics, it was hard at times to read about the things that these girls/young women had to go through. I also felt like this book gave the reader perspectives from all angles but in a fun and engaging way. I also found that it didn't really try to belittle anyone's point of view and let the reader really come to their own decision on what is right and wrong in each case. I don't know what else I can really say about this point other than, for me, the author handled this perfectly.

I loved the main character and how even though she's gone through so much she still tries to stay strong, I also loved how sometimes she wasn't strong and sometimes she couldn't deal with things, she felt so alive because of this and it made me sympathise with her so much.

Some people in reviews are complaining about the juxtaposition of the cute artwork and the events that happen in this book. I've gotta disagree, I loved this, it shows how these things are usually placed in a pretty package and ignored. If this is the way that gets people to actually read this book and understand more about what women go through on a day-to-day basis then all the better!

In short, I freaking loved this book and I cannot wait to read more! Thanks.

A fun manga art style, enjoyable to read and very quick to read as the story progresses at a fast pace.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story hit me in the feels and made me really uncomfortable. If you are easily triggered, be warned. It involves sexual assault and violence against women. The main character is a famous idol who has left that world behind after being assaulted by a fan. She now dresses as a boy and puts up with a lot of heartache because of it. The whole story revolves around gender issues, stalking, and how women are treated as less than human. It really disturbed me, but I will continue reading the series because I think difficult topics need to be addressed, even when they make you uncomfortable. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Not your Idol was written by Aoi Makino. This manga is what I would call a "shojo" psychological suspense manga as it takes place in a world much like ours. The main character is that of Nina Kamiyama and we get to know her after she has quit been an idol. She was attacked by a fan during meet up and after that stopped being a girl if you will. So far volume one was very successful and left we wanting volume 2 like yesterday.

I thought that this was a very intriguing start to this series. Nina was a very compelling character. I found it easy to empathize and connect with this character. Hikaru to was easy to connect with and quite likable. I am very interested in seeing how things develop between these two. The storyline was engaging and captured and held my interest well. It is entertaining but also shines light on important, timely and timeless issues. I found the art style pleasing and the pictures beautiful. This manga can be uncomfortable for some readers because it does address sensitive subjects (assault, body image issues, sexual harassment, bullying, stalking and mental health). I Enjoyed it and look forward to volume 2

This was an interesting manga. It features sensitive topics so definitely be aware of that. This manga had a fairly unique concept.

I was really interested in the premise here. I really enjoy stories where a girl disguises herself as a boy. However, assault stories are always hard for me to get through. I’d like to see where the story goes. Though I’d recommend readers who can’t read assault themes skip this one.

This was well done even. I would have enjoyed it if I were much younger but I do recommend this one.

It was well written and all.

Not Your Idol centers on Nina Kamiyama, a former idol who was physically assaulted at a handshaking event. While Kamiyama has left the idol industry, she is still haunted by her horrifying experience and has cut herself off from other people. That is until her high school classmate Hikaru Horiuchi learns of her secret, causing a dramatic turn of events to unfold.

Based on the premise alone, it’s unsurprising that Not Your Idol covers some heavy topics, the foremost being Kamiyama’s own trauma. With Kamiyama’s attacker still roaming free, she is constantly on edge. Kamiyama's unrelenting anxiety is conveyed through her stress induced hallucinations, her daily life full of triggers reigniting her trauma. It’s heartbreaking to read, and it’s easy to sympathize with Kamiyama’s struggle. Despite leaving the idol world behind, her scars won’t disappear.

The manga also doesn't shy away from criticizing the idol industry itself. We see in Kamiyama's flashbacks how her agency prioritized the reputation of Kamiyama’s idol group over her own well-being. The most horrifying of these situations is after Kamiyama’s assault, where instead of worrying about Kamiyama’s condition, her manager is more concerned with placing blame for the attack and building a strategy for future events. One flashback makes the analogy that idols are everyone’s “toy” and that’s sadly not far from the truth. Kamiyama was being manipulated into being a flawless and perfect idol, at the expense of her personhood.

That said, the series also looks at why Kamiyama wanted to become an idol in the first place: to make people happy. Kamiyama dreamed of being an idol ever since she was a child, and she loved being able to brighten the lives of those around her. While the conditions she was working under were clearly unhealthy, Kamiyama still feels remorse for giving up on her passion.

Another critical aspect of Not Your Idol is its exploration of identity. Following her assault, Kamiyama decided to take on a more masculine appearance. While this is done to protect herself, it’s also meant to hide the vulnerability she felt by being feminine. That said, the series emphasizes that Kamiyama isn't defined by her change in appearance. When Kamiyama develops feelings for Hikaru, she begins to struggle with whether she can learn to trust other people and if she can still identify as a girl despite not conforming to society’s perceptions. On the other hand, Hikaru does not view Kamiyama differently because of her appearance, admiring her for her strength and the impact that she’s left on people like his sister. Kamiyama does not need the validation of other people for her identity to be genuine, and that’s a great message for the story to have.

Additionally, the series also criticizes society’s perception of femininity, primarily through the distasteful opinions of Kamiyama's classmates. During a series of groping incidents, several students downplay the severity of sexual assault, blaming the girls in the class for having provocative appearences. While frustrating, the most virulent criticism comes from Kamiyama’s female classmate Miku. Miku has a very conservative perspective on gender roles, satisfied with conforming to traditional feminine behavior in order to preserve her high social status. When a groping victim criticizes her disregard for women’s safety, she chastises them and accuses the victim of treating men like criminals. Miku’s cruel and manipulative rhetoric clearly places her in the wrong, but it’s also a fascinating contrast to Kamiyama’s perspective. Each girl represents a different ideology, creating tension between the two.

Not Your Idol has a fantastic narrative that’s further supported by its beautiful artwork. Makino usually depicts the series with soft and minimalist imagery, but the manga seamlessly shifts its tone during heavier moments. During Kamiyama’s traumatic breakdowns, there is a greater use of black backgrounds and dark shading. It helps coincide with Kamiyama’s own mental state, further immersing the reader in the scene. Makino also places a lot of focus on the eyes of characters. In particular, Kamiyama’s eyes drastically change complexion depending on the situation. It helps convey her feelings of anger, happiness, and uncertainty to an even greater degree, providing a solid layer of emotional subtext. Not Your Idol’s artwork is just as well-thought out as its story and that allows its charm to shine through.

Not Your Idol is a beautiful yet tragic manga that delves into the struggles of trauma while challenging gender norms. While it’s not for the faint of heart, the series’ compelling narrative will draw readers in as they witness Kamiyama’s struggle. The story is delving into delicate subject matter, but it’s an area that is tremendously valuable to explore.

This was an amazing format for a serious discussion on many of the unseen dangers and preconceptions that public figures face on a routine basis. As a member of a popular group, these young people are expected to dress a certain way, act a certain way and always have a positive attitude, no matter what. When a fan assaults her but is not caught, our young artist rejects her popularity and reinvents herself. Moving, dressing conservatively, shrinking from contact with any and everyone. Even this drastic change still leaves her feeling vulnerable.

Setting this dramatic story in manga style gives it a much wider audience in the targeted age/ style demographic. I was impressed with the author's presentation. What could be a story line that would be lost in standard publications reaches a much wider reader base. What an amazing book!!!

Nina Kamiyama had been an idol in the group Pure Club when she was assaulted by a fan. Afterward, she dropped out of sight, shunned all signs of femininity, and began dressing as a boy while attending high school. Her classmate Hikaru Horiuchi recognizes her despite her efforts to keep to herself. What other secrets is she hiding?

Idol culture in Japan is a very huge moneymaker for the creative teams, and it's a very fine line for those girls to walk. They have to remain virginal yet exude sexuality so that boys could imagine that they could date her. We see plenty of that in the opening, with TV footage of Pure Club and its new front liner getting heckled by boys that do nothing but comment on their legs and want to touch them. In high school, the boys all comment on the girls' skirts and feel that Nina is a weirdo for only wearing pants and hiding her figure. She has no intention of flirting with boys to make them like her, though there is plenty of commentary from both the boys and girls in the class about appearance, being "girly" enough, and how "ugly" girls are the only ones that worry about getting groped and should take it as a compliment.

The book definitely delves into identity politics as well as gender ones. Nina had a stage name, and currently enjoys the thought of being seen as a boy. She's not transgender, it's more that she feels safer that way because the man that cut her was never caught. Femininity is a double-edged sword in society, and the book certainly gets into that both in the case of idol culture in Japan as well as socially in schools and public spaces. This is definitely a fraught topic and one that will lead to a lot of conversations.

A fun take on the idol trope. Not Your Idol is not your average shojo manga. Fun, well done in both story and art. Can't wait to read volume 2.

I'm hooked!

Karen/Nina is hiding from her past as best she can. However, things change quickly and it all starts with a boy. The story is fast paced and gives a good background about the life of a former idol. The topic of sexual harassment was very realistically portrayed. The characters covered a range of perspectives that really add to the story being told. The style of illustrations were well chosen and depict the characters emotions very well.

I am really looking forward to where this series leads! I would highly recommend this manga for my realistic fiction lovers.

Gender-bending is common in shojo, but most of the time its done to fulfill or complicate romantic plotlines. In Not Your Idol, from mangaka Aoi Makino, we get a unique series that blends high school drama with psychological suspense. Published in English by VIZ Media under their Shojobeat imprint, Not Your Idol is a series about a girl who has given up her life as an idol after being assaulted by a fan. After that day, she tried to stop being a girl.

There is a lot to unpack in this debut volume and Not Your Idol doesn’t shy away from looking at the dangerous world that idols, particularly female idols have to face. 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, turning away from her idol persona as Ren-Ren and going by a new name. But, fellow student Hikaru Horiuchi realizes who she is and in typical shojo high school style, drama ensues.

Not Your Idol Volume 1 is heavy. It’s not uncommon to see attackers popping up in shojo or josei to push two characters together. Instead of using that trope, we see Nina living through her trauma and experiencing PTSD episodes when someone comes around a corner too quickly or she sees Pure Club on the television. Additionally, Nina confronts her slut-shaming male classmates who mock the situation of another girl almost being assaulted and blame her for it happening. What comes from this exchange is a very clear message, your skirt is not the invitation to be violated. It is not your fault.

That said, the message is present in the reality of teenage life for many girls and young women learning to deal with harassment in a world that blames them for it. Standing up for someone doesn’t always make you a hero in their eyes when society would rather ignore the problem. Watching Nina stand up for her classmate is a moment of triumph for the reader. But the students around her, even the girls, chide her for pushing back against the popular boy and pushing back against his victim-blaming. To her classmates, Nina is taking things too seriously simply because her classmate’s harassment wasn’t “that bad.” While this ostracizes her further from her classmates, compounded by her choice to dress like a boy, it also brings her directly into Hikaru’s path. To put it simply, Hikaru seems like one of the good ones.

Not Your Idol
There is an authenticity to Not Your Idol that balances the message that it’s okay to be a girl and “it’s not your fault” with the reality of rape culture. The volume directly confronts the way respectable women and girls gain attention while those wanting to be safe are represented as the enemy. It’s a hard line to walk, to make sure the right message is conveyed, but Makino does it by centering two characters who are pushing those around them to be better than just be silent.

Some of the dialogue is frustratingly basic and doesn’t come off as natural. However, I’m unsure if this is a translation issue, something I’m used to from a history of reading scans, or if it’s just bad writing. Specifically, in some of the moments of genuine teenage interaction, the dialogues sound more like what someone thinks a teen would say, coming off as a little forced. These conversations break up the pacing of the volume but again, as an avid manga reader and anime watcher, sometimes these dialogue issues happen in translation and it’s hard to know where to place onus.

That said, the more emotional moments of the story in Not Your Idol Volume 1 are well written and make the reader feel the fear and stress that Nina is under. While Nina may be falling for Hikaru, there is hesitation and fear, something she can’t put away even though he is doing everything right to make her feel safe. This is where the volume shines, specifically when coupled with Makino’s art style. Between the art and narrative, Makino is able to transition seamlessly from present to the past during flashbacks of Nina’s attack at a handshake event. Finally, the climactic ending makes me wish that there was a shojo equivalent of Shonen Jump, because I don’t know how long I can wait for this arc’s conclusion.

Not Your Idol Volume 1 is a powerful and standout series debut. It tackles real-world issues with a flare that only shojo can bring to the conversation. While it isn’t perfect, it is a strong example of the powerful conversations around harassment that can help many teens move through a world that discredits their experiences.

Not Your Idol is available where books are sold in both digital and physical copies May 5, 2020.

This manga was extremely hard to read, but it was very important. The story is relevant to today’s times, and also addresses life as an idol, which is very strict. I do recommend this manga, and hope teens and parents have a discussion about what the story expressed.

I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

The beginning of the story was really strong and I loved the fact that it did cover some serious topics as well. However I did feel like the story got a bit confusing towards the end and I was a bit lost on some pages as to who was talking and what exactly was going on. I felt like things bounced around a bit and it wasn't always clear as to what was happening. But overall the story was really good and I liked the reveal at the end of the story.

At the end of the manga you are left wondering if things are exactly what they say they are or are things still left unsure? The end does not have a clear resolution to the plot and you would need to continue on in the series to find out if the predictions are correct. As a single book I would say the story arc was pretty solid and I liked the direction that it took but I would like to have had a bit more of a resolution for the arc presented. I didn't feel overly connected to the characters and I'm unsure if I will want to continue on with the series as it was just kind of a middle of the road story and didn't feel a major drive to continue even when I was reading.

Wow! Once I started this magna, I could not put it down. Loved the suspense throughout this story. I cannot wait for Vol. 2!

I'm not so sure how I feel about this book. While I loved the illustrations and the fact that I got to delve into a manga, the topic that the book deals with is a little sensitive. This book is not for everyone--it deals about assault against females.

SPOILER ALERT:

In the book, there is an idol (superstar pop star) that gets assaulted at a handshake event (sort of like a meet and greet event here in the U.S.). From there, she becomes terrified of being in the public eye. She's scared that since her assailant is out there, he will strike again. Therefore, she gives into fear, moves to another city, and completely changes up her look. She resembles a boy and makes friends with a fellow classmate. That classmate, a boy, is able to realize her secret and calls her out on it. Long story short, an ex-group member cautions her against this classmate for she thinks it's her assailant since he's the only one that recognized who she really was. In the end, the idol seems to fall in love with him and doesn't care that he potentially was her assailant...

The book ended a little too abruptly for me. I wish I would have been able to read more to see if that could have changed my feelings towards the book.

If you love manga and drawings, this book is for you. However, if you've been a victim, this book may potentially trigger you. Read with caution.

A darker read and a little disturbing. Karen use to head a very popular girl band until she was attacked by a fan at a meet and greet. She goes into hiding and disguises herself as a boy at a new school. Girls in the area start getting attacked and new measures, like women only train cars, are put into place. Karen is forced to face her fears and must come to terms with what happened to her.
I found that by bringing to light the every day things that girls and women have to deal with, the reader is forced to acknowledge that there is a problem and that something needs to be done about it. There are some very dark themes here, some overt and some subtle, but all are very striking. I’m curious as to what happens next with Karen as that ending left me wanting more. I look forward to what happens next and enjoyed how such mature themes were handled. Well done.