Mariko Between Worlds is a very sweet graphic novel about two characters going through a breakup — not by choice — where they have one last day together. It follows them through the revelations that maybe their breakup, while not by choice, is the right thing for both of them to grow as people.

It’s a very honest and sweet story about loving someone and being loved by them, but not being right for each other despite of that — and that parting ways can, in the end, be the better choice for everyone.

Not only was the actual story good, but I also absolutely loved the art too. It’s very expressive and colourful, and it fits the story and world really well.

// ARC received through NetGalley.

2.5/5

A beautifully crafted and visually stunning colorful world with a quite deep story concept.
What I wasn't feeling was the development of said story.
Sometimes we had to read too much between the lines to fully understand what was happening.
The characters were well executed and the art is truly beautiful.

I felt the story was too rushed and I kinda had a feeling there where so many ideas to put together in a small space. The result is a mix of all these ideas but none fully developed.
I think that to be fully appreciated more pages where needed, it's like I read a summary of the main story. Story that as I said, I found actually kinda deep considering we talk about how in a bad relationship it is possibile to lose ourselves and we have to fight with our feelings to take back and in control our lives without being scared of taking action.

Mixed feelings for this one.

Mariko Between Worlds was a quirky read. This graphic novel is about Mariko and Rem and how they spend their last hours together as a couple. After dating for the past four years, Rem is assigned to work on the moon, and their only option is to break up unless Mariko can obtain a visa to go with him. Along the way, Mariko makes a deal to get the travel visa she needs, but is it worth all the trouble? Is Rem worth the trouble?

The art style was attractive, and I enjoyed seeing the different portals and how each location had its own style and color theme. The characters were cute, and I appreciated how the author made an effort to give background characters details. The storyline was difficult to follow at several points, and some scenes felt shallow. This graphic novel had an interesting concept that left me wishing there was more to the story. The end of the book is where the character growth comes in, but it takes some time to get to that point. "Off the wall" really is the best description for this title.

I recommend this title to readers looking for an off-wall story that deals with issues commonly found in relationships and how they can affect someone's self-worth.

I was very intrigued by the concept and artistic styling of this book. However I found myself lost very quickly within the story. I will likely reread this title in a later date.

This was not the graphic novel for me. I had a very hard time following it and staying interested in the story because I felt like there were a lot of gaps that didn't seem to get filled in. It read (for me) more like a novel adaptation - which it isn't - than like a complete graphic novel. I also expected more romance somehow than was in the book. I would have been ok with that, if there had been more world building but I also didn't feel like the space in which the characters lived was fleshed out enough either. I will agree with the book description as off the wall because that was definitely the vibe from start to finish.

All in all, I did not enjoy this one and had a really hard time getting from front to back without taking some healthy pauses for a story that was more satisfying.

I will add the caveat that I need a graphic novel to be more complete so maybe that's on me. It's the same reason that I don't do comic books because they tend to have a collection of incomplete stories and I can't tie them all together well.

The art in this is gorgeous! A graphic novel about being lost in a relationship and not knowing who you are as an individual. Going on an adventure and rediscovering yourself. Loved it!

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

Mariko Between Worlds is a story of a woman who has been putting her life on hold to leave with her boyfriend Rem. Problems arise when her application is rejected, and it makes both of them look at their relationship and needs. This was a great, colorful story about two people finding their way in the universe.

Note: arc provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for honest review

It is the second time I got to read something coming from Mad Cave Studios and this ARC hasn’t let me down either. I loved Paper Planes and this graphic novel, which has been made by Matthew Erman and Liana Kangas is something I liked quite too. It’s been quite an intergalactic adventure to see Mariko and Rem just enjoy their last day together before parting ways. It’s great c:

As much as I tried to get into this one and enjoy it just wasn't the one for me. The art style made it difficult for me to read the text so I was having to reread text bubbles multiple times just even get a hint of what was going on which definitely tanked the ratings.

This a cute coming of age tale. Just the right amount of quirky to keep you reading. Overall this book is a great sci Fi comic!

When human Mariko is denied the visa needed to travel to a new moon and accompany her alien boyfriend Rem at his new job, she realizes their relationship will have to end.
That is unless she can deliver a very special package to another dimension in exchange for the necessary visa from a shadowy creature. But even if she does get the visa, is the relationship with Rem worth all the trouble?

The art in this graphic novel is otherworldly (ha ha). Seriously though, it's stunning. Vibrant, alive, and unique, fully immersive. Unfortunately, the storyline does not have the same impact. While it's an incredible relatable plot, it's lacking. The emotional payoff never happens because the reader doesn't become emotionally invested in these characters because they barely spend any time with them. The characters and dialogue fall a bit flat, but luckily the art is so beautiful and the storyline so relatable (even while a little dull), that it is definitely still a fun time.

mariko, our main character, finds out her inter-dimensional visa gets denied so she cannot accompany her partner, rem, to their new job on the moon of plenty, so they decide to spend the time they have together before rem must leave to report to their new job by traveling through portals to different worlds having a night fun, but also possibly for another reason…

the art by liana kangas is absolutely stunning, full color all the way through. the worlds each so unique, distinct, and intricate as mariko and rem travel through each one. it was so exciting to discover what each little world looks like, the denizens that inhabit and frequent the locations mariko and rem travel to—the creativity and visual joy each panel presents is awe-inspiring. the color palate and images have been swirling around my brain all day since i finished reading last night before bed.

my favorite aspect of the text, and what i think is the most impactful thing i walk away with from this text upon completion, is how healthy the depiction and process of a relationship ends is a prevalent theme this piece. this graphic novel is going to help and impact so many young adults and people who need more access to examples of creative content illustrating healthy ways to diverge and grow apart from people as opposed to fighting or perpetuating this continued proliferated idea that all break ups must be construed as a negative or considered a failure when they are absolutely not. sometimes circumstances occur or people grow and change in their wants and desires for themselves and the future which no longer aligns with the dreams and goals you have yourself. the adult mature thing is to check in with self and with partner continuously to ensure you still desire what you desire and are on the same page as your partner. as depicted in mariko between worlds, there may need to be conversations and adjustments. i personally never learned that lesson until way later in life because i didn’t have parents who resolved conflict in a healthy way, so to see how people can be kind, thoughtful, and respectful of each other even when choosing different paths after arriving together at a fork in the road at as a teen or young adult honestly makes me feel a little emotional in the best way.

i related to mariko a lot and really loved her chaotic but lovable personality and i thought writer matthew erman did a great job with rem’s dialogue and their whole relationship and how they communicate just felt so real and grounded in this place that sent me back in time to my own lived experiences that mirrored the one depicted in the text. just this whole piece is so subtle and well-balanced in showing us through the course of the story that the ending is earned and i felt so happy for all the characters and where they end up by the conclusion of the story.

i loved the diversity and representation. speculative fiction and graphic novels are such great genres and mediums because i truly believe they are so much more understand, accepting, and consistently working in diversity and inclusion into their storytelling since day one. it’s such a stunning way to allegorically introduce ideas to people who may not be inclined to pick up books exploring themes of diversity and inclusion from an alternative approach and i’m all for it!

very excited for everyone of all ages to enjoy this graphic novel. i definitely see myself reaching for it again for rereads as a comfort read.

endless thanks and raucous cheers to mad cave studios and netgalley for a copy of this stunning e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free e-arc from NetGalley for an honest review. Thank you MetGalley and Mad Cave Studios!

This book was so fun! Reminiscent of Brian K. Vaughan’s Saga with a dash of Sally Rooney’s Normal People and gorgeous illustrations, this book worked well for me.

I expected this book to be a multiversal rom-com, but it’s not quite that. It’s definitely about love, but was a more nuanced approach in how love can change or look different over time.

Mariko’s journey felt fairly realized by the end of the book and cohesive in the way her story was told. That being said, the axolotl himbo boyfriend was an absolute highlight.

Mariko between worlds is a comic-style graphic novel that follows the turmoil that is Mariko's relationship through an adventure to get that relationship back on track.
The premise was very interesting to me, however, the execution was not top-tier. It was enjoyable enough, but definitely not one of my favourites.
I, however, would recommend this book to you if you are interested in sci-fi love stories, even though that's not exactly what goes on here. Some of my favourite elements of sci-fi were involved, as were some elements of very real and confusing relationships, and if you know that's what you're going into, you may enjoy it.

*2.75 stars*

Mariko Between Worlds tells the story Rem and Mariko, a couple being forced to break up because of Rem’s new job and it takes you through how how they, Rem especially, process their feelings about the future of their relationship.

While the art was beautiful and the message universally relatable and necessary, because it’s always important to take the time to really dig deep into how a relationship makes you feel…no matter how painful it can be to face some truths, the world in which this story takes place was too chaotic and strange for me (the quick changing settings and background characters was piled too high in front of Rem and Mariko’s story) and the dialogue was oftentimes awkward, stilted and too ‘on the nose’ for my liking.

Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for providing me this advanced reader copy.

This was very very fast paced! I thought it was funny, soul-touching, and very thought provoking. I read this when I needed it the most. I love the character development between both of the main characters. At times, the pace was so fast that I felt as if some of the plot was skipped or some things just ended really abruptly. I teared up while reading this.. It left me feeling warm and happy. The graphics and world-building are beautiful I just wish there was more. Overall, an amazing and very quick read.

Mariko & Rem have been dating for years and are growing apart. Have they ever really they close anyway?
Set in a universe of all sort of species. Portals to transport you to hedonistic clubs and restaurants. Where feelings can be literally devoured. It’s otherworldly yet grounded. This is Saga for meandering millennials.

Thanks NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for quickly providing me this graphic novel. At the start I thought it was going well but the interactions between Mariko and Rem didnt interest me enough which is a pity because I’m a type who reads romance stuff so yeah tis what it is….

3.5 stars

Mariko Between Worlds tells the story of a relationship coming to a turning point, forcing the two to reevaluate whether they truly want to be together anymore.

I really enjoyed the colourful art style and the complicated but interesting world building. I also think the unhealthy relationship was portrayed in a believable way, how sometimes people can get stuck in familiar settings and forget to question whether it's making them really happy.

Unfortunately, the characters didn't feel consistent and the humour was too "on the nose" for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the opportunity to read this ARC.

What a fun and wild ride! Mariko and her boyfriend are breaking up but they decide to take one last hurrah through the Mall of Portals. Fun story with such a loveable and relatable main character. Fantastic artwork and such a unique concept. This could go in so many directions with all the different portals and potential worlds and creatures. I hope to see more adventures that Mariko takes.