Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I have very mixed feelings about this graphic novel. I loved the world-building, the locations were all fantastical in a sci-fi type of way. I liked how they made average things like a record shop, a food court or a club feel futuristic to the reader but an everyday location to the characters. But the plot itself was sort of meh. The plot synopsis describes it as a "rom-com" but nothing was all that funny or romantic. I liked Mariko, and I emphasized with her a bit. She keeps doing things even if they make her life worse because that is what she thinks is the correct thing to do. Rem on the other hand...annoyed me. I'm not sure if the reader is supposed to dislike Rem, but his entire attitude annoyed me. He really felt like the living embodiment of "toxic positivity". The overarching plot was a bit confusing, and nothing felt all that connected. I understood what the end goal was for Mariko, but the events to get there felt very randomized. The art style was fine. It's not my favorite in the world, but it was nice to look at.

This book was so weird! I know that the characters didn't have chemistry, but we really don't see why they don't work except for the one character being dismissive of the other. They're both bad for each other? How? We barely get to see their personalities individually, because the background and scenery has more personality and takes center stage to the characters.

this graphic novel is beautiful! i absolutely love the colors and art style. granted, this is my first graphic novel i've ever read but i enjoyed it! i related to Mariko a lot, and i empathized with her trying to understand her own self-worth. some of the dialogue felt a little cringey, but i think it was because it's supposed to be cringey. some parts ended abruptly which took me out of the story at times. i liked the character designs a lot, especially Mariko's style at the end. also, big fan of Psychic Refrigerator.

Mariko Between Worlds is a great look at relationships and defining yourself in and out of a relationship. Mariko and Rem need to find themselves before the night ends and they choose what their future will look like. It was well written but at times the font used made it difficult to smoothly read the dialogue.