3.5 rounded up to 4/5.
I was so excited to hear about Rie Aruga’s new manga! And just like her previous work (Perfect World), we get a mix of angst, cute fluffy scenes and two protagonists who are likeable from the start.

These teenagers meet when they’re little kids because they have been abandoned by their parents one way or another, so the system has them on a temporary home until they are officially grown-ups. All the kids in there have experienced trauma and are recovering from abusive or neglecting relationships with their families, but as you can imagine, Yoru and Tenjaku feel something for each other, and find a true home in each other’s company.

Though you can expect a lot of drama with this manga, I think the author really took the time to do her research on the subject and we’re not just reading something for the sake of drama. Hopefully, as with Perfect World, we’ll get more of their cute moments together without romanticizing these hard in-real-life situations.

Can’t wait for the next volume!

Yoru and Tenjaku meet at a group home, both having alive parents but needing to be separated from them. While Yoru has mixed feelings about her mother, especially when the latter keeps scheduling visits and then bailing on them. Tenjaku still has nightmares about his father burning him and refuses to have anything to do with the guy. They support each other through difficult times, complete with Yoru showing Tenjaku how to play with the Rubix Cube her mother gave her. Though others judge them for living in a group home, they know how precious their motley family has become.
Adulthood is approaching, and the two will age out soon. Tenjaku is saving up to go to university, leaving Yoru to ponder her future. She wants to go with him, but for that she needs a job. And are they ready with all the curveballs that life tosses at them?
Sheltering Eaves is a quiet story. It talks about healing from trauma, sometimes trauma that repeats endlessly. Yoru isn't allowed to have a normal life, though her caretakers are great parents and speak up on her behalf. Tenjaku feels that he also has to hide his demons for Yoru's sake, having inherited his father's temper.
Well-done. It was a healing story to read.

While I can see this being a story for some people, it wasn't really for me.
The two MCs are a girl and boy who only hands one more year of high school and being in the foster system together. Once they are 18 they will be on their own. The story goes back and forth between when Yoru first arrived in foster care, why she is there and how her relationship with Tenjaku developed. And where they are today. It was heartbreaking and kept me engaged. But it was a little more heavy emotionally then I anticipated. You might want to check trigger warnings if you have ever been in similar situations like abusive parents or being in foster care. It isn't bad at all, average art, regular story pacing, it's just not something I want to read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rie Aruga strikes again with another emotional romance story. This combination of teenage friend to lovers in the foster care system is so bittersweet. I love that the author doesn’t shy away from the nitty gritty of the system and shows how different traumatized children react differently. It really makes the characters feel fuller with the shoujo cliches interwoven.

I believe fans of the author’s other series Perfect World and Suu Morishita‘s A Sign of Affection would also enjoy this series.

I am in tears. I love this and think this entire series is going to make me my grave, because I WILL be passing away over this. If you enjoy heavy topics with hope and development. You are going to love this.

* Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing a review copy in exchange for honest feedback. *

4.25 Stars

For years, Yoru and Tenjaku have been inseparable. After surviving heartbreaking ab**e from each of their parents and growing up together in a group home, Yoru and Tenjaku know they will always have each other’s backs. But change is on the horizon as the two enter their last year of high school and will have to leave their home once they turn 18. Tenjaku can’t wait to be independent and see how far he’ll go. Meanwhile Yoru clings to the past, fearing being separated after secretly loving Tenjaku for years. Will Yoru and Tenjaku be able to move forward into their bright futures together?

This was not an easy read. I applaud Rie Aruga for her thorough research of the Japanese foster care system, the obvious care she took in her portrayals of each character, and her commitment to telling this story. Going in, I figured Sheltering Eaves was designed to tug on heartstrings. But, I wasn’t prepared for the amount of deep trauma the characters experienced and the impact it would have on me. To anyone who may already be struggling with their mental health or has a history with ab**e, I would highly suggest checking tags and tw for Sheltering Eaves before reading.

That said, I enjoyed Sheltering Eaves and was very invested in the story. For all of the heaviness of the past, Yoru and Tenjaku and their friends have a strong bond and are determined to build better, happier lives.I’m interested in seeing how Yoru and Tenjaku’s relationship weathers upcoming challenges like a possible second love interest and potential family reunification.I don’t think I was the ideal reader for Sheltering Eaves, however I still appreciated the opportunity to read a bit outside of my comfort zone.

Despite its difficult moments, Sheltering Eaves emphasizes hope, independence, and dreams for the future. I believe there will be a happily ever after to this story, even if the characters are seriously put through the wringer beforehand. If you’re a fan of Rie Aruga’s Perfect World, Hinako Ashihara’s Sand Chronicles, or very bittersweet love stories about finding your place in the world, Sheltering Eaves is the perfect next read for you!

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read and review this book!

This is a promising start to an emotional and enthralling series. I appreciated the representation of foster care and the all-too-real emotions that come from people who are close to aging out of the system. I love the budding love story and I'm excited to see what comes next!

**Review of *Sheltering Eaves 1* by Rie Aruga**

*Sheltering Eaves 1* by Rie Aruga is a beautifully poignant and tender josei manga that deftly navigates the harsh realities of the foster care system while unfolding a delicate love story. From the creator of *Perfect World*, Aruga continues her exploration of complex relationships with this story, but with a fresh and impactful focus on the vulnerabilities faced by children in the foster system, blending this somber reality with a blossoming romance.

The manga centers on Yoru, a high schooler who has lived in a group home since she was ten years old, following the abuse she suffered at the hands of her mother. Alongside her, Tenjaku, a boy her age, has been a constant presence in her life, offering her a sense of stability and support. As the two approach adulthood and the looming deadline to leave the group home, Yoru finds herself wrestling with her growing feelings for Tenjaku—a love that has quietly taken root over their years of shared hardship. The story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, with Aruga handling the characters’ emotional landscapes with great care and empathy.

One of the manga's strongest aspects is how it portrays the experience of being in foster care, a topic that often remains underrepresented in media. Aruga does not shy away from showing the difficult emotions and struggles that come with being placed in a system that is often neglectful and unfair to its most vulnerable members. The looming reality that Yoru and Tenjaku will soon be forced to leave the only home they've ever known creates an intense sense of urgency and uncertainty, which lends the narrative a quiet but powerful tension.

While *Sheltering Eaves 1* explores heavy themes such as abuse, abandonment, and the uncertain future faced by youth in foster care, it is also a story of resilience, love, and the desire to forge a connection in a world that is often unkind. The slow-burn romance between Yoru and Tenjaku is tender and nuanced, offering moments of sweetness and vulnerability amid the challenges they face. Their relationship evolves organically, as both characters are aware of the fleeting nature of their time together and are forced to confront their feelings in the face of an uncertain future.

Aruga’s artwork, as expected from the creator of *Perfect World*, is stunning and emotive. The illustrations capture both the delicacy of Yoru and Tenjaku's emotional states and the harsher, colder realities of their environment. The expressions of the characters are incredibly expressive, allowing the reader to feel the weight of their experiences without needing to rely too heavily on words.

What stands out in *Sheltering Eaves 1* is how it balances the delicate romantic elements with a realistic and compassionate portrayal of the foster care system. The manga does not shy away from showing the difficult circumstances Yoru and Tenjaku face, but it also offers a glimmer of hope through their relationship and the strength they draw from each other.

In conclusion, *Sheltering Eaves 1* is a captivating and thought-provoking read that will appeal to fans of josei manga and anyone interested in stories about resilience, love, and personal growth. Rie Aruga’s talent for blending emotional depth with a compelling narrative makes this manga a standout in the genre. It’s a beautiful exploration of how love can bloom in the most difficult of circumstances, and I’m eagerly anticipating the next volume in this heartfelt and powerful series.

This incredibly moving first volume, is about two children who find themselves in the foster care system in Japan. When they were young children, Yoru and Tenjaku were placed in the same group home. Yoru’s mother was abusive towards her and unable to take care of her. Tenjaku had the same experience with his own father, and he has deep burn scars to prove it. As the two children grow up together in the group home they find friendship with each other which will eventually blossom into love.

This is a coming of age romance story but is also based on the reality of growing up in the care system or foster care. The story gently draws on real experiences and research, in order to tell a story of love in a setting where children a young people cope with the emotional challenge of growing up without a family.

The drawings are great at telling this highly emotive story which draws the reader in. As you read it your hope for these two young people begins to grow. It is a beautifully told story.

Copy provided by Kodansha Comic via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

After reading Perfect World by Rie Aruga, I was so excited to hear they were releasing a new manga series! I love this author's unconventional approach to love because life isn't all cookie cutter love. This manga is about romance between two foster kids that live at a group home together. The story is very emotional, but constantly having me turn the page to find out what happens next. Then when the volume ended, I immediately googled when the next volume was coming out since I could not want to see how this story unfolds. The story is very emotional and I really enjoyed it so far. I seriously cannot wait for volume two!! This will be another incredible work if it keeps the same level throughout the entire series!

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this arc!

5/5 stars

This was a really sweet and sad story about kids living in group foster homes in Japan. Our main characters Yoru and Tenjaku meet there when they were ten, and are now 16 and what and where they will do and go once they turn 18 weighs heavily in their minds. I really enjoy this story so far, and am looking forward to reading more in this series.

I am a fan of the authors work from her previous series Perfect World so I knew going into this it would be the start of a really compelling story that is also heart wrenching. I can’t wait to see where their story goes and just learn more about children’s homes in Japan.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. Although I missed downloading it before it was archived, I was still intrigued by the premise and decided to purchase a copy to read and review.

The story revolves around Yoru and Tenjaku, two high schoolers who grew up together in a group home. Sheltering Eaves is not an easy read, but it is a tender one. The bonds between the characters are incredibly strong, shaped by their shared hardships and attachment issues.

Their relationship, while compelling, is not a healthy one—at least not yet. As the story seems to be leaning toward a love story, I’m unsure if this is the best path for these characters, given where they are emotionally and mentally. However, the portrayal of their struggles and connection feels realistic, which makes it all the more engaging.

I am interested to see where this series goes. I hope the author continues to handle the story with care, allowing these characters to grow individually and reach a healthier place before fully committing to a relationship. It’s a story with potential, and I’m eager to follow it further.

Sheltering Eaves, Vol. 1 by Rie Aruga was an eye-opening, heavier fictional manga story about a couple of kids raised in a children's home. This volume delves into a bit of their backstory and challenges compared to what is considered a more "normal" upbringing. I really appreciate the stories this author chooses to tell about real-world issues, but it's definitely a bit hard to read long-term. I probably won't get back to it for a while, but I would still recommend it as long as you seek out trigger warnings in advance.

I like the connection that these two have. I'd like to read further in the series to see if things develop. I liked the exploration of their pasts. As always in graphic novels, the artwork is great.

Sheltering Eaves vol. 1 is a beautifully illustrated josei manga about two close friends, Yoru and Tenjaku, who first meet in a children's home while living in the foster system. A heartbreakingly accurate tale, we learn all about the foster system in Japan as we watch the pair (and many other kids!) grow up. The story goes into detail about the circumstances they must face, such as being seen differently from other kids and having to make difficult decisions regarding their futures.

I really enjoyed the friendship between Yoru and Tenjaku, and thought the sweet moments between them and the other foster kids were heartwarming and realistic! I especially liked Takanashi, one of the children's home employees who started working there at around the time Yoru came to live in the home. This manga shows that kindness is all around, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

This was sad but grounded in reality. The characters are in children's home due to various circumstances such as abuse. Seeing how much they suffered as a result from not being provided proper care from their parents is heartbreaking.

I really enjoy this volume. I had high expectations since I've already read Rie Aruga's last story and absolutely loved it. I have to say, this one has a very promising beginning. I hope to continue it soon.

Sheltering Eaves, Vol. 1 by Rie Aruga is a deeply emotional and beautiful story that would make an incredible Netflix anime. The bond between Yoru and Tenjaku, set against the challenges of the foster care system, is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Their relationship, filled with tenderness and emotional growth, would be perfect for animation, capturing the quiet moments and deep feelings of the characters.

The realistic portrayal of the foster care system, combined with a powerful romance, makes this manga a standout. It’s a story of love, loss, and hope that would resonate deeply with audiences, and I can already envision it as a stunning and moving anime series. A must-read and a future must-watch (fingers crossed)!

This story was very eye opening. I don’t know and have never experienced what it’s like to be in a foster situation but I know people who have. This was a rather heartbreaking look into what it must be like.

My only issue with the story is it felt very choppy. The scenes didn’t seem to flow smoothly from one moment to the next so it was a bit jarring at times.

I did enjoy the character work and have already developed a love for the MCs of the story.

I would be interested to continue the story to see how it unfolds.