KATE: The obvious pick of the week is Riyoko Ikeda’s three-hanky drama Claudine, a sensitive (if sometimes melodramatic) story about a transgender man who struggles to find his place in society. As Sean pointed out in his terrific review, Claudine is surprisingly woke for a manga written in 1977, even if the ending is a major downer. In addition to Claudine, I’m also making space on my shelf for Shibuya Goldfish, a manga that dares ask the question, what really happens when you flush your pet fish down the toilet. (Spoiler alert: bad stuff.)
SEAN: It’s an embarrassment of riches this week, and I feel bad for not highlighting True Tenchi Muyo, one of the titles that got me into anime, or Little Witch Academia, a fun adaptation of a great (and kid-friendly) series. But yes, obvious, the pick is Claudine, which was worth the wait and reminds you why Riyoko Ikeda is still one of the most loved creators in Japan.
MICHELLE: I, too, am picking Claudine this week, but I do want to take a moment to highlight the print debut of Tokyo Tarareba Girls, which is really a terrific and fun josei series.
ANNA: Claudine Claudine Claudine, Claudine Claudine. CLAUDINE!
ASH: Yes! Absolutely no question about it! Claudine is my pick, too! (Of course, Tokyo Tarareba Girls and Silver Spoon are pretty high on my reading list as well…)
MJ: What they all said! Claudine it is!