At the time of writing this review, a well-deserved anime adaptation of Blue Period has just been announced, so congratulations to Ms. Yamaguchi.

Blue Period is an absolute masterpiece. I don't hand out 10s unless I come across something really special, and Blue Period is definitely worth anyone's time.

Even if you don't have an interest in art, Blue Period is guaranteed to resonate with anyone at some point over the course of its story. Whether it be through art, music, craft, even one's personal identity, the desire to create is inherent to humanity, it is the reason we exist as we do today. Blue Period expertly captures all of the joys and fulfillment that comes with creating, portraying it as the means of expanding one's worldview and expressing their true selves.

However, it's not all smiles and rainbows. After all, Blue Period is named after the term used to refer to Pablo Picasso's deep depression. This manga touches on some poignant themes, and not all of them are uplifting. Creating might bring joy to the artist, but with it comes pain, fear, anxiety, and doubt along the way. Yatora experiences some significant roadblocks throughout the story, and he doesn't always pass through unscathed. The same goes for every other character, most notable of which is Ryuji, whose character touches upon themes of sexuality, gender norms, and self-identity.

I'll finish my review by talking about the art: it's gorgeous. Probably to be expected by a manga about art, but the visuals are incredible nonetheless. It has almost a watercolor look which feels appropriate given the subject matter.