Shimanami Tasogare

If you're a fan of good drama and slice of life, this may be the manga for you. It was incredibly emotional, with characters who are really fleshed out and have their own personal dramas based on their gender identities and/or sexual orientations. It's ultimately a story about discovery and acceptance, and it's done beautifully. In addition, the artwork is stunning! I really loved some of the more surreal scenes.

Will it be for everyone? Probably not. I'm saying this as someone who is pansexual, but dramas like this aren't going to appeal to everyone whether in the LGBTQ community or not. It's down to earth, slowly paced, and so keep that in mind before picking this up. However, it's only 20 something chapters, and so I'd definitely recommend it to anyone even if slice of life isn't your thing just because it's so short. Plus, there's a happy ending and I know too many people scared of a tear jerker (not to say there isn't really jerker moments in here, but there's an overall happy ending still)

For most of the western world today, tolerance towards homosexuality is almost unquestionable, with gay marriage being written into law with nary a controversy. But for Japan, a country that has traditionally isolated itself from the rest of the globe, attitudes towards homosexuality are noticeably different. Though a 2017 NHK poll indicates that a majority of Japanese people are supportive of gay marriage, two years later even civil partnerships remain non-existent, and people remain heavily closeted in fear of standing out in a fiercely homogeneous culture.

It is important to keep this in mind while reading Shimanami no Tasogare. Those familiar with anime, manga, or Japanese media as a whole will be well aware that homosexuality is almost entirely ignored, or, if homosexual characters do exist, they are treated as a one-note running-gag-- tee-he, this character is gay/lesbian: so funny. Even Japanese television, which attempts to manufacture a vaguely tolerant image towards LGBT people by having a small handful of transgender hosts on variety shows, treats said hosts almost exclusively as comedy material. Matsuko Deluxe, most famously, for example-- most Japanese people would believe her cross-dressing and usage of female language to be a part of her character, a part of the joke rather than her actual identity. The general attitude towards LGBT people, among the younger Japanese populace, is to act tolerant on the outside, while shutting them out inside and avoiding their company so as to not stick out. For older Japanese people, outright discrimination is as ordinary to them as their hostility towards foreigners. And for children and teenagers, it is of course a reason to bully.

Shimanami no Tasogare is a statement about the reality of LGBT people in Japan. It is a touching and personal story about a wide array of people finding, and coming to terms with who they are, but it is equally the question of why these same people aren't allowed to behave themselves on the outside. Why must they stay closeted? Why can't people be free to love who they choose? They simply wish to live their life in peace without being harassed. Doesn't everyone?

The story begins with the protagonist being driven to the brink of suicide for being potentially ousted as gay by his classmates. He chooses instead to live, and eventually finds company among a volunteer group comprised of other gay people, of lesbians, cross-dressers, transgender and closeted/confused people. Nobody in this group is hostile towards society for not accepting them: they are content merely having found a space where they can make friends and be accepted for who they are. But even this is put into jeopardy by society, with regular and targeted harassment towards the group throughout the series. Sadly, such things had already been a daily occurrence in their lives before they had even joined the group. A shrug and a step forward is their only recourse.

Shimanami no Tasogare's writing is considerably subtle. There is a transgender character whose identity is never outright stated for the majority of the series, but by the time the dialogue explicitly reveals what they are, the reader has already known for quite some time due to their bittersweet conversations with old friends, hinting and nudging towards their past. There is as well a cross-dresser, though whether they truly fit somewhere in the LGBT spectrum, or are merely a puberty-stricken child fascinated by beauty, remains unanswered. It is not of much relevance. In the protagonist's own words, he wants "to live in a world where we don't have to understand each other." And that's quite fair enough.

There is some touching romance throughout the story-- particularly between the protagonist and another boy at school whom he has a crush on-- but this plays a secondary role to the two coming to terms with and accepting who they are, or even who they might be. There isn't necessarily an "and so they got together" ending, as whether or not they do was never really the point of the story. Much can instead be inferred from the manga's often symbolic imagery, with the art, stylistically simple as it may be, both figuratively and literally gouging at the characters with their fears and unrequited loves.

As somebody who is straight and even engaged to someone of the opposite sex, Shimanami no Tasogare comes recommended without reservation, a touching and courageous story despite its brevity. It is not just a story for LGBT readers to relate to, but for anyone who has ever felt alienated, or can empathise with those that have.

Because why should anyone ever be bullied for loving another?

They shouldn't.

I've been reading so many reality escaping manga that I can barely remember how it feels like to read a manga with meaning and purpose. It's been too long since I last read a manga that is more than just a manga. A manga that isn't just about the characters and the story but about the idea and symbolism behind the story and characters.

Personally speaking, I wouldn't say that this manga is realistic. Although it is more realistic than other manga, it still has the usual unrealistic story progression of a manga. I really wish they had base the story on real people instead of an idealistic view of how people go through a gender and sexuality identification and acceptance.

Overall, the story is creative. Not exactly unique but creative. The author has put in a lot of thoughts to both the story and the art to draw out the best of the characters and their emotions. It is one of the few Shounen Ai manga drawn in a Shounen demographic art style.

This is something unique. It's really hard to find something like this, precisely because there are hardly any mangas which deal with homosexuality in a realistic way. To be honest, this is the only one I found.
Because, as you know, being gay is not as simple as it is on yuri/yaoi mangas.
This is about how it feels being gay in the society, about how hard is the process of self-acceptance, about how hard is open with your parents and your friends, especially when your sexuality is not "normal". Also includes issues like bullying and homophobia.
The art is good, the characters are so realistic and humanized.
Althought there are only five chapters out, they are completely worthwhile. You should read it, you won't find something like this manga.
(I'm sorry if something I wrote was wrong, english isn't my native language)

This manga is not just unique because it stars a homosexual character, but a provides a glimpse into exactly how this affects his life. While the popularity of Yuri and Yaoi mislead outsiders on Japan’s treatment of LGBT members, in reality Japan is a very conservative place to live. It reflects how our characters can feel betrayed by our friends and our families, how they don’t feel comfortable with expressing or even being themselves. How they can hurt others due to their lack of understanding. So many manga focuses on the theme of “being yourself”, however this manga points out that for many people they cannot be themselves.

This art is not stellar, but does a great job representing what the characters are feeling through the artwork alone. To provide any examples would be spoiling the manga.

I will be honest in here: I made this review as reply to review about Shimanami Tasagore in here that i feel like miss the point and have little to do with the series. I feel the other review already explain perfectly about the latter. If you ask me why the hell i felt compelled to even reply one review is because certain condescending rant at the end especially regarding how to enjoy a story

Heck, if not for abystoma2 last paragraph on his review, i will not even made this article and just let his opinion slide. After all this series is all about living together with people you can't understand. But his last paragraph made him act like hot guy that decide how to enjoy series and what deserve to have high score on MAL just because he completed over 6.000 anime.

Nobody that "reasonable" spent that much time on anime even series they don't like (Sorry can't resist myself from using his own word). Say that i am salty or whatever, i dont care because my purpose is only to put my thought. Also what a better way to reply a review rant with another review rant. So just buckle up because this gonna be long rant (Spoiler Alert)


First, Misora is ten year old and so he will act like emotional brat. You ask a kid to act like proper adult which guess what? That how most of adult character on the series from Utsumi, Daichi, to Chaiko act, even when they face with uncomfortable thing. You selectively choose a certain character and portray the series other character as just simply like that. And not even a single character in Shimanami Tasagore say "I'm this or that" except Tasuku when he finally accept himself which the point of his arc in Volume 1.

Second, even some people like Utsumi, Chaiko, and Anonymous prefer to separate their personal life from public work, even when they are with LGBT people. Some of the character like Tsubaki or Misora not even manage to understand themselves to choose "I'm this or that". Which return to the point of Volume 2 that you completely fail to understand is that Tasuku force Misora to choose and just straight away assume that he want to become female.

That the value and i even think you choose to not understand it by making it look like the mental breakdown is came suddenly and not because the deliberate act of our protagonist asking him to choose identity. Not to mention his lash out at festival came after protagonist insensitive comment on the festival, blaming his cuteness for the sexual harassment and treat him like girl on distress.

Funny how you leave that part out but you shout rape on every other BL review so easily. You even admit that his identity is still not decided which made think how dense your brain can be when reading the scene. Yet you complain that the series is don't use "Show don't tell" formula and this so called blunt scene fail to be understand by you.

Which bring to third point, that it is "Show don't tell" series. I agree that it also use a lot of exposition but there also a lot scene where there nothing said outright. Heck, i even count only one arc that uses heavy infodump and that Anonymous chapter in Volume 4 which because it tell from outsider point of view. You know why is that? Because Anonymous is not "I'm this or that" type of person when come to identity!

Tsubaki never say if he gay or anything, but the manga use symbolism to represent his alienation and confused state of mind. Utsumi never said the main reason why he doesn't like his classmate despite her almost too good desire to try made people understand trans people. We knew from how he carry himself in Cat Clowder and how he try to act as ordinary as possible with other people.

And of course Misora never said the reason why he lash out to Tasuku but we understand right away after Utsumi incident. Then there is little scene like use of fish bowl when Tasuku enter Lounge, beginning of Volume 3, and when both Tsubaki and his dad stare at same thing in Christmas night. This is the series that use heavy symbolism and you don't even mention that when talking how you wish it more "Show Don't Tell".

Fourth, i dont know what you have anything aganist BL because you review a lot of it despite not enjoying it, but this story is not Shounen Ai okay. The term already dead in Japan and the series never have any romance between two boys. Yet, you somehow complain how unsatisfying with the finale. Why? Because the main character not get partner in the end? Because Anonymous have really elusive answer at the end?

Jeesh, your review is almost like walking contradiction. You question how the story turn into "Shounen Ai" you say, but expect a romance ending. You criticize character that "I'm this or that", but don't see any value when someone don't manage to say that outright. You want "Show don't tell", but dislike the idea that it don't tie neatly for the MC and Anonymous at the end.

But most outright bullshit thing you say that people like this manga because just because there is LGBT character and you should not need to search validation when reading fiction. Have you consider LGBT people like this because how some character is outside the norm even for LGBT story? two character felt no need to identify themselves at least right know just because they feel like not cis, straight, or follow ordinary gender expression.

How it manage to say good intention on LGBT people can made some of us uncomfortable if you try to force us to be the poster person on the issue. The fact some of the character content just living ordinary live and misunderstood by people because they don't feel need to explain why they are like this. Then there a couple with two different point of view on coming out and came to conflict because that. How the fuck they just exist because they are LGBT just because you are unable to understand the point. Once again you contradicting yourself, by saying the story realistic but not interesting but then said the character only exist because their orientation.

But just say that the case, so what wrong with it? Did people need to follow your definition of good story and enjoyment to enjoy thing? Did a lot of non LGBT reviewer on various news outlet who give this series high rating don't find this interesting? Are people who just like good art can't say they enjoy this? Or you know "fucking two dudes" banging as you say in other review (that also apply to two girl, one girl one dude, two dude one girl, etc) can't be entertain by it? I bet you analyzes your hentai too while jerking off like with BL (Sarcasm Note: I actually hope you really do because if you don't, well nevermind)

Just because you thing validation don't equal enjoyment doesn't mean everybody should follow you mister "Straight Male Person" (Sorry can't resist myself again). I knew that most story you read involve 'Straight Male Person" so you can act like you only read story for plot and not validation. I knew you never feel need to validate for your sexuality because nobody ever invalidate you in life because you can't date opposite sex. If you don't understand it then just admit it, give bad score, made review why you don't understand it, and move along without trying to made broad assumption about the reader. Your approval if the manga deserve general high score at the end of your every review don't mean shit.

The series message is that we can live in same boat even though we fail to understand each other, which hard thing to do to be honest. I fail to understand your contradictory review and you fail to understand people who rate this series high and in general, LGBT people. I be happy if somebody disagree with me and or just think i am salty over one review. At least you knew that i can't understand you and you can't understand me. Have nice day, abystoma2.

The topic of the LGBTQ+ community, although it can be taboo or embarrassing for some, is something that we talk about more and more freely in our society, and the manga has for me approached this topic in a different way than what we are used to see when we read a manga rated "psychological" and "LGBTQ+". We put ourselves in the place of the characters, we understand their points of view, the difficulties they may encounter, and the injustices that are linked to being part of the LGBTQ+ community.

It is in this sense a manga with a touching story, where we don't see the development of only one character (although it is focused on his evolution), but several people with different profiles, but all of them have a common point: to be judged or rejected from society for having a different sexual orientation.

This is not what I would call a yaoi manga, I did not felt that the focus was more on the Boy X Boy relationship than another one. There is nothing sexual as such in the story, but simply the romance perceived in different ways, with the ups and downs and (sadly) many obstacles that can be created as a result.

Honestly, I didn't expect to like this manga so much. I think it deserved 1 or even 2 more volumes (especially to develop the story of Shuuji Misora at the end). I had this little feeling of emptiness when I finished the 4th volume, this frustration of knowing that I would never know the rest of the characters' lives that I have followed and supported with love since the beginning.

I must admit that this is a manga that will tease your heart: whether it is joy, sorrow, sadness, or even anger (or perhaps indecency) at certain times.

I do realize this is going to be more of a rant, but bear with me.

From time to time, I check top 100 manga to see what's new. And Shimanami Tasogare kind of appeared out of nowhere. The cover art looked nice, so I gave it a try without even reading the synopsis.

Boy was I dissapointed. But no, not because it turned out to be unexpected shounen ai (though not reflected in MAL genres), but because it failed to be interesting, even despite the quite high mean score. The story can be summed up by "gay protagonist meets other non-straight people and sometimes also people who are maybe straight". Of course, there are plenty manga that have simple idea, but are entertaining. But in case of Shimanami Tasogare that's it. There's not really more to it. It seems to have a reputation of "realistic depiction of lgbt folks" and "their struggles in society". Yet it all falls flat. It might be realistic but well, real life can get boring too. The characters are just thrown at the reader without really trying to make you like them, and most of the "exciting events and turns" consist of the characters turning out to be *insert not-straight gender/identity/whatever*. Mostly in form of those characters saying "Btw I'm this and that."

Shimanami Tasogare tackles the theme of not understanding yourself, searching for the true you and so on. But tackling an interesting theme doesn't warrant it being done in an interesting way. For example there is an arc about a crossdresing boy. *slight spoilers of said arc ahead, but just to show how plain it is* He reveals he's crossdressing to mc after mc doesn't notice, later proceeds to have to have mental breakdown how nobody doesn't uderstand him, not even he himself (basically he screams exacly that and again, that's it), later goes outside crosdressed, seemingly happy with himself, some guy at festival touches his butt mistaking him for a girl and when mc tries to comfort him, mc gets shouted gay slurs at by the one being comforted. Crosdresser (or whatever his identity is) runs away and that's the last time we hear about him. So what? What purpose did this serve and why should we as a reader care? Those questions are left unanswered. "And nothing of value was found."

I can't really say the story is bad though. It's not *bad*, it's just not interesting. It's... mediocre. What I can say is good is the art. It's pleasant to the eye, there aren't any out of model derps (and thanks god no yaoi fingers or similar) and some moments have a nice visual take to them. Unfortunately, those moments are quite rare. I wish the author would make better use of the visual medium that manga is. To work more with "Show, not tell" in mind. Less infodumping and more visuals would certainly do this manga good.

But going back to the mystery I mentioned before, how could manga that isn't interesting be rated so high? Well, it's same similar to regular yaoi manga that gets flooded with 10/10s from fujoshi just because it's yaoi. But this time, Shimanami Tasogare is flooded by LGBT users and LGBT supporters who seems to give it 10/10s just because it deals with LGBT issues. Or because they can identify with the characters. Okay, that's nice that there is the character with same orientation as yours, but that alone doen's make the work itself good. Nor should it warrant any bonus points just on the basis of the character existing. By slight hyperbole, I'm sure as hell not giving something 10/10 just because the main character is Straight Male the Person. I don't seek validation in fictional characters, I just want to read a good fiction. And before you're going to say I'm just whatever-phobic, I don't dislike it because it deals with issues - give me a good manga about that and I'll like it. I dislike Shimanami Tasogare because it's not good. In fact, I could give you exaples of other manga that does it better. Still not masterpieces, but certainly not bad - try My Lesbian Experience with Loneliness and A Fine Day.

In conclusion, Shimanami Tasogare is the perfect manga to praise if you want to look like you're just sooo accepting, tolerant and supporting of LGBT issues. If you want an entertaining read, go look somewhere else. Althrought there still is a chance that Shimanami Tasogare will get better with more chapters.

Edit: Now that the manga is finished and I've finished reading it, I have to say that was one unsatisfying ending. The finale was just a conclusion to side character arc and it felt like rest of the story was cut of/mangaka has given up on finishing it. This manga certainly doesn't deserve the rating it currently has.