Review: X Gender Vol. 1 by Asuka Miyazaki
June 15, 2022
Given the current controversy surrounding the publisher of this title and their unethical treatment of employees and contractors, we will be omitting their name from this review. Instead, we would like to direct you to the UW7S Twitter page as well as the UW7S website, which offers great insight into both their working conditions and the goals attached to their effort to unionize. Please support these wonderful folks who are the heart and soul (and talent!) behind the titles we buy from their employer. Holding a license means absolutely nothing without skilled and dedicated employees to bring it to life in a new language. THANK YOU UW7S!! We support you!
Today we're taking a look at X Gender Vol. 1 by Asuka Miyazaki! X Gender is an autobiographical manga detailing the Mangaka's experiences as a non-binary individual in Japan.
When we first meet Asuka Miyazaki in the pages of X Gender, they are 33 years old, single, and interested in women. While it's clear to us from our position as readers that Asuka is non-binary, this is not totally clear to Asuka (yet). X Gender takes us on a ride-along through Asuka's deeply personal journey of self-discovery, healing, and finding a place where they belong. This manga truly pulls no punches in revealing personal experiences and circumstances that even the boldest among us might struggle to verbalize. From sharing the heartache of a long held love interest marrying a man, down to their preferred position for masturbation - nothing is taboo here!
I was pleasantly surprised by the educational tidbits included in this manga. While we're fortunate enough to be reading this story in English, it is important to remember that there are cultural differences at play and what is common terminology in the western LGBTQIA2S+ community may not be the same in Japan. To that end, Asuka kindly gives us a run down where appropriate on how things work across the pond.
So much of X Gender is written with incredible candor mixed with a healthy dose of humor that had me laughing out loud! It was great to see the author's sense of humor shine through when sharing such intimate details of their life. While this manga is rated 16+ it is mostly due to topics discussed within the story. If you are particularly squeamish about adult subject matter, it might not be the right title for you - but visually there is nothing particularly graphic.
The back of the volume contains an ad for upcoming volume 2 which will cover Asuka's experiences during the height of the pandemic. Personally, I'm really looking forward to reading it. What can I say? I really enjoyed the feeling of being a fly on the wall that this manga gives me. Between the things I learned and the things that made me laugh, it was a total winner!
TLDR;
When we first meet Asuka Miyazaki in the pages of X Gender, they are 33 years old, single, and interested in women. While it's clear to us from our position as readers that Asuka is non-binary, this is not totally clear to Asuka (yet). X Gender takes us on a ride-along through Asuka's deeply personal journey of self-discovery, healing, and finding a place where they belong. This manga truly pulls no punches in revealing personal experiences and circumstances that even the boldest among us might struggle to verbalize. From sharing the heartache of a long held love interest marrying a man, down to their preferred position for masturbation - nothing is taboo here!
I was pleasantly surprised by the educational tidbits included in this manga. While we're fortunate enough to be reading this story in English, it is important to remember that there are cultural differences at play and what is common terminology in the western LGBTQIA2S+ community may not be the same in Japan. To that end, Asuka kindly gives us a run down where appropriate on how things work across the pond.
So much of X Gender is written with incredible candor mixed with a healthy dose of humor that had me laughing out loud! It was great to see the author's sense of humor shine through when sharing such intimate details of their life. While this manga is rated 16+ it is mostly due to topics discussed within the story. If you are particularly squeamish about adult subject matter, it might not be the right title for you - but visually there is nothing particularly graphic.
The back of the volume contains an ad for upcoming volume 2 which will cover Asuka's experiences during the height of the pandemic. Personally, I'm really looking forward to reading it. What can I say? I really enjoyed the feeling of being a fly on the wall that this manga gives me. Between the things I learned and the things that made me laugh, it was a total winner!
TLDR;
All around an excellent read that is sure to teach you something new! I'm giving this one a SWEET AND SPICY rating since it tackles some very intimate subjects.
Release Date: 6/14/2022
Page Count: 160
Rating: 16+