I Hear the Sunspot (I Hear the Sunspot Graphic Novel)

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Natalie (in Japanese). May 28, 2020. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022 . Retrieved May 5, 2022. Kohei is an inner-focused guy, pretty somber, and because of his hearing not very connected with campus life, and Taichi is gregarious and outspoken. This is a story in part about raising consciousness about people with disabilities all around us, but it is far more complex than that, as the two work hard to understand each other and become friends, with a few challenges. If you take your time you can also see that it is a queer romance, but it is so subtle you could actually miss it, a fact I actually appreciated. Characters [ edit ] Kohei Sugihara ( 杉原 航平, Sugihara Kōhei ) Voiced by: Makoto Furukawa (audio drama); Portrayed by: Hideya Tawada (film) [2] Kohei is a college student who had a sudden hearing loss in high school, and because of his disability, he struggles to fit in and is usually seen alone. Taichi Sagawa ( 佐川 太一, Sagawa Taichi ) Voiced by: Junya Enoki (audio drama); Portrayed by: Akira Onodera [ ja] (film) [2] Taichi is an optimistic and outgoing college student who takes on the job of taking notes for Kohei part-time in exchange for food. Yoko ( ヨコ) Voiced by: Yoshiki Nakajima (audio drama); Portrayed by: Ryo Mitsuya [ ja] (film) [3] Media [ edit ] Manga [ edit ]

Written and illustrated by Yūki Fumino, the manga is serialized in Canna de France Shoin magazine since December 21, 2013. Currently, there are three tankōbon volumes of the series (I Hear the Sunspot: Limit count as one volume). It has been licensed for publication in the United States by One Peace Books under the name of I Hear the Sunspot. Vol.75" (in Japanese). France Shoin. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021 . Retrieved July 22, 2022.Truth is hearing-impaired people are different and it’s rude to assume things about them. And more often than not, people tend to make a judgment before taking the time to know the reason behind pretty much everything and everyone. Silverman, Rebecca (April 21, 2021). "I Hear the Sunspot: Limit GN". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022 . Retrieved May 5, 2022. The romance was very slow, the story eased into it and I think that pacing worked well because it gave the story time to set up a friendship between the two main characters before romantic advances were made. But there’s still a long way to go with their relationship so I expect to see much more of it in the next vol. Ressler, Karen (November 20, 2018). "North American Anime, Manga Releases, November 18–24". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 19, 2022 . Retrieved May 5, 2022. Rebecca Silverman from Anime News Network reviewed I Hear the Sunspot favorably, praising its exploration of school stereotypes and Kohei and Taichi's relationship. [24] Regarding Theory of Happiness, she described it as being "sweet and thoughtful" and praised the art, but she also stated that it had "excessive" angst. [25] For Limit, Silverman praised the story's exploration of "different lived experiences of being 'normal '". [26] Corinne Barrett Percy described Kohei as an example of how people with disabilities and queer identities are seen as outsiders in Japanese society. [27]

Still, the characters continue their journey of discovery and their social networks become more complex through the increased focus on Taichi's coworkers and Kohei's new friend/s and it is fascinating to watch them adapt to unexpected challenges and situations. A beautifully-rendered love story about a distant hard of hearing man and his incredibly eager, kind and passionate friend who makes notes for him during college classes in exchange for a bento box.

Otherwise, there’s a lot to enjoy here. I can’t speak to the representation (I’m not deaf/Deaf or HOH) but from I know and have read elsewhere, this feels like a respectful depiction of characters with varying levels of hearing loss. Disability of any kind is rarely explored in manga, so it’s lovely to see it here (in the center of a LGBTQ romance to boot!) The romance is much more subtle than you’d usually see in a BL manga and it works well for the more realistic style of the narrative with beautiful, emotive character designs and clean, realistic artwork.💙💜

The art is still very evocative, although I find this particular volume not as beautifully drawn and laid-out as the previous ones. Natalie (in Japanese). December 27, 2021. Archived from the original on December 27, 2021 . Retrieved May 5, 2022. The one thing that the film touches upon and I find quite good is that Disabled people also deserve to be treated normally like others and do not want any kind of special treatment Barrett Percy, Corinne (November 15, 2020). " "I Hear You Just Fine"": Disability and Queer Identity in Yuki Fumino's I Hear the Sunspot". Journal of Anime and Manga Studies. 1: 35–75. doi: 10.21900/j.jams.v1.233. S2CID 225118016. Archived from the original on November 30, 2021 . Retrieved May 27, 2022.not. Unfortunately, as strong as the characters are and the first few chapters, I couldn't help but feel like the story wasn't strong enough to finish on its own. At some point, it did start to feel like it was going through the motions to hit certain character beats. The first two or three chapters are so good. It really hits you emotionally and it makes you rethink how you've treated people, whether they have a disability or Due to his hearing disability, Kōhei Sugihara is often misunderstood and has trouble integrating into life on campus; as such he keeps his distance. That all changes when he meets the outspoken and cheerful Taichi Sagawa. Taichi comforts Kohei and assures him that his hearing loss is not his fault. Taichi's kind and surprisingly insightful words cut through Kōhei 's usual defense mechanisms and open his heart. Now they are more than friends and less than lovers. Even so, this relationship changes Kohei forever.

a b c d e Sherman, Jennifer (May 28, 2016). "Hidamari ga Kikoeru Boys-Love Manga Gets Live-Action Film". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022 . Retrieved May 5, 2022. Silverman, Rebecca (October 17, 2017). "I Hear the Sunspot GN". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 5, 2022 . Retrieved May 5, 2022. Unfortunately, Kouhei’s insecurities take the best of him and Taichi feels confused about their relationship. How can he get him to smile again? How can he erase those barriers he feels whenever he talks to other people? How can he show Kouhei that he really cares about him?

Hidamari ga Kikoeru,ひだまりが聴こえる,Theory of Happiness,ひだまりが聴こえる－リミット－,ひだまりが聴こえる－幸福論－,Hidamari ga Kikoeru - Koufuku Hen,Hidamari ga Kikoeru - Limit,Hidamari ga Kikoeru - Theory of Happiness

This second volume is far more emotional than the first not only because there’s a new character that comes into the picture, but because it’s focused on finding the meaning to your life. Going to college and getting a degree doesn’t mean you’ll be successful or even happy; actually, it doesn’t matter what you choose to do with your life, your goal should be focused on what you want, who you want to become.