I Want to Be a Wall (2022)

Synopsis

Any love story aficionado will say that the key to a successful couple is intense desire for one another—but what if the characters in question are an asexual woman with a passion for Boys Love stories and a gay man whose heart forever belongs to his oblivious childhood friend? Although romance will never be in the cards for newlyweds Yuriko and Gakurouta, the bond blossoming between them promises to be a wonderful relationship—the likes of which neither has ever experienced before…

From: Yen Press

Notes on This Title

This manga was written and drawn in Japanese by Honami Shirono and translated into English by Emma Schumacker.

Most of the first volume is from the perspective of Yuriko, the wife, with one chapter from the perspective of Gakurouta, the husband.

Awards

None.

Reviews

“One thing I really appreciate about this manga is the fact that it illustrates how Yukiko and Gakutouta are clearly in a loving relationship. One of the things I’ve heard people say about the ace community is that they don’t express love at all, but this manga shows that there are a lot of different ways to care about another person. While Yukiko and Gakutouta have their own reasons for getting married to each other, they also take the time to try to be their best selves for the person they’re with. There are some absolutely adorable moments when they’re both trying to figure out how to be a good husband and wife, showing that they aren’t just together for the sake of dodging what others would say to them as an ace woman and gay man. They comfort each other, talking about how they’ve come to terms with their identity and the euphoric feeling of finding someone who isn’t judgmental about it.” (Source: The Mary Sue)

“The manga is quirky and has a laid-back, relaxed feel to it, even when it dips into melancholic moments. While parts of it are funny, and it runs with the premise of this surprising marriage, it’s actually really deep and endearing as well. There are flashbacks that show Gaku and his childhood friend, and these pages could come straight out of a real BL book in terms of feelings and yearnings.” (Source: Otaku USA Magazine)

“…the story allows Yuriko and Gaku time to see each other as similar through their mutual desire to care for one another without expectations beyond that. This idea of many ways to care is supported through Yuriko’s self-discovery story. Shirono explores Yuriko’s ace identity in a complex way that reminds allosexual and alloromantic folks that there are many ways to want to be around and care for people.” (Source: Women Write About Comics)

Interviews

None.

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