My Brother's Husband, Volumes 1 & 2: Eisner Award

Gengoroh Tagame

Feb 2020 · Sold by Pantheon

About this ebook

EISNER AWARD WINNER • The acclaimed global sensation, now in one volume—a “beautifully rendered meditation on the struggle for gay acceptance in today’s Japan" (CNN)

Yaichi is a work-at-home suburban dad in contemporary Tokyo; formerly married to Natsuki, and father to their young daughter, Kana. Their lives suddenly change with the arrival at their doorstep of a hulking, affable Canadian named Mike Flanagan, who declares himself to be the widower of Yaichi's estranged gay twin, Ryoji. Mike is on a quest to explore Ryoji's past, and the family reluctantly but dutifully takes him in. What follows is an unprecedented and heartbreaking look at the state of a largely still-closeted Japanese gay culture: how it's been affected by the West, and how the next generation can change the preconceptions about it and prejudices against it.

As Mike continues his journey of discovery concerning Ryoji's past, Yaichi gradually comes to understand that being gay is just another way of being human. And that, in many ways, remains a radical concept in Japan even today. In the meantime, the bond between Mike and young Kana grows ever stronger, and yet he is going to have to return to Canada soon—a fact that fills them both with impending heartbreak. But not before more than a few revelations come to light.

(Please note: This book is a traditional work of manga, and reads back to front and right to left.)

Ratings and reviews

A very touching story about family and acceptance. It made me cry many times 😭

It's just so heartwarming and bittersweet. I love it.

wonderful Manga for the whole family to enjoy 😁

About the author

GENGOROH TAGAME was born in 1964 and lives in Tokyo. After graduating from Tama Art University, Tagame worked as an art director while writing manga and prose fiction, contributing illustrations for various magazines. In 1994 he cofounded the epochal G-men magazine and by 1996 he was working full-time as an openly gay artist. He is the author of dozens of graphic novels and stories that have been translated into English, French, Italian, and Korean. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries across Europe and America. My Brother's Husband, Volume I, his first all-ages title, earned him a 2018 Eisner Award, as well as the Japan Media Arts Award for Outstanding Work of Manga from the Agency of Cultural Affairs.