Our Colors
Our Colors by Gengoroh Tagame is a graphic novel published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group on June 21, 2022. This 528-page work is set in contemporary suburban Japan and follows the journey of Sora Itoda, a sixteen-year-old aspiring painter navigating the complexities of adolescence and his identity as a young gay man. The narrative explores Sora’s emotional landscape, depicted through vivid synesthetic hues, as he grapples with societal expectations and the challenges of living authentically in a culture where being openly gay remains difficult.
Readers will find a rich exploration of friendship and mentorship as Sora connects with Mr. Amamiya, the openly gay owner of a local coffee shop. Their relationship becomes a pivotal part of Sora’s coming-of-age journey, as Mr. Amamiya offers guidance on embracing one’s true self while reflecting on the sacrifices he made for his own freedom. The graphic novel delves into themes of identity, acceptance, and the emotional turbulence of youth, making it a significant addition to the genres of comics, literary manga, and LGBTQ narratives.
Official synopsis Publisher
A mesmerizing coming-of-age and coming-out graphic novel by the genius writer-artist of the Eisner Award–winning breakout hit My Brother’s Husband
Set in contemporary suburban Japan, Our Colors is the story of Sora Itoda: a sixteen-year-old aspiring painter who experiences his world in synesthetic hues of blues and reds, governed by the emotional turbulence of being a teenager. He wants to live honestly as a young gay man in high school, but that is still not acceptable in Japanese society. His best friend and childhood confidant is Nao, a young woman whom everyone thinks is (or should be) his girlfriend; and it would be the easiest thing to play along—she knows he is gay but knows, too, how hard it is to live one’s truth in their situation.
Sora’s world changes forever when he meets Mr. Amamiya, a middle-aged gentleman who is the owner and proprietor of a local coffee shop, and who is completely, unapologetically out as a gay man. A mentorship and friendship ensues, as Sora comes out to him and agrees to paint a mural in the shop, and Mr. Amamiya counsels him (platonically) about how to deal with who he is. But it won’t be easy. Mr. Amamiya paid a high price for his freedom of identity, and when a figure from his past suddenly appears, it becomes a prime example of just how complicated life can be.
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