At 30, I Realized I Had No Gender by Shou Arai

At 30, I Realized I Had No Gender

Shou Arai

Tokyopop · Paperback · June 13, 2023

At age 30, Shou Arai (he/him) came to a realization; he had no gender.

Buy on Amazon

We earn from qualifying purchases.

Who it’s for
An autobiographical manga meets questions of gender, aging, and everyday life with a lighthearted, comedic touch.
Themes
Gender identity, Aging as a queer person, Everyday obstacles for gender minorities
Genres
LGBTQ+ Comics, Graphic Biography & Memoir, LGBTQ+ Lives

About this book

At age 30, Shou Arai (he/him) came to a realization; he had no gender. Now he was faced with a question he'd never really considered: how to age in a society where everything is so strongly segregated between two genders? This autobiographical manga explores Japanese culture surrounding gender, transgender issues, and the day to day obstacles faced by gender minorities and members of the LGBTQIA+ community with a lighthearted, comedic attitude.

Continue reading

"Arai's English-language debut At 30, I Realized I Had No Gender isn't his first autobiographical manga, but it is something of a rarity in terms of what we tend to get in translation: it's about aging as a queer person and being comfortable with the changes that come along with it. [...] At 30, I Realized I Had No Gender is the open, frank, and honest discussion that sticks with you. If you're looking for a book that doesn't hold back and just speaks its mind about its creator's experiences as a human being, definitely pick this up." — Rebecca Silverman, Anime News Network "I had not really thought about cultural differences when it comes to non-binary / trans / intersex individuals in other countries besides the US. However, the same issues of language persist no matter where you live or culture you are from. [...] I liked this manga overall for the honesty and frankness, even in the smallest detail, like when Shou gives advice to a female-to-male individual who wants to know how to grow or present a better-looking beard. Something for truly everyone along the gender and sexuality spectrum." — Patti Martinson, Sequential Tart

Gender, With Humor

An autobiographical manga meets questions of gender, aging, and everyday life with a lighthearted, comedic touch.

Come here for

  • A personal lens on Japanese culture and gender
  • Humor alongside everyday obstacles for LGBTQIA+ people

Expect

  • An autobiographical manga grounded in lived experience
  • Frank discussion, delivered with a light touch

Where it sits

LGBTQ+ Lives50%
Graphic Biography & Memoir45%
LGBTQ+ Comics40%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • General Manga
  • Graphic Biography & Memoir
  • LGBTQ+ Comics
Authors
Shou Arai
Publisher
Tokyopop
Published
June 13, 2023
Format
Paperback
Theme
Gender identity · Aging as a queer person · Everyday obstacles for gender minorities
Reading lane
General Manga