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零れるよるに [Koboreru Yoru ni] #1
Sheltering Eaves, Vol. 1
From the creator of Perfect World comes a new josei manga about a pure romance that blossoms in the unfair world of the foster care system. Blending a realistic representation of the situation faced by the most vulnerable children in Japanese society with a page-turning love story, Sheltering Eaves is, like the teens who come to life on its pages, one of a kind.
High schooler Yoru was sent to a group home at the age of ten after her mother abused her. Tenjaku, a boy the same age, took her under his wing. Now, as teenagers, Yoru and Tenjaku only have a year left before they are legally required to leave the home, and they must pack a lot of growing up into a short period of time. The foremost decision in Yoru's mind: what to do about the feelings for Tenjaku that she's sheltered in her heart during their years together...
Selected for the hit-making Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (This Manga is Amazing!) list by representatives of the Japanese manga industry.
High schooler Yoru was sent to a group home at the age of ten after her mother abused her. Tenjaku, a boy the same age, took her under his wing. Now, as teenagers, Yoru and Tenjaku only have a year left before they are legally required to leave the home, and they must pack a lot of growing up into a short period of time. The foremost decision in Yoru's mind: what to do about the feelings for Tenjaku that she's sheltered in her heart during their years together...
Selected for the hit-making Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (This Manga is Amazing!) list by representatives of the Japanese manga industry.
160 pages, Paperback
First published March 13, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
September 11, 2024
3.5 stars
i was thoroughly captivated by this engaging manga series’ start, devouring it in one sitting. the story of Yoru and Tenjaku, who find solace in each other after being rescued from a life of child abuse and neglect, is truly heartwarming. the narrative seamlessly jumps from Yoru's initial introduction to the foster home to their life together during their 16th summer before they turn 18 and leave the foster care system. I'm left wondering what the future holds for these two inseparable characters, and I'm eager to see how their story unfolds. the possibilities are endless, and I hope they won't be separated as they navigate this new chapter in their lives.
many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review
” when i’m with him i forget about being alone.”
i was thoroughly captivated by this engaging manga series’ start, devouring it in one sitting. the story of Yoru and Tenjaku, who find solace in each other after being rescued from a life of child abuse and neglect, is truly heartwarming. the narrative seamlessly jumps from Yoru's initial introduction to the foster home to their life together during their 16th summer before they turn 18 and leave the foster care system. I'm left wondering what the future holds for these two inseparable characters, and I'm eager to see how their story unfolds. the possibilities are endless, and I hope they won't be separated as they navigate this new chapter in their lives.
many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review
August 21, 2024
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an E-Arc in exchange for an honest review!*
2.75 Stars!
An interesting start to a new manga series. We follow the main characters Yoru, who has just moved into a new foster home and Tenjaku. They along with the other children have been either neglected, abused or abandoned by their parents. Tenjaku felt the instant urge to protect Yoru and to never leave her side, their friendship and the connection they share is beautiful.
The timeline is between the past, where Yoru just moved in and later on when they are already in high school and have one and a half year more left to graduate and leave their current home.
The art style is a bit average, but the story will keep you interested till it ends.
I'm looking forward to the next instalments, I'm curious what will Tenjaku will decide for himself.
2.75 Stars!
An interesting start to a new manga series. We follow the main characters Yoru, who has just moved into a new foster home and Tenjaku. They along with the other children have been either neglected, abused or abandoned by their parents. Tenjaku felt the instant urge to protect Yoru and to never leave her side, their friendship and the connection they share is beautiful.
The timeline is between the past, where Yoru just moved in and later on when they are already in high school and have one and a half year more left to graduate and leave their current home.
The art style is a bit average, but the story will keep you interested till it ends.
I'm looking forward to the next instalments, I'm curious what will Tenjaku will decide for himself.
September 23, 2024
"Sometimes, just one extra drop seems enough to break what's holding our emotions together. We're constantly struggling to make sure that it never overflows."
How do you rate a manga like this?
I really have no idea.
It's hard because this story IS fiction, but at the heart of it, you can really see it's not. These characters are reflections of other real-life people with real problems, worries, and anxiety. It reminds me of My Girlfriend's Child in that this story is much larger than good or bad storytelling because it's one that grips you and pulls you into someone else's world, and in my case, is very different from my own.
I can say that based on my experience of reading Perfect World, the creator's other work in English, this volume definitely left on a very painful cliffhanger that made me want to get volume two. My only concern is that I would LIKE to read more, but with how deep and triggering this story is at points, I really want to know if it will have a "happy ending." That might come across as incredibly shallow, but seeing the effects of parental abuse on children is not something I would rush to pick up at any given point because that is extremely triggering and upsetting for me personally. (I foresee myself feeling unsettled for the rest of the day so it's something I need to think hard about on what I want to do.)
I can say that even outside of my struggle with what to do, this is a very meaningful read. It's not light-hearted or a "happy" one, but again, going back to My Girlfriend's Child, I think it's powerfully insightful in light of it being a fictional setting. The characters are very compelling and really found my heart went out to each one of them.
I think if you're looking for a story that is eye-opening and heart-wrenching, this is one I would recommend (but please don't forget the trigger warning I mentioned above).
*(I received a digital e-copy via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
How do you rate a manga like this?
I really have no idea.
It's hard because this story IS fiction, but at the heart of it, you can really see it's not. These characters are reflections of other real-life people with real problems, worries, and anxiety. It reminds me of My Girlfriend's Child in that this story is much larger than good or bad storytelling because it's one that grips you and pulls you into someone else's world, and in my case, is very different from my own.
I can say that based on my experience of reading Perfect World, the creator's other work in English, this volume definitely left on a very painful cliffhanger that made me want to get volume two. My only concern is that I would LIKE to read more, but with how deep and triggering this story is at points, I really want to know if it will have a "happy ending." That might come across as incredibly shallow, but seeing the effects of parental abuse on children is not something I would rush to pick up at any given point because that is extremely triggering and upsetting for me personally. (I foresee myself feeling unsettled for the rest of the day so it's something I need to think hard about on what I want to do.)
I can say that even outside of my struggle with what to do, this is a very meaningful read. It's not light-hearted or a "happy" one, but again, going back to My Girlfriend's Child, I think it's powerfully insightful in light of it being a fictional setting. The characters are very compelling and really found my heart went out to each one of them.
I think if you're looking for a story that is eye-opening and heart-wrenching, this is one I would recommend (but please don't forget the trigger warning I mentioned above).
*(I received a digital e-copy via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
August 25, 2024
Rating: 5 leaves out of 5
-Characters: 5/5
-Story: 5/5
-Writing: 5/5
Genre: -
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yes
Hated|Disliked|Meh|It Was Okay|Liked|Really Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
This was a bit of a heavy manga. The kids that were failed by their parents is just a heavy subject and this seems like a good manga that lets you have a sneak peek into their world. I am hoping the two main characters get a happy ending and it will be on my list to further read.
-Characters: 5/5
-Story: 5/5
-Writing: 5/5
Genre: -
Type: Manga
Worth?: Yes
Hated|Disliked|Meh|It Was Okay|Liked|Really Liked|Loved
Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.
This was a bit of a heavy manga. The kids that were failed by their parents is just a heavy subject and this seems like a good manga that lets you have a sneak peek into their world. I am hoping the two main characters get a happy ending and it will be on my list to further read.
August 26, 2024
“Why was I born into this world? Should I have been born at all? Those questions always lingered in my mind.” - Yoru Tono
✨ Sheltering Eaves tells the story of Yoru, a young girl who arrives at a children's home after being neglected by her mother due to her mental illness. There, Yoru meets Tenjaku.
✨ When Yoru questioned why she was born, it really struck me. I could completely resonate with her words, as I too have questioned my existence, wondering why I was born only to endure suffering due to my frail body and deteriorating health. My parents ended up blaming me for every unlucky thing that happened to them, for every hospital visit, for having a weak body. We didn’t choose to be born. I didn't choose to be born like this.
✨ Yoru reminded me of my past self—the part of me that felt emotionally lonely, always relying on someone else to find happiness, just as Yoru finds happiness when she sees Tenjaku.
✨ I really loved the bond between Tenjaku and Yoru. Although I sense a romantic undertone between them, I’m torn. If this bond turns into romance, it might easily break, especially if they unintentionally hurt each other.
✨ Sheltering Eaves is a story of orphaned kids and their lives before, during, and after their time in the home.
✨ Overall, this has been an emotional and wonderful read for me.
✨ Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for giving me the opportunity to read Tenjaku and Yoru’s tear-jerking story.
✨ WHAT I LIKED:
📌 When Tenjaku saved Yoru multiple times
📌 When Tenjaku and Yoru hugged each other
📌 Tenjaku’s independence and clear goals in life
📌 Yoru’s love for Tenjaku
✨ TROPES:
📌 FOUND FAMILY IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS
📌 CHARACTERS WITH TRAUMATIC PASTS
📌 CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
📌 ORPHANED PROTAGONIST
📌 NO SPICE
💻 FULL REVIEW HERE: https://kimthebookdragon.wordpress.co...
✨ Sheltering Eaves tells the story of Yoru, a young girl who arrives at a children's home after being neglected by her mother due to her mental illness. There, Yoru meets Tenjaku.
✨ When Yoru questioned why she was born, it really struck me. I could completely resonate with her words, as I too have questioned my existence, wondering why I was born only to endure suffering due to my frail body and deteriorating health. My parents ended up blaming me for every unlucky thing that happened to them, for every hospital visit, for having a weak body. We didn’t choose to be born. I didn't choose to be born like this.
✨ Yoru reminded me of my past self—the part of me that felt emotionally lonely, always relying on someone else to find happiness, just as Yoru finds happiness when she sees Tenjaku.
✨ I really loved the bond between Tenjaku and Yoru. Although I sense a romantic undertone between them, I’m torn. If this bond turns into romance, it might easily break, especially if they unintentionally hurt each other.
✨ Sheltering Eaves is a story of orphaned kids and their lives before, during, and after their time in the home.
✨ Overall, this has been an emotional and wonderful read for me.
✨ Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for giving me the opportunity to read Tenjaku and Yoru’s tear-jerking story.
✨ WHAT I LIKED:
📌 When Tenjaku saved Yoru multiple times
📌 When Tenjaku and Yoru hugged each other
📌 Tenjaku’s independence and clear goals in life
📌 Yoru’s love for Tenjaku
✨ TROPES:
📌 FOUND FAMILY IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS
📌 CHARACTERS WITH TRAUMATIC PASTS
📌 CHILDHOOD TRAUMA
📌 ORPHANED PROTAGONIST
📌 NO SPICE
💻 FULL REVIEW HERE: https://kimthebookdragon.wordpress.co...
August 27, 2024
I'm a huge fan of Rie Aruga's previous series, Perfect World, so I was extremely excited to see a new series from her!
I love how she always puts so much research and heart into her stories, so as soon as I saw that this was a josei featuring two teens in the foster care system, I knew we'd be in for a heartwrenching, beautiful story, and based on this first volume, I can tell it's going to be just as amazing as Perfect World was. Even with just this first volume, I can wait to see Yoru and Tenjaku grow, and I'm excited to see how the series progresses.
If you love beautifully drawn and written stories that will pull on your heartstrings, then I highly recommend you check out both Rie Aruga's beloved Perfect World series, and also start this one!
I was able to read an early egalley via NetGalley and I definitely can't wait to get a physical copy for my shelves!
I love how she always puts so much research and heart into her stories, so as soon as I saw that this was a josei featuring two teens in the foster care system, I knew we'd be in for a heartwrenching, beautiful story, and based on this first volume, I can tell it's going to be just as amazing as Perfect World was. Even with just this first volume, I can wait to see Yoru and Tenjaku grow, and I'm excited to see how the series progresses.
If you love beautifully drawn and written stories that will pull on your heartstrings, then I highly recommend you check out both Rie Aruga's beloved Perfect World series, and also start this one!
I was able to read an early egalley via NetGalley and I definitely can't wait to get a physical copy for my shelves!
September 24, 2024
[Thanks to Netgalley and Kodansha for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.]
A tale of Japan’s foster and orphan care and two children, Tenjaku and Yoru, who find themselves surviving within it.
It’s hard to review this manga because, while I didn’t really like it, it had a lot of important information that did give me an appreciation of the foster and orphan situation in Japan. Its educational bona fides are without reproach.
Unfortunately, its plotting and characters are overwrought and underdeveloped, respectively. The plot seems like it has to get so much of this information across that the home comes off like the most hard luck place in Japan.
There’s a moment where a disaster befalls the home that is used to illustrate how badly hurt some of these children have been, but it also comes off as total nonsense because no way would the events play out like they did.
It’s manga, it’s going to be wild sometimes, but this simultaneously wants to educate about the real world while also having a foot stuck firmly in melodrama town. A long-lost parent showing up at the end does what the writer wants, drama-wise, but it doesn’t feel organic.
Which is shocking because I read the first volume of Perfect World, the mangaka’s previous title, ages ago and it has a far better balance and I liked both aspects. This is, unquestionably, a step down.
Part of it is the pile-on. There’s so many awful stories here and they’re all coming at the reader so fast that it’s numbing. Tenjaku’s scars are enough, we can infer that something bad happened, but the story decides to go there anyway and it feels like overkill that’s borderline cartoonish.
Yoru is incredibly underwritten - her mother and her mental health issues are given more depth. She clings to Tenjaku while he’s trying to figure out the future and she mostly goes on about her desire to stay together.
I refuse to believe that people are so defined by their trauma that it’s all they can talk about, but this manga appears to believe different. Sure, it looms large and weighs heavy, but the balance here is skewed to misery in a way I don’t believe.
It’s just too much everything and all done with the subtlety of a mugging. There is a lot here that is neatly done - the clear PTSD and subconscious reactions of the kids to it are really portrayed quite well. But it keeps going and then loses me on the points it wants to make.
Manga with sad stories are fine. Manga with heavy subjects are fine. This hasn’t figured out how to educate without the browbeating and, well, it left me underwhelmed with the end product.
Yet I also recognize the skill that went into the research and it doesn’t have nothing to say. A lot of people think this is a good story and it has emotional heft. They are not wrong; I just think it’s weighted all wrong.
3 stars - an important subject, but one that deserves a better story than this. It’s complicated - I wrote this whole review twice and I’m still dissatisfied with my wording here, but I know that this just was not for me.
A tale of Japan’s foster and orphan care and two children, Tenjaku and Yoru, who find themselves surviving within it.
It’s hard to review this manga because, while I didn’t really like it, it had a lot of important information that did give me an appreciation of the foster and orphan situation in Japan. Its educational bona fides are without reproach.
Unfortunately, its plotting and characters are overwrought and underdeveloped, respectively. The plot seems like it has to get so much of this information across that the home comes off like the most hard luck place in Japan.
There’s a moment where a disaster befalls the home that is used to illustrate how badly hurt some of these children have been, but it also comes off as total nonsense because no way would the events play out like they did.
It’s manga, it’s going to be wild sometimes, but this simultaneously wants to educate about the real world while also having a foot stuck firmly in melodrama town. A long-lost parent showing up at the end does what the writer wants, drama-wise, but it doesn’t feel organic.
Which is shocking because I read the first volume of Perfect World, the mangaka’s previous title, ages ago and it has a far better balance and I liked both aspects. This is, unquestionably, a step down.
Part of it is the pile-on. There’s so many awful stories here and they’re all coming at the reader so fast that it’s numbing. Tenjaku’s scars are enough, we can infer that something bad happened, but the story decides to go there anyway and it feels like overkill that’s borderline cartoonish.
Yoru is incredibly underwritten - her mother and her mental health issues are given more depth. She clings to Tenjaku while he’s trying to figure out the future and she mostly goes on about her desire to stay together.
I refuse to believe that people are so defined by their trauma that it’s all they can talk about, but this manga appears to believe different. Sure, it looms large and weighs heavy, but the balance here is skewed to misery in a way I don’t believe.
It’s just too much everything and all done with the subtlety of a mugging. There is a lot here that is neatly done - the clear PTSD and subconscious reactions of the kids to it are really portrayed quite well. But it keeps going and then loses me on the points it wants to make.
Manga with sad stories are fine. Manga with heavy subjects are fine. This hasn’t figured out how to educate without the browbeating and, well, it left me underwhelmed with the end product.
Yet I also recognize the skill that went into the research and it doesn’t have nothing to say. A lot of people think this is a good story and it has emotional heft. They are not wrong; I just think it’s weighted all wrong.
3 stars - an important subject, but one that deserves a better story than this. It’s complicated - I wrote this whole review twice and I’m still dissatisfied with my wording here, but I know that this just was not for me.
September 6, 2024
I'm a huge fan of Rie Aruga's previous manga series, Perfect World, and thus had high hopes for his newest series, Sheltering Eaves. I'm pleased to say that I absolutely loved the first volume and already feel such a connection between our two main characters, Yoru and Tenjaku. I really enjoyed how we got to see the origins of their friendship in the children's group home and then also a taste of their lives at sixteen years old; seeing the younger versions of the characters really gave me context and allowed me to connect on a deeper level.
The representation of children's home facilities in Japan - as well as what the children go through before, during, and after their stay - was done tastefully and respectfully. I love how Rie Argua creates such diverse stories, and I cannot wait to dig into the rest of this series!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Sheltering Eaves, Vol. 1 by Rie Aruga in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not influenced by any third parties. #shelteringeaves #netgalley #manga
The representation of children's home facilities in Japan - as well as what the children go through before, during, and after their stay - was done tastefully and respectfully. I love how Rie Argua creates such diverse stories, and I cannot wait to dig into the rest of this series!
Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Sheltering Eaves, Vol. 1 by Rie Aruga in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are not influenced by any third parties. #shelteringeaves #netgalley #manga
November 2, 2024
⭐⭐⭐
Rep: Teenagers that grew up in a children's home in Japan, Insomnia due to anxiety
CW: Child Abandonment, Child Abuse
👩🏻👩🏻👧🏻👦🏻Found family
😴Insomnia Rep
❤️🩹Teenagers living in a children's home
💛Childhood best friends
What I Liked
1) This book gave a great insight into the care system in Japan and how it affects the children that grow up in it.
2) You can truly see how passionate the author is about the topic and how well researched this book is to give teenagers in the care system a relatable manga and to give other readers a better understanding of what they go through.
3) Yoru hanging onto the one good memory she can find to try and outweigh the bad was so well shown
4) I loved how this manga showed one of the children going to extreme measures to try and get attention from their parents in the hope they can go home. It truly showed how devastating the system is and how even when a child was in a bad situation, they still want to get back to their family.
5) I loved the discussions of how brutal the system can be by saying that they're family but then kicking them out at 18 and I think it brings up an important conversation of how we can support adults that were in the system.
6) I didn't know seasonal foster care existed and I loved learning about it
What I Disliked
1) I didn't really connect with the romance element of this story especially due to Tenjaku's anger issues (I do understand that it is due to his trauma but I hate when the guy in a romance is violent even when it's on the love interest's behalf)
2) If you already know quite a lot about children's homes, some of the explanations can be a bit much but if you don't know much about the topic I think this manga is a great introduction
Favourite Quotes
1) 'The day I arrived they said it was my "new home" and my "new family" but what kind of home and family do you suddenly have to leave once you reach the age of eighteen'
2)'Every day was miserable and soul-crushing. I never want to live like that again. But I still hang onto that one tiny memory.'
Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rep: Teenagers that grew up in a children's home in Japan, Insomnia due to anxiety
CW: Child Abandonment, Child Abuse
👩🏻👩🏻👧🏻👦🏻Found family
😴Insomnia Rep
❤️🩹Teenagers living in a children's home
💛Childhood best friends
What I Liked
1) This book gave a great insight into the care system in Japan and how it affects the children that grow up in it.
2) You can truly see how passionate the author is about the topic and how well researched this book is to give teenagers in the care system a relatable manga and to give other readers a better understanding of what they go through.
3) Yoru hanging onto the one good memory she can find to try and outweigh the bad was so well shown
4) I loved how this manga showed one of the children going to extreme measures to try and get attention from their parents in the hope they can go home. It truly showed how devastating the system is and how even when a child was in a bad situation, they still want to get back to their family.
5) I loved the discussions of how brutal the system can be by saying that they're family but then kicking them out at 18 and I think it brings up an important conversation of how we can support adults that were in the system.
6) I didn't know seasonal foster care existed and I loved learning about it
What I Disliked
1) I didn't really connect with the romance element of this story especially due to Tenjaku's anger issues (I do understand that it is due to his trauma but I hate when the guy in a romance is violent even when it's on the love interest's behalf)
2) If you already know quite a lot about children's homes, some of the explanations can be a bit much but if you don't know much about the topic I think this manga is a great introduction
Favourite Quotes
1) 'The day I arrived they said it was my "new home" and my "new family" but what kind of home and family do you suddenly have to leave once you reach the age of eighteen'
2)'Every day was miserable and soul-crushing. I never want to live like that again. But I still hang onto that one tiny memory.'
Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2024
e-ARC from NetGalley
I want more of this story!
There's something so appealing about soft romance in manga. We get so many toxic and abusive male leads who make our female protagonists' lives harder than they need to be, so this type of story is so refreshing.
This manga follows two individuals - Yoru and Tenjaku - as they grow up in a group home for abused children. From the day 10-year-old Yoru arrives, Tenjaku becomes her best friend and protector. Now, at 16, the pair know their time in the home is coming to a close, and they will soon be forced to make it on their own.
This is a coming of age story just as much as (if not more than) it is a romance. Tenjaku is working himself to the bone in preparation, while Yoru's biggest worry is being separated from the boy she secretly loves. While he is always there for her, he does not seem to feel the same need to stay by her side, and his feelings are ambiguous - is he protecting her like a lover or a brother? Even the reader can't be sure.
Everything about this worked for me. The drawing was gorgeous. The characters were lovable. The story is compelling. The anxiety and fear of the unknown is contagious. I haven't loved a manga this much since My Sweet Girl by Rumi Ichinohe! Can't wait for volume 2!
I want more of this story!
There's something so appealing about soft romance in manga. We get so many toxic and abusive male leads who make our female protagonists' lives harder than they need to be, so this type of story is so refreshing.
This manga follows two individuals - Yoru and Tenjaku - as they grow up in a group home for abused children. From the day 10-year-old Yoru arrives, Tenjaku becomes her best friend and protector. Now, at 16, the pair know their time in the home is coming to a close, and they will soon be forced to make it on their own.
This is a coming of age story just as much as (if not more than) it is a romance. Tenjaku is working himself to the bone in preparation, while Yoru's biggest worry is being separated from the boy she secretly loves. While he is always there for her, he does not seem to feel the same need to stay by her side, and his feelings are ambiguous - is he protecting her like a lover or a brother? Even the reader can't be sure.
Everything about this worked for me. The drawing was gorgeous. The characters were lovable. The story is compelling. The anxiety and fear of the unknown is contagious. I haven't loved a manga this much since My Sweet Girl by Rumi Ichinohe! Can't wait for volume 2!
August 28, 2024
This was pretty good! Basically about orphans finding homes with each other, just being near each other, and creating a family. You have Yoru who loses her dad, and her mom becomes mentally unstable and she has to go to a group home. There she meets Tenjaku and they quickly become friends. You can tell they love each other, not sure if in love just yet, but they want to be there and project one another. We get a time skip around half way to them in High School trying to decide what they'll do once they turn 18. It's a nice slice of life look into that type of life. I was surprised it took itself so serious, very little humor, but at the same time it's what kind of makes it, well, it's own thing. So I enjoyed the sweetness to the relationship here between leads, and the growth of character in a different situation than most. I'll check out volume 2 for sure. A 3.5 out of 5.
August 26, 2024
Thank you, Kodansha Comics & NetGalley for the access to this manga title and the chance to review honestly. Here is my opinion.
This is a very raw and emotional manga and one with a subject I have never seen in Japanese media before - child group homes, social work & removing abused or neglected children from homes.
I think this hit on a subject that needs more exposure and I think it showed a brief glimpse into life of children in a group home, well.
I am interested to see how the stories and backstories are explored and see a side of Japanese society I knew existed by never witnessed. PLUS I am fully prepared to cry and I know I will, the hints and the drawings are proof already.
This is a very raw and emotional manga and one with a subject I have never seen in Japanese media before - child group homes, social work & removing abused or neglected children from homes.
I think this hit on a subject that needs more exposure and I think it showed a brief glimpse into life of children in a group home, well.
I am interested to see how the stories and backstories are explored and see a side of Japanese society I knew existed by never witnessed. PLUS I am fully prepared to cry and I know I will, the hints and the drawings are proof already.
August 28, 2024
This book covers what it's like to live in a children's home in Tokyo. Kids whose parents could not take care of them or were abusing them come and live in the children's home. We follow the two main charades as kids, then skip to them being in high school and about to have to go live on their own. We see how the two characters have different outlooks on this, one: how can they call this our new home and then kick us out when we turn 18 while the other one is getting part-time jobs to prepare himself for living out on his own. The story with these two is very interesting and even shows how the wolf views kids in their situation.
August 23, 2024
4🌟
(I received an e-arc from netgalley and am voluntarily leaving this review)
This was actually really good. I saw some 3🌟 reviews and thought i might not like it but honestly, i really loved it.
The characters were so honest and good with each other as friends too.
All of the supporting characters were well depicted as well.
The theme it evolved around and the way the characters delt with the criticism was so brave and strong.
I am really looking forward to the next volume.
(I received an e-arc from netgalley and am voluntarily leaving this review)
This was actually really good. I saw some 3🌟 reviews and thought i might not like it but honestly, i really loved it.
The characters were so honest and good with each other as friends too.
All of the supporting characters were well depicted as well.
The theme it evolved around and the way the characters delt with the criticism was so brave and strong.
I am really looking forward to the next volume.
September 8, 2024
I just finished Perfect World by Rie Aruga, so I knew I needed to pick this up.
I love that Rie Aruga knows how to address hard topics, and uses research to build the story. We are following kids in the Japanese foster system/group homes, and Rie Aruga helps breathe life into these characters and makes us root for them.
Because this is the first book in a new series, I don't know exactly where we are going, but I can't wait to go along for the ride!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I love that Rie Aruga knows how to address hard topics, and uses research to build the story. We are following kids in the Japanese foster system/group homes, and Rie Aruga helps breathe life into these characters and makes us root for them.
Because this is the first book in a new series, I don't know exactly where we are going, but I can't wait to go along for the ride!
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2024
Child abuse and neglect at its worst!
The main characters meet in a children’s home after getting abused and neglected by their respective parents.
Trigger warnings for SA, abuse and abandonment.
The artstyle and the art sequence is everything! Do not expect romance from this volume.
One evil adult character comes back in their lives. Can you just give me the second volume???!!!!
Thank you, Kodansha Comics, for the ARC.
The main characters meet in a children’s home after getting abused and neglected by their respective parents.
Trigger warnings for SA, abuse and abandonment.
The artstyle and the art sequence is everything! Do not expect romance from this volume.
One evil adult character comes back in their lives. Can you just give me the second volume???!!!!
Thank you, Kodansha Comics, for the ARC.
September 1, 2024
Thank you for allowing me to read this manga in preview.
It is a story full of trigger warnings, you have to be ready. This story talks about abuse, depression and violence.
These kids live in a family home because their parents abandoned them, the first volume is really very strong and also very beautiful.
It is a story full of trigger warnings, you have to be ready. This story talks about abuse, depression and violence.
These kids live in a family home because their parents abandoned them, the first volume is really very strong and also very beautiful.
October 1, 2024
Sheltering Eaves is about two orphans Yoru and Tenjaku. We mostly focus on Yoru and what’s she’s going through. They have only a year and a half before they are able to leave the orphanage they see as home. I felt like crying as I reading this manga. Yoru was through a lot emotionally. I felt for what she was going through.
I hope that we get more of a background story for Tenjaku. It seemed to me that he is also going through so much emotionally as well. He comes off as someone who doesn’t care but really does. We also got a glimpse of what his childhood was for him when he was still with his father.
I hope that we get more of a background story for Tenjaku. It seemed to me that he is also going through so much emotionally as well. He comes off as someone who doesn’t care but really does. We also got a glimpse of what his childhood was for him when he was still with his father.
August 28, 2024
*Received an E-ARC from Netgalley*
I went into this pretty blind aside from the genre and that it was a manga. I have to say it was incredibly thoughtful and an interesting insight to see our characters go through traumatic childhood events and try to navigate through. I will be buying the physicals and continuing on in this series.
Thank you for the ability to read this early
I went into this pretty blind aside from the genre and that it was a manga. I have to say it was incredibly thoughtful and an interesting insight to see our characters go through traumatic childhood events and try to navigate through. I will be buying the physicals and continuing on in this series.
Thank you for the ability to read this early
October 8, 2024
I love a book that can tell a story, but also give an insight into the culture and practices in another country. The story follow two kids who grew up in a Japanese childrens home. We get small snippets of what their life was before, and after they went into the childrens home, you can feel their anxiety and feelings of disappointment from their parents through the pages. The things that these children and teens have been through is horrific, and i know it's fiction, but to know that some of these stories may be close to stories children actually live out is horrifying. Knowing that the children would run away for weeks, and resorting to setting fire to the childrens home, in an attempt to get their parents to pay attention to them, breaks my heart.
This is a manga i will try to follow the installments of. I hope and pray that these characters get some form of happy ending, but i am being realistic and preparing for the worst.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange for a free review.
This is a manga i will try to follow the installments of. I hope and pray that these characters get some form of happy ending, but i am being realistic and preparing for the worst.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange for a free review.
September 10, 2024
---
🌸🏠 **Sheltering Eaves 1** by Rie Aruga 🏠🌸
*From the creator of *Perfect World*, Rie Aruga brings us a tender and bittersweet josei manga about love, trauma, and growing up in the foster care system.*
🌟❤️ **Review:** ❤️🌟
*Sheltering Eaves* is a beautifully raw and emotional manga that blends a touching romance with the harsh realities faced by children growing up in the Japanese foster care system. Rie Aruga, known for her poignant storytelling in *Perfect World*, once again tackles sensitive and important themes, creating a deeply moving narrative with characters that you can't help but root for.
The story follows Yoru, a high schooler who was placed in a group home at the age of ten after enduring abuse at the hands of her mother. Her closest ally has always been Tenjaku, a boy her age who took her under his wing when she first arrived. Their bond is tight, almost familial, but as they grow older and approach the time when they’ll have to leave the group home, Yoru starts grappling with deeper feelings for Tenjaku—feelings she’s hidden away in her heart for years.
Aruga excels at portraying the emotional complexities of Yoru and Tenjaku’s relationship. The uncertainty, the fear of losing the only true connection they've ever had, and the looming pressure of leaving the foster care system are all explored with a sensitivity that makes the reader feel every twist and turn. It’s not just a love story—it’s a coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of trauma, healing, and finding your place in a world that hasn’t always been kind.
The artwork is soft yet expressive, capturing both the tender moments between Yoru and Tenjaku and the emotional weight they carry from their pasts. *Sheltering Eaves* stands out for its willingness to tackle the realities of foster care and its emotional toll on teenagers as they face an uncertain future.
---
🌟 **Highlights:** 🌟
- **Realistic Depiction of Foster Care**: Aruga doesn’t shy away from showing the difficulties of growing up in the system, adding depth and authenticity to Yoru and Tenjaku’s journey.
- **Tender Romance**: Yoru’s growing feelings for Tenjaku are handled delicately, making their relationship feel both real and fragile.
- **Emotional Depth**: The manga is more than just a romance—it's about survival, resilience, and finding hope in an unfair world.
---
💌 **Favorite Quote:**
*"What happens when the only person who's ever understood you is the one you're afraid to lose?"* - This perfectly captures the tension and tenderness between Yoru and Tenjaku as they navigate their complicated relationship.
---
🌟 **Rating:** 🌟
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
---
For readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven stories with real-world themes, *Sheltering Eaves* is a must-read. It's a moving exploration of love, trauma, and resilience that will leave you eager for the next volume.
See more reviews at:
Casla Reads
---
*I received this book through NetGalley as an ARC reader. This will not in any way affect my thoughts or opinions on the book.*
🌸🏠 **Sheltering Eaves 1** by Rie Aruga 🏠🌸
*From the creator of *Perfect World*, Rie Aruga brings us a tender and bittersweet josei manga about love, trauma, and growing up in the foster care system.*
🌟❤️ **Review:** ❤️🌟
*Sheltering Eaves* is a beautifully raw and emotional manga that blends a touching romance with the harsh realities faced by children growing up in the Japanese foster care system. Rie Aruga, known for her poignant storytelling in *Perfect World*, once again tackles sensitive and important themes, creating a deeply moving narrative with characters that you can't help but root for.
The story follows Yoru, a high schooler who was placed in a group home at the age of ten after enduring abuse at the hands of her mother. Her closest ally has always been Tenjaku, a boy her age who took her under his wing when she first arrived. Their bond is tight, almost familial, but as they grow older and approach the time when they’ll have to leave the group home, Yoru starts grappling with deeper feelings for Tenjaku—feelings she’s hidden away in her heart for years.
Aruga excels at portraying the emotional complexities of Yoru and Tenjaku’s relationship. The uncertainty, the fear of losing the only true connection they've ever had, and the looming pressure of leaving the foster care system are all explored with a sensitivity that makes the reader feel every twist and turn. It’s not just a love story—it’s a coming-of-age tale set against the backdrop of trauma, healing, and finding your place in a world that hasn’t always been kind.
The artwork is soft yet expressive, capturing both the tender moments between Yoru and Tenjaku and the emotional weight they carry from their pasts. *Sheltering Eaves* stands out for its willingness to tackle the realities of foster care and its emotional toll on teenagers as they face an uncertain future.
---
🌟 **Highlights:** 🌟
- **Realistic Depiction of Foster Care**: Aruga doesn’t shy away from showing the difficulties of growing up in the system, adding depth and authenticity to Yoru and Tenjaku’s journey.
- **Tender Romance**: Yoru’s growing feelings for Tenjaku are handled delicately, making their relationship feel both real and fragile.
- **Emotional Depth**: The manga is more than just a romance—it's about survival, resilience, and finding hope in an unfair world.
---
💌 **Favorite Quote:**
*"What happens when the only person who's ever understood you is the one you're afraid to lose?"* - This perfectly captures the tension and tenderness between Yoru and Tenjaku as they navigate their complicated relationship.
---
🌟 **Rating:** 🌟
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
---
For readers who enjoy emotional, character-driven stories with real-world themes, *Sheltering Eaves* is a must-read. It's a moving exploration of love, trauma, and resilience that will leave you eager for the next volume.
See more reviews at:
Casla Reads
---
*I received this book through NetGalley as an ARC reader. This will not in any way affect my thoughts or opinions on the book.*
October 2, 2024
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Prepare thy tissue for potential eye dabbing. Or at the very least, prepare to have something to mentally chew on because Aruga never creates a work of art that is a story that doesn't point out something significantly lacking in the current world. the fact that it has to do exclusively with children this round makes my heart sore.
Sheltering Eaves follows the story of Yoru, a girl who is sent to a Japanese Children's House (I am guessing it is the equivalent of a group home in Canada) at the tender age of 10. She was taken away from her mother who neglected and verbally abused her. She meets Tenjaku shortly after her arrival. Tenjaku comes to Yoru aid when an bigger child at the home is picking on her, taking away the one possession her mother ever bought her.
All the children at the home have experienced various levels of neglect and/or abuse. The home is supposed to serve as something similar to a 'normal' home environment for the children. But throughout the manga it becomes quite apparent that though there are adults looking after them and they get to go out on seasonal trips, it's not a true home filled with love. It's a poor simulation of a functioning, normal family. There is no real love. It serves mostly as a safe place where they can get 3 square meals a day and learn healthier life habits. And that, my friends, is depressing.
Again and again it's shown how various kids handle the insecurity and stress this way of living puts upon their young shoulders. How some kids hope and pray to never go home, others hope and pray their super flaky parents will at least show up for a visit, and how even though they were abused, some hope they will go home. It also shows how each time a parent fails to show for their kid, a parent suddenly decides they want a piece of their child's life for the wrong reasons, it chips away at something in the child. Makes me sad to think about and Aruga even tacks on some statistics exclusively for Japan that makes it even more uncomfortable for any reader with a big heart.
I absolutely love Rie Aruga for bringing issues like this to light via her manga. This is the type of story telling I live to read. Definitely going to be looking for the next volume. Definitely going to read it. Definitely going to be buying this for my library.
Prepare thy tissue for potential eye dabbing. Or at the very least, prepare to have something to mentally chew on because Aruga never creates a work of art that is a story that doesn't point out something significantly lacking in the current world. the fact that it has to do exclusively with children this round makes my heart sore.
Sheltering Eaves follows the story of Yoru, a girl who is sent to a Japanese Children's House (I am guessing it is the equivalent of a group home in Canada) at the tender age of 10. She was taken away from her mother who neglected and verbally abused her. She meets Tenjaku shortly after her arrival. Tenjaku comes to Yoru aid when an bigger child at the home is picking on her, taking away the one possession her mother ever bought her.
All the children at the home have experienced various levels of neglect and/or abuse. The home is supposed to serve as something similar to a 'normal' home environment for the children. But throughout the manga it becomes quite apparent that though there are adults looking after them and they get to go out on seasonal trips, it's not a true home filled with love. It's a poor simulation of a functioning, normal family. There is no real love. It serves mostly as a safe place where they can get 3 square meals a day and learn healthier life habits. And that, my friends, is depressing.
Again and again it's shown how various kids handle the insecurity and stress this way of living puts upon their young shoulders. How some kids hope and pray to never go home, others hope and pray their super flaky parents will at least show up for a visit, and how even though they were abused, some hope they will go home. It also shows how each time a parent fails to show for their kid, a parent suddenly decides they want a piece of their child's life for the wrong reasons, it chips away at something in the child. Makes me sad to think about and Aruga even tacks on some statistics exclusively for Japan that makes it even more uncomfortable for any reader with a big heart.
I absolutely love Rie Aruga for bringing issues like this to light via her manga. This is the type of story telling I live to read. Definitely going to be looking for the next volume. Definitely going to read it. Definitely going to be buying this for my library.
September 1, 2024
More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/
While I appreciate and respect a manga that tackles the sensitive issues of being an orphan in Japan, I also feel that the characters get lost in the process. The author clearly had a series of bullet points that she wanted to write into the store about the plight of orphans and the psychological, social, and legal challenges they face. But even in this first book the main characters are distant, hard to relate to, and involved in what feels more like a sad co-dependent situation rather than a love story.Story: At a young age, both Yoru and Tenjaku were placed in an orphanage after abuse or abandonment by their parents. Tenjaku was physically and mentally abused by a deadbeat weak father while Yoru's mother's mental illness rendered her unable to care for a child. Both deal with the scars as they grow up together, distance themselves from their parents, and learn to find their own place in the world.
The plotting really could have used more uplifting moments instead of constant dreariness and betrayal. The reveals of the past are well telegraphed and almost pedantic by the time we get them at the end of this first volume. The only 'sunshine' is that both have to constantly save each other from everyone else - which gets wearying after time. The author has the subtlety of a bull in a china shop and the story feels overwritten and plodding as a result.
I wish the issues addressed would have been a small focus instead of the entire plot; I feel that the story would have been all the better for having great characters who bring to light that losing parents/having incapable parents or guardians is more of an small part rather than the single defining aspect of these protagonists' characters. Otherwise, it feels like the author is manipulating the reader to push her own (even good as it is) agenda. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.
September 2, 2024
La storia è raccontata dal punto di vista di Yoru, una bambina obbligata a vivere in una casa famiglia a causa dei maltrattamenti inflittigli dalla madre.
Li crescerà e conoscerà Tenjaku con cui farà amicizia e stringerà un forte legame affettivo.
Quando ormai manca solo un anno al loro abbandono della casa famiglia, Yoru inizia a riflettere sul suo futuro e su cosa ne sarà di loro quando finiranno il liceo.
Devo dire che la storia risulta molto realistica e decisamente drammatica. Non c'è spazio per i sorrisi e il buonumore in questa storia. Sebbene la casa famiglia sia sicuramente il posto migliore per loro, non è giusto buttare nuovamente fuori nel mondo dei ragazzi che ancora non sanno chi sono o cosa vogliono, che non si sono ancora ripresi dal trauma della loro infanzia.
C'è tanta ansia e angoscia che traspare da queste pagine. E' una lettura seria e da non trattare con leggerezza.
Mi piacerebbe però sicuramente sapere cosa succederà ai due protagonisti.
Grazie Netgalley per avermi permesso di leggerlo in anteprima.
------------------
The story is told from the point of view of Yoru, a little girl forced to live in a foster home because of the abuses inflicted on her by her mother.
There she will grow, and meet Tenjaku with whom she will become friends and form a strong emotional bond.
When there is only one year left until they leave the foster home, Yoru begins to reflect on her future and what will become of them when they finish high school.
I must say that the story is very realistic and decidedly dramatic. There is no room for smiles and good humor in this story. Although the foster home is certainly the best place for them, it is not right to throw out into the world again kids who still do not know who they are or what they want, who have not yet recovered from the trauma of their childhood.
There is so much anxiety and anguish that shines through in these pages. It is a serious read and not to be treated lightly.
However, I would certainly like to know what will happen to the two protagonists.
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read it in preview.
Li crescerà e conoscerà Tenjaku con cui farà amicizia e stringerà un forte legame affettivo.
Quando ormai manca solo un anno al loro abbandono della casa famiglia, Yoru inizia a riflettere sul suo futuro e su cosa ne sarà di loro quando finiranno il liceo.
Devo dire che la storia risulta molto realistica e decisamente drammatica. Non c'è spazio per i sorrisi e il buonumore in questa storia. Sebbene la casa famiglia sia sicuramente il posto migliore per loro, non è giusto buttare nuovamente fuori nel mondo dei ragazzi che ancora non sanno chi sono o cosa vogliono, che non si sono ancora ripresi dal trauma della loro infanzia.
C'è tanta ansia e angoscia che traspare da queste pagine. E' una lettura seria e da non trattare con leggerezza.
Mi piacerebbe però sicuramente sapere cosa succederà ai due protagonisti.
Grazie Netgalley per avermi permesso di leggerlo in anteprima.
------------------
The story is told from the point of view of Yoru, a little girl forced to live in a foster home because of the abuses inflicted on her by her mother.
There she will grow, and meet Tenjaku with whom she will become friends and form a strong emotional bond.
When there is only one year left until they leave the foster home, Yoru begins to reflect on her future and what will become of them when they finish high school.
I must say that the story is very realistic and decidedly dramatic. There is no room for smiles and good humor in this story. Although the foster home is certainly the best place for them, it is not right to throw out into the world again kids who still do not know who they are or what they want, who have not yet recovered from the trauma of their childhood.
There is so much anxiety and anguish that shines through in these pages. It is a serious read and not to be treated lightly.
However, I would certainly like to know what will happen to the two protagonists.
Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read it in preview.
September 10, 2024
**CW: Child abuse, neglect, and trauma.
First published in March 2023, Sheltering Eaves follows Yoru and Tenjaku, who meet at a children’s home and grow up together. After Yoru is bullied, Tenjaku defends her and vows to look after her, which, okay, ~melts~. Naturally, she becomes attached to him, as well as the home, since it’s the stability she never had. As they get older, however, Yoru is scared of what will happen when they graduate and Tenjaku, who’s been itching to get out, leaves her.
Going in and reading Yoru’s first line, I could tell that this is different from the usual manga I pick up. We’re dealing with some heavy topics in a sad setting with sad characters, so there’s little room for the wacky humor I’m used to in shoujo and josei romances. I thought I would miss that component, but it actually makes sense for the story being told. And to make up for any missing humor, there’s plenty of heart.
It’s pretty early on and, already, I wanna wrap the characters in warm blankets and protect them forever and ever. They’re quite mature for their age, but at the end of the day, they’re still children carrying tremendous pain. With that, they have a lot of conflicted feelings toward their parents — wanting to hate them while simultaneously craving their love. It’s just, agh. It’s a complicated emotion, and one I’m glad is being explored.
The understanding between the characters is beautiful, and I can see it blossoming into something special. I liked seeing not just the OTP, but all the kids coming together and being a family. I hope to see more of that, especially with Yoru. Her attachment to Tenjaku is sweet, but it’d be nice for her to broaden her horizons. (To eventually feel some of that love toward herself too. 🫂) I can’t wait to find out how things play out in future volumes.
**Much thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The English translation of Sheltering Eaves vol. 1 will be released on November 12.
First published in March 2023, Sheltering Eaves follows Yoru and Tenjaku, who meet at a children’s home and grow up together. After Yoru is bullied, Tenjaku defends her and vows to look after her, which, okay, ~melts~. Naturally, she becomes attached to him, as well as the home, since it’s the stability she never had. As they get older, however, Yoru is scared of what will happen when they graduate and Tenjaku, who’s been itching to get out, leaves her.
Going in and reading Yoru’s first line, I could tell that this is different from the usual manga I pick up. We’re dealing with some heavy topics in a sad setting with sad characters, so there’s little room for the wacky humor I’m used to in shoujo and josei romances. I thought I would miss that component, but it actually makes sense for the story being told. And to make up for any missing humor, there’s plenty of heart.
It’s pretty early on and, already, I wanna wrap the characters in warm blankets and protect them forever and ever. They’re quite mature for their age, but at the end of the day, they’re still children carrying tremendous pain. With that, they have a lot of conflicted feelings toward their parents — wanting to hate them while simultaneously craving their love. It’s just, agh. It’s a complicated emotion, and one I’m glad is being explored.
The understanding between the characters is beautiful, and I can see it blossoming into something special. I liked seeing not just the OTP, but all the kids coming together and being a family. I hope to see more of that, especially with Yoru. Her attachment to Tenjaku is sweet, but it’d be nice for her to broaden her horizons. (To eventually feel some of that love toward herself too. 🫂) I can’t wait to find out how things play out in future volumes.
**Much thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The English translation of Sheltering Eaves vol. 1 will be released on November 12.
October 3, 2024
A beautifully crafted story that explores the complexities of love, loss, and growth in the often harsh realities of the foster care system.
Meet Yoru, a resilient high schooler who has navigated more than her fair share of struggles since being placed in a group home at just ten years old. Her backstory is heavy, yet Aruga’s sensitive portrayal ensures that it’s handled with care. Enter Tenjaku, her steadfast companion who has been by her side since day one. Their bond is as warm as the eaves of their sheltering home, but it’s also layered with unspoken feelings and youthful uncertainty.
As Yoru and Tenjaku face the reality of aging out of the system in just one short year, the urgency to confront their feelings adds a delicious tension to the narrative. The art is simply stunning, capturing the emotional nuances of each character with expressive line work and a delicate colour palette that enhances the story's bittersweet tone. You can almost feel the weight of their circumstances in each beautifully illustrated panel.
What makes Sheltering Eaves truly special is how it blends realism with romance. The manga doesn't shy away from addressing the challenges faced by teens in the foster care system, making it not only a love story but also a commentary on vulnerability and resilience. The characters are relatable and real, embodying the struggles many face while still holding onto the hope for love and belonging.
The pacing is just right, allowing readers to immerse themselves in Yoru’s internal dilemmas and her evolving relationship with Tenjaku. You’ll find yourself cheering for them to take that leap—because love in such a fragile situation is both beautiful and terrifying.
If you’re on the lookout for a manga that delicately navigates themes of love, loss, and the journey to self-discovery, Sheltering Eaves is a must-read. Rie Aruga has delivered a thoughtful and enchanting story that resonates long after you turn the last page. It’s a rare gem that reminds us that even in the most unfair circumstances, the heart can find its way to love.
Meet Yoru, a resilient high schooler who has navigated more than her fair share of struggles since being placed in a group home at just ten years old. Her backstory is heavy, yet Aruga’s sensitive portrayal ensures that it’s handled with care. Enter Tenjaku, her steadfast companion who has been by her side since day one. Their bond is as warm as the eaves of their sheltering home, but it’s also layered with unspoken feelings and youthful uncertainty.
As Yoru and Tenjaku face the reality of aging out of the system in just one short year, the urgency to confront their feelings adds a delicious tension to the narrative. The art is simply stunning, capturing the emotional nuances of each character with expressive line work and a delicate colour palette that enhances the story's bittersweet tone. You can almost feel the weight of their circumstances in each beautifully illustrated panel.
What makes Sheltering Eaves truly special is how it blends realism with romance. The manga doesn't shy away from addressing the challenges faced by teens in the foster care system, making it not only a love story but also a commentary on vulnerability and resilience. The characters are relatable and real, embodying the struggles many face while still holding onto the hope for love and belonging.
The pacing is just right, allowing readers to immerse themselves in Yoru’s internal dilemmas and her evolving relationship with Tenjaku. You’ll find yourself cheering for them to take that leap—because love in such a fragile situation is both beautiful and terrifying.
If you’re on the lookout for a manga that delicately navigates themes of love, loss, and the journey to self-discovery, Sheltering Eaves is a must-read. Rie Aruga has delivered a thoughtful and enchanting story that resonates long after you turn the last page. It’s a rare gem that reminds us that even in the most unfair circumstances, the heart can find its way to love.
October 5, 2024
3.5—4 ★
Thanks to Kodansha and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
• This was pleasantly surprising to me. I hadn't read the synopsis beforehand and only went in with my assumptions based on the cover. I could feel the melancholy and some kind of deeper feelings from it but I wasn't sure of what kind.
While there are some bones to pick with this first volume, I also can't find it in me to be harsh as this is only the first volume and I'd like to believe the following volumes will explore the parts that felt lacking in this.
For positive aspects, I really enjoyed getting a glimpse on how child services work in Japan, what support is there for children in neglectful and abusive households. The end notes also provided good points. It's refreshing to see a romance explore more of real life situations, and not only that but ones that aren't often talked about in mediums such as manga, reminding me of other titles like "My Girlfriend's Child" and such.
The few things I'm hoping to see explored more/better in the upcoming volumes would be the depth of the characters and the it would be very nice to see the mental side of trauma be explored and explained further.
I believe people who can't relate to certain things might think the female lead is somewhat shallow or that all there is to her personality is holding on to one person, but to many suffering from abandonment trauma things like that are unconscious attachments that mean everything to the person in question.
I think some people might misunderstand the main character if they find themselves in a position where they can't relate to her feelings, so for that reason and more, I hope these things get explored better in an educated way in the next volumes.
Overall this was a quick and interesting read, I enjoyed it and it made me want to read more!
Thanks to Kodansha and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
• This was pleasantly surprising to me. I hadn't read the synopsis beforehand and only went in with my assumptions based on the cover. I could feel the melancholy and some kind of deeper feelings from it but I wasn't sure of what kind.
While there are some bones to pick with this first volume, I also can't find it in me to be harsh as this is only the first volume and I'd like to believe the following volumes will explore the parts that felt lacking in this.
For positive aspects, I really enjoyed getting a glimpse on how child services work in Japan, what support is there for children in neglectful and abusive households. The end notes also provided good points. It's refreshing to see a romance explore more of real life situations, and not only that but ones that aren't often talked about in mediums such as manga, reminding me of other titles like "My Girlfriend's Child" and such.
The few things I'm hoping to see explored more/better in the upcoming volumes would be the depth of the characters and the it would be very nice to see the mental side of trauma be explored and explained further.
I believe people who can't relate to certain things might think the female lead is somewhat shallow or that all there is to her personality is holding on to one person, but to many suffering from abandonment trauma things like that are unconscious attachments that mean everything to the person in question.
I think some people might misunderstand the main character if they find themselves in a position where they can't relate to her feelings, so for that reason and more, I hope these things get explored better in an educated way in the next volumes.
Overall this was a quick and interesting read, I enjoyed it and it made me want to read more!
October 9, 2024
Rie Aruga has a way of telling stories about minorities in a beautifully gentle way that I absolutely adore. I loved reading Perfect World and learning so much about the reality of being paralyzed and how stigmatized wheelchair users tend to be. The raw emotions really left an impact, so of course I had to read her latest release.
Sheltering Eaves is just as raw and emotional, and honestly hit a little too close to home. While I’ve never been in the foster care system, I have gone through being placed in the care of strangers during a very turbulent time in my childhood, and have met and temporarily looked after foster kids, so this subject will always be near and dear to me.
Yoru is a wonderful main character. That fear of not knowing where to go in your future, and the fear of being left behind is something I’m sure a lot of people who have gone through traumatic experiences can relate to. A part of me wants her wishes to be fulfilled, but another part of me wants to see her grow to stand on her own two feet.
Tenjaku is just as good a character—a heartbreaking representation of a kid whose been forced to grow up too fast. I love how, despite his past, he’s a good kid at heart and not painted as a wild and dangerous child that is the common idea of what foster kids—or even just kids who have been abused—are like. I’d love to keep reading the series and see him succeed in life—and stay very far, far away from his dad.
There’s so much more I could say but won’t as I don’t want to spoil anything but Sheltering Eaves 1 is a beautiful start to what I’m sure is going to be a series full of roller-coaster emotions that educates on the reality of being a foster kid.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sheltering Eaves is just as raw and emotional, and honestly hit a little too close to home. While I’ve never been in the foster care system, I have gone through being placed in the care of strangers during a very turbulent time in my childhood, and have met and temporarily looked after foster kids, so this subject will always be near and dear to me.
Yoru is a wonderful main character. That fear of not knowing where to go in your future, and the fear of being left behind is something I’m sure a lot of people who have gone through traumatic experiences can relate to. A part of me wants her wishes to be fulfilled, but another part of me wants to see her grow to stand on her own two feet.
Tenjaku is just as good a character—a heartbreaking representation of a kid whose been forced to grow up too fast. I love how, despite his past, he’s a good kid at heart and not painted as a wild and dangerous child that is the common idea of what foster kids—or even just kids who have been abused—are like. I’d love to keep reading the series and see him succeed in life—and stay very far, far away from his dad.
There’s so much more I could say but won’t as I don’t want to spoil anything but Sheltering Eaves 1 is a beautiful start to what I’m sure is going to be a series full of roller-coaster emotions that educates on the reality of being a foster kid.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley for review purposes only. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 31, 2024
This manga was far from what I expected. It was advertised as a josei romance, but the romance is not really in the forefront of the story at all. I think this is partly why I didn't enjoy it as much as I expected. I wasn’t immediately hooked because I had certain expectations going into it. But once I understood the book's direction, I learned to appreciate it.
Sheltering Eaves is a raw and profoundly gut-wrenching story about trauma, abandonment, and found family. This manga offers an insightful exploration of the Japanese foster care system as well as relevant issues like child abuse and neglect. I really respect the author for handling these sensitive topics with so much care. The portrayal of trauma felt realistic and genuine, making it easy to empathize with the characters and their struggles. It is evident that a nuanced understanding of the complexities of mental health.
While I respect the manga's exploration of important topics, I believe the character development could be stronger. Yoru, the female lead, feels somewhat flat and lacking depth. The author tells rather than shows her personality. Her dependence on Tenjaku, the male lead, also undermines her individuality. I understand that this might be intentional for the sake of the story but I still would appreciate it if we get to know more about her. It was so hard to connect with her and understand her experiences. I found myself more invested in Tenjaku's story than Yoru's.
Anyways, despite these shortcomings, I still value the book's message and I am glad I read it. It opened my eyes to social issues in Japan and encouraged me to learn more about these topics. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with an eARC of this manga in exchance for an honest review!!
Sheltering Eaves is a raw and profoundly gut-wrenching story about trauma, abandonment, and found family. This manga offers an insightful exploration of the Japanese foster care system as well as relevant issues like child abuse and neglect. I really respect the author for handling these sensitive topics with so much care. The portrayal of trauma felt realistic and genuine, making it easy to empathize with the characters and their struggles. It is evident that a nuanced understanding of the complexities of mental health.
While I respect the manga's exploration of important topics, I believe the character development could be stronger. Yoru, the female lead, feels somewhat flat and lacking depth. The author tells rather than shows her personality. Her dependence on Tenjaku, the male lead, also undermines her individuality. I understand that this might be intentional for the sake of the story but I still would appreciate it if we get to know more about her. It was so hard to connect with her and understand her experiences. I found myself more invested in Tenjaku's story than Yoru's.
Anyways, despite these shortcomings, I still value the book's message and I am glad I read it. It opened my eyes to social issues in Japan and encouraged me to learn more about these topics. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing me with an eARC of this manga in exchance for an honest review!!
October 19, 2024
Sheltering Eaves
-rate between 3/4
-Release November 12
This series touches on the topic of child abuse and how it impacts them not only physically, but emotionally too- which can be a hard topic for people to read about sometimes.
The author doesn’t just focus on Yoru, although she is the main focus; we see how some of the other children act. Although it is a hard topic to talk about, we see how the children still hold on to hope that their parent(s) return for them and for some deep down forgive their parent(s) for what they have done in the past even though some part of them are still scared.
It stands out from other series, as many may mention abuse but not have it as the main plot or what the kids are thinking when the time comes for them to leave the home. Personally, it didn’t emotionally impact me like Kotaru Lives Alone, but it did make me think of the time when we were looking into adopting our niece. I felt in volume one that Tenjaku had a bigger impact than our female lead, so hopefully as the series continues this changes a bit. That said, I am curious about where this series goes. It won't be one that I immediately pick up on its release date, but here and there when I get the chance.
Yoru was abused by her mother and sent to a group home. This is where she meets Tenjaku , who experienced abuse from his father. These two get closer throughout the years and the time has come where they have to start thinking about what they are going to do when they come of age and have to leave the group home. As Tenjaku works to save up, Yoru never thought about when they have to leave and the possibility of Tenjaku not by her side
Thanks @netgalley and @kodanshamanga for the opportunity to read this ARC.
-rate between 3/4
-Release November 12
This series touches on the topic of child abuse and how it impacts them not only physically, but emotionally too- which can be a hard topic for people to read about sometimes.
The author doesn’t just focus on Yoru, although she is the main focus; we see how some of the other children act. Although it is a hard topic to talk about, we see how the children still hold on to hope that their parent(s) return for them and for some deep down forgive their parent(s) for what they have done in the past even though some part of them are still scared.
It stands out from other series, as many may mention abuse but not have it as the main plot or what the kids are thinking when the time comes for them to leave the home. Personally, it didn’t emotionally impact me like Kotaru Lives Alone, but it did make me think of the time when we were looking into adopting our niece. I felt in volume one that Tenjaku had a bigger impact than our female lead, so hopefully as the series continues this changes a bit. That said, I am curious about where this series goes. It won't be one that I immediately pick up on its release date, but here and there when I get the chance.
Yoru was abused by her mother and sent to a group home. This is where she meets Tenjaku , who experienced abuse from his father. These two get closer throughout the years and the time has come where they have to start thinking about what they are going to do when they come of age and have to leave the group home. As Tenjaku works to save up, Yoru never thought about when they have to leave and the possibility of Tenjaku not by her side
Thanks @netgalley and @kodanshamanga for the opportunity to read this ARC.
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