Exhibition
Five outstanding works that tackle diversity and inclusion issues.
My Brother's Husband Otouto no otto
TAGAME Gengoroh
19th Japan Media Arts Festival Manga Division Excellence Award
Publisher: Futabasha Publishers Ltd.
Publication date: 2015
Volume: 4 volumes (finished)
Copyright: © TAGAME Gengoroh / Futabasha
Publisher: Futabasha Publishers Ltd.
Publication date: 2015
Volume: 4 volumes (finished)
Copyright: © TAGAME Gengoroh / Futabasha
About the author
Exhibition of selected artworks
Volume 2 Cover
Yaichi, Kana and Mike are the main characters of this beautiful slice-of-life manga.
Volume 1 Page 17
The jolly Canadian Mike cannot help but to hug Yaichi when they meet for the first time. Yaichi is bewildered: being openly gay is not usual in Japan.
Translation:
1. ……!!
Translation:
1. ……!!
Volume 1 Page 25
At first, Yaichi feels uncomfortable, even somehow hostile, with his brother-in-law. He is conflicted with himself. He just can’t understand.
Translation:
1. WELL, IT'S LIKE… 2. IN JAPAN IT’S NOT ALLOWED, BUT I GUESS IT’S POSSIBLE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. 3. HUH? THAT'S WEIRD. 4. I KNOW! MEN MARRYING EACH OTHER IS WEIRD. 5. IT’S WEIRD THAT IT’S OK OVER THERE. 6. BUT NOT HERE.
Translation:
1. WELL, IT'S LIKE… 2. IN JAPAN IT’S NOT ALLOWED, BUT I GUESS IT’S POSSIBLE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD. 3. HUH? THAT'S WEIRD. 4. I KNOW! MEN MARRYING EACH OTHER IS WEIRD. 5. IT’S WEIRD THAT IT’S OK OVER THERE. 6. BUT NOT HERE.
Volume 2 Page 67
Unprejudiced little Kana accepts Mike as he is and she becomes the bond between the in-laws.
Translation:
1. KIDS ARE LUCKY. THEY DON’T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT STUFF.
Translation:
1. KIDS ARE LUCKY. THEY DON’T HAVE TO THINK ABOUT THAT STUFF.
Volume 2 Page 147
Kazuya is a teenager neighbor that feels lost because he just realized he is gay. He seeks Mike’s help to come out.
Translation:
1. THIS BOY, KAZUYA… 2. IS JUST LIKE ME. 3. OH, YOU MEAN… 4. I’M GAY. 5. ME.
Translation:
1. THIS BOY, KAZUYA… 2. IS JUST LIKE ME. 3. OH, YOU MEAN… 4. I’M GAY. 5. ME.
Volume 3 Page 52
In time, Yaichi comes to accept Mike and welcomes him as a member of his family in this heart-warming story.
Translation:
1. BESIDES, WE’RE AT AN ONSEN TOGETHER. 2. THAT DEFINITELY MAKES US FAMILY!
Translation:
1. BESIDES, WE’RE AT AN ONSEN TOGETHER. 2. THAT DEFINITELY MAKES US FAMILY!
Director’s comment
“My Brother’s Husband” is a compelling story about father Yaichi, daughter Kana, and Mike, the husband of Yaichi’s recently dead brother Ryōji. They meet Mike when he suddenly visits them in Japan, telling them that Mike and Ryōji met in Canada, where they fell in love and, as same-sex marriage is legal in that country, got married. At first, Yaichi is uncomfortable with Mike. He is prejudiced against homosexuality. However, his daughter Kana likes the big, jolly Canadian. Through her daughter’s young, unprejudiced eyes, Yaichi realizes not only his own bias but also what being gay means. He learns what the LGBTI+ community suffers when people don’t understand or respect them.
During Yaichi’s “journey”, the reader also learns about LGBTI+ history, issues, and culture. This is supported by special short essays that complement the manga. This work is not only important for its educational value; it is, above all, a sweet, entertaining and heart-warming story. Everyone should read it.
“My Brother’s Husband” (4 volumes, finished) is available in English from Pantheon Books.