Author: Tsubasa Yamaguchi
Translator: T. Ghirlanda
Publisher: Kondansha Comics
Released: September 16^th, 2020
Received: NetGalley

I received a copy of Blue Period Vol. 1 in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Blue Period Vol. 1 is the start to a new series revolving around art and the drive to create your own path in life. The series was written by Tsubasa Yamaguchi, and translated by T. Ghirlanda.

Art can change a life. That is a lesson Yatora is about to learn. Once upon a time, he was the perfect student. But he felt no brightness in his life. No drive, no motivation. Until one day, he sat down and completed an art assignment.

That was the day that everything changed. From that moment onward, Yatora’s goal has been to improve. To get good enough to be accepted into the only public art school he can afford, so that he can make art his life.

Blue Period Vol. 1 is brilliant and shockingly inspiring. If you’re finding yourself in a rut, and in need of something to motivate you to dive back into your artwork, then I cannot suggest Blue Period enough.

Yatora’s story starts out kind of eye-rollish, but I believe that is with intention. He’s not an easy to like character, because he has no motivation. That all changes once he actually starts to apply to himself, and learn about the art all around him.

On that note, there are lots of art facts to be found within this graphic novel. It won’t be anything new to an art or art history student (or fan, for that matter), but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that fact.

It could even be a fun way of dipping one’s toes into the art world. Or the beginning of something new – much like what happened to Yatora. It was truly inspiring, to see him fall so deeply in love with something that he had previously overlooked.

There are plenty of secondary characters to flesh out the story, with the implication that it will become larger with time. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how Yatora’s journey continues, as well as those that are trying to go along the same path.