Sometimes we’re born into bodies that don’t quite fit our hearts and minds. Sometimes it’s the athletic soul in a weakened body, a shy girl ending up with a voluptuous figure, or a the soul of a girl born into the body of a boy. Of course, not everyone will agree with the validity of the last portion of that statement, but it’s not up for debate here. Not when discussing a manga that tackles precisely that issue.
Wandering Son is a subtle (and as others have said, sensitive) look at the complex subject matter of transgendered youth. The main protagonist is Nitori, a young boy who secretly dreams being a girl. His close friend, Takatsuki, is a girl who portrays herself as a tomboy in general, but wishes she could be a boy.
The first volume really serves as an introduction to the characters. In addition to the transgendered youths above, there is also Chiba, their classmate who is fascinated by the idea of Nitori dressing as a girl, and Nitori’s older sister. It also begins to very gently introduce Nitori and Takatsuki’s desires. Nitori’s wish to try on a dress is deeply repressed, but pushed upon him by female classmates who sense he isn’t all that opposed. Meanwhile, Takatsuki is so embarrassed by her own issues that she goes across town when she dresses as a boy so as to avoid being seen by people she knows. She also loses control when someone points out that her getting her period means she really is a girl.
The art of Wandering Son is very simple, and almost a bit comic strip-like. For those familiar with the anime, it lacks that soft fluidity and shadows, making it seem rather amateurish. Still, the slowly unfolding story is engaging, and it is very realistic in its portrayal of gender issues for elementary school children. Tomboys are still fine at that time, and it’s still amusing for a boy to be girlish. The boys in the class split their time between being grossed out at the idea of dressing like a girl, and eagerly joining the “drag show” version of a play where all characters are played by opposite genders. And any boy with older sisters can assure you of their tendency to want to dress him up as a girl.
With its slow pacing, Wandering Son is not going to be a series that appeals to everyone. It’s written for a mature audience, or those interested in LGBT literature. Still, for those it is intended, it’s a promising first volume that will hopefully lead into a deeper story as the complexity of gender issues increase with the age of the characters.
