Review - My Girlfriend's Child (Pt. 1)

 My Girlfriend's Child by Mamoru Aoi

• Edition: Single Volumes (Seven Seas)
• Publication: 13/05/2021 - Present*
• Volumes: 5*
• Chapters: 20*
• Demographic: Shojo
• Genre: Drama, Romance, Coming-of-Age 
• Adaptation: Live Action TV Drama (2024)
  

You might notice that this is a series that wasn't actually next in line on the wheel. At the time of writing, I should have been reading Attack on Titan and 20th Century Boys but whenever I saw this series on my shelf I would get the urge to read it. I had read the first few chapters some time back, and it was incredibly captivating and I wanted more IMMEDIATELY. However I didn't continue in hopes of reading it physically and waiting for more chapters to get translated.
 

I chose to review this despite it being ongoing because I felt that 5 volumes was a decent amount to have read through for a Monthly Shojo series and I felt that it covered a decent chunk of story. So I am going to be giving a review of the series thus far.

 

My Girlfriend's Child, as you can probably guess, is about Teen Pregnancy. It follows Sachi and Takara, a normal high school couple. They go to the same school, are in the same year and hang out after school. They even find themselves exploring the more intimate aspects of a relationship. On a day that seems of no importance, and feeling under the weather, Sachi buys a pregnancy test just to be sure. Two Little Red Lines change their lives forever...

MGC is not only one of the most refreshingly realistic and genuine depictions of Teenagers and High School Romance, but it is crushingly realistic in every way you could think. MGC's concept as a story feels somewhat normal and realistic in a medium that is meant to be avoiding reality most of the time. It is quite literally what you think it may be.
It is also without a doubt one of the best manga I have ever read and is quickly becoming one of my top series. 

I wholeheartedly adore Sachi and Takara as characters and the twists and turns these two face make me feel so much for them. It's honestly kind of a struggle to put into words how much I love them and feel for them.

MGC has dialogue that is natural in all the best ways. Each new character interaction and line of dialogue feels so personal and intended that thier struggle is weighed onto you as you read through how they manage one of the most difficult hardships you could face at such a young age.

MGC also should be given unique praise for being the first manga in my 4 years of reading to have made me cry I felt such visceral emotion through this series and that is helped by Aoi's ability to capture a persons emotion in a panel or moment so effectively that when someone cries you can feel your heart aching in your body and when someone smiles you cant help but breathe a sigh of relief for the brief but welcome moment of joy amongst a sea of stress, fear, concern and frustration.

 

Sachi is a very down-to-earth and friendly girl, you get the impression that she's the kind of person anybody could get along with and sits somewhere in-between being outspoken and reserved. Seeing such a friendly face and kind-hearted individual be forced to confront such a terrifying outcome is an uncomfortable feeling. Sachi slowly begins to realise the severity of the situation and her struggle to find herself inbetween feelings and logic and expectations is a difficult one. That's what makes her resiliance and bravery to stand for what she feels is right is so uplifting and beautiful.

Takara on the other hand, is probably one of my favourite male characters in a romance series simply because he is unflinchingly supportive of the person he loves and goes to every length he can to help her. Its not easy watching him have to face what are essentially enormous consequences for his actions but he doesn't let that break him down. He soldiers onward and shows such a brilliant display of love and desire to make things right.

 

 

I cannot recommend this series enough, the only frustrating thing I can say about the series is actually finding a way to read it. For some reason, the volumes are insanely overpriced even on Amazon, so unless you're willing to fork over or find a slightly cheaper spot irl like I did, your best bet is to just read online. But outside of that, I wholeheartedly suggest giving this a read if it interests you. It is something too wonderful to not suggest.

Thank you so much for Reading!

FINAL SCORE - 9.5/10