Turning Japanese Expanded Edition
Turning Japanese Expanded Edition by MariNaomi, published by Oni Press on June 6, 2023, is a graphic memoir that explores the author’s journey of cultural and personal discovery. Set in 1995, the narrative follows twenty-two-year-old MariNaomi as she navigates life in San Jose, California, after a long-term relationship. As a mixed-race Japanese American, she grapples with her connection to her heritage while immersing herself in the diverse pan-Asian community. The story unfolds as Mari takes a job at a hostess bar for Japanese expats, aiming to learn the language and culture, ultimately leading her to Tokyo.
This expanded edition features new story pages that provide additional insights and a fresh resolution to Mari’s experiences. Readers will find a candid exploration of identity, love, and the challenges of cultural disconnection. The memoir touches on themes of LGBTQ identity and the complexities of being part of the Asian American community. With 236 pages of engaging content, this edition offers a deeper understanding of MariNaomi’s quest for connection and belonging, making it a significant addition to the genres of biography and memoir.
Official synopsis Publisher
“A vulnerable, searching, raw record.” — Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
The year is 1995. Fresh out of a long-term relationship, twenty-two-year old MariNaomi finds herself in San Jose, California. Mari, a mixed-race Japanese American, has for many years felt disconnected from the culture of her mother. Immersed in the pan-asian diaspora of San Jose, Mari searches for cultural and romantic connections.
It doesn’t take long for Mari to find new loves, and a new job—at a hostess bar for Japanese expats—in a bid to learn the Japanese language and culture. Turning Japanese moves as Mari does, from San Jose to Tokyo, as she tries to get by in an unfamiliar city with rudimentary language skills—all in the hopes of finally connecting with her Japanese relatives without the use of her mother as a translator.
Turning Japanese: Expanded Edition includes new story pages that bring fresh insight and a new resolution to this classic comics memoir of our times.
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