March 05, 2026

"Blue Period" by Tsubasa Yamaguchi

1 hour 41 minutes

Friend of the show Bluzo joins the panel to talk about Blue Period, volumes 1-6, by Tsubasa Yamaguchi. In our first long read of the year, we delve deep on the complicated ordeal of pursuing an art career, and the mortifying ordeal of being known. Oh and also rampant transphobia.

(00:00) - “Blue Period” by Tsubasa Yamaguchi

(01:05) - Front Matter

(03:37) - Impressions

(07:01) - It’s a sports manga

(15:15) - It’s pretty didactic

(20:49) - Real art in the manga

(22:36) - That’s the stuff

(25:47) - Accessibility

(27:10) - Shouts out to the artist crediting

(28:18) - SPOILERS

(28:22) - Yuka-chan

(43:23) - Better storytelling as it progresses

(45:32) - More on Yuka-chan

(49:49) - Making pastries with my boys

(54:52) - This boy is masking HARD

(57:45) - Hey. Scout is in this book.

(01:03:27) - Love to not be a teenager anymore

(01:03:46) - More Yotasuke

(01:05:03) - Hashida

(01:08:36) - The teachers!

(01:11:48) - TUA complicates things!

(01:13:45) - Mori

(01:15:24) - I don’t “get“ art

(01:16:38) - What is talent?

(01:24:55) - Questions from Amet!

(01:32:33) - Further Reading

Further Reading

- The Blue Period live-action movie
- She and Her Cat adapted by Tsubasa Yamaguchi
- Nude Model and Other Stories by Tsubasa Yamaguchi
- Look Back by Tatsuki Fujimoto
- Goodbye Eri by Tatsuki Fujimoto
- Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist's Journey by Akiko Higashimura

Read Anniversary by Elle Shivers!

A comics podcast for everyone, proud to be a part of The Worst Garbage network.

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This week’s panelists can be found at:
Bluzo

Matt
Robin

Scout

Jillian

Editing this week by AJ Fillari.
Cover art by Scout Wilkinson.
Intro/Outro music by Boqeh.

...more