This has been great. Can't wait to buy it when it's released in the U.S!
Even if she hasn't figured it all out now, I think she now knows how to go about getting he help she needs. Hopefully she's found great confidants among all the people she's opened her world up to a little since the sharing her story.

I think people should really just appreciate her progress... I mean shit, that sounded depressing af, and she might still have those depressing moments but she's getting there. Some of these comments seem halfheartedly which really sucks ass because, i'm glad she seems to be looking more towards the light rather than moping around in the dark. Anyways, I pray for her prosperity and finding herself and appreciating that she is a unique individual who is not alone in this animal world.

pg 133, 3rd panel had me ROFL

Hmm.. would have been nice if this book was around when I was depressed.

To put it in some perspective - and this is why I compared her to the fictional Bocchi and Tomoko - look at her early "triumphs." Talking to someone. Getting out of the house. Those were very meaningful accomplishments for her. Then it was more substantive things like having the daring to actually arrange this - but she says it was because she felt cornered. Her HS life reminds me of Bocchi's life with Kai before her story starts - she thought things were fine, because, hey, she had a friend. Meanwhile, Kai had some premonition that Bocchi was headed for a fall - which, it turns out, actually happens, it happened to this mangaka. Once she was away from her school friends she never recovered. But her daily life was a lot more like Tomoko's, I would say. So the shrewdness and psychological aptitude of the authors of Watamote and Hitoribocchi is very high - they are accurately depicting - either painfully or fluffily - the way real people really are. I think that explains her euphoria now - the mangaka doesn't have to mark on her calendar "talked to the pizza guy." anymore. Where she is now is beyond her expectations.

I've been using this site for some time. I finally made an account just to say this: Dynasty Scans could use way more works like this. Hell, Yuri in general can.

As a 25 year old lesbian whose struggles with self esteem and sexuality mirrored the author's in so many ways, reading heartfelt stories like these is so, so much more fulfilling than any lowbrow titillation ever can be. Not that there isn't room for both, mind you. But when a manga brings me to tears, I can't help but hold it up as an example of what we should be heavily encouraging more of.

It doesn't even have to be non-fiction. Accurately portraying stories of the struggles sexual minorities go through can be so important, especially in such a divisive political climate. I've already shared this to multiple people, and I hope some of you do the same.

<3

Re-reading it now thanks to the official release and something I never noticed was the 4 wide panel per page the book has going. Very interesting.

I find this manga very uplifting, in a way. It's different because of how the story is narrated, and yet good

Been following this for a long time, I'm so happy you've been getting this better, hope you read this someday, I know this manga is translated, but you've seriously helped me a lot trough my depression and this last chapter has given me a little hope, I love you and your work. <3

As someone with severe depression who really can't stand herself even a little this manga was very important to me and I'm glad I was able to buy a copy and support it getting translated. I identified with SO MUCH the author and what they went through. It makes me feel more optimistic about my own life.

SO GOOD!! chapter 5 helped me so much in terms of understanding the importance of self-care

this has a sequel? http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2017/11/13/seven-seas-licenses-sequel-to-my-lesbian-experience-with-loneliness-manga-and-more

Yes.

The earlier part about her experience with mental illness is very engaging, but like most works about dealing with depression, the part about her improvement is insubstantial. I think this is mostly due to the nature of recovering from severe mental illness, where statements that hold life-changing significance for one person sound like empty platitudes to another.

She attributes a lot of her improvement to her newfound willingness to be honest to herself to be open about herself. But in her case, open honesty resulted in her receiving widespread external support and a publishing deal. The cynic in me asks: "does she feel better now because of inward change, or because her life circumstances have improved?" The epilogue as a whole feels somewhat self-satisfied and lacking in insight, a bland "what I learned" tacked on at the end of an otherwise deep and personal story.

I don't really see anything wrong with that. If anything, I'm happy for her. After all the rough experiences she's had and all the humiliation she's suffered, I think she deserves the optimistic outlook she has at the end.

Yes, it does seem like she's tying things up with a neat little bow, and I can understand why that can seem bland or anti-climatic or patting herself on the back. But why should we only focus on the pain and angst? She's acknowledging her pain, taking what she's learned, taking both the positives and negatives, and using all of that to find the will to tackle more of life's challenges. This whole "report" is like a self-help book, in my opinion, and I don't see anything wrong with wanting to help people in similar situations by sharing your story and the lessons you learned.

420 comments... I didn't want to comment because meymey :(
But I wonder what she's up to next https://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=67038714

No one's gonna upload the last chapter?
Or does this series end at chapter 5?
I heard there is a sequel right? Where can I read it/ Are there anyone scanlating it/ Is this series and its sequel got licensed?
Btw great manga! Maybe the greatest lol :v

P/s: I didn't see the tag "licensed" or "official" or anything like that, sooo uploading other chapters wouldn't break any rules huh? :v

last edited at Mar 1, 2018 12:35PM

This was a sad read, but I liked it. It's definitely a bit more about depression than yuri itself, and if anything the origin of the main character's attraction to women is kind of weird and off-putting, but I feel like the whole point of the manga was to understand that it doesn't matter what it takes or what happened for you to get to a point where you can be happy or work for your happiness, as long as you get there, and sometimes failing and awkward moments have to happen in order for you to understand what you really want. I'm glad the author shared her story, and I'm glad it had such an upbeat ending, it gives hope to anyone out there suffering from similar problems.

8.4/10 would read again

This was a lot better than I expected at first. I can't really say I relate, but I feel that I can learn some valuable things from this.

The sequel is out in English licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment Ltd. I would say it's easy to read. It's definitely less rosy, less I'm-better-now, if that was bothering people. I don't feel like "being a lesbian" is an issue for her, and neither is ordinary, everyday loneliness. What makes her story particularly what it is is the great loneliness someone in her position feels. It's a cliche, but from the content of the sequel she definitely appreciates support. Both words of support and contributions to her (somewhat) financial independence. I am actually surprised in her shoes she didn't opt for more government help, tbh. It's not like Japan is like the US even now.

sequel is called My Solo Exchange Diary

I got it at Powell's along with the Eclair yuri tankobon

If you read the sequel don't get seduced by her self-loathing self-portrait. The truth is, her honesty has made (some) people like her.

That said it does positively address lesbianism and prejudice against it. I think people who liked this but had some complaints might like the sequel even better. That said, I found it sad like the lesbian parents couple's eventual resolution.

last edited at Jul 30, 2018 4:00AM

Man...I feel kind of grossed out by the fact that she's sexually attracted to her own mother. But other than that great story with a great depiction of mental illnesses and how it can affect your life. I really dig realistic stories like that.

I can relate to this soooo much, everything is me. and I love it.

It started out as depressing, but in the end I feel like the message was something along the lines of "Life can be hard, but just try and get what you can out of it. Don't worry so much about what others think, and find something that you enjoy." It was interesting to read about their journey of attempting to find themselves.

Author is coming back with a new tale https://www.pixiv.net/en/artworks/77137665

This story gives me (social) anxiety. All these small everyday life things just get so painful. Getting up to get some water? Omg lets stress and get depressed over it. Then cry about it too.
The author needs help and I'm not saying this in a bad way. I didn't see her writing about visiting any therapist, but she needs one.

This story gives me (social) anxiety. All these small everyday life things just get so painful. Getting up to get some water? Omg lets stress and get depressed over it. Then cry about it too.
The author needs help and I'm not saying this in a bad way. I didn't see her writing about visiting any therapist, but she needs one.

She writes several times about seeing various professionals during this story, are you sure you read it closely?