Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha for the e-book copy!

I have had this book in my backlog to get back to review and I'm sad to say I did not enjoy this. I think the setup seems interesting. A high schooler who wakes up in the middle of nowhere having no memory of how she got there and is now the size of an ant. She ends up in a woman's apartment and this woman is a NEET who hasn't left the house in months. Both characters are shocked by one another but eventually strike up some rapport. I felt this could have been more interesting if it had more of a story to tell. There are a lot of fan service moments that could have been reduced to give more time to character's background. Overall, I think if you want something that might have potential this may work for you otherwise I recommend skipping this.

Summary:

What would you do if you woke up one day and couldn't remember anything beyond your name? You'd probably freak out, right? What if you realized that you had been shrunk down to a mere few inches in addition to that mess?

That is Nozomi Koiwa's new reality. To make matters worse, she's in a house that belongs to Yume Okubo – a drunken sheet-in NEET. Yume is often drunk, which at least makes it easier for Nozomi to hide from her...

Review:

Huh. Small Nozomi and Big Yume Vol. 1 is an interesting start to a quirky series, to say the least. Both characters have a lot of backstory, though it will take some time before it is all revealed (remembered?).

This is very much an opposites-living-together sort of manga, as both characters couldn't be more different if they tried. I'm sure the ultimate goal will be that they help each other, which is sweet. But who knows how long that will take!

Small Nozomi and Big Yume Vol. 1 is perfect for readers looking for something different, quirky, and sometimes comical. That said, you might feel pretty bad for Big Yume, who needs a lot of help.

Highlights:
Manga
Quirky Characters
“Honey, I shrunk the high school girl”

Will I continue the series? Eh, I don't think so.

Thanks to Kodansha Comics and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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This was a volume filled with cuteness and an interesting story. I enjoyed it dearly. ✨ Thanks a lot, Kodansha Comics and Netgalley, for letting me read it. I keep my eyes open for it to add it to my shelf.

Small Nozomi wakes up and finds herself shrunken with no memories of what happened to her. With just the clothes on her back and her backpack, she finds herself trying seeking refuge in the room of an unemployed lady with severe social anxiety. While living unseen, Nozomi tries to solve the mystery of what happened to her and how she could go back to her original form and her memories.

Big Yume hasn't left her apartment for over a year. Crippled by social anxiety, she spends her days just drinking beer, sleeping, and living in isolation from the outside world. She hasn't had any social interaction with another human being that when she encounters Small Nozomi, she is overcome by feelings of hope, believing that Nozomi will be the answer to her social anxiety.

This is honestly not my usual type of reads. I found the characters to be unrelatable and not likeable. Nozomi was very condescending while Yume cried way too much. The art was great and the story has potential. It just isn't my personal cup of tea.

First of all I want to thank netgalley for providing me with a copy of the first volume of this manga.

small nozomi and big yume tells us the story of a young student who one day is mysteriously shrunk, she doesn't know how it happened, only that one day she woke up and was small, and without memories.

He arrives at Yume's house, a woman who from one day to the next begins to have a phobia of socializing, the simple idea of ​​leaving her house triggers a panic attack, Yume spends her days drinking so she is unaware of Nozomi's presence, until one day this changes. She's not sure if it's real or not though.

the story is hilarious, and at the same time intriguing since it is not known why nozomi shrinks and without memories, being a volume one it is introductory so not much happens, they only introduce us to the characters, how they know each other and leave the intrigue of what will happen next and if she is the only one with that condition.

I give it a 3.5 it is quite fun to read and it is read fast and in simple English

This graphic novel is interesting. A 16-year-old high school girl wakes up just a little above 4 inches tall. She remembers nothing before she woke up. She’s trying to survive in the house of a 22-year-old shut in woman. She is anxiety ridden and won’t take out her trash, clean etc. In fact, the shut in thinks the little girl is a figment of their imagination. Much of this story is mind banter about each of the characters, and while it goes quickly, it’s kind of annoying. The story picks up towards the end when we meet another a little person and find out who the adult recognizes the little to be. This could be interesting as a series in the hole but I’m not the biggest fan of the art. I really despise when they make the girls in anime overly voluptuous for no reason. They’ve done that here and there is once again no reason.

Nozomi wakes up to discover she is only 12 centimeters tall and finds shelter in a Yume's home. Yume is a neet and her home is a mess. When Yume sees Nozomi, she freaks out thinking she is a insect and/or she is imagining her. As this volume continues, Nozomi ends up trying to help Yume get over her fear of going outside the house.

So I am gonna give it a 2.5/3 stars. Personally I thought it was just ok, but not one I would get the next volume as soon as it released. It would maybe just be one of those that kinda fill in my reading list every so often. The story moves a bit slow and felt like it was lacking something to pull my attention in fully,. It is unique in a way that it touches on mental illness, where people become neets due to the fact they fear going outside.
-slice of life
-fan service

I recieved this arc in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this cute little manga. It's a different story from the rest. I liked the style of the art and I can't wait to pick up the next volume.

Thanks NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for access to this arc

2/5 stars

This could have been a cure story, but was just weird and uncomfortable. There were way too many suggestive poses and situations done by the underage and barely legal main characters for this to be read without feeling an ick factor. Also, suggestive drawing of the cat??? Wtf. Will absolutely not be continuing this series bc I'm clearly not the intended audience 😬😬😬😬😬😬😬 also the neets mental health struggles could absolutely be handled with more compassion, but that's not what this story is going for lol

It gets 2 stars bc the art was still really well done, if ick

Rating: 4.63 leaves out of 5
-Characters: 4.5/5
-Cover (plus art): 4/5
-Story: 5/5
-Writing: 5/5
Genre: Shojo
Type: Ebook/Manga
Worth?: Yeah

Hated|Disliked|It Was Okay|Liked|Loved

Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.

I really enjoyed this manga. I love the mystery in this and would love to read more. Only thing I didn't care for is what seems to be a theme in manga, having teen girls fan serviced.

Readable manga with some terms that were confusing but the dictionary at the back really helped. The character interaction was clever and I can see the both becoming friends in the end. Wonder how one of the characters got small though.

Small Nozomi and Big Yume is about a high school girl (Nozomi) who wakes up to find out she is small and has almost no memories and a "shut-in" (Yume) who is scared of the outside world. Yume thinks that Nozomi is a figment of her imagination sent to help her fix her life. Nozomi decides to help her so that maybe Yume can help her figure out why she is small and who she is. The first book is humorous and entertaining. I can't wait to see what shanagins they get into next.

Thanks Netgalley and Kodansa for giving me this volume 1 manga.

I found the art really hard to see at times, it was as if it was being rubbed by an elbow for its ink to be smudged. The story was meh like all it's about is cute looking girls the Thumbelina style and there was nothing more it could offer which was a bummer....

This title is a mix of fantasy and slice of life. Like the title says, Nozomi woke up tiny, with very little memory. That's one plot. The other plot revolves around Yume who is either just that anxious around people or has some trauma related to her former job she needs to get through. The setup works for what it is. It's got cute moments, funny moments, and moments that made me roll my eyes. It didn't wow me, but it was a decent ride!

There is an undeniable draw to the ‘NEET persona' in manga, establishing an instantly tragic figure with mental health issues that, most often, are structured in a way to be overcome by introducing an outsider into their reclusive ways. Furthermore, it is a fear, depression, or anxiety-driven condition that many can understand through personal experience, albeit not to the same extreme of wanting to fully isolate. Yet, utilizing this type of persona also carries both the stigma of handling mental health in a considerate manner along with the pressure to create endearing personas to keep the reader involved. While “Small Nozomi and Big Yume”, admittedly, does not establish its ability to do either within the first volume, the series offers an intriguing prospect of mixing elements of ecchi comedy with the hikikomori struggle (which Yumi fits the bill in the first volume over the implied label of NEET).

The general vibe of “Small Nozomi and Big Yume” is difficult to pin down, as there are certain elements that point towards fetishization, from the constant fan-service shots to the power balance and playfulness between the two. While there is no nudity or established relationship between the two, the inherent sexuality of the power dynamic doubled by the focus on things like undergarments, feet, and bodily fluids makes it obvious elements of the work will appeal to a fanbase that seeks fetishized content as a precursor to checking out a manga.

However, the elements of implied eroticism do not entirely undermine the seriousness of Nozomi's situation and Sou Hamayumiba paints her as an empathetic character facing real struggles. While Nozomi and Yume are just beginning to bond, Nozomi's push to help Yume, albeit for selfish reasons, has the potential to further explore the anxieties and fears of those who find themselves withdrawn from society (an estimated 1.15 million people across Japan). Unfortunately, the inaugural volume does not do enough to cement that the series will approach the issue with the respect and consideration it deserves, leaving the direction of the series uncertain.

The art of Sou Hamayumiba, regardless of how it is approached, is really sharp and defined. The small details of a dirty room to the expressive personas Hamayumiba crafts all impress with the mangaka's attention to detail and ability to capture the eccentricities of the characters. Sou Hamayumiba has been tapped to work on a few notable anthologies including “Celebration of Haruhi Suzumiya” and “K-On! Story Anthology Comic”, and it is obvious in the art that the mangaka has a knack for capturing the exuberance of youth with an emphasis on over-the-top personalities. On visuals alone, the book is an undeniable success.

It proves difficult to predict what direction “Small Nozomi and Big Yume” will follow, whether it dives deeper into the inner turmoil of Yume and her hikikomori ways, or transitions into a full ecchi comedy. As such, if readers have issues with either approach or lack thereof, it is best to wait out a few volumes and see how the series develops. However, if lewd comedies tickle your fancy or you are not overly weary of how mental health is approached in comedy series, Sou Hamayumiba has crafted a pretty strong opening volume with a sharp artistic direction.

I lot of unanswered questions. The huge amount of drinking and sleeping prevents us from caring about the MC. A few fun scenes However, plot and characters remain undeveloped.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book was.. strange. I didn't hate it but it definitely wasn't my favourite manga I've picked up. The story I think had potential to be interesting but basically nothing happens until the very end so it didn't keep my attention for very long. I also just didn't find the characters very likeable. They were both kind of annoying unfortunately, in my opinion.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

This manga was ... unique.. lol
The illustrations were great.
The storyline was definitey different and fun.
I'd definitely check out others in this series.

One day, a high schooler named Nozomi wakes up and is about 12cm tall. She has memory loss and has to essentially survive on her own. She find refuge in Yume’s home, a 22 shut in who is living on her parents allowance after she quits her job. Eventually, Yumi find out about Nozomi but she convinces Yumi she is a figment of her imagination and is there to help Yumi get her life together. This begins their journey together.

This book was the definition of mid. The art and plot are not bad per say, however it is incredibly boring. Neither character is interesting which makes for a dull story overall. Would not recommend as it is a somewhat pointless story.

3.7/5

This one did definitely got my attention.

I'm very curious to see where this will go, especially with a weird and unusual setting like this one.
It's like we are following a demotivated 20 something girl getting into living again. This whole premise sounds super cool and I want to know how all this will be treated in the future.

There are tho a few things I wasn't a fan of, personal opinion here. I didn't really like that Yume gets wasted and drunk and basically drinks beer all the time and I didn't like the whole trash (literally) part. There were for sure other ways to create comedy .

Overall this was a very entertaining read and despite having no clue how all this started there's even a sort of mystery to solve here!