Look Into My Eyes
Author: Miyako Yoko
Publisher: Star Fruit Books
Reviewed By: Sandra Scholes
There is now more choice than ever within the indie manga scene where manga artists can showcase their new work with online publishers who save money by not making print books. A simple click on a PDF etc can unlock a rich world of manga from Star Fruit Books who already have a great amount of manga to choose from. And as there have only been a handful of publishers around who have only made print manga, it is now easier to access new talent with a click.
Miyako Yoko's Look Into My Eyes is almost a look into the soul of a band member who readers observe is going through some kind of struggle one would expect when her pop idol band is about to go their separate ways. This single member agrees with her fans that she doesn't want the band to break up as being an international star does more for her than the fame attached to it. Her emotional and mental state relies on being a part of a successful band. It takes her mind off her real-life struggles, giving her hope, yet now the band's break-up is imminent she has to face her inner troubles, self-doubt and insecurity alone without the crutch the band has provided her.
Look Into My Eyes, even from the cover art appears to be the character saying farewell to the public, though the entire scene betrays her true feelings.
Nearly all bands have a moment when they feel they have done enough when they have no more songs to write and have a need to reinvent themselves in another way. This decision is what the others want, but not her, and who could blame her. While they are together she has the public adoration, being in the public eye and the fact it removes her from her inner turmoil.
Through Yoko's art and story she weaves a more honest story than expected. Readers rarely see into the private life of a band member either emotionally or mentally. Here on stage she is perfect, well made up, great dress sense and has the ability to emote the sort of confidence exhibited by a fashion model. She appears to be in control, but in reality, she isn't. What readers can see is how her real personality comes through when the break-up unfolds. Whether it's Jpop, Jpop or Visual Kei the pop idol style works in this story, and as a one-shot manga. If anyone did look into her eyes they might see the sadness, though not truly understand what she is going through. There is a good reason for this; she thinks she must hide who she really is to keep the persona of control, the perfection of her fake success.
Yoko's art captures her feelings while the other band members are enjoying their time in transition to what they think will be a success. She has to deal with her feelings still keeping them hidden. As this is a one-shot and his limited scope for drawing in the reader, Yoko manages to keep the interest and encourage us to want to invest time in other manga Yoko does
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