A love story between a boy with a scar and an abused, misgendered classmate who are both victims of bullying but find peace and acceptance in each other—Scars is an ardent coming-of-age story about acknowledging differences and finding self-acceptance. Two school kids, Kyonosuke and Akira, live in a little village by the Japanese countryside. After an accident, Kyonosuke recieves a skin graft to his face, leaving him permanently scarred. This disfigurement makes Kyonosuke a target for constant bullying. Akira, his classmate, is trying to come to terms with her gender dysphoria but is beaten by her father for saying she wants to be a girl. When they meet and fall in love, they decide to escape their toxic environment together. But are they strong enough to accept each other, and themselves, for who they are? A stunning and heartfelt manga trilogy from debut author-illustrator Brandon Arias, Scars deftly tackles childhood trauma, bullying, and the issue of growing into one’s own identity. This gorgeous, fresh, slice-of-life drama is sure to become a classic alongside such timely and relevant manga titles as Orange by Takano Ichigo and Our Dreams at Dusk by Yuhki Kamatani.
