Hikaru in the Light! (Volume 1)

December 16, 2024
A shy middle schooler auditions for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a pop star in this series launch by Japanese manga artist Matsuda. Fourteen-year-old Hikaru Ogino is known as the “songbird of the public bath”: her melodious voice often echoes throughout her family-owned bathhouse in Tokyo, to the delight of patrons and passersby. While watching an ad about auditions for Girls in the Light, a new musical group, Hikaru dreams of what it might be like to sing into a mic instead of a mop. When her best friend, Ran—a former member of popular girl group JPA—encourages Hikaru to audition with her, Hikaru must overcome nerves and lacking self-confidence to surpass the competition. Meanwhile, Ran faces her own challenges as an ex-idol, and wonders if she’s talented enough to earn a second chance. Hikaru’s endearing attempts to believe in herself and dive into the unknown—both during the audition process as well as her tumultuous transition into high school—delight in this feel-good graphic novel. Laugh-out-loud moments throughout, depicted via light-emanating panels of mainly muted blue and purple hues, add a buoyant feel to the high-concept premise and emotional themes. Back matter includes a note on public bathhouses and idol culture. Ages 8–12.

Starred review from February 1, 2025
Grades 3-7 *Starred Review* This bright, fresh manga perfect for younger readers follows one girl's journey to idol stardom. Singing every day in her family's bathhouse, Hikaru is sure the only fans she'll ever have are the old people who frequent the business. But when a music producer announces a new idol group concept, Hikaru's friend Ran challenges her to try out, too. Soon, Hikaru is giving her all in an effort to achieve her dreams of becoming an idol as the two girls engage in healthy competition to join this new group. Readers who are not quite ready for Tsurumaikada's Medalist will appreciate this energetic series opener, which engages in similar themes of striving to achieve one's dreams while remaining authentic to one's roots. With a dynamic balance of humor and heartfelt determination, this manga is vibrant with bubbly character illustrations and a diverse group of characters vying for the idol spotlight. Social bathing is a common cultural practice in Japan, and scenes in the bathhouse feature only implied nudity suiting the context. While the final artwork was not seen, this manga, unlike most others, will be in full color. The gentle story, noticeably lacking violence, focuses on friendship and self-determination, which is sure to appeal to younger readers looking for stories with heart, especially elementary schoolers who dream of pop stardom.

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