MY TOKYO SUMMER

An American art student spends a summer exploring Tokyo and collaborating on a comic with her Japanese pen pal in this work based on the author’s life.

In suburban America in 1986, young Abby discovers a passion for Japanese culture and cuisine, while an ocean away in Japan, a little girl named Yuuko falls in love with American music. As they enter their teens, they both become talented artists who enjoy making their own comics. Years later, Abby goes to art school in Manhattan, where a music shop accepts some of her minicomics on consignment—and Yuuko, who’s visiting New York with her older sister, finds and buys one. Yuuko sends Abby a letter of admiration, sharing some of her own work, and they become pen pals, bonding over their common interests. In the summer of 1997, Abby, who’s white, attends a college summer program in Japan, and the two young women explore Tokyo and its art scene. They even work together, creating their own comic to sell at Comiket, a large annual convention. This work inspired by Denson’s experiences is an ode to artistic passion and self-published comics, manga, and zines. It encapsulates an international connection and a relationship that grew despite distance, language barriers, and cultural differences. Utomaru’s bright, full-color illustrations are cute and fun, adding historical and cultural context. Notes and photographs from the author, the illustrator, and Yuuko add context and a personal touch.

A sweet story celebrating creativity, culture, and true friendship.