Manga
Description
After graduating university and spending several years working a soul-crushing office job, Yuna finds herself growing increasingly depressed. In pursuit of an essential missing piece in her life, she finally acknowledges a truth she has long suppressed: she is a woman. Seeking professional help, Yuna receives an official diagnosis of gender dysphoria, a turning point that opens new doors for her and sets her on the difficult path toward becoming her authentic self.

The protagonist and authorial voice is Yuna Hirasawa, a trans woman whose journey from isolation to self-acceptance forms the core of the narrative. As she navigates medical treatments, experiments with makeup and clothing, and confronts the legal hurdles of changing her gender in Japan, Yuna experiences both the loneliness of transitioning and small triumphs of self-discovery. The story follows her decision in 2015 to travel to Thailand for gender-affirming surgery, a requirement at that time for legal gender recognition in Japan. The detailed account of the surgical procedures, the supportive role of her siblings, and the kindness of strangers in a foreign country form a significant portion of the plot.

Structurally, the single-volume memoir blends traditional manga panels with detailed prose sections and informational notes that explain medical terminology and legal processes. Notable narrative arcs include Yuna's pre-diagnosis depression and suicidal ideation, the step-by-step process of hormone therapy and social transition, the logistical and emotional challenges of preparing for surgery abroad, and the post-operative journey of healing and legally changing her gender upon returning to Japan. While the story focuses intently on Yuna's personal experience, it features anonymous supporting figures such as attending nurses and medical staff in Thailand who play pivotal roles in her care, alongside her off-panel family members whose support provides crucial emotional stability. The work maintains an honest and at times humorous tone throughout, transforming what could be a purely clinical account into a simultaneously harrowing and joyous affirmation of identity.
Information
My Journey to Her
僕が私になるために
Type: Manga
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Staff
  • Story & Art
    Yūna Hirasawa