They’re what make the Stranger Things magic happen. Melded together though, these themes make something altogether original and remarkable. Taken separately, each theme has its own appeal. These themes include teen found family, ’80’s nostalgia, small town mysteries, comic relief, alternate universes, and supernatural horror. What makes this show so special? This train of thought led me to pinpoint the exact themes in Stranger Things that I love so much. After finishing season four, I began reflecting on what draws me in so strongly to the Stranger Things fandom. This show and its endearing characters have taken root in my heart, and I love returning to Hawkins with them each season. Though if the Demogorgon was actually chasing me, I’m sure I wouldn’t make it far. (Nov.Stranger Things returned with season four in May, and I powered through those episodes like the Demogorgon was chasing me. Back matter includes an author’s note about accents. In this stunningly layered graphic novel debut, Becker crafts a warmly actualized world in which the multiplicities of diasporic Asian identity are examined and held close. Those unfamiliar will appreciate the fluid, expressive cast, rendered in playfully shifting manga styles, and the intricately sketched scenery. Those familiar with Asian culture will recognize how richly the narrative is steeped, including manga and manhwa onomatopoeia, nods to food, Asian pop culture, the konbini franchise Lawson, and more.

The process of language learning, the way language can define identity, and multilingual experiences are lovingly illuminated in mostly translated Japanese, Korean, and English, with smudges denoting words lost in translation characters’ accents are respectfully rendered phonetically. As Nao reassimilates, she is relieved to discover that Hyejung and Tina speak English (Tina’s Singlish is “like English but deluxe flavor”). Shinichi and standoffish, curly-haired Masaki. Soon, Nao meets her housemates: Hyejung, a studious college-age Korean woman Tina, a buoyant 25-year-old Chinese Singaporean and two Japanese brothers, personable, bespectacled Recent high school graduate Nao, 19, who is half-Japanese, Japan-born, and Midwest-raised, decides to spend a gap year at Tokyo-based sharehouse Himawari House to reconnect with her roots.

Himawari House by Harmony Becker