A nice little episodic, anecdotal manga about US college roommates Satoko and Nada. Satoko is Japanese, and Nada is a Saudi Arabian Muslim. Despite their differences, they become fast friends, and learn so much about each other. It's incredibly sweet, funny, and relevant.
Satoko is a bit awkward, naive and clumsy, but her heart is in the right place. Nada is outgoing, friendly, hilarious, adorable, and self-assured (or so she appears) - not at all like what American news networks show as a stereotypical Muslim woman. She is studying to become a doctor, since women's healthcare in Saudi Arabia is only marginally worse than in America. And she cuts hair.
This manga is about the friendship between these two young women; their mutual respect for one another, and exploring each aspect of their customs and cultures whilst living in the US.
Different types of hijab, food (oh yes, especially the foods and cooking), tea, fashion, the hows, wheres and whys of praying, how Muslim women are treated (and that they are allowed to drive in Saudi Arabia post-2018), sexism, marriage arrangements, social media, US racist hiring biases, universal movie theaters, girls' nights in (aka how any girl friends are in private, when free to be themselves), and a use for apps for modern Muslims - it's all here.
The manga is very educational. Each custom - Islamic, Japanese, American - is treated positively and with understanding (except for the part where sushi is made in the "Americanized" way at home, and not how the disgruntled Satoko would make it, which is... weird). Speaking of different cultures and religions getting along, Satoko and Nada also have a Christian friend named Miracle (yes, that's really her name).
Even when they are treated differently for being foreigners, it's to show that at best it is caused by ignorance, not outright hatred. Racism - intersected with sexism - can be direct and indirect, micro and macro, passive and aggressive, or just passive aggressive, but mostly this is in the background of the college women's lives.
'Satoko and Nada' never stops being charming and fun. As well as showing a close friendship, it aims to dispel ignorance, delusions and misconceptions, and I think it achieves that. That kind of positive outlook - done while never coming across as unrealistic - is more than welcome in this day and age.
It could have been more critical of cultural sexism and misogyny, such as Muslim men and women being segregated in mosques and other places of prayer, because the very sight of women might distract the men. The manga doesn't really address victim blaming. It's also not clear what Satoko is studying in university and what she wants to do with her life.
There are a few hints of Satoko and Nada probably growing closer than friends. They are not interested in guys in the first volume. Satoko even hides in Nada's niqab or chador while Nada is wearing it, and they both like it very much. One can only hope...
Verdict: Read it. Educate yourself and stop the hatred and ignorance.
For friendship knows no borders.
"Satoko, you're pretty interested... in my culture, huh? I'll have to study up myself so I can explain it better."
"Aw, Nada... that's not it. I mean, I wanna know more about your culture, but... I mostly just wanna know more about you."
"Satoko, you can act like such a kid... but then you go and say something that makes my heart skip a beat!" - page 33
"Come to think of it... do you have any crushes, Nada?"
"Hmm. Right now, I'd much rather spend time with you!"
"Me too-!"
"Then you feel the same way!"
"I'm so glad-!" - page 84
Final Score: 4/5
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