The True Story of a Gay Couple Seeking Legal Recognition in Japan

Why I Adopted My Husband is a profound exploration of love, societal expectations, and individuals’ lengths to solidify their bonds. Yagi’s storytelling prowess and the manga’s impactful message position it as a must-read, shedding light on the challenges LGBTQ couples navigate in Japan. As a gay couple living in Japan (where gay marriage is not yet legal), Yuta and Kyota have found a unique loophole in order for the government to recognize their union: Kyota adopted Yuta.

This nonfiction manga depicts how the two men met and fell in love, their life together for the last twenty years, their struggle to communicate their relationship to their families, their anxieties about the future, and their determination to live happily and carefree as any other married couple, while they strive for independence and equal rights in a changing cultural landscape.