Isahaya Ichi is tired of navigating a world where she’s underestimated and sexually harassed because of her gender. She’s soooo done with men at this point. But when her former classmate, Masaki, unexpectedly reappears in her life, everything changes. He claims that they have been destined to be together ever since a junior high event called “Gene Bride” matched them based on their genetic information.
Thank you Seven Seas Entertainment for sending us volumes 2-4 to review! | All opinions are our own
The Story
Gene Bride is an exploration of womanhood told through a science fiction lens. It reads like a mystery story where every answer you get just leaves you with more questions. If you’ve read volume 1, then you probably think you know what this story is about, and well, you’re probably only half right.
To recap, in volume 1, we’re introduced to Isahaya, a professional writer who interviews celebrities and such. She’s constantly harassed at work, but the misogyny doesn’t end when she clocks out for the day; it follows her everywhere she goes. She reunites with a former classmate, Masaki, who reminds her of the Gene Bride experiment they were subjected to as kids. It was a school function that paired students off as soulmates based on their DNA…Ick.
Content Warnings: sexual violence, harassment, harm to children, eugenics
Gene Bride Takes a Sci-Fi Turn in Volume 2
Volume 1 presents very light speculative fiction if any, but volume 2 ramps up the sci-fi in a big way when Isahaya comes face to face with a mysterious teen who looks identical to her. And you might be asking yourself: Clone? Replicant? Robot? What follows is a deep mystery, as Isahaya uncovers who this girl is and finds out secrets that are buried in her long past school days.
Science Fiction fans are going to find that a lot of the story beats feel familiar, from the powerful, oppressive institutions to the scientists dabbling in eugenics for “the greater good.” If you’re a connoisseur of the genre, then some of the twists and turns that Gene Bride takes, might not be all that surprising to you. Still, the journey is fascinating none-the-less. With each new reveal, I found myself asking what is this work trying to say and which elements are metaphors for happenings in the real world? It made it compelling, even if the scifi elements offer nothing particularly unique.
Complex Characters and Relationships
The real highlight of Gene Bride is the relationships between the characters, especially the women. As we learn about the circumstances of Isahaya’s missing friend, Enami, and we see history nearly repeating itself as the younger Isahaya forms a relationship with fellow student and outsider, Miyuki. Seeing these women stumble through a world that requires perfection of them, juxtaposed to the simple freedoms they wish to have in life is heartbreaking and often relatable. The way this series depicts its male characters is equally impressive. Former classmate, Masaki, while never specifically stated in the text, shows signs of being on the autism spectrum. We see him navigate a patriarchal system that views him as “defective.” Through him and other male characters we see how even men suffer under misogynistic systems.
The Storytelling Has Its Flaws, but Its Message Sticks
I won’t say that Gene Bride is an easy read, nor does it feel expertly told. But it makes a solid impression. The subject matter is often heavy, so it’s not a page-turner. And the scenes switching between past and present at times is disorienting, and this negatively affects the pacing. Still, there’s something about this story that sticks with you. I also think readers will appreciate the author notes and interviews at the end of each volume. It’s clear that the story is helmed by an author who truly wished to write a meaningful, feminist work. Even if it’s a bit messy, its messiness feels recognizable in the real-world.
Gene Bride doesn’t have a perfect fairytale ending. There’s no cut and dry answers. Ending oppression of any kind doesn’t happen overnight, and cultural changes take time. But this story does remind us that small acts of resistance and finding joy where we can, is certainly a start to a better future. And in troubling times, such as these, that’s always worth remembering.
The Artwork
The artwork in Gene Bride is lovely. Expressive faces and well placed panel layouts truly enhance the story. While the manga has some troubling and traumatic elements, it never feels exploitative in its depiction of violence. Scenes often end, cut away, or fade to black before the violence escalates. It remains impactful though without showing too much, which I personally appreciate.
The Details:
Gene Bride is a science fiction manga series written and illustrated by Hitomi Takano. Its original release was in Shodensha’s Feel Young (Josei) magazine in 2021. The English release is brought to us by Seven Seas Entertainment, and the entire series is currently available.
Pros
- Interesting Worldbuilding
- Harrowing and Heartfelt
Cons
- Confusing At Times
- Pacing Issues
Gene Bride: Manga Review
Synopsis Ichi Isahaya is a woman who has grown beyond exhausted with misogyny and predatory behavior, especially in her workplace. When she reconnects with a former classmate and supposed “Gene […]
By Pippa S. — December 6, 2025
