Pixels of You by Ananth Hirsh, Yuko Ota and J.R. Doyle
Amulet Books
Publication Date: February 8, 2022
ISBN-13: 9781419749575
Pixels of You is a futuristic story about two photographers completing an internship at an art gallery. Indira, a human girl with a cybernetically augmented eye, and Fawn, an AI who appears human, don’t get along when they first meet. When their conflict leads to a public argument, their mentor assigns their final project to be a cooperative gallery show. Forced to work together on their photography, this is a short but sweet enemies-to-lovers story.
Pixels of You is a heartwarming LGBTQ+ title that also tackles issues of chronic pain and AI ethics. The art is strikingly beautiful and colorful as it drives the story forward. The use of the characters’ cameras and photographs is sometimes used to frame the scene in an authentic and interesting way. It also has a manga inspired feel that may draw manga fans in. Readers will enjoy watching Indira and Fawn, who have very different backgrounds, grow closer as they begin to understand each other more.
Fans of Love Death + Robots or Ghost in the Shell might enjoy this story’s futuristic setting and exploration of AI and cybernetics. Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers romance stories such as Crier’s War and Tell Me How You Really Feel will also enjoy Pixels of You.
—Kaileigh Oldham
Other Nominated Titles:
- Kaiju No. 8, vol. 1 by Naoya Matsumoto (December 7, 2021)
- Kageki Shojo!! vol. 2 by Kumiko Saiki (October 25, 2021)
- Miles Morales, vol. 6: All Eyes on Me by Saladin Ahmed, Christopher Allen and Carmen Carnero (January 18, 2022)
- Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End, vol. 3 by Kanehito Yamada and Tsukasa Abe (March 8, 2022)
- I Am a Cat Barista, vol. 1 by Hiro Maijima (November 30, 2021)
- Lore Olympus, vol. 2 by Rachel Smythe (July 5, 2022)
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.
