It Rhymes With Takei

George Takei, Justin Eisinger, and Steven Scott, illustrated by Harmony Becker
It Rhymes With Takei
(Top Shelf Productions, June 2025)

A New York Times Comic to Read This Pride Month
A Book Riot Best New Book of June

 

Following the award-winning bestseller They Called Us Enemy, George Takei’s new full-color graphic memoir reveals his most personal story of all—told in full for the first time anywhere!

George Takei has shown the world many faces: actor, author, outspoken activist, helmsman of the starship Enterprise, living witness to the internment of Japanese Americans, and king of social media. But until October 27, 2005, there was always one piece missing—one face he did not show the world. There was one very intimate fact about George that he never shared…and it rhymes with Takei.

Now, for the first time ever, George shares the full story of his life in the closet, his decision to come out as gay at the age of 68, and the way that moment transformed everything. Following the phenomenal success of his first graphic memoir, They Called Us Enemy, George Takei reunites with the team of Harmony Becker, Steven Scott, and Justin Eisinger for a jaw-dropping new testament. From his earliest childhood crushes and youthful experiments in the rigidly conformist 1950s, to global fame asv an actor and the terrible fear of exposure, to the watershed moment of speaking his truth and becoming one of the most high-profile gay men on the planet, It Rhymes with Takei offers a sweeping portrait of one iconic American navigating the tides of LGBTQ+ history.

Combining historical context with intimate subjectivity, It Rhymes with Takei shows how the personal and the political have always been intertwined. Its richly emotional words and images depict the terror of entrapment even in gay community spaces, the anguish of speaking up for so many issues while remaining silent on his most personal issue, the grief of losing friends to AIDS, the joy of finding true love with Brad Altman, and the determination to declare that love openly—and legally—before the whole world.

Looking back on his astonishing life on both sides of the closet door, George Takei presents a charismatic and candid account of how far America has come…and how precious that progress is.

 

Praise for It Rhymes With Takei

“This uplifting, encouraging, and inspiring narrative powerfully demonstrates how Takei’s lifelong experiences led him to be a voice for those who struggle.” — Booklist (starred review)

“Unflinchingly honest… ultimately an inspiring illustration of love—love of oneself and of others—conquering all. A bold and introspective memoir that will resonate with fans of pop culture history and LGBTQIA+ narratives.” — Library Journal (starred review)

“Thanks to Star Trek and his political activism, George Takei is known for taking a stand. But this book, about his decision to come out at the age of 68… proves there is more to learn about him.” — The New York Times

“This invigorating autobiography effortlessly mixes inspiration with insight.” — Publishers Weekly

“A heartwarming journey that, yes, goes boldly where few men have gone before.” — Kirkus Reviews

“The outstanding graphic autobiography of a principled man who became a cultural icon because of his passion for improving the world for others.” — Foreword Reviews

“It’s more than a biography; this book also helps readers understand what it was like to be gay for most of the 20th century and why it’s important to know.” — The Washington Blade

“Well-paced, thoughtful, and beautifully illustrated by Harmony Becker, It Rhymes With Takei offers a bittersweet perspective on the highs and lows of life as a gay Asian American in modern American history. I felt grateful for the historic context on our current moment. I wish it weren’t so relevant and important right now, but once again, Takei has shown up for us when we really need him.” — The Geekiary

 

George Takei is a civil rights activist, social media superstar, Grammy-nominated recording artist, New York Times bestselling author, and pioneering actor whose career has spanned six decades. He has appeared in more than 40 feature films and hundreds of television roles, most famously as Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek, and he has used his success as a platform to fight for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights, and marriage equality. His advocacy is personal: during World War II, Takei spent his childhood unjustly imprisoned in United States incarceration camps along with 125,000 other Japanese Americans. Takei is the author of five books, including his autobiography, To the Stars. His Eisner Award winning and New York Times bestselling graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy was released in July 2019. His picture book for children, My Lost Freedom: A Japanese American World War II Story, also became a New York Times bestseller upon its release in April 2024.

Justin Eisinger is a critically-acclaimed author and editor who has worked with some of the world’s most beloved entertainment brands as well as groundbreaking graphic nonfiction. After They Called Us Enemy and It Rhymes with Takei, look for his forthcoming illustrated nonfiction children’s series from Chronicle Books. When not writing, Eisinger can be found in Ohio on his rollerblades or spending time with his wife and dogs.

Steven Scott is an award-winning author of nonfiction and fiction graphic novels. Following They Called Us Enemy, he co-created the Sixth-Grade Shape-Shifter series, as well as launching The Magic History Book series, both from Capstone. He writes and illustrates the graphic memoir G’Day Yank. The west coast of Canada is where he calls home with his two kids and two cats.

Harmony Becker is an author and illustrator of graphic novels. Her works include They Called Us Enemy and her solo debut Himawari House, which won the Kirkus Prize in 2022. She lives in Mexico City with her two cats, where she spends her time lying around, roller skating, and taking pictures of weird signs in the street.