Picture a Canadian storyteller who turned the chaos of adulthood into a global sensation with her witty web comics—meet Meichi Ng! From her cozy Vancouver apartment, Ng crafts tales that blend humor, heartbreak, and raw honesty, capturing the messy beauty of modern life. Her breakout work, Barely Functional Adult, has charmed readers worldwide, earning her a devoted following and a Goodreads Choice Award for Best Humor in 2021.
With her minimalist doodles and sharp insights, Ng has become a voice for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re just barely holding it together. Let’s dive into her journey, from her early days to her lasting impact on the world of web comics and literature.
The Making of Meichi Ng
Born and raised in Canada, Meichi Ng found solace in storytelling from a young age. While specific details about her early life remain private, her work hints at a childhood filled with curiosity and introspection. Ng’s artistic journey began in 2015 when she launched Barely Functional Adult, a web comic series born from her own struggles with adulthood. From her tiny Vancouver apartment, she started sharing simple yet poignant cartoons that resonated with a generation navigating imposter syndrome, relationships, and the search for purpose.
Influenced by the likes of Allie Brosh and her own experiences as an introvert, Ng honed a style that’s both accessible and deeply personal. Her comics, often featuring a gender-neutral, swaddled protagonist, speak the truths we’re too shy to say aloud, making her a beloved figure in the online comic community.
Meichi Ng’s Unforgettable Stories
Ng’s signature work, Barely Functional Adult, started as a web comic in 2015 and exploded in popularity thanks to its relatable humor and minimalist art. With over 130,000 Instagram followers, the series tackles everything from anxiety to the awkwardness of making adult friends. In 2020, Ng compiled her comics into a bestselling book, Barely Functional Adult: It’ll All Make Sense Eventually, a vibrant collection of eight short stories interwoven with exclusive cartoons. The book, praised for its balance of levity and introspection, won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Humor in 2021.
Ng’s style is a masterclass in simplicity. Her “charmingly simplistic doodles,” as one reviewer put it, pair with incisive prose to explore themes like heartbreak, therapy, and the fear of growing older. Stories like “Gum,” which uses gum as a metaphor for first love, and “Space Dust,” about the challenge of forming adult friendships, showcase her knack for turning everyday moments into profound reflections. Unlike traditional graphic novels, her work blends essays and comics, creating a hybrid format that feels like a warm hug from a friend who gets it.
While Barely Functional Adult remains her flagship, Ng continues to share new comics online, each one a testament to her evolving perspective on life’s ups and downs. Her ability to make readers laugh and cry in the same breath has cemented her as a unique voice in contemporary literature.
Why Meichi Ng Matters
Meichi Ng’s impact lies in her ability to make the mundane feel universal. Her comics and stories resonate with readers across the globe, offering solace to those grappling with the uncertainties of adulthood. By addressing topics like mental health and imposter syndrome with humor and candor, Ng has carved out a space for vulnerability in a world that often demands perfection. Her work has been lauded by peers like Mari Andrew and Nick Seluk, who praise her for reminding us we’re not alone in our struggles.
Ng’s influence extends beyond her art. As a Canadian artist of color, she brings a fresh perspective to the web comic scene, inspiring a new generation of creators to embrace their unique voices. Her Goodreads award and glowing reviews from outlets like Shelf Awareness underscore her role as a trailblazer in blending humor with heartfelt storytelling.
- Born: Canada (exact date unavailable)
- Key Work: Barely Functional Adult: It’ll All Make Sense Eventually (2020)
- Award: Goodreads Choice Award for Best Humor (2021)
- Followers: Over 130,000 on Instagram
Snag Barely Functional Adult and dive into Meichi Ng’s hilarious, heartfelt world of web comics—you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll feel a little less alone!