Easterners

Easterners is a 2013 comedy-drama graphic novel by American artist George Akabane. The story follows Ken Yamada, a young Japanese American filmmaker who is alienated by peers who pressure to be "more Asian" and subsequently struggles to find his place in the world. He falls in love with shy Chinese American web producer Leanna Chen and engages in self-exploration as he follows her on a trip from to.

The origins of Easterners lie in East to West, a webcomic Akabane began publishing on Bookbook in February 2010 after graduating from the Burbank School of the Arts. Following the webcomic's conclusion in June 2011, an agent from Vortex Press contacting Akabane about making a graphic novel for the publisher. Originally titled East to West 2, Akabane worked on the graphic novel 2012 to 2013.

Easterners was published by Vortex Press on March 7, 2013. It has received high praise for its unique -inspired art style, themes about identity and culture, and openness,, satire, and openness about race-related topics. It won three Graphic Awards, the Johnny Award for Best Graphic Novel, and a Melendez Prize for Excellence in Storytelling.

In 2019, it was announced that a film adaptation of Easterners was in development at MPCG Pictures, with Akabane writing the screenplay and Simon Kwan directing. The film was released by on March 3, 2023.