Otomen, Volume 2

Rating T+ Genre manga Author Aya Kanno Publisher VIZ Media External Links

If the mysterious brooding Chad Michael Murray was genetically infused with the traits of Marshall from United States of Tara, it would somehow develop into the strange yet lovable Asuka of the hit series Otomen. In this second volume of the romantic shōjó beat series, Asuka deals with the issues of a daunting yet annoying protégé seeking out his manly wisdom to attain some unclear status. All the while, contending with his feelings for Ryo, advice from the lovable Juta and the neurosis of his returning mother. Asuka can’t help his effeminate ways; he’s an otomen at heart.

When a fight breaks out at school, Asuka swoops in for the rescue saving a young girl from harm. After thanking him graciously, Juta and Asuka are intrigued by the beauty when a shocker is revealed. As the book starts to go into yaoi territory we realize the true identity of Asuka’s “damsel”. Now harassed with an annoying yet sincere protégé, Asuka sees himself in his new companion. Yamato is a younger class man who desperately wants to become like Asuka to the point he’s only a few inches from killing him and wearing his skin.

As Asuka reluctantly provides “man” training, he feels obligated to help him. Struggling with his own identity issues, Asuka contends with his otomen ways and growing love for Ryo. But everything is about to change when Asuka’s irrational mother arrives into town with a big announcement, his engagement. Pulled from school, Asuka meets his bride in a withdrawn and very stunted Iruka who lives in a manmade Candy land. With magic castles, fairy tale induced girls and Christmas parties by candle light; volume 2 of Otomen is a uniquely crafted shōjó mixing the elements of the romantic comedy with the action of shōnen. The obsessed fight between masculine and feminine is at war in Asuka as he struggles to reveal his true feelings to Ryo. As his mother’s ideology of guarding his “manhood” goes to the very extremes, Asuka deals with self image as the balance between his secret otomen life and his school status collide. Will Asuka be able to keep up his gruff exterior or will he shed his testosterone laced façade for happiness with Ryo?

Otomen Volume 2 continues the hijinks of Asuka and gang with plenty of comedy and wackiness to satisfy the usual shōjó reader, techniques of hyperrealism, fantasy and sparkles are splashes across the pages of Kanno’s work. The unique breaking of the fourth wall with readers by posting comments about her work at the end of chapters is something very new and creative. With explanations ranging from story ideas to character details, Otomen is not your typical shōjó manga. New fans to the series will be pleasantly surprise at an easy read this manga is. Cleverly written and funny as hell, this book kept me laughing the whole time as one-liners and situations leave Asuka wondering  what harm is it and letting  a chick take the reins?