Manga min review : Otomen
Well, since I'm kinda bored and have not much else to do (with my break now in motion) I'm going to talk about Otomen.
I've only read the first seven chapters cause that's what's been scanned, but since Viz has liscened it, I'm actually considering buying the rest of it when it comes down under
Anyways, picture/s and summary... (From Bakaupdates)
Asuka is a guy who has likings for girly things like shoujo manga, baking, and sewing. However, his mother forbids him being so and wants him to grow up manly. He starts learning kendo and karate and grows up to be stoic guy. But can he fight the urge of falling in love and hiding his real identity?
I can't recall how I came across this manga, to be honest. I think it was from mangatraders, and I just found the summary funny for some reason *shrugs*
Anyway. First off, one of the few mangas where the shoujo lead is a guy, which I guess is an interesting perspective as far as romance is concerned. And yet, the romance in this story doesn't cross the line to saccharine-ness, and I think it's because of the fact that more than anything else, it's a story of self acceptance
Stories regarding gender roles interest me (part of the appeal Ouran used to have) and in this case, the stoic appearing guy (Asuka) likes things which are considered stereotypically feminine. This probably woudn't have bothered him so much, but because of the situation concerning his parents (his father left them both) his mother asked him to suppress it when he was young. Quite a shame really
It's not until he meets Ryou that that aspect of him starts coming to the surface, and what I like is when his two friends (Ryou and, well, the other guy) see that he likes sewing/other feminine stuff, they're quite accepting of it which I like
Granted his guy friend may have other agendas regarding his feminine-ness, Asuka's now his model for his new manga, unknown to him.
But in any case, I like the fact that Asuka is encouraged by he friends to be who he is, and if the message is 'liking 'girly' stuff doesn't make you any less of a 'man' then I will agree. There is alot of discussion on sexism, but it should be remembered that this particular aspect of sexism :gender stereotyping, harms males just as much as femlaes
One say I hope to have a story where the female lead gets the same treatment
Quick intro to main characters (as of chapter 7, anyway)
Asuka
Letsee..Well, in the eyes of others, he's about as masculine as you can get, tall, cool, handsome, etc. etc and to the guys, someone to emulate (and fear, in some case) But he has a feminine side he's had to suppress for a very long time. His personality is more stoic than anything else, more introspective since he has internal turmoil (though not to the point of being an emo).
Ryou
Considered the 'guy' in Juuta's manga. Her personality isn't that typical to normal heroines (though that may be because she's not the protagonist in this story). It may be that she's also been raised by her 'manly- loving' father (dun dun dun drama for Asuka, lol) , and so finds it kinda difficult to fit in. Would rather watch martial arts than romance (I can relate XD)
She's also trained in martial arts as well. I hope they develop that aspect further. I can't say whether or not she hates romance, she probably doesn't, but is in the 'let's ALL BE BESTEST Frieds!!!' frame of mind. So probably doesn't see Asuka or any guy in the romantic light
Dunno how that's going to pan out for Asuka
Juuta
Asuka's best friend, and unbeknown to him uses Asuka and Ryou for inspiration for his shoujo manga. First appears as a player of sorts, but that was moreso to get Asuka's feelings going (so his manga can continue)
I would dare say that he has a deeper relationship with Asuka at this stage, they remindd me so much of J.D and turk's relationship from 'Scrubs' (though I doubt Asuka would be as willing to sing Guy Love, haha)
He can also be pretty manipulative, controlling situations for his benefit (thankfully, they usually end up benefiting Asuka as well, usually...)
Art
Well, I'm not usually picky about art. I guess it's kinda unique cause most shojo manga I've come across has characters designs where the lines are solid, in this case, its more sketchy. I don't find that a problem personally, though it might not be for everyone
I've only read the first seven chapters cause that's what's been scanned, but since Viz has liscened it, I'm actually considering buying the rest of it when it comes down under
Anyways, picture/s and summary... (From Bakaupdates)
Asuka is a guy who has likings for girly things like shoujo manga, baking, and sewing. However, his mother forbids him being so and wants him to grow up manly. He starts learning kendo and karate and grows up to be stoic guy. But can he fight the urge of falling in love and hiding his real identity?
I can't recall how I came across this manga, to be honest. I think it was from mangatraders, and I just found the summary funny for some reason *shrugs*
Anyway. First off, one of the few mangas where the shoujo lead is a guy, which I guess is an interesting perspective as far as romance is concerned. And yet, the romance in this story doesn't cross the line to saccharine-ness, and I think it's because of the fact that more than anything else, it's a story of self acceptance
Stories regarding gender roles interest me (part of the appeal Ouran used to have) and in this case, the stoic appearing guy (Asuka) likes things which are considered stereotypically feminine. This probably woudn't have bothered him so much, but because of the situation concerning his parents (his father left them both) his mother asked him to suppress it when he was young. Quite a shame really
It's not until he meets Ryou that that aspect of him starts coming to the surface, and what I like is when his two friends (Ryou and, well, the other guy) see that he likes sewing/other feminine stuff, they're quite accepting of it which I like
Granted his guy friend may have other agendas regarding his feminine-ness, Asuka's now his model for his new manga, unknown to him.
But in any case, I like the fact that Asuka is encouraged by he friends to be who he is, and if the message is 'liking 'girly' stuff doesn't make you any less of a 'man' then I will agree. There is alot of discussion on sexism, but it should be remembered that this particular aspect of sexism :gender stereotyping, harms males just as much as femlaes
One say I hope to have a story where the female lead gets the same treatment
Quick intro to main characters (as of chapter 7, anyway)
Asuka
Letsee..Well, in the eyes of others, he's about as masculine as you can get, tall, cool, handsome, etc. etc and to the guys, someone to emulate (and fear, in some case) But he has a feminine side he's had to suppress for a very long time. His personality is more stoic than anything else, more introspective since he has internal turmoil (though not to the point of being an emo).
Ryou
Considered the 'guy' in Juuta's manga. Her personality isn't that typical to normal heroines (though that may be because she's not the protagonist in this story). It may be that she's also been raised by her 'manly- loving' father (dun dun dun drama for Asuka, lol) , and so finds it kinda difficult to fit in. Would rather watch martial arts than romance (I can relate XD)
She's also trained in martial arts as well. I hope they develop that aspect further. I can't say whether or not she hates romance, she probably doesn't, but is in the 'let's ALL BE BESTEST Frieds!!!' frame of mind. So probably doesn't see Asuka or any guy in the romantic light
Dunno how that's going to pan out for Asuka
Juuta
Asuka's best friend, and unbeknown to him uses Asuka and Ryou for inspiration for his shoujo manga. First appears as a player of sorts, but that was moreso to get Asuka's feelings going (so his manga can continue)
I would dare say that he has a deeper relationship with Asuka at this stage, they remindd me so much of J.D and turk's relationship from 'Scrubs' (though I doubt Asuka would be as willing to sing Guy Love, haha)
He can also be pretty manipulative, controlling situations for his benefit (thankfully, they usually end up benefiting Asuka as well, usually...)
Art
Well, I'm not usually picky about art. I guess it's kinda unique cause most shojo manga I've come across has characters designs where the lines are solid, in this case, its more sketchy. I don't find that a problem personally, though it might not be for everyone