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37th out of 460 books
—
841 voters
Otomen, Vol. 1 (Otomen #1)
by
Aya Kanno
Asuka Masamune is a guy who loves girly things - sewing, knitting, making cute stuffed animals and reading shojo comics. But in a world where boys are expected to act manly, Asuka must hide his beloved hobbies and play the part of a masculine jock instead. Ryo Miyakozuka, on the other hand, is a girl who can't sew or bake a cake to save her life. Asuka finds himself drawn...more
Paperback, 208 pages
Published
February 3rd 2009
by VIZ Media LLC
(first published January 19th 2007)
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The idea for this manga was pretty original: a male main character that’s into girly things, but has to hide himself because of it. First of all, I love that the main character is male. You don't get too many shoujo manga told from a male perspective. I like the idea of seeing what he goes through in order to get the girl, rather than the other way around. However, the girl he's after is kind of lame. She's flat as a character, and I thought it was going to be harder for her to accept his girly...more
I liked Aya Kanno's Blank Slate and wanted to try this series. Happily, the library had volume 1. Unfortunately, I could find no other volumes on the shelves - I loved this volume, and definitely plan on reading more. The only issue I can see is that this could end up being a one-note series that gets stale quickly. In this volume, Asuka appears to be the proper manly ideal. What others don't know about him is that he secretly likes girlie things, like handicrafts, cooking, and cute animals. He...more
At first, I found myself wavering between pitying Asuka and being deeply annoyed with him. I wanted to smack him and tell him to stop fussing so much about the fact that he likes stuffed animals. It’s not as if he’s hiding a drug habit! Then I recalled that he is a teenager in a society that demanded men be very tough as well as trying to please an unhappy parent. Suddenly it was easier to understand and sympathize with his plight.
During adolescence, teenagers struggle with a lot of self-esteem...more
During adolescence, teenagers struggle with a lot of self-esteem...more
May 31, 2012
Stargirl (Shoujo and YA Banter/Vocaloid Fanatic)
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
all-time-favorites,
shoujo-manga
I love this series. For a shoujo manga, it's new but can be grouped into the mangas like Hana Kimi or OHSHC. But for me it's the reverse of roles that make this series so gosh darn cute to read. The main character is a guy who on the outside loves kendo (a japanese sport) and is pressured to pursue all things manly from his mother, whose husband walked out on them after he proclaimed he wanted to become a woman. -runs away and leaves the mother horrified her son will become just like him-. I bus...more
A three-star review from me for a shojo series is about as high a mark of approval as I can give, really. I'm notoriously grumpy when it comes to a lot of shojo series, but this one kind of charmed me.
Manga series often seem refreshing for their openness when it comes to playing around with gender roles and this series is especially notable for that. Asuka, who is a martial arts maven, is seen as this cool guy/jock at school, but he remains an aloof, enigmatic man of mystery for the most part...more
Manga series often seem refreshing for their openness when it comes to playing around with gender roles and this series is especially notable for that. Asuka, who is a martial arts maven, is seen as this cool guy/jock at school, but he remains an aloof, enigmatic man of mystery for the most part...more
With a title like this, I keep expecting someone to bust out with a turban. That would be awesome! Not too many stories feature someone super good-looking with a turban. Anyway-
I would be lying if I were to say that this is one of my favorites. Clearly, it is not. Terrible? No, clearly it is not terrible either. I thought that this would be a lovely romance between two people who follow the other's gender stereotype. Well, the second part of that statement is right. With Ryo the way that she is,...more
I would be lying if I were to say that this is one of my favorites. Clearly, it is not. Terrible? No, clearly it is not terrible either. I thought that this would be a lovely romance between two people who follow the other's gender stereotype. Well, the second part of that statement is right. With Ryo the way that she is,...more
This book was so cute! I think I've just found a new favourite manga series. This set up a world which I think I'll fall in love with - the secrets, the hiding, the lies, the different aspects - it all looks wonderful! I love the characters, especially Ryo and Asuka - Asuka is such a darling and I'd love to know someone like him! He's strong, dependable, a great cook - even though he's not manly by definition, he's honestly adorable and I can see why the mangaka drew him like he is! He's good lo...more
1 like · like · see review
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Having recently finished reading Ouran High Host Club, I was in the mood for something else shamelessly silly and fun - Otomen was the perfect find! Asuka is seemingly the epitome of Japanese masculinity - captain of the kendo club and a judo champion as well as having a stellar academic record - however, he hides his true "otomen" nature from the world. In reality, Asuka loves romantic and cute things, home-making duties and shoujo manga! Asuka is forced to hide his true nature as his mother's...more
Cooking, sewing, cute accessories, cakes, and girls' comics.
Asuka Masamune is a guy who loves all of that. No, he actually is still a guy like most of guys --well, generally.
But he is an 'otomen'. Otomen --an acronym of 'otome' (=girl) and 'men'-- is a male who enjoys doing things that are stereotyped as girl's things as their hobbies.
Due to a shocking memory his mother had when his dad said "I want to be a woman" and left the house, Asuka's mother hates otomen and put a pressure to her son that...more
Asuka Masamune is a guy who loves all of that. No, he actually is still a guy like most of guys --well, generally.
But he is an 'otomen'. Otomen --an acronym of 'otome' (=girl) and 'men'-- is a male who enjoys doing things that are stereotyped as girl's things as their hobbies.
Due to a shocking memory his mother had when his dad said "I want to be a woman" and left the house, Asuka's mother hates otomen and put a pressure to her son that...more
While it's not going to replace Fruits Basket as my favorite shojo, I loved this light comedy about a straight high school boy struggling to hide his love of cooking, sewing, shojo, and all things kawaii by putting on a kendo-practicing mask of machoness. Asuka kicks butt and makes bento lunches with equal ease, but events in his past cause him to fear his "girly" side will be discovered and result in social ostracism. This fear only worsens when he finds out that his new love interest looks up...more
High school student, Asuka, is a man's man except that he has a secret: he actually really likes girly things like sewing, cooking, and *gasp* shoujo manga.
While exploring traditional gender roles is nothing new in manga, I wasn't sure where Otomen fit in. It seemed to be trying too hard to be taken seriously, there being a lot of parody elements reminiscent of other parody manga such as Ouran High School Host Club. Yet, there are times in this series where the parody drops away and we really d...more
While exploring traditional gender roles is nothing new in manga, I wasn't sure where Otomen fit in. It seemed to be trying too hard to be taken seriously, there being a lot of parody elements reminiscent of other parody manga such as Ouran High School Host Club. Yet, there are times in this series where the parody drops away and we really d...more
Oct 07, 2012
Kereesa
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans of OHC
Recommended to Kereesa by:
Zabbichu
Shelves:
2012,
friendship,
grrl-power,
manga,
manga-english,
manga-shojo,
own,
teenage-romance,
young-adult,
own-softcovers,
own-manga
A cute start to a series that plays around with notions of gender, stereotypes, and our all-time favorite motto:
BE YOURSELF :D!
But in all seriousness, this was pretty good. Funny, light-hearted, and definitely has the potential to be something good. I'd like to see some more character development for Ryo, in particular, because she's so 2-dimensional most of the time, while both the main guys (Asuka and Juta) are give much more character-psychology space. Asuka's dilemma is a bit hilarious, but...more
BE YOURSELF :D!
But in all seriousness, this was pretty good. Funny, light-hearted, and definitely has the potential to be something good. I'd like to see some more character development for Ryo, in particular, because she's so 2-dimensional most of the time, while both the main guys (Asuka and Juta) are give much more character-psychology space. Asuka's dilemma is a bit hilarious, but...more
I really this manga. It has beautiful art. I know it may seem a bit shallow, but when factoring how much I like a series, the art is a pretty high factor. But I like that's from the point of view of the male character. Out of the shojos that I've read, I haven't seen one from the POV of the male.
I really liked Asuka. (view spoiler)...more
I really liked Asuka. (view spoiler)...more
I thought I would hate this book, but I actually found it pretty delightful. It is the first manga book I've finished/read in the correct direction lol (thank you Allison!), so it took some getting used to.
Format: Apparently the characters change colors in eyes and hair based on mood? I found it pretty difficult to tell them apart sometimes. For some reason we also see them shrink when they are angry/exacerbated and they look like furious dolls. It's pretty cute lol. Different bubble types seem...more
Format: Apparently the characters change colors in eyes and hair based on mood? I found it pretty difficult to tell them apart sometimes. For some reason we also see them shrink when they are angry/exacerbated and they look like furious dolls. It's pretty cute lol. Different bubble types seem...more
This was a good start to a new series! This series addressed a strange, unique but interesting concept. Usually I don't like reading shojo manga because its very played out and you know what's going to happen. Otomen is a little different in this sense.
I've never read a manga where there was a man that like the types of activities that are considered feminine (to most people). He has some manly activities as well.The main character, Asuka likes a girl named Ryo but is afraid to show his feminin...more
I've never read a manga where there was a man that like the types of activities that are considered feminine (to most people). He has some manly activities as well.The main character, Asuka likes a girl named Ryo but is afraid to show his feminin...more
Why do I always seem to most enjoy the books where the girls are rather inept at being girls?
In any case, not only is Asuka bad at cooking and sewing, but her love interest Ryo is boy who is very, very good at those things. Ryo is trying so hard to cover up his girly tendencies to impress Asuka's dad and protect his mother who is still hurting from his dad's separation to pursue being a woman. It is funny, sweet, and deals with issues of gender and embracing who you really are. Ryo's love of ri...more
In any case, not only is Asuka bad at cooking and sewing, but her love interest Ryo is boy who is very, very good at those things. Ryo is trying so hard to cover up his girly tendencies to impress Asuka's dad and protect his mother who is still hurting from his dad's separation to pursue being a woman. It is funny, sweet, and deals with issues of gender and embracing who you really are. Ryo's love of ri...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I'll give this 3-1/2 stars. I really like the artwork, lots of facial expression, clean pages, pretty boys. lol And, the story is an interesting twist on the typical gender-bender trope. Asuka, the guy with the feminine side, is quite masculine, too. He doesn't act "girly" in a stupid way. The "tough" girl, looks and acts like any other teen girl. She has moments where she appears clueless, combined with having real insight into the human heart.
My only concern is that too many of the main plot c...more
My only concern is that too many of the main plot c...more
2 likes · like · see review
This is a very simple, light, and pretty fluffy romance, but it wins points for its characters. Asuka is a tough and stoic jock at school, but he secretly loves cooking, crafts, and shojo manga. I really liked seeing a male character interested in stereotypically feminine hobbies, without the narrative painting him as weak for it. I also liked that his love interest is a tomboy (in an aside, the author says that she wrote Ryo to act more like the typical shojo romance boy). I loved how casually...more
This manga was just randomly thrown at me by a friend, and now I can't stop thinking about getting the second book.
Asuka Masamune is a really manly boy-sike! He actually has girlish hobbies, like cooking, sewing, and reading shojo comics (love comics). But he lives in a world where otomen (boys like Asuka) are not accepted. He hides his real self pretty well-until he meets a girl named Ryo. Then his girlish self rips itself free, bit by bit.
This manga is really quite hilarious, and sometimes mak...more
Asuka Masamune is a really manly boy-sike! He actually has girlish hobbies, like cooking, sewing, and reading shojo comics (love comics). But he lives in a world where otomen (boys like Asuka) are not accepted. He hides his real self pretty well-until he meets a girl named Ryo. Then his girlish self rips itself free, bit by bit.
This manga is really quite hilarious, and sometimes mak...more
Genderbending and queerness is never far away in manga, but to show a boy who enjoys things typically considered soft and female in a non-derogative way is rare. I really like this series, I bought the five first volumes over less than a week from my local manga dealer because I really wanted to know what happened next. I got instantly hooked on this one.
Myself, I enjoy knitting, crocheting and lots of other creative hobbies, but as a feminist I've denied myself the pleasures of them for severa...more
Myself, I enjoy knitting, crocheting and lots of other creative hobbies, but as a feminist I've denied myself the pleasures of them for severa...more
Otomen is a refreshing take on romance manga, being from the point of view of a secretly girly high school jock, Asuka, who falls for tomboy, Ryo, both of whom are unknowingly models for secret shojo mangaka, Juta, who helps push their relationship to further his story. It's not quite as gushy as romance mangas tend to get and more focuses on the conflicted feelings of Asuka to hide his dominating feminine mentality for the sake of social acceptance and the approval of both his mother and Ryo's...more
Asuka is the epitome of manliness. Not only is he captain of the Kendo team, he is also the best in Judo and he has the highest grades in school. He is quiet and all of the girls want him, which makes all the guys want to be him. However, what they don't know is that deep inside, hidden away from everyone, is an Otomen: a man who likes lovely things. When Asuka is not around a girl he likes, he's fine, but, when he met Ryou, he lost all restraint and is cannot help but cook, sew, read Shojo Mang...more
OTOMAN: Uomo dotato di un cuore sensibile e romantico a cui piacciono le cose pucciose, carine e sbrilluccinanti nonchè tutte le basilari attività normalmente riservate alle fanciulle come cucire, cucinare e leggere gli shojo manga senza per questo perdere la propria mascolinità a dispetto di tare genetiche piuttosto spaventose e inquietanti
Con queste premesse cominciano le avventure di ASUKA il quale, ricordiamolo, in Giappone è un nome bisex: otoman nello spirito, ha dovuto rinunciare quasi to...more
Con queste premesse cominciano le avventure di ASUKA il quale, ricordiamolo, in Giappone è un nome bisex: otoman nello spirito, ha dovuto rinunciare quasi to...more
"Otomen: A male who has feminine hobbies and skills and a feminine way of thinking. A girlish guy."
This is a pretty interesting shojo manga. The main character is Asuka, a 2nd year high school guy...usually it's a girl or a "couple." He's a straight guy w/really "feminine" interests...sewing, cooking, reading shojo manga, etc. He has had to hide these interests from the world because of trauma in his past. His father left his mother to become a woman. Therefore, when his mother saw him crafting...more
This is a pretty interesting shojo manga. The main character is Asuka, a 2nd year high school guy...usually it's a girl or a "couple." He's a straight guy w/really "feminine" interests...sewing, cooking, reading shojo manga, etc. He has had to hide these interests from the world because of trauma in his past. His father left his mother to become a woman. Therefore, when his mother saw him crafting...more
Shojo fluff about a manly martial arts master high school boy who has to hide the fact that he loves super girly hobbies the best, like sewing plushies, doing horoscopes and cooking XD
Luckily, altho the premise of the series is one of role reversal so it assumes that things like cooking are 'girly' rather than just hobbies in general, all of the actual girls in the book are presented as pretty normal girls: they can't necessarily cook or sew, and don't necessarily like shojo manga. The stereoty...more
Luckily, altho the premise of the series is one of role reversal so it assumes that things like cooking are 'girly' rather than just hobbies in general, all of the actual girls in the book are presented as pretty normal girls: they can't necessarily cook or sew, and don't necessarily like shojo manga. The stereoty...more
Aya Kanno's Otomen volume 1 features Asuka Masamune, known at school as the stoic, cool captain at the school kendo club (also #1 in the country), also highly skilled in judo and karate. What he doesn't let people know and has been fighting most of his life is his love of fluffy, cute, and sparkly things, shojo manga, and cooking and sewing. Due to an event in his past which is presented as both sad and hilarious, his mother demanded that he be "manly," and so he has been. Until he falls in love...more
Suka banget >_<
cari istri memang harus kayak si Asuka ini *grin*
Perkenalkan, Asuka Masamune, juara nasional kendo yang cool dan diakui sebagai ’pria sejati’. Tipikal tokoh pangeran di komik cewek biasa? Pastinya nggak.
Ada yang disembunyikan Asuka. Ia memiliki sisi feminim dan lembut. Kesukaannya benda-benda manis dan berkilauan. Ia juga piawai dalam menjahit serta memasak. Yang tahu hal itu cuma Yuta Tachibana. Tanpa disadari olehnya, Tachibana menjadikan Asuka sebagai model heroine untuk...more
cari istri memang harus kayak si Asuka ini *grin*
Perkenalkan, Asuka Masamune, juara nasional kendo yang cool dan diakui sebagai ’pria sejati’. Tipikal tokoh pangeran di komik cewek biasa? Pastinya nggak.
Ada yang disembunyikan Asuka. Ia memiliki sisi feminim dan lembut. Kesukaannya benda-benda manis dan berkilauan. Ia juga piawai dalam menjahit serta memasak. Yang tahu hal itu cuma Yuta Tachibana. Tanpa disadari olehnya, Tachibana menjadikan Asuka sebagai model heroine untuk...more
The original full review was published in Animonster. This review has been edited and abridged.
Kanno Aya, yang karyanya Kokoro ni Hana o!! telah diterbitkan di sini dengan judul Heart Blossoms, kembali dengan sebuah serial baru, Otomen. Dalam serial ini, Kanno kembali menggarap genre drama-komedi yang sempat ditinggalkannya untuk menggarap sejumlah manga mengenai Shinsengumi dan Akusaga (Blank Slate) yang kelam dan keras. Hasilnya adalah serial yang kocak dan segar.
Judul Otomen adalah pelesetan...more
Kanno Aya, yang karyanya Kokoro ni Hana o!! telah diterbitkan di sini dengan judul Heart Blossoms, kembali dengan sebuah serial baru, Otomen. Dalam serial ini, Kanno kembali menggarap genre drama-komedi yang sempat ditinggalkannya untuk menggarap sejumlah manga mengenai Shinsengumi dan Akusaga (Blank Slate) yang kelam dan keras. Hasilnya adalah serial yang kocak dan segar.
Judul Otomen adalah pelesetan...more
A friend gave me a brief description on the story and strongly recommended this to me. Her description: a boy who likes sweets and cute stuff but has hide his interests and learn martial arts to put up the show of a manly strong guy <- it reminded me of Hani-kun from Ouran High School Host Club... However Hani-kun is just cute like a little kid or like a furry little animal. The guy in Otomen is cute but also makes you sympathize/connect with him because of his maiden like heart. A very fun r...more
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See also 菅野 文.
Aya Kanno is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She is the former assistant of mangaka Masashi Asaki of Psychometrer Eiji fame. Her debut was in the January 2001 issue of Hana to Yume with Soul Rescue. Thus far, her work has only been serialized in Hakusensha's shōjo manga anthologies: Hana to Yume, The Hana to Yume, Hana to Yume Plus, and now primarily in Bessatsu Hana to Yume, in which...more
More about Aya Kanno...
Aya Kanno is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She is the former assistant of mangaka Masashi Asaki of Psychometrer Eiji fame. Her debut was in the January 2001 issue of Hana to Yume with Soul Rescue. Thus far, her work has only been serialized in Hakusensha's shōjo manga anthologies: Hana to Yume, The Hana to Yume, Hana to Yume Plus, and now primarily in Bessatsu Hana to Yume, in which...more
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