Title: Otomen Vol 3
Author: Aya Kanno
Publisher: Viz
ISBN: 9781421524726
May Contain Spoilers
Otomen continues to deliver a charmingly amusing tale about a strapping young man who has very girly tendencies. Asuka is a kendo champion and a leader of men, but he would rather be sewing together a cute stuffed animal or testing out a new recipe in the kitchen. Ever since his father abandoned the family to express his inner woman, Asuka has been under intense pressure to tamp down his feminine traits and be a man among men. With his humiliated mother to think of, he tries to reject his fondness for the cute and the frilly. Will he be able to deny the fact that he’s a raging otomen?
Nope, not a chance. I love Asuka! He is noble and righteous and has an ability to win over even the most ardent of skeptics. This guy is so caring and sweet that everyone falls under his spell. He is very careful to portray an image of stalwart masculinity, but he just can’t keep his softer side from taking control. He is crazy about Ryo, a fierce tomboy, but he’s too bashful to let her know how he feels. Instead, he expresses his affection by making her scrumptious lunches and basically being at her beck and call. The more he cares about her, the more his feminine side comes through.
The episodic chapters are all very silly, with Asuka proving that he is a more gentle and nurturing man than any female. When confronted with a jealous young boy, Asuka is so intent on being the perfect role model that he initially encounters only failure and rejection from Gen. This was a fun chapter because Gen is scornful when Asuka agrees to help Ryo out at a daycare, claiming that only women take care of kids. When Asuka sets out to act strong and manly, he fails to earn the admiration that he’s hoping for. However, as soon as his girly side shines through, all of the kids are enthralled with him.
Much of my enjoyment with the series comes from Asuka’s inner battle to keep his inner girl in check. On the outside, he is all man, but on the inside, he longs for sweets, shoujo manga, and romantic rides on the Love Love Cup. His facial expressions and gentle blushes are adorable as he struggles to be the perfect guy. The problem for Asuka is that he is the perfect girl, and it would kill his mother to find that out. Aya Kanno puts her hero through some very amusing paces as he tries to live up to his mother’s expectations of him, but he also can’t help but be true to himself. The series always invokes a chuckle because it is so much fun.
Grade: B+
