Otomen
Aya Kanno, . . Viz, $8.99 (0pp) ISBN 978-1-4215-2186-2
An “otomen” as defined by this book is “[a] male who has feminine hobbies, skills, or way of thinking.” Asuka, the title otomen of this well-drawn comedy, secretly reads shojo manga, makes stuffed animals and prefers caramel macchiatos to coffee. Forbidden by his mother from girlish behavior after his transvestite father abandoned the family, Asuka takes on a very masculine public character. He is nationally ranked at judo, karate and kendo. Asuka’s tragedy is somehow hilarious. He falls for Ryo, the nongirly daughter of a manly martial arts instructor who finds Asuka unacceptable as a friend, let alone a potential suitor: “Men don’t go in the kitchen!” he bellows. The strange deus ex machina character Junta acts as a catalyst to bring Asuka and Ryo together while enjoying Asuka’s elaborate
Reviewed on: 11/17/2008
Genre: Fiction