Tokyo Alien Bros., Vol. 2

トーキョーエイリアンブラザーズ [Tōkyō Alien Brothers] #2

by Keigo Shinzō

After a series of unfortunate mishaps, Fuyunosuke and Natsutaro are on the brink of being discovered. Now the two need to learn how to act as human as possible, and fast! Thankfully, Fuyunosuke has a plan. He’s going to teach his bro how to hold down a normal job and go on a normal date. But the clock is ticking. If he fails, they’ll both be exposed to the entire planet!

Genres: Manga, Comics, Science Fiction, Slice Of Life, Graphic Novels, Japan, Comics Manga

208 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2016

About the author

See also: 真造圭伍

Reviews

[cori]

“I still don’t really understand love, but being forgotten… is sad, isn’t it?”

[Ibbo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molto bella la piega che la storia prende in questo secondo volume

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying the subtle humor and the quiet heart that permeates this series. Something so wholesome about watching these otherworldly brothers navigate our reality.

[Leila ✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este fue el mejor de los 3 volúmenes por el simple hecho de que tuvo (una pizca de) romance.

3 de 5 estrellas.

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second volume of two alien brothers living in Tokyo continues right where the first ends. Natsutarom the hapless new brother has caused havoc by colliding with a truck and surviving, and Fuyunosuke, the one who has lived on earth longer, is given a tall order by their bosses on another planet: Natsutaro must find a proper job and a human mate, or the aliens will take over the earth. Easier said than done, when Natsutaro's overwhelmed by his surroundings and definitely can't pass as a human.

But Natsutaro surprises Fuyunosuke by getting a job at a small candy store. He's a success among most customers, but one girl is convinced he's an alien. It doesn't help when she sees Natsutaro melting from heat. She organises an alient watch so they can bust him. That storyline ends at a great reveal, but nothing happens. The chapter ends witout revealing why the humans don't act. Do the brothers alter their memories?

Getting a girlfriend is more complicated, especially since Natsutaro has no idea what it involves. Things are done differently on their planet. New set of clothes seems to be needed, for one. Not being a jerk helps too. But things really get complicated when a girl who used to like Fuyunosuke now likes Natsutaro instead. The romance doesn't exactly go as planned, but the volume ends before we learn whether aliens will now invade earth or not.

This was a better volume than the first. Fuyunosuke was less of a jerk and Natsutaro really made an effort to blend in, even if it didn't exactly work. This was mostly his volume, and I'm interested in finding out where their story leads next. I still didn't like the art, but it suits the story.

I received a free copy from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

[riley ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

'So this fashion style is lame from a human standpoint?!’ ‘It’s lame from any standpoint!’ This volume is even funnier than the previous one, if you ask me. I love the big bro, like he honestly feels more human than his little brother. ‘I still don’t really understand love, but being forgotten is sad, isn’t it?’ It was a beautiful ending line of vol 2.

[Xirimoya · Rating 4 out of 5]

keigo shinzo eres perfecto

[kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

more like 3 1/2 … jealous is real … alive and well

[Eu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and VIZ Media for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tokyo Alien Bros. by Keigo Shinzō is a comedy sci-fi manga for mature audiences (it contains some depictions of explicit content). While the premise it explores--space aliens are among us scoping out Earth for future invasion--can go in many directions, the delivery here definitely embraces the weird. Fuyunosuke and Natsutaro Tanaka are alien brothers attempting to assimilate into contemporary Japanese society. Fuyunosuke is the competent, suave player, Natsutaro is the lame loser, but neither really knows what they're doing--the devil is in the details, so to speak. In Volume 2, their mission is clarified from the bumbling escapades of Volume 1: if Natsutaro can get a job and a human girlfriend, the invasion is a go. The catch--Natsutaro is a walking disaster, as evidenced by the end of Volume 1.

Some things to note about this series: it is definitely on the 'pure entertainment' side of the manga spectrum, and readers should be prepared for some male gazey ecchi/mature content. However, I do prefer this to other depictions of similar content because the fanservice is overlaid with a tone of curiosity (to a degree--this is still a story aimed primarily at cishet men). These bros genuinely do not know what it means to be human, so their quirks and questions, by extension, bring what we consider mundane and boring into a new light, somewhat like the 'Nacirema' perspective of anthropology/sociology research, but taken less seriously. I did also appreciate that this volume had more focus, explaining Natsutaro's point of view as he struggles to understand and assimilate more than his brother does. But if he can figure it out, why can't we? Overall, this manga is silly, kind of dumb and weird, but fun.

Readers may also enjoy: Men in Black (1997), Dandadan by Yukinobu Tatsu, Hirayasumi by Keigo Shinzō, The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney, Chainsaw Man by Tatsuki Fujimoto, Todai Revengers by Ken Wakui and Shinpei Funatsu, and Saint Young Men by Hikaru Nakamura.

[Cami · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I find this manga just OK, I am determined to finish it. This is largely because there are only three volumes involved, so it won't take much time for me to get to the end and compile all of my thoughts. Additionally, there is still a chance that my impression of the series will improve if the finale is strong and satisfying enough. If this were a longer series, one with ten or more volumes, then I would probably hesitate to commit to reading more.

As things stand, I'm curious to know where the author is going with these characters. Having aliens as protagonists is fun and quirky, but I can't follow how they feel about colonizing Earth. I hope that neither one will go through with the plan, but I honestly don't know if this is the kind of story that will treat the topic of colonization critically. It seems to be more of a gag than anything else, although I remain somewhat optimistic, since there have been a couple of scenes in "Tokyo Alien Bros" that remind me of "Hirayasumi" in the way that they emphasize interpersonal connections, kindness, and humanity.

The main draw of this series for me at at the moment is the art style and being able to compare "Hirayasumi" (which I adore) with some of Keigo Shinzo's other work. Other than that, I'm accumulating things I dislike, such as the heteronormativity. I want deeper explorations of how the aliens are different from humans, rather than more jokes and assumptions about cultural norms on Earth. Why are the aliens straight? Why do their genders correspond to human males? What are their lives on their home planet like, and what do they actually want to get out of being on Earth? Hopefully the final volume will answer some of these questions.

[The Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true conditions for the alien invasion have been set. Natsutaro must get a job and a mate girlfriend without prior knowledge of these conditions. And of course, without revealing that he’s an alien.

Just… this one is so cute because you got Natsutaro making friends with some kids (which feels on brand for his awkward character) but Fuyunosuke getting jealous was a nice surprise (even if he won’t admit it).

Also, the scene at the love hotel was very tastefully done. Normally these scenes are only about sex and bad decisions, buy this one did such a good job at remembering character motivation.

[Casey Halvorsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley and Viz Media for this arc!

4/5 stars

This was a silly and emotional next volume in this series, where two alien brothers are trying to navigate the up's and downs of human life, all to decide if and when their species can come and begin infiltrating earth. These brothers are so different from each other, it's an interesting character study to see how these two personality types deal with similar situations. Intriguing enough I'll keep with this series, at least for the next few volumes to see how it progresses

[Samuele Sposito · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un secondo volume divertente e che riflette di più, rispetto al primo, sui sentimenti umani, quali l’amore e la gelosia, i capitoli su di essi sono davvero belli, mentre i primi due un po’ meno.

Molto belle alcune pagine e dialoghi, l’ultimo ha una carica emotiva notevole.

Un volume che se fosse stato tutto sul livello degli ultimi 4 capitoli e non avesse avuto i primi due sarebbe stato meglio del suo precedessore, mentre così si attesta sul:

3.5

[asv:n · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad but not good, vol 2

tho I like the character development both the bros are getting. I like big bro, tho he's dumb and clueless, he's actually trying his best to figure out everything. and lil bro, fu*k u-

[petit · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5

[Ghostcat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one as much as the previous, the story unfolds itself at a good pace, it has beautiful ideas and themes and a lot of humour, what a delightful read.

[Pau · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐
fun as always but going a bit deeper on the meanings of being human i feel like?

[Cecilia Blake · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 🌟

[néïs (0_0)3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

plus réussi et touchant que le premier tome !!! hâte de lire la suite

[Nastasia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Federico · Rating 4 out of 5]

[Tokyo Alien Bros, Volume 2 - Keigo Shinzō → ☆☆☆.75]

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

j'adore l'atmosphère

[Dan P · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mortifying ordeal of being known! It's got nothing on the mortifying ordeal of being a space a space alien! I would be really annoying working in manga marketing

[Latifah S Ningrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most pensive thing when reading this volume is the part where Natsu says the saddest thing for us is when we are forgotten.

[Alberto · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

[em · Rating 4 out of 5]

not as swift as the first volume, but still just as cute!! a great story that i’m really into, it just sucks that it’s new & i have to wait 6+ months in between each volume :(

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75☆

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

tiger man couldn’t handle the freak 😭

[Noelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun volume, but it ends on a heart-wrenching note. I feel bad for these guys—humanity is hard to understand!

[Brice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Le premier tome était étrange mais celui-là est plus touchant. Voyons voir la suite.