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Otomen #8
Otomen 8: Turbulenter Shojo-Manga über das Verliebtsein und Erwachsenwerden
Das Unfassbare geschieht: Als Ryous Großvater krank wird, beschließt sie nach Fukuoka zu ziehen, um ihn zu pflegen! Doch was wird jetzt aus ihrer Beziehung zu Asuka? Wird ihre Liebe an dieser weiten Entfernung zerbrechen...?
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 24, 2009
About the author
Aya Kanno
62 books201 followersAya Kanno (菅野文; Kanno Aya) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist.
Former assistant of mangaka Masashi Asaki of Psychometrer Eiji fame, she made her debut in the January 2001 issue of Hakusensha's magazine "Hana to Yume" with Soul Rescue. Her works include Otomen.
Former assistant of mangaka Masashi Asaki of Psychometrer Eiji fame, she made her debut in the January 2001 issue of Hakusensha's magazine "Hana to Yume" with Soul Rescue. Her works include Otomen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 16, 2018
This starts of so sad, with Ryo getting ready to move. I love how each of the guys say farewell! BUt poor Asuka...my heart broke for him the most. And when he goes after her and meets her grandfather.... The fake antics Ryo and he do to cover him being an otomen....and then the truth that is revealed.... I loved it. Cute volume! Still I want to see better how Ryo feels for him. I still cannot come to feel much for or from her. But when they get back to school they have to face some new adversaries who want change. Or is it a lack of change and acceptance?
September 4, 2018
🌸SYNOPSIS
Oh dear, Ryo is transferring due to her grandfather’s poor health and her wanting to make sure he is okay compels her. What about Asuka? Will he say goodbye to Ryo forever? Or will a new ally, in an unlikely form, will be made?
So, they make sure she has a good time before leaving. While this is happening, Hajime is faced with a challenge that will help define himself as a make-up artist. Will he be able to rise to this challenge? Or will he fall into despair and leaves his brushes, and dreams, behind?
That’s not all, a huge change is on the horizon that targets Otomen! What will Asuka and his friends do? Will they really have to give up their loves and themselves just to be able to survive? Read to find out
🌸OPINION
I love the direction of the manga and how it is now pushing characters to choosing between being static or dynamic whether it’s for the love of their hobbies or pursuing the love they have another character.
The enjoyable part or theme of this manga is how each character is trying to draw out beauty in their hobbies and skills while reminding everyone that it doesn’t matter who you are, you can be yourself even if others are against it. I really love reading about this while having to deal with challenges that tries to smother that. I honestly love how much cuter that all the details are getting.
🌸PRO
Now we are having leaps and jumps in the progress in story, I felt that was a bit overdue.
Progress between characters
🌸CON
A part of the story that kind of enrages me because it’s quite unfair
🌸FINAL SAY
“In this world any woman can become beautiful”
I adore how Hajime feels that this is true cause it is. Every woman and man can be beautiful, especially when true to themselves. Considering how this manga is heading in the direction where they are being forced into an ideal that doesn’t really work for a lot of people.
Oh dear, Ryo is transferring due to her grandfather’s poor health and her wanting to make sure he is okay compels her. What about Asuka? Will he say goodbye to Ryo forever? Or will a new ally, in an unlikely form, will be made?
So, they make sure she has a good time before leaving. While this is happening, Hajime is faced with a challenge that will help define himself as a make-up artist. Will he be able to rise to this challenge? Or will he fall into despair and leaves his brushes, and dreams, behind?
That’s not all, a huge change is on the horizon that targets Otomen! What will Asuka and his friends do? Will they really have to give up their loves and themselves just to be able to survive? Read to find out
🌸OPINION
I love the direction of the manga and how it is now pushing characters to choosing between being static or dynamic whether it’s for the love of their hobbies or pursuing the love they have another character.
The enjoyable part or theme of this manga is how each character is trying to draw out beauty in their hobbies and skills while reminding everyone that it doesn’t matter who you are, you can be yourself even if others are against it. I really love reading about this while having to deal with challenges that tries to smother that. I honestly love how much cuter that all the details are getting.
🌸PRO
Now we are having leaps and jumps in the progress in story, I felt that was a bit overdue.
Progress between characters
🌸CON
A part of the story that kind of enrages me because it’s quite unfair
🌸FINAL SAY
“In this world any woman can become beautiful”
I adore how Hajime feels that this is true cause it is. Every woman and man can be beautiful, especially when true to themselves. Considering how this manga is heading in the direction where they are being forced into an ideal that doesn’t really work for a lot of people.
February 27, 2023
So. As we all know. Not only is the strict nazi conversion therapy camp thing in the school not just about changing people and making them adhere to ideals, but the main event and the main target and point of the thing is to punish people, to hurt them, and make them examples.
A great dialogue from the story indicates this:
“I don’t care how manly you seem on the outside. I know your true self” indicating he knows that even though right now he is doing everything right, he knows this boy used to be feminine and most likely still is feminine despite succeeding being masculine now and “reformed” and “manly” he hates that deep inside, this boy still probably secretly likes feminine things.
It’s not enough to act how they want you to act. They hate you for who you are and will punish you for it even if you jump through every hoop.
Kids turn on each other. There is so much paranoia and people worry about what is manly or feminine enough to not be in trouble and they point out arbitrary things that could indicate someone is too girly or masculine.
People are punished not just for actions but for who they are. This is an excellent and realistic depiction of fear and hate spreading.
We got out core team that sticks together of course. Such a great queer narrative.
A great dialogue from the story indicates this:
“I don’t care how manly you seem on the outside. I know your true self” indicating he knows that even though right now he is doing everything right, he knows this boy used to be feminine and most likely still is feminine despite succeeding being masculine now and “reformed” and “manly” he hates that deep inside, this boy still probably secretly likes feminine things.
It’s not enough to act how they want you to act. They hate you for who you are and will punish you for it even if you jump through every hoop.
Kids turn on each other. There is so much paranoia and people worry about what is manly or feminine enough to not be in trouble and they point out arbitrary things that could indicate someone is too girly or masculine.
People are punished not just for actions but for who they are. This is an excellent and realistic depiction of fear and hate spreading.
We got out core team that sticks together of course. Such a great queer narrative.
July 29, 2016
Something about this series, that's cute, adorable, fun to read and just...don't know what else to say really. This is becoming my new favorite series.
January 18, 2016
I loved this volume. There are a few twists in this installment that keep the manga fresh. As always, super cute.
May 29, 2017
Today's post is on Otomen volume 8 by Aya Kanno. It is the eighth in her Otomen series. It is 200 pages long and is publishes by Shojo Beat. As this is the eighth volume in this series, you need to have read the first seven volumes to understand the story. The cover a dark blue has Asuka holding a very cute bento and is looking at the reader. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga, humor, and love stories. There is no foul language, no sex, and very mild violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main character with moments of the other characters added in for plot development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.
From the back of the book- Ryo's grandfather becomes ill, so she decides to move to Fukuoka to take care of him. With Ryo transferring schools, does this mean that Asuka will have to bid farewell to his love…forever?
Review- So Ryo is moving because her grandfather is not well and she wants to take care of him. Everyone wants to spends time with her before she is goes. After a bear scares them, Ryo tells Asuka that she loves him too. But it turns out that her grandfather is a secret otomen and discovers that Asuka is one too. Ryo and her grandfather move back and our two lovers are back together again. Then we have story about Hajime maybe finding love himself. Then Asuka's mother comes back to make everyone fit into traditional Japanese gender roles. Of course Asuka is worried about how this is going to work out and his mother really is going overboard because if the teachers and students do not follow the new rules they are out of the school. More cuteness and self-acceptance ahead!
I give this volume a Five out Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.
From the back of the book- Ryo's grandfather becomes ill, so she decides to move to Fukuoka to take care of him. With Ryo transferring schools, does this mean that Asuka will have to bid farewell to his love…forever?
Review- So Ryo is moving because her grandfather is not well and she wants to take care of him. Everyone wants to spends time with her before she is goes. After a bear scares them, Ryo tells Asuka that she loves him too. But it turns out that her grandfather is a secret otomen and discovers that Asuka is one too. Ryo and her grandfather move back and our two lovers are back together again. Then we have story about Hajime maybe finding love himself. Then Asuka's mother comes back to make everyone fit into traditional Japanese gender roles. Of course Asuka is worried about how this is going to work out and his mother really is going overboard because if the teachers and students do not follow the new rules they are out of the school. More cuteness and self-acceptance ahead!
I give this volume a Five out Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.
February 7, 2019
One complication solved, more blossom. Ryo seems like she's barely gone than things resolve all the way back around again. Life is...much the same? Still no real character development.
Asuka's mom though is evil. New plot blossoms at the end of the book (is that surprising) and gets a little more ridiculous. I'm actually getting a little impatient with this series at this point though I'm committed to the end by now.
Asuka's mom though is evil. New plot blossoms at the end of the book (is that surprising) and gets a little more ridiculous. I'm actually getting a little impatient with this series at this point though I'm committed to the end by now.
June 16, 2024
Asuka goes to visit Ryo and finds out her grandfather is also an Otomen. He manages to bring both back to Tokyo,where his mother has taken over the school and tries to implement rules that will make boys and girls behave in accordance with the traditional Japanese principles. The one enforcing those rules is Asuka’s cousin,Kasuga.
June 27, 2020
Ryo transfers to a new school without Asuka and all her friends. Hajime helps a girl learn how to apply makeup without looking gaudy. She's really learning about makeup to help her grandma out on a date, but fate stops her and Hajime has to step in and do her grandmothers makeup.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2026
Lots of fun!
The Ryo transfers away story arc wrapped up in the expected way, but with a hilarious twist! It would seem that otomen are just creeping out of the corners,much to the vexation of Asuka’s mother. Now she’s got some changes in mind…
The Ryo transfers away story arc wrapped up in the expected way, but with a hilarious twist! It would seem that otomen are just creeping out of the corners,much to the vexation of Asuka’s mother. Now she’s got some changes in mind…
Read
November 8, 2021Ryo’s grandpa is cute, Asuka’s mom still sucks.
April 8, 2020
Cette critique fait partie d'un défi personnel: d’améliorer mon français!
Le premier chapitre de ce volume continue là où le volume 7 s'est arrêté - Ryo s'en va! Alors tout le gang planifie des cadeaux d'adieu et des surprises pour elle avant son départ. Le deuxième chapitre est une histoire courte sur Hajime, qui donne des conseils de maquillage à un débutant en ligne. Ceci est suivi de l'histoire d'Asuka qui visite Ryo et son grand-père (qui a une visage très effrayant).
Ce livre se termine avec la mère d'Asuka qui a découverte le concept d'Otomen.
Elle initie ensuite de nouvelles règles et recrute de nouveaux enseignants à l'école d'Asuka pour assurer une éducation virile et strict. Comment est-ce qu’Asuka va survivre ce régime?
*** #10 de mon 2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - "A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman" ***
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Note moyenne de la série: 4.1/5
Critiques pour le reste de la série:
Tome 1 | Tome 2 | Tome 3 | Tome 4 | Tome 5 | Tome 6 | Tome 7 | Tome 8 | Tome 9 | Tome 10 | Tome 11 | Tome 12 | Tome 13 | Tome 14 | Tome 15 | Tome 16 | Tome 17 | Tome 18
Le premier chapitre de ce volume continue là où le volume 7 s'est arrêté - Ryo s'en va! Alors tout le gang planifie des cadeaux d'adieu et des surprises pour elle avant son départ. Le deuxième chapitre est une histoire courte sur Hajime, qui donne des conseils de maquillage à un débutant en ligne. Ceci est suivi de l'histoire d'Asuka qui visite Ryo et son grand-père (qui a une visage très effrayant).
Ce livre se termine avec la mère d'Asuka qui a découverte le concept d'Otomen.
“C’est pour cette raison… que j’ai décidé de réformer l’établissement. Le lycée Ginyuri doit renaître… afin de préserver l’image des japonais et des japonaises!”
Elle initie ensuite de nouvelles règles et recrute de nouveaux enseignants à l'école d'Asuka pour assurer une éducation virile et strict. Comment est-ce qu’Asuka va survivre ce régime?
*** #10 de mon 2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - "A translated book written by and/or translated by a woman" ***
----------------------------------------------
Note moyenne de la série: 4.1/5
Critiques pour le reste de la série:
Tome 1 | Tome 2 | Tome 3 | Tome 4 | Tome 5 | Tome 6 | Tome 7 | Tome 8 | Tome 9 | Tome 10 | Tome 11 | Tome 12 | Tome 13 | Tome 14 | Tome 15 | Tome 16 | Tome 17 | Tome 18
August 17, 2012
Ryo’s abrupt departure to help her ailing grandfather is met with dismay from her friends. Asuka is particularly hurt but tries not to show it as he and his friends try to make her last few days with them memorable. Each character tries to give Ryo something of himself. Their efforts run from the risible to the beautiful with Juta striving to give Asuka and Ryo some time alone. As always, his efforts don’t quite go as planned.
(On a side note, this reader wonders why Ryo doesn’t have any girlfriends. We know she’s a tomboy but does that alienate her completely from the rest of the female students? Are all Japanese girls so hidebound they simply can’t associate with someone less than traditionally feminine?)
Without Ryo’s presence, the story shifts to the aggressive Tonomine, so domineering in his ways that it would be labeled as harassment in the U.S. Instead, we see beneath his bluster to a slightly tenderer sider, showing that even supposedly one-note characters are capable of depth of feeling.
Of course, this series can’t stay away from its main characters for too long. The focus is once again shifted on to Ryo and Asuka. While I remain unsatisfied by not knowing Ryo’s inner thoughts as I can those of the boys in this story, the frustration is not as great as it was in the beginning. Even without getting inner monologue from her, we learn that she is kind, hard working, determined, decent, honorable, loyal and without artifice. She complements Asuka’s less assertive nature perfectly and they mesh so well strangers mistake them for a married couple.
But the course of true love never did run smooth and a new obstacle is thrown in their way. Ryo’s return coincides with that of Asuka’s browbeating mother. A harsh new world rises and the group of otomen will be sorely tested as they face the threat of intolerance and bigotry. Welcome to the real world.
(On a side note, this reader wonders why Ryo doesn’t have any girlfriends. We know she’s a tomboy but does that alienate her completely from the rest of the female students? Are all Japanese girls so hidebound they simply can’t associate with someone less than traditionally feminine?)
Without Ryo’s presence, the story shifts to the aggressive Tonomine, so domineering in his ways that it would be labeled as harassment in the U.S. Instead, we see beneath his bluster to a slightly tenderer sider, showing that even supposedly one-note characters are capable of depth of feeling.
Of course, this series can’t stay away from its main characters for too long. The focus is once again shifted on to Ryo and Asuka. While I remain unsatisfied by not knowing Ryo’s inner thoughts as I can those of the boys in this story, the frustration is not as great as it was in the beginning. Even without getting inner monologue from her, we learn that she is kind, hard working, determined, decent, honorable, loyal and without artifice. She complements Asuka’s less assertive nature perfectly and they mesh so well strangers mistake them for a married couple.
But the course of true love never did run smooth and a new obstacle is thrown in their way. Ryo’s return coincides with that of Asuka’s browbeating mother. A harsh new world rises and the group of otomen will be sorely tested as they face the threat of intolerance and bigotry. Welcome to the real world.
August 17, 2011
Finally some progress, but sometimes it feels as if there are too many Otomen in this series. And they alwats seem to pop up around Asuka.
Asuka's mother is concerned about the deteroriation of the morals in Japan and the Otomen phenomenon. As she is chairman of Ginyuri High School, attended by most of our favourite Otomen, she decides to introduce some new rules and direct the youth into more traditional gender roles. Any unmanly behaviour will lead to immediate suspension of the involved student(s). To be continued. Again.
Asuka's mother is concerned about the deteroriation of the morals in Japan and the Otomen phenomenon. As she is chairman of Ginyuri High School, attended by most of our favourite Otomen, she decides to introduce some new rules and direct the youth into more traditional gender roles. Any unmanly behaviour will lead to immediate suspension of the involved student(s). To be continued. Again.
January 25, 2011
The book is about how a girl is transferring schools after having a love relationship with a boy in her school.
It's difficult to have long-distance relationships, no matter what kind of relationship it is.
This reminds me of the summer I had, one of my friend moved out of state and go to another school. All of my friends and I knew he was going away, so we all tried to at least have some great memories together.
It's difficult to have long-distance relationships, no matter what kind of relationship it is.
This reminds me of the summer I had, one of my friend moved out of state and go to another school. All of my friends and I knew he was going away, so we all tried to at least have some great memories together.
February 25, 2011
Tonomine had a part and I really hope he gets together with that girl from the shop. Ryo's really tough, old, arrogant grandfather is allegedly ill, and she goes away to take care of him. Then Asuka comes to visit and finds out the grandfather has a secret.
Then Asuka's mom shows up and starts terrorizing the high school. So many people are involved in the school's restructuring. Asuka's mom is very scary and terrifying!
5/5
Then Asuka's mom shows up and starts terrorizing the high school. So many people are involved in the school's restructuring. Asuka's mom is very scary and terrifying!
5/5
August 3, 2016
Otomen continues to bring me great enjoyment :) One thing I really like is how fleshed out the secondary characters are - even though they're not main characters they have distinct personalities. I'm glad we get their storylines as well. I'm also a fan of the fact that Aya Kanno isn't afraid to add new characters who bring merit to the story as well.
Looks like it's taking a serious turn in this volume though; I'm interested to see where this goes!
Looks like it's taking a serious turn in this volume though; I'm interested to see where this goes!
December 21, 2010
This series continues to keep my attention because it is FUNNY! This vol. goes more into Ryo, Hajime, and Mrs. Masamune. I really enjoy how Kanno sets up the "problems" and then solves them satisfyingly. Of course, the shojo-ness comes thru on every page, and that's part of the charm.
June 5, 2011
pretty entertaining, especially if one can turn one's feminist switch off, which i mostly can (why thank you japan), and the relationship between Ryo and Asuka is slowly making progress. it needed more beauty samurai though. there should always be more beauty samurai.
April 19, 2012
Resolves the "Ryo moved away!" storyline and introduces a new one. Asuka's mother, who has a position of authority at his school, decides in the last few pages to make the main goal of the school to churn out manly men and feminine women.
March 10, 2013
I really liked how Asuka and Ryo are seperated and reunited in this volume, and Auka makes another Otomen friend! The final chapter where the school is being reformed by Asuka's mother to eliminate Otomen is a little dystopian, which I love.
July 19, 2014
Not much time, but I wanted to note that I really loved how Ryo and Asuka's relationship handled its small crisis. I'm also looking forward to seeing how things go between Shiruba's granddaughter and Tonomine. (Wish there was more Juta, though.)
January 1, 2011
I think at this point, I'm just going to wait and see how it ends before I read any more.
January 21, 2012
This was a great volume filled with surprises that keep you reading to find out what will happen next.
August 19, 2015
So many fun things happen in this book! Ryo returns, her grandfather (giggle) comes to live with her, and Asuka's mom goes overboard nutso....
December 24, 2013
HUGGING! WOO!
Also crazy cra-cra mom is nuts.
Yes, that is all!
3.5-4/5
Also crazy cra-cra mom is nuts.
Yes, that is all!
3.5-4/5
October 20, 2012
Favorite new character: Ryo's grandpa
August 15, 2014
I love the story, but Asuka's mom is so freaking annoying. But I love the other characters so 5 stars :D
May 12, 2016
Not a lot going on in this part but i love that there are new development in the story and the characters' relationships. Giving this a 3 because i feel like it was slow...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews