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Aoharu x Kikanjuu #1
Aoharu X Machinegun, Vol. 1
Hotaru Tachibana is a girl (though all too frequently mistaken for a boy!) with a deep sense of justice. When a classmate informs Hotaru that she was bilked out of her cash by a shady host at a host club, Hotaru immediately rushes to confront the villain only to discover that the con man in question is her new neighbor! Worse, he proposes to settle their feud with firearms! Okay, it turns out that they're just toys, but when Hotaru is soundly defeated, she finds herself sucked into the world of survival games. Is this new world one she can actually escape??
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 27, 2013
16 people are currently reading
548 people want to read
About the author
NAOE
35 books53 followers東洋美術学校出身。2011年、青春×機関銃がフレッシュガンガン Summerに掲載されて勝ち抜き、連載権を得る。そして2012年6月、同名作品を前後編にしたものが、月刊Gファンタジーにて読み切り掲載される。好評な反応を受けて、2013年1月より同作品の連載を開始。
パンダ好きでコミックスの自画像もパンダ。
サバゲーをやる時、クリンコフを愛銃にしている。
パンダ好きでコミックスの自画像もパンダ。
サバゲーをやる時、クリンコフを愛銃にしている。
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
June 24, 2020
So mutch fun and I also want to be a part of their team >.<
Aoharu x machinegun volume 1 by NAOE get a 9.8/10 stars.
Aoharu x machinegun volume 1 by NAOE get a 9.8/10 stars.
January 12, 2022
Not the best. Airsoft isn’t really my jam
November 10, 2016
"I, Tachibana will not allow such acts of evil to come to pass. I will bring judgement down upon that host! Prepare yourself fiend!"
It’s a really good thing no one was around to witness all the fangirling I did once I realized this was available for pre-order in North America. This is by far one of my favorite contemporary (with all those impossible martial arts moves not even sure if it really fits in this genre lol) comedic fiction series so far. To be honest this had me bursting out in unexpected laughter (which turned many heads in public) in a much more satisfying way than One Punch, which I actually liked, ever did. Over dramatized drama and action, sexual innuendos, and a dash of farcical humour is what made this comedy something that is right up my alley. This was in addition to a primarily unique story-line. Hands down 8.5 out of 10 unicorn horns.
Aoharu X Machinegun begins with the main character, 16 year old high schooler Hotaru Tachibana, excitedly moving in by herself into a new apartment complex only to come across a suspicious man openly flirting over the phone, and not being shy about who overhears, right in front of Tachibana’s apartment. Tachibana nervously struggles about what to do before ultimately deciding to take action…by punching a hole in the wall as a warning. Much to both my and the main characters surprise this act only endears Tachibana to this stranger, introduced as Masamune Matsuoka, who’s first excited words are, “Hey. Let’s you and me have some fun!!”. This meeting leads to a string of unexpected events; A coincidental misunderstanding, a fight with B.B. guns at a Host Club, thousands of dollars owned in repair fees, and a reluctant Tachibana joining Masamune (a Host at the aforementioned Host Club), and Tooru Yukimura (a published hentai manga artist) in a series of intense (to the point of being both hilarious and really thrilling) survival games using B.B. guns with the goal of becoming the best team in Japan. All, at least at first, in order to pay off the debt and while Tachibana is, as usual, being mistaken for a boy (sound familiar anyone?).
Though only the 1st volume is available in softcover as of today, as someone who was really impatient and read the ebooks (something I dislike doing) up to volume 4 (though there are currently 6 available) I can promise that the story does get progressively better as new characters are introduced, the past of current characters are reveled, and some surprisingly serious and emotionally charged scenes make an appearance.
For the complete review please visit my site here
link to book: use the "add book/author" link or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
It’s a really good thing no one was around to witness all the fangirling I did once I realized this was available for pre-order in North America. This is by far one of my favorite contemporary (with all those impossible martial arts moves not even sure if it really fits in this genre lol) comedic fiction series so far. To be honest this had me bursting out in unexpected laughter (which turned many heads in public) in a much more satisfying way than One Punch, which I actually liked, ever did. Over dramatized drama and action, sexual innuendos, and a dash of farcical humour is what made this comedy something that is right up my alley. This was in addition to a primarily unique story-line. Hands down 8.5 out of 10 unicorn horns.
Aoharu X Machinegun begins with the main character, 16 year old high schooler Hotaru Tachibana, excitedly moving in by herself into a new apartment complex only to come across a suspicious man openly flirting over the phone, and not being shy about who overhears, right in front of Tachibana’s apartment. Tachibana nervously struggles about what to do before ultimately deciding to take action…by punching a hole in the wall as a warning. Much to both my and the main characters surprise this act only endears Tachibana to this stranger, introduced as Masamune Matsuoka, who’s first excited words are, “Hey. Let’s you and me have some fun!!”. This meeting leads to a string of unexpected events; A coincidental misunderstanding, a fight with B.B. guns at a Host Club, thousands of dollars owned in repair fees, and a reluctant Tachibana joining Masamune (a Host at the aforementioned Host Club), and Tooru Yukimura (a published hentai manga artist) in a series of intense (to the point of being both hilarious and really thrilling) survival games using B.B. guns with the goal of becoming the best team in Japan. All, at least at first, in order to pay off the debt and while Tachibana is, as usual, being mistaken for a boy (sound familiar anyone?).
Though only the 1st volume is available in softcover as of today, as someone who was really impatient and read the ebooks (something I dislike doing) up to volume 4 (though there are currently 6 available) I can promise that the story does get progressively better as new characters are introduced, the past of current characters are reveled, and some surprisingly serious and emotionally charged scenes make an appearance.
For the complete review please visit my site here
link to book: use the "add book/author" link or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
April 10, 2017
While I liked the concept, the characters failed to sell it for me.
Aoharu X Machinegun stars a girl who's often mistaken for a guy. Hotaru has an extremly strong sense of right and wrong, and is the student council president. Due to a friend bending the truth, Hotaru gets caught up with a dude who works at a host club and his hentai-mangaka friend playing with pellet guns.
So the set up was entertaining, combining some of the things I love about other manga series like Maid-sama! (our strong female protagonist with a penchant for violence) and Ouran High School Host Club (wrecking the joint and having to "pay back" the debt).
The idea for the plot is different as well. It's basically a bunch of pellet gun wars (as opposed to real gun competitions).
The problem is that while I liked Hotaru well enough, the other characters just did absolutely nothing for me. The two grown men act like children. The one ends up pulling the "I'll be right behind you!" and then ditches you trick and has a habit of trying to give Hotaru dirty magazines (which she constantly refuses) in very public places. The other gets a childish glee from "flirting" with women (I put that in quote because I don't really consider telling someone they've got "pretty big tits" to be flirting). I got tired of them very quickly, but as there are really only three characters (four if you count Hotaru's ditzy friend), there's really no break from them.
So all in all, this just wasn't the manga for me. As someone who needs some characters to like to keep reading, this was kind of a character desert.
Aoharu X Machinegun stars a girl who's often mistaken for a guy. Hotaru has an extremly strong sense of right and wrong, and is the student council president. Due to a friend bending the truth, Hotaru gets caught up with a dude who works at a host club and his hentai-mangaka friend playing with pellet guns.
So the set up was entertaining, combining some of the things I love about other manga series like Maid-sama! (our strong female protagonist with a penchant for violence) and Ouran High School Host Club (wrecking the joint and having to "pay back" the debt).
The idea for the plot is different as well. It's basically a bunch of pellet gun wars (as opposed to real gun competitions).
The problem is that while I liked Hotaru well enough, the other characters just did absolutely nothing for me. The two grown men act like children. The one ends up pulling the "I'll be right behind you!" and then ditches you trick and has a habit of trying to give Hotaru dirty magazines (which she constantly refuses) in very public places. The other gets a childish glee from "flirting" with women (I put that in quote because I don't really consider telling someone they've got "pretty big tits" to be flirting). I got tired of them very quickly, but as there are really only three characters (four if you count Hotaru's ditzy friend), there's really no break from them.
So all in all, this just wasn't the manga for me. As someone who needs some characters to like to keep reading, this was kind of a character desert.
July 28, 2017
OH MAN. THIS WAS AWESOME. I WAS IN LOVE WITH IT THE ENTIRE WAY THROUGH.
Think of it as a slightly grown up Ouran High School Host Club... R rated... Pretty boys... Girl pretending to be male... Lots of guns... No, seriously. LOTS OF GUNS. (BB guns).
The art style I absolutely fell in love with, and the comedy is top notch as well. I'm so glad I picked up this gem. DEFINITELY looking forward to more.
Think of it as a slightly grown up Ouran High School Host Club... R rated... Pretty boys... Girl pretending to be male... Lots of guns... No, seriously. LOTS OF GUNS. (BB guns).
The art style I absolutely fell in love with, and the comedy is top notch as well. I'm so glad I picked up this gem. DEFINITELY looking forward to more.
June 1, 2025
is there an entire subgenre of "pretty explicitly textual bdsm relationships plus one very specific special interest" manga, and if so can someone point me at a list or something? because those are two good tastes that go good together.
anyway, watched the anime forever ago with my long distance partner and my understanding is the anime only covers the first few volumes, so i always meant to eventually get around to the manga so i can get more of the story.
anyway, watched the anime forever ago with my long distance partner and my understanding is the anime only covers the first few volumes, so i always meant to eventually get around to the manga so i can get more of the story.
January 8, 2018
Love this series!
January 19, 2017
I'm kind of torn with this one - on the one hand, in my mind guns are for hunting food (or soldiers), and I'm very uncomfortable with the idea of survival games. This is likely due to the fact that my grandfather was a soldier in WWII and his severe PTSD caused him to describe his experiences in detail to me as a child. However, despite this deep personal bias against the genre, this was a relatively fun book. I felt uncomfortable with myself the entire time I was reading it, but honestly, I think that's on me, not NAOE. We'll see how I fare with volume two.
Real review eventually appearing on ANN.
(Yep, that's why they call it work - you don't always want to read what you're reading.)
Real review eventually appearing on ANN.
(Yep, that's why they call it work - you don't always want to read what you're reading.)
December 11, 2025
The first volume I think suffered from having the first half be kinda a different story from the second, as it started as a one-shot that to my mind had a much different focus than the ongoing series.
Once the more bdsm-y overtones started filtering in in the second half though it started to get quite a bit more entertaining.
Once the more bdsm-y overtones started filtering in in the second half though it started to get quite a bit more entertaining.
April 12, 2023
Hotaru Tachibana has a strong sense of justice.
She’s not afraid to stand up to those who commit what she considers acts of injustice—even if those people are much larger than her. Often, because of her attitude, her short hair, and her affinity for wearing guy’s clothing, she’s mistaken for a boy.
This all comes to bite her when she’s gets into a bit of a confrontation with a host at a host club. Hotaru believes this host cheated one of her friends out of their cash. Do, she confronts him.
Much to her surprise, this host turns out to be her new neighbor!
More surprising, he suggests they settle this dispute with firearms—fake ones, but still.
When she loses this shooting competition, she finds herself suddenly sucked into a wild world of survival games.
Will she be able to escape? Or, will she find she doesn’t really want to…?
So, this is definitely a fun one!
This series really starts off with a bang. It’s fast-paced and action-packed. The plot points build upon each other quickly and this is a story that is built around dynamism. These characters are always moving.
Do I like the characters? Thus far, I think we’ve got a fun bunch of main characters with some interesting secondary characters. I’m hoping we’ll see some more character development. Again, this story is more focused on forward plot movement right now than building out the interior lives of these characters.
Overall, I think fans of most shonen series would like this series. If you’re looking for a more thoughtful narrative, I’m not sure if this is the series for you.
That said, I kind of view this series as Ouran High School adjacent? It’s the hard cider version of OHS~
She’s not afraid to stand up to those who commit what she considers acts of injustice—even if those people are much larger than her. Often, because of her attitude, her short hair, and her affinity for wearing guy’s clothing, she’s mistaken for a boy.
This all comes to bite her when she’s gets into a bit of a confrontation with a host at a host club. Hotaru believes this host cheated one of her friends out of their cash. Do, she confronts him.
Much to her surprise, this host turns out to be her new neighbor!
More surprising, he suggests they settle this dispute with firearms—fake ones, but still.
When she loses this shooting competition, she finds herself suddenly sucked into a wild world of survival games.
Will she be able to escape? Or, will she find she doesn’t really want to…?
So, this is definitely a fun one!
This series really starts off with a bang. It’s fast-paced and action-packed. The plot points build upon each other quickly and this is a story that is built around dynamism. These characters are always moving.
Do I like the characters? Thus far, I think we’ve got a fun bunch of main characters with some interesting secondary characters. I’m hoping we’ll see some more character development. Again, this story is more focused on forward plot movement right now than building out the interior lives of these characters.
Overall, I think fans of most shonen series would like this series. If you’re looking for a more thoughtful narrative, I’m not sure if this is the series for you.
That said, I kind of view this series as Ouran High School adjacent? It’s the hard cider version of OHS~
April 28, 2019
4.5 stars
This series is hilarious. I absolutely adore the anime (but it was too short….) I knew I had to read the manga.
Hotaru, the student council president gets often mistaken for a boy. The young girl finally moves out of her parents’ house to an apartment complex. Her next-door neighbor is hot guy Masamune, a host and survival game player (think Airsoft, playing war with plastic guns).
After a misunderstanding with her friend Kanae, Hotaru defend her honor and accept a match vs. Masamune. This led to a battle in the Host club and a lot of chaos. The only way to repay the damages is join the survival club and win games. There is only one problem, no girls are allowed on Toy Gun Gun’s team.
The other team member, Tooru, a hentai mangaka is clearly not happy about the new addition, but change his mind once Hotaru prove herself.
There are a lot of funny moments, sexual innuendos, fan service and fake BL moments. This first volume is on the light side and does not have any serious moments (which I know will come eventually).
This series is hilarious. I absolutely adore the anime (but it was too short….) I knew I had to read the manga.
Hotaru, the student council president gets often mistaken for a boy. The young girl finally moves out of her parents’ house to an apartment complex. Her next-door neighbor is hot guy Masamune, a host and survival game player (think Airsoft, playing war with plastic guns).
After a misunderstanding with her friend Kanae, Hotaru defend her honor and accept a match vs. Masamune. This led to a battle in the Host club and a lot of chaos. The only way to repay the damages is join the survival club and win games. There is only one problem, no girls are allowed on Toy Gun Gun’s team.
The other team member, Tooru, a hentai mangaka is clearly not happy about the new addition, but change his mind once Hotaru prove herself.
There are a lot of funny moments, sexual innuendos, fan service and fake BL moments. This first volume is on the light side and does not have any serious moments (which I know will come eventually).
January 3, 2018
I am a massive Fan to Ouran Highschool Host Club and when I picked this beauty up it sounded a little familiar . This is a bit more M or Adult version of the host club with a gorgeous blond host and a girl who is often mistaken as a guy along with a best friend who wears glasses who thinks he is a know it all. AOHARU X Machinegun is so funny, in some cases relatable, fun loving, packed with action and filled with amazing characters along with great art and story line. I love how the story is all base around the survival games with the characters stories are all intertwined with and how they are all going to work together and get to the top along with their own personal challenges. Overall I love this series and I can not wait to read the rest !!!
May 3, 2023
Ultimately, I had fun with the book, but it's pacing and plot felt disjointed. It seems to focus more a character wanting to play a sport/hobby rather than the sport itself. Although, most of the book is the mini-series intro, followed by the first chapter of the run. The characters were entertaining enough in their interactions, but I think I would have liked more time spent on them actually in matches or practicing/learning and I wasn't a fan of the angsty rivalry that seems like it'll be a big part of the next book.
June 22, 2018
It was alright, but maybe I need to read another volume to get a handle on what's really going on here. It starts off almost like Ouran High School Host Club, but there are some darker elements at play here that pop up at weird moments. Then there's also some super ridiculousness that stretches credibility that I don't know if I can put up with for very long.
June 16, 2022
Loved it!
So interesting and funny! I love how they are together! They make a good team! Poor tachibana is addicted now to survival games. Masamune and yukimura are funny. I love them. Ill definitely read more!
So interesting and funny! I love how they are together! They make a good team! Poor tachibana is addicted now to survival games. Masamune and yukimura are funny. I love them. Ill definitely read more!
July 2, 2022
ceritanya tuh plot twist wkwkwk terus buat aku ga bisa mikir normal jujurrrrrrrrr bikin traveling otakku sjdjshsjsjsjwhsjsjssk, ceritanya sedikit bosen tapi ga semua gitu lohhhh terus si mcnya bikin jijik manggil pake dirinya pake nama
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2017
2.5 stars
I think it suffers from first volume syndrome. I'm going to give the second volume a try.
I think it suffers from first volume syndrome. I'm going to give the second volume a try.
June 15, 2017
Episode 1 :: Vol. 1, Ch. 01 & beg. 1
Episode 2 :: Vol. 1, Ch. 02
Episode 3 :: Vol. 1, Ch. 1-2
Episode 2 :: Vol. 1, Ch. 02
Episode 3 :: Vol. 1, Ch. 1-2
January 18, 2018
One day, I will stop buying books based on pretty covers.
May 13, 2019
Ooh, what an interesting take on the gender-bender genre! I really like all the characters so far, and I'm so excited to see where this goes in the future!!
July 12, 2020
Ysa
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2021
Seems wholesome.
Has that tamaki x haruhi vibe but at the end we get another character who'd probably the second lead.
Heard this has an anime too.
Has that tamaki x haruhi vibe but at the end we get another character who'd probably the second lead.
Heard this has an anime too.
November 4, 2021
PRETTY BOYS PLAYIN AIRSOFT
November 21, 2021
The artwork is superb. Interested in this manga after watching the anime. It makes me want to play this game too😆
February 21, 2022
lucuuu seru banget. masamune ganteng <3
baca ini demi nostalgia dan sama sekali nggak kecewa. rekomen untuk yang ingin baca cerita seru dengan bumbu komedi dan karakter-karakter yang menarik!
baca ini demi nostalgia dan sama sekali nggak kecewa. rekomen untuk yang ingin baca cerita seru dengan bumbu komedi dan karakter-karakter yang menarik!
April 12, 2022
OHSHC copy... entertaining but corny and not my thing
December 15, 2022
4 stars. I'm intrigued by the topic and like the main character. The art is also pretty.
February 7, 2023
Reminds me of ouran highschool host club but with bb guns. Overall i liked the first volume and want to know more about the characters. Hopefully it wont disappoint.
April 20, 2023
The pacing is terrible, the characters are bland, and it feels like some sort of really weird OHSHC fanfiction.
March 11, 2025
Huh…. I have a feeling that this is gonna go to sh!t.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews