Kenka Bancho Otome: Love's Battle Royale, Vol. 2

Kenka Bancho Otome: Love's Battle Royale #2

by Chie Shimada, Red Entertainment (Draft Writer), Spike Chunsoft (Draft Writer)

Beautiful boy rebels using their fists to fall in love!

Hinako thought she didn't have any family, but on the day she starts high school, her twin brother Hikaru suddenly appears and tricks her into taking his place. But the new school Hinako attends in his stead is beyond unusual. Now she must fight her way to the top of Shishiku Academy, an all-boys school of delinquents!

Hinako takes her twin brother Hikaru’s place at Shishiku Academy for boys. Fights break out every day, but there are also lots of heart-palpitating events with the boys that she never expected! And as the battle to be the boss of the school rages on, will Hikaru make it to the top?

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Contemporary, Humor

200 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2017

Reviews

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/nbSwis1Kvho

I feel so bad because this volume WAS fun, but I unknowingly came in with expectations and was super disappointed that none of those were met. *sobs*

So I started realizing the closer it got to the end, the more I sort of was starting to look forward to her revealing her identity as a girl and choose to decide to pursue one of the guys. I thought it would be Kira as the guy she would choose, but when she started gushing about Totomaru, I honestly felt that she would confess to him privately and they would end up in a relationship by the end. That didn't happen and I was SO bummed because the way this series ends, it makes you want to play the game and choose your own ending, which is fine…if you have access to the game. *sobs*

So did I enjoy reading this series? I did! Was I happy with the unfinished ending? No.

With that said, I feel if maybe I come back and reread this series knowing how it ends, I'll enjoy it a lot more. For now, I'm just bummed I can't see the ship sail because Totomaru was my favorite character and love his cute, blushy self.

If you don't mind an open-ending with lots of fighting and general shenanigans along the way, I do think this is a really fun series to try! Lots of great characters and an engaging story that will definitely leave you wanting more!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been a while since I watched the anime, but I honestly don't remember any of the things from the second volume happening in the show. But maybe it's just my memory failing. I'm glad this volume isn't as repetitive as the last one when Hinako introduced herself and the story at the start of every single chapter. I kind of wish these were longer and got more in depth. Like why did only one twin get abandoned? Why does Hikaru not like his family? Why do Hikaru and his brother have their own places? I guess this is just supposed to be light hearted and we're not supposed to ask many questions and just enjoy it. Although, I wonder if they answer those questions in the game.

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

By this second volume, I had hoped for something to really distinguish this manga from similar (but much better) titles like HanaKimi. I enjoy the premise (cross dressing/pretending to be a boy at an all-boys school) but here we have a standard harem with every cliche character intact. I felt like I had read it before too many times and it was failing to hold my interest as a result.

Story: Hinako continues to masquerade as her twin brother, taking on fights and moving her way up the 'fight ladder' to become big boss. But an interesting wrinkle appears when she finds she also has an older brother - and he's the big head honcho of the school to boot! A vacation at the beach, drama with Totomaru, a reconciliation with Konparu, more teasing from Mirako, and protection/admiration from Kira. Hinako has a busy life!

It feels at this point that there is no clear front runner for Hinako's affection (though obviously it should have been Kira). So this is a true harem manga where all the guys continually rain affection, drama, and blushes over Hinako, all the while wondering at their own reasoning for liking another 'guy'. I could wish Hinako was a bit stronger all the time instead of just suddenly coming out as punching someone and then instantly turning into a crying mess. But then, I imagine the author wanted to keep her as girly as possible since Hinoako is always wearing boys clothing.

In all, not much to interest me further after two volumes. It's cute in its own way but lacking the sparkle and pure fun of a HanaKimi. And to be honest, I'm more interested in her finding one love interest rather than just having a lot of suitors. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Selena Pigoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute manga that ends but doesn't finish. I'm a little disappointed that it doesn't have a real ending, but considering the number of otome-based series I've read, that seems fairly par for the course.

As a whole, I enjoyed the series and its characters. I would have liked to have had a real ending so I could see how the boys reacted to her secret, even if it didn't end with a romance. Actually, I kind of preferred that it didn't end with a romance. I liked the friendship angle.

[SwedishGeekGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so sweet and makes me feel all the cute happy feels >///< wish it would continue though beacuse the ending was not satisfying. It is based on an otome game that Im dying to play, hopefully some day it get translated to english so I can XD.
Kenka bancho otome: Love´s battle royale volume 2 by Chie Shimada get 9.5/10 stars (just beacuse it makes me so happy when they blush so mutch ^^).

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's not a real ending here (I think it's because they really want you to buy and play the game). I wish that they would choose one of the story lines/routes and go with that, but it's cute as is.

[Luka · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5★

Hinako tiene un objetivo en la escuela secundaria: hacer amigos. Pero de camino a la escuela el primer día de clases, se topa con un chico y él le dice que está tan herido que no puede ir a la escuela. El niño, Hikaru, se parece mucho a Hinako, por lo que la convence para que ocupe su lugar en su escuela exclusivamente para varones. Sin embargo, Hinako está a punto de descubrir que la escuela de Hikaru no es una institución de aprendizaje cualquiera: ¡es una academia para delincuentes, donde estallan peleas todos los días! 💥

Puede parecer un manga típico, pero la creación de la historia es única: ¡está basada en un juego otome que, a su vez, deriva de un juego de lucha! A partir de ahí, se creó esta obra manga de dos volúmenes y un anime de doce episodios

Te recomiendo esta obra si:👇🏻

👊🏻 Buscas algo al estilo de Ouran High School Host Club

👊🏻 Te gustan las historias con harem inverso donde cada uno de los personajes tiene momentos de protagonismo (incluso en aquellos en donde uno de los otros es el protagonista del capítulo)

👊🏻 Prefieres a protagonistas fuertes, de aquellas que lo dan todo, se arriesgan y se tornan más valientes si cabe al defender a sus amigos

👊🏻 No buscáis una historia con mucho suspense, drama o mucho en juego. Si no que os apetece una comedia exagerada y llena de risas en la que, ganen o pierdan, los personajes sonreirán al final

Considero que con estos dos tomos son una muy buena manera para adentrarnos y conocer la historia, de tener un primer contracto con la misma. Aun así, nos deja con ganas de más. Por lo que quizás debamos intentar ver su anime e, incluso, jugar al juego…

[Elley Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent installment to a fantastic series! Fans of anime will appreciate the obligatory beach and school sports festival "episodes". There's also a long lost brother, and one of Hikaru/Hinako's friends will leave the school - and the country! - forever.

I love the sort of reverse harem feel if this manga. Hikaru/Hinako's relationships with her classmates are fun to see, and I love the relationship with her big brother she didnt know existed. Her growing relationship with her twins is also fun to watch blossom. The obligatory beach and sports day episodes are of course extra exciting as this is a gender-bending manga. Will her friends find out that shes secretly a girl?! Read the manga to find out. ;)

[haven ⋄ f (hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This got so much better!!! I really hope that there's going to be a third volume since this ending was pretty official and I don't like it since there are major plot holes! Overall, there was so much improvement.

[Kaya Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did really like this, just a lighthearted fun time. No real ending, but I think that was fine! This two volumes were short and sweet and a good way to pass midnight shift lol

[Illy · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO CUTE. IM SO UPSET THAT THIS ISN’T A FULL MANAG SERIES. I WANT MORE.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I REALLY enjoyed this and I’m bitter that it is only two volumes long!

[Ruthsic · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this volume, we are introduced to Houou, Hiraku's and Hinako's older half-brother (who coincidentally is the top boss of the third years, and thus, the school), who turns into a softie when he meets boy-Hinako (thinking her to be Hiraku). For Hinako, though, it is good for her to find at least the lovable part of her family. This, of course, begs the question of why Hiraku hates his family and wants to keep Hinako away from it (also how much of a secret can it be? surely their father knows of her existence?) but this manga just wants to stay away from any serious topics. Then we get a mandatory 'we're going to the beach' chapter with the expected hijinks, and the fact that Hinako can't very well strip like the guys. As her friendship with Totomaru and Konparu is becoming closer (though there is more of an attraction from their end even if they don't know she is a girl), and she is becoming aware that she is surrounded by a harem of hot dudes, it's all very 'hormones in the air'. I was thinking Kira was going to be the main love interest, but honestly that is fizzling out. Followed by that is a sports day event which, you guessed it right, turns into a free-for-all fighting pit. A little challenge comes to Hinako when a rival classmate makes her cheer in a girl's cheerleading uniform along with Konparu (leading to more nosebleeds on Totomaru's part). Until this part it is mostly playing on old cliches, but the last chapter is where it gets a little interesting when Totomaru's father tries to get him to transfer out and all of them, in a surge of friendly spirit, stop that from happening.

As for the direction of this manga, I feel like it is settling more into a slice of life than doing anything with the plot. I don't even know if there is going to be another volume (MyAnimeList has this as completed at 2 volumes) and this one doesn't offer much of a resolution to even think that as satisfactory. It's entertaining, sure, but is it providing anything new? Not so much. The 'She's the Man' shtick worked for volume 1, but now it is just playing around with shoujo manga cliches instead of going forward with a plot. Or maybe I am just tired of the same old storylines and am being too critical of a comedy. *shrug* Anyway, it is good, but too familiar.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from Viz Media LLC, via Edelweiss.

[Lynn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Today’s post is on Kenka Bancho Otome: Love's Battle Royale, Vol. 2 by Chie Shimada. It is 200 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has three of the main characters on it. As it is the second volume in the duology you need to have read the first volume to understand some of the finer points of the story. There is no foul language, no sex, and comic violence in this manga. The story is told from third person close of the main character Hinako. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Hinako takes her twin brother Hikaru’s place at Shishiku Academy for boys. Fights break out every day, but there are also lots of heart-palpitating events with the boys that she never expected! And as the battle to be the boss of the school rages on, will Hikaru make it to the top?


Review- A very unsatisfying ending to a mediocre duology. Hinako is still just doing what her brother wants to her without any consideration for Hinako and what she wants for her life. None of the other boys learn that she is a girl so more comedic gay panic but I was very underwhelmed with this series. I wanted Hinako to challenge her brother, to make her life and her choices without being bullied, like she has been for her whole life. We never learn why she was abandoned by her family and we have no idea what will happen to her in the future. Very disappointed in this manga series, which is too bad because I love Otome games.


I give this volume a Two out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, But Not As Good As The First

I did enjoy this book, but not as much as the first. The story felt weaker, and I was sad that our leading lady didn't personally fight very much. It felt like she was overprotected, while I wanted to see her strength.

That said, I liked the characters, and I loved her new family member. The interactions between different characters are fun to see, and the art is still super cute.

Overall, I did like this and would recommend this. I wish there were more volumes to read.

[Nadina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute second volume. I had to refresh my mind about who the supporting characters were, but it picked back up qucikly. I liked the new characters that were added and found the plot in this volume to be interesting. I feel the characters grew over the course of this volume. This was a good series and I really enjoyed it, I hope I can continue the series at some point, but my library does not have subsequent volumes.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of open-ended, but an enjoyable quick read! I liked the big brother character best, although if I were playing it as a dating sim, I might go for the best friend instead!
Honestly, this is more of a romantic comedy title than anything. If you're looking for fighting spirit, try My Hero Academia instead.

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

This manga plays with a crossdressing trope, and I love those kind of stories. This one is a really fun, short manga, and I really enjoyed my read of it. I can see it's appeal for sure! If this sounds interesting to you at all, I recommend giving it a read! It is only 2 volumes after all. Plus, I really did enjoy this ending. SO fun!

[Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sigo diciendo lo mismo, es una historia que no tiene un fin definido (por ahí leo que es para que compren el videojuego en el que está basado), pierden a lo tonto un buen nicho de mercado por no continuarlo. Y es que encima hay muchas variables ahí con las que jugar. Es dejar la miel en los labios. Mal, muy mal.

PD. Me encanta este tipo de dibujo.

[Belén · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amo este manga y me duele que sea tan corto, porque definitivamente daba para más. Quedaron muchas cosas inconclusas, pero me la pase sonriendo cada capitulo con "Hikaru" y los demás, así que no tengo quejas. Y más emocionada aún que al final decidiera darle protagonismo a mi ship.

[Dorcas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This could've been a really interesting school drama, too bad it doesn't get pass the surface level thoughtfulness. It's still pretty funny, with some darling moments, but really more fluff than anything else.

[Kaley Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly cute rom-com duology that sucks you in with laugh out loud comedy. Its overly simplistic plot turned out to be a highlight of the series, and it's a story I see myself returning to when I need a pick-me-up.

[TJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

☺️

[Amanda [Novel Addiction] · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is really ridiculous, and I love every second of it.

[Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ha sido una buena comedia. Sin romance, pero bien divertida y con mucha amistad xD

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't enjoy this volume as much as the first one, but on a whole this was a very enjoyable series. I wish there was a bit more! Will definitely be looking into the anime.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

TOTOMARUUUUUUU

I love him

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Same review as volume one basically. I loved them both, and still kills me that there are only the two books. I want so much more!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*.

[Rae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vol 2 was actually better than the first! Super cliche but also fun and cute.