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ウラカタ!! [Urakata!!] #2
우라카타 2
초 네거티브 사고의 소유자, 시치코쿠 대학 1학년 란마루는 대학 구내에서 영화 동아리가 촬영하던 좀비와 맞닥뜨린다!피바다에 놀라 기절한 란마루가 눈을 뜬 곳은 ?미술팀? 즉, 영상동아리 미술제작팀의 방이었다.독불장군인 부장 고다를 비롯한 개성 넘치는 미술팀 멤버들과 만나 란마루의 그늘진 생활은 하루아침에 변하는데???!!
192 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2015
6 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Bisco Hatori
57 books1,477 followersName (in native language): 葉鳥ビスコ
Bisco Hatori is a Japanese manga artist. Bisco Hatori is a pseudonym; she states that the name has special meaning to her. She has worked for such magazines as LaLa. Her manga debut was A Moment of Romance in LaLa DX. Her first series was Millennium Snow. However, the comedy Ouran High School Host Club is her breakout hit.
Bisco Hatori is a Japanese manga artist. Bisco Hatori is a pseudonym; she states that the name has special meaning to her. She has worked for such magazines as LaLa. Her manga debut was A Moment of Romance in LaLa DX. Her first series was Millennium Snow. However, the comedy Ouran High School Host Club is her breakout hit.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
March 6, 2019
Check out more manga and graphic novel reviews @ Perspective of a Writer...
Bisco Hatori of Ouran High School Host Club fame has a new series! Ranmaru is a super-pessimist who ruins everything, but hopes to change that in college. When he runs afoul of one of the many movie clubs while filming on campus, he encounters a mysterious drama group, the Art Squad! Forced out of his comfort zone in the most dramatic way possible, Ranmaru is finally able to use those artistic skills that make him feel so inferior back home. Along the way he comes to admire each member of his new family?!
This is a review of volumes 1-2 which I read together back to back. See the plot section for my thoughts on the individual volumes.
I totally didn't realize that Ouran Host Club was already over?! HOWWW?!? Well, Bisco Hatori is not one to sit around! No she jumped right into a new series and Behind the Scenes!! vol 1-2 is about college!! I love that she's taken on an older character set but still stayed with a coming of age environment. And I was super happy to see Ranmaru is so, so different from Haruhi... as the most unconfident of persons he creates a totally different vibe for us to explore. Right away I was as drawn to the art squad as Ranmaru was... and yes, it was because of Ryuji Goda, the club president! He is a bit of a bully but is so super confident that its fun in an overbearing way...
I really love how Behind the Scenes!! vol 1-2 focused on Ranmaru and what he brings to the table of the art squad. Bisco Hatori has always used a short story sort of narrative flow and that doesn't change here. We start by meeting directors and the squad jumps in to save their movies in different ways... and Ranmaru is allowed to shine for us. Then as the squad starts to close around Ranmaru to lock him into their club clutches we start to meet the team members and get to know them more. It becomes about more than movie sets as the squad uses their skills to help a girl being stalked and we even see them help out his perfectionist cousin, Soh!
Behind the Scenes!! vol 1-2 was a roller coaster of emotions as we see Ranmaru start to get comfortable with the Art Squad... I wouldn't say there is much tension even though I enjoyed it immensely. There doesn't seem to be any loverly relationships forming quite yet and actually I kind of like that... College should be all fun and friendships that last a really long time. I can see though that there are possible directions to go for the romance side... I'm not invested in those quite yet, but I DO totally care about Ryuji, Ruka, Izumi, Maasa and Tomu!
Behind the Scenes!! vol 1-2 is certainly a love story to Bisco Hatori character creation! I LOVED the art and all the details that give the Art Squad life and richness. I feel like the way she frames the action has actually improved in this series and love that the humorous bits take up more of the page and its balanced between the dramatic moments and the outrageous reactions. The characters though are where this series rocks... they are so different but all bring unique skills and heart to the team.
Behind the Scenes!! vol 1-2 is so fun! I love Ranmaru and the entire Art Squad and want to see more of their movie magic and how they apply all of their skills to their real life efforts. This is totally different from The Ouran High School Host Club while banking on Bisco Hatori's BEST skills... I can't wait to jump into the next volume of Behind the Scenes!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Authenticity
⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐⭐ Tension
⋆ ⋆ ⭐⭐⭐ Plot
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art
This is a multi-volume series and there may be references to the plot of those volumes... SO READ WITH CARE! Here is my review of 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
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You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my manga and graphic novel reviews in a special feature called Saturday Morning Cartoons...
Please like this review if you enjoyed it! *bow* *bow* It helps me out a ton!!
December 10, 2019
More reasons to keep reading: I do sympathize with the character. Not the whiny and useless part of him, but the constant worrying side is really me. like he gets into the classroom and wants to sit next to the window but then thinks that he would inconvenience other people who come in late and so he shouldn't sit there. THAT IS LITERALLY ME!
September 7, 2016
In Summary
If you thought love entered Ranmaru’s life, think again. He may be harboring a developing crush, but for the most part, he’s just struggling to keep up with Goda’s latest project. In fact, romance seems to be getting nipped in the bud among all his fellow club members, but there’s passion aplenty for their work along with a lot of Art Squad craft techniques.
The Review
So far, Art Squad projects have been manifestations of various antagonism, but it now appears that Goda treats all requests as challenges, even when they’re not. In the case of their latest Film Studies assignment, one seemingly innocuous word has Goda turning an otaku bedroom set from a low-key job into an intense task that newbie Ranmaru can barely keep up with. Following that, a student actress asks Goda to help her get rid of a clingy boyfriend (by posing as her new boyfriend), and Goda instead drags the Art Squad into Mega-Operation: Filthy Room!!
These two chapters reemphasize what readers already know about Goda: he is completely devoted to his art and his forceful personality somehow sweeps everyone else along. Along the way, readers also get a smattering of set dressing techniques as well as a hint of romantic feelings. At the end of Volume 1, a word of thanks from Ruka put Ranmaru in a fluster, and Volume 2 continues in that vein with Ranmaru’s fluster developing into a crush. However, those looking for a love arc are likely in for a long, drawn out ride. Ranmaru’s too timid to make a move, and while he observes that Ruka might feel something for Goda, she’s not making moves either. As for Goda, he, as Maasa puts it, “loves only art.” So while there is the potential of a love triangle, hardly anything is in motion.
Romance doesn’t seem likely among the other Art Squad members either, judging from Chapters 8 and 10, close-ups on Maasa and Izumi respectively. Maasa desperately wants a boyfriend, but when Ranmaru gets dragged along to a singles meet up, he quickly learns how the Art Squad’s resident gore expert self-sabotages her prospects. As for Izumi, he’s got a gaggle of fangirls but seems neither interested in nor capable of sustaining a deep, intimate relationship. As such, it looks like art will be the sole passion driving the engines of the Art Squad for a while.
Volume 2 also includes a Soh-centric chapter. In Volume 1, Ranmaru’s bossy cousin served mainly to heap disdain on Ranmaru and reinforce his insecurities. Now Hatori-sensei seems as if she’s completely changed her mind about this character. Chapter 9 depicts Soh not as arrogant and self-assured but as depressed as Ranmaru. The 180 in her personality is a lot to swallow, but it does make her interactions with Ranmaru funnier, and along the way, readers get to learn about resin crafts.
Extras include character profiles, embedded notes from the creator, glossary, and author bio.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
If you thought love entered Ranmaru’s life, think again. He may be harboring a developing crush, but for the most part, he’s just struggling to keep up with Goda’s latest project. In fact, romance seems to be getting nipped in the bud among all his fellow club members, but there’s passion aplenty for their work along with a lot of Art Squad craft techniques.
The Review
So far, Art Squad projects have been manifestations of various antagonism, but it now appears that Goda treats all requests as challenges, even when they’re not. In the case of their latest Film Studies assignment, one seemingly innocuous word has Goda turning an otaku bedroom set from a low-key job into an intense task that newbie Ranmaru can barely keep up with. Following that, a student actress asks Goda to help her get rid of a clingy boyfriend (by posing as her new boyfriend), and Goda instead drags the Art Squad into Mega-Operation: Filthy Room!!
These two chapters reemphasize what readers already know about Goda: he is completely devoted to his art and his forceful personality somehow sweeps everyone else along. Along the way, readers also get a smattering of set dressing techniques as well as a hint of romantic feelings. At the end of Volume 1, a word of thanks from Ruka put Ranmaru in a fluster, and Volume 2 continues in that vein with Ranmaru’s fluster developing into a crush. However, those looking for a love arc are likely in for a long, drawn out ride. Ranmaru’s too timid to make a move, and while he observes that Ruka might feel something for Goda, she’s not making moves either. As for Goda, he, as Maasa puts it, “loves only art.” So while there is the potential of a love triangle, hardly anything is in motion.
Romance doesn’t seem likely among the other Art Squad members either, judging from Chapters 8 and 10, close-ups on Maasa and Izumi respectively. Maasa desperately wants a boyfriend, but when Ranmaru gets dragged along to a singles meet up, he quickly learns how the Art Squad’s resident gore expert self-sabotages her prospects. As for Izumi, he’s got a gaggle of fangirls but seems neither interested in nor capable of sustaining a deep, intimate relationship. As such, it looks like art will be the sole passion driving the engines of the Art Squad for a while.
Volume 2 also includes a Soh-centric chapter. In Volume 1, Ranmaru’s bossy cousin served mainly to heap disdain on Ranmaru and reinforce his insecurities. Now Hatori-sensei seems as if she’s completely changed her mind about this character. Chapter 9 depicts Soh not as arrogant and self-assured but as depressed as Ranmaru. The 180 in her personality is a lot to swallow, but it does make her interactions with Ranmaru funnier, and along the way, readers get to learn about resin crafts.
Extras include character profiles, embedded notes from the creator, glossary, and author bio.
For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2017
The first volume was pretty solid at three stars, but I really enjoyed the second volume a lot more. We get to see more of the members of the art club up close and personal plus explore Ranmaru's home life. Also, Izumi might be my current favorite club member outside of Ranmaru now, which I did not expect at all, although he's also ranked up there with zombie fangirl Maasa who is just absolutely adorable and fiery.
December 26, 2020
Actual Rating 4.5
Now this was exactly what I wanted. The first volume was great, but this one was right on the money. I am starting to get the backstory on characters that I desperately wanted. I love everything Bisco Hatori does, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next volume.
Now this was exactly what I wanted. The first volume was great, but this one was right on the money. I am starting to get the backstory on characters that I desperately wanted. I love everything Bisco Hatori does, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next volume.
March 6, 2023
I love all the insight on background characters, this is where Hatori shines in building up large casts, and I have nothing but love for this series so far. It's just a really chill and extremely fun contemporary fiction that I actually ended up learning a lot through so far, and I can't wait for more, this is one that's so high on my list at the moment for a reason.
April 25, 2023
I think this would be more entertaining to watch as an anime, I'm having a hard time getting through the manga. It's also just genuinely hard to follow at times. So many...ellipses...across...multiple...pages...and speech...bubbles...
July 18, 2019
These are just all getting five stars, okay? I'm in a MOOD.
June 15, 2022
I really like the ensemble cast.
August 30, 2017
~4/5
(Contains light spoilers.)
There’s no way that I’m not going to love this series. Zero percent chance of that ever happening, seriously.
In this volume, we get to know a couple of the other characters a little better. We see that Maasa wants a boyfriend, why, but that it’s not quite as important to her as other things. And that her main problem is her fascination with gory stuff. Soh, Ranmaru’s cousin, is under a lot of pressure to be perfect from her classmates, only to find out that she has about as much self-confidence as Ranmaru. And finally Izumi, whom everyone loves, but no one really understands when they get to know him. He’s aloof and never thinks of himself. He’s a nice guy.
I also enjoyed seeing how Ranmaru is ignoring his feelings for Ruka, but how they’re affecting him anyway. I love the gang of characters here, and look forward to getting to know the other more as well. The humor works great for me, the setting with all the behind the scenes plays and sets is really interesting to me, and I’m just having a lot of fun with this series.
Always looking forward to more.
A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
(Contains light spoilers.)
There’s no way that I’m not going to love this series. Zero percent chance of that ever happening, seriously.
In this volume, we get to know a couple of the other characters a little better. We see that Maasa wants a boyfriend, why, but that it’s not quite as important to her as other things. And that her main problem is her fascination with gory stuff. Soh, Ranmaru’s cousin, is under a lot of pressure to be perfect from her classmates, only to find out that she has about as much self-confidence as Ranmaru. And finally Izumi, whom everyone loves, but no one really understands when they get to know him. He’s aloof and never thinks of himself. He’s a nice guy.
I also enjoyed seeing how Ranmaru is ignoring his feelings for Ruka, but how they’re affecting him anyway. I love the gang of characters here, and look forward to getting to know the other more as well. The humor works great for me, the setting with all the behind the scenes plays and sets is really interesting to me, and I’m just having a lot of fun with this series.
Always looking forward to more.
A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
January 18, 2019
Hallelujah! Goda’s speech is exactly what some people need to understand about hobbies! Yes I love anime and manga and I collect a bunch of stuff that would ultimately be considered junk. But I love it and no one should judge me before they try to understand!
Izumi is freaking adorable~ Bisco Hatori did a really good job capturing his personality and charm. And all the food I wanna eat now. Taiyaki and baumkuchen too!
This series has 7 volumes.
Izumi is freaking adorable~ Bisco Hatori did a really good job capturing his personality and charm. And all the food I wanna eat now. Taiyaki and baumkuchen too!
This series has 7 volumes.
July 3, 2017
I love the complexity and nuanced qualities of Bisco's characters!! I love seeing more about Izumi and Maasa, their motivations and mentality. I may have to invest in this series because it's so good and I love it so much!!
July 26, 2016
Cute one off stories. Looking forward to more of them.
November 4, 2017
It's a special manga and I've never read anything like this. It's nice and has a good pace with great characters.
January 19, 2019
Lovely art, getting less confused about the characters (though a character guide at the beginning would’ve been nice), I’m interested in how the characters develop and where the stories will go.
September 18, 2020
Ranmaru helps Goda put together an otaku's dream bedroom for a film set. Goda helps Chino scare off her ex with a super dirty room. Maasa takes Ranmaru to a singles get together, but her zombie obsession turns off the guys there. Ranmaru helps his cousin Soh make a crafty gift for her teacher.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2021
I feel like this one was a lot slower than the previous volume, I kept not really coming back to it. Then again, the last two chapters were excellent so *shrug* I was always going to read the whole series though so looking forward to the next one!!
March 21, 2017
Fun read! I'm not so good with the gore but still a fun story. I love how much she loves it!
June 20, 2017
Oh man. Volume 2 and they're already laying the feels trip on you. This was one heck of a heart wrenching roller coaster.
July 6, 2017
fun book
October 6, 2017
[5/5 stars]
November 17, 2017
Bisco Hatori, you are amazing!
November 29, 2017
Good volume.
June 4, 2019
Lot of characters being introduced... not very attached to many. NLROMV
3⭐️
3⭐️
June 12, 2019
This second volume was a lot of fun! I continue to love watching these creative minds at work. Bisco Hatori continues to make me smile with her stories!
June 18, 2019
Not as good as the first one but still enjoyable.
April 13, 2020
It is always fun to read about people who put their all into their "thing"!
May 25, 2020
Volume two did not disappoint. I’m so hooked right now.
February 19, 2021
Can’t wait for volume 3!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews