The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 5

極主夫道 [Gokushufudō] #5

by Kousuke Oono

Tatsu is ambushed by a yakuza with a beef, and there’s only one way to settle things—an epic rap battle! But this throwdown is only a warm-up for the buffet battle yet to come, because when you’re the Immortal Dragon, you don’t choose the househusband life, it chooses you!

Genres: Manga, Humor, Graphic Novels, Comics, Slice Of Life, Comedy, Fiction

168 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2020

About the author

Japanese mangaka. Aka おおのこうすけ (Ōno Kōsuke) creator of Gokushufudou.

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ya'll....there's so much to be unpacked with this volume. 2.5 Stars On one hand I really enjoyed some of the scenes especially when all of the characters go to a sake tasting event and end up getting drunk or the chapter where Tatsu is trying to prevent his wife's father from cooking. These moments were hilarious. However, the scene with the rap battle rubbed me wrong in so many ways. I'm not sure if it's the translation or what, but that entire scene did not sit well with me. I'm not sure why American slang had to be the equivalent of AAVE, but it left a not so pleasant taste in my mouth. There is a lot to be said about the global perception of Black American culture more so hip-hop culture. I think that it was intended to be funny, but culturally for me it didn't work. Even the manner in which the characters were dressed just didn't feel right. I know that a lot of people have not picked up on this particular element because the appropriation of AAVE has become such a norm, but that particular scene didn't work for me personally. I know that there are many people who enjoyed it, but I didn't find it funny at all. There was also some casual homophobia toward the end of the last chapter and now I'm debating whether I want to continue the series. I was already on the fence about it and this volume did not help.

[Mads · Rating 4 out of 5]

the translator tried so hard to use slang but just ended up using AAVE ???

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I had said I was through with this series, not because it is bad, but because it is a one-joke series, the joke being that a Yakuza (Japanese gangster) boss quits the life to marry a very ordinary wife who basically works her corporate job while he says home and takes care of the house, cooks, cleans.

So what does he do with this pent-up machismo? He takes it out in various competitions: When his wife goes away on business for a night, he almost obsessively just wants to keep cooking and cleaning, but a friend insists they play video games and snack until they collapse. Then he finds another yakuza who has become a rapper and our guy raps about house chores. So, right, this is a collection of Dad jokes. But since I actually am a Dad.. . ..

I was only going to revisit this for a few minutes, since I saw it around the house, you know, just crack it, but I read it all in maybe twenty minutes. And smiled a lot.

[destiny ♡ howling libraries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another funny, silly, charming installment in one of my favorite manga series. ♥

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with this review copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Melissa McShane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still enjoying these and laughing my fool head off at Tatsu's exploits. My favorite episode in this volume has to be the first, in which Tatsu takes it easy by...not cooking from scratch! And using Febreze instead of airing the mattresses outside! Only he can't quite maintain this level of relaxation... I also loved the costume contest, in which Tatsu is determined to take second place because the prize is a year's supply of rice. So much fun.

[Bahar meow · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why do I keep reading this series?!
Hope that it gets better?

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rap battles, trying to have the wife's parents cooking, and trying to enjoy a lazy day all make this a blast to read.

If ever I want to smile, laugh, or chuckle, this series delivers. A pure delight with these crazy adventures. The two best being a big rap battle between a few characters and the wife's father cooking was TOO funny. I love this series and hope it last atleast 10 volumes.

[Geoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Continues the formula of a former Yakuza attacking domestic tasks as if he was still a mobster. Silly fun, but the gimmick is wearing a bit thin. This volume is saved by the introduction of his in laws and a truly epic hot pot.

**Thanks to the artist, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicolo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The volume 5 of this title has a collection of stories that is all over the place. It does have a couple of gems; one is a genuine Yakuza valentine, and the other is family cooking with Miku and the in-laws. However, other than those two, the rest seem uninspired and pedestrian. I expect this to be a hiccup and the series to continue with its usual excellence in the next volume.

[Manisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a snippet a day at the end of the day, and it's honestly the best mindset to have before turning off my brain for the night.

Ah! Tatsu! My favourite Househusband. I hope this series never ends.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so fun with Tatsu getting into random adventures like relaxing or taking a day off with Masa, Masa wanting money or a bake off of Cake with some maybe old Yakuza goon and then more stuff with Miku and them being drunk and all, random face off with Torajirou and all such things or trying to the perfect house-husband! Loved this volume and also the art featuring the food is always so good like just wow! insanely funny and relaxing!

[jess.manora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich spare mir die Bücher immer für Zeiten auf in denen ich einer Leseflaute bin oder in denen es mir schlecht geht. Diese Reihe ist meine absolute Lieblingsreihe aus der Manga Abteilung, kann es nur absolut empfehlen! ♥️

[Auntie Terror · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite as funny as the previous ones, in my opinion, but with a surprising amount of "awww" moments.

[Whitney (The Cover Collector) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Am NOT happy with that translation, American slang, and (mis)use of AAVE. That’s not Japanese and I want to know what they were ACTUALLY saying, thanks.

[Andreea (booksstopia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Will continue this series Soon

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mindless but mildly entertaining while still making me chuckle out loud a few times each volume.

[reese ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never change, Tatsu. Never change.

[Adam M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one didn't work for me on every beat, but still had more fun moments than not. They go to a Sake Tasting at a restaurant that was the highlight of this volume for me. Immortal Dragon gains a new appreciation for his mother-in-law, gets a cold, and enters a costume contest. All of these things would be simply fine, except the art in this book is so good, so detailed and so full of energy that it makes it elevates the story telling.
Yes, this is gag-book, but it understands the joke so well that delivers every time.

[Ady Weasley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tatsu despeinado y recién levantado está muy guapo

[Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't help but frown at people saying there's nothing here. I mean, mothers, this is pretty much it. Exactly what the title says: The Way of the Househusband. What are you guys yapping about, searching for? This is freaking wholesome and nothing will change my mind. But yea, to each his own.

Throw Tacchan, Miku, Masa, Tora, and some bottles of sake in a room and you'll create chaos and hilarity! Seriously, this series never fails to make me laugh! And the hotpot chapter is so crazy wholesome! I really love this. Honest to God. This volume deserves all the freaking 5 stars.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 5, by Kousuke Oono, is the fifth volume in this fantastic manga series. The charm, wit and humour of this ex-Yakuza legend turned legendary househusband continue, with buffet lines, Halloween costume contests, cake baking for Valentines, and much more. I am very much enjoying the series, and look forward both to its continuation in print and television, and to more from Kouskuke Oono.

[Jen Appell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Literally cackled the entire time I was reading

[Sasa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This is easily the weakest volume so far. I still love a lot of the hijinks and antics, but the translation is not great.

There's a rap sequence that shows up in two chapters and the Japanese characters co-opt Black vernacular English. I don't know if this is the fault of the author and something got lost in translation or if the translators deliberately chose Black vernacular English to portray the scenes, but it left a bad taste in my mouth nonetheless. Even if it were the translator's fault, the art of the character wearing chains with an oversized jersey and all of the hand gestures...it's not okay. There were also instances of characters casually using American slang—which also happened to be Black vernacular English—and it didn't make sense for native Japanese people to be using that kind of slang. It was really weird and out of place. If you don't get why it's wrong but you'd like to have an understanding, I recommend Ashley at Bookish Realm's recent video essay, "Booktube & AAVE | We DON'T Love to See It" as a good jumping off point.

Lastly, there was an ending to a chapter where a subordinate wanted to show his romantic affection to his boss, but the boss reciprocates his feelings with incredulity and like a "what the fuck, but we're guys" kind of reaction. It was in passing, but the casual homophobia felt squicky to read. It was a terrible ending to the chapter. All in all, this could have been way better. I wish they just stuck to the usual slice of life hijinks.

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 5 continues where the previous tankōbon left off and contains the next nine chapters (37–45) of the on-going manga series with three bonus chapters.

It continues the adventures or rather misadventures of Tatsu, once an infamous and feared yakuza boss nicknamed "the Immortal Dragon" and now a househusband. The episodic series depicts a variety of comedic scenarios where Tatsu does ordinary things, but cause humorous results with his fellow his wife, family, former member of his yakuza, and other yakuza members from other groups.

This tankōbon is written and illustrated by Kousuke Oono. For the most part, it is written and illustrated rather well. Most of the stories centers on Tatsu's relationship with his wife Miku, like entering a Halloween costume contest for prizes, going out to a buffet, getting the flu and having Miku taking care of him, entreating his in-laws and being amazed of his mother-in-law's housing powers, and going on saké fair. Two stories has Masa appearing, where he helps Tatsu how to relax when Miku is away on a business trip and spends New Years with him hoping to get some pocket money. Lastly, two stories having him deal with other enemy yakuza members that end up in a rap battle and baking chocolate cakes for Valentine's Day.

All in all, The Way of the Househusband, Vol. 5 is a wonderful continuation to a series that seems really intriguing and I can't wait to read more.

[Ness (Vynexa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still a fun read!

We're still following Tatsu and his wife, but this time we have more of his wife's family and also Masa, Tatsu's friend.

I'm pretty sure there will be more translated volumes if there are more volumes after this one.

The first bonus extra was very cringy, though. Why did we have Tatsu speaking in 'rap slang' the entire time? no, please. stop.

⭐️4.5 STARS⭐️

[Shae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sadly for me, I think I am falling out of love with this series. For me, I feel like there isn't enough plot moving things forward for me to continue this one. I can only read the same type of story so many times before it loses it's charm.

If you would like my more in depth feelings about this title, please check out this review vlog! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6vAl...

[RachelReadsandSings · Rating 4 out of 5]

That rap battle 💀💀💀 Idk why the translator felt the need to use AAVE, but it was certainly a choice. The ending of that chapter was pretty perfect though 🤣🤣🤣

I think the Halloween costume contest is my favorite part of this volume 😂

[Colleen Earle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great manga in this series. I don’t know when I’ll get to the next one bc I don’t own any more of them, but soon.

[robyn (taylor’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

nie bo wy nie rozumiecie jak wielką miłością ja darzę tę mangę

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Called my man Dwight just to see what was shakin'!

10/10