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Otomen #7
Otomen, Vol. 7
Reads R to L (Japanese Style). Having Girly Hobbies Doesn't Make You Less Manly!
Asuka's friend Juta needs to keep his identity as renowned shojo author Jewel Sachihana a secret, so why is he agreeing to do an autograph session?! The answer may lie with a letter from a certain fan...
200 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 2009
11 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Aya Kanno
64 books198 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 37 reviews
June 10, 2018
Reviewed: June 2018
Serious Asuka as a rock musician (even just pretending) doesn't sit with me. So glad that was only the first part of this book and then it was over. Hopefully for good! But the musicians can be back! The ghost story was a bit hard to get into and just when I finally did it was over! I really liked Juta's story and learning of his first crush! Cute and sweet! I wish he'd come out with the truth to his friends. He always wants them to be themselves but wont take that chance himself. So sad. And his rumor ploy about Asuka and Ryo was over the top. Even Asuka's mother got involved! Overall, I liked the second half of this story a lot but it started off bland. And the ending has me both concerned and eager for the next volume!
Serious Asuka as a rock musician (even just pretending) doesn't sit with me. So glad that was only the first part of this book and then it was over. Hopefully for good! But the musicians can be back! The ghost story was a bit hard to get into and just when I finally did it was over! I really liked Juta's story and learning of his first crush! Cute and sweet! I wish he'd come out with the truth to his friends. He always wants them to be themselves but wont take that chance himself. So sad. And his rumor ploy about Asuka and Ryo was over the top. Even Asuka's mother got involved! Overall, I liked the second half of this story a lot but it started off bland. And the ending has me both concerned and eager for the next volume!
February 27, 2023
So school becomes like a nazi camp and a conversion therapy school where boys have to be boys and manly and girls have to be girls and girly. Everything is strict. Students get rewarded if they adhere to these extreme and rigid standards and are rewarded for ratting people out as not being “enough” of their gender.
December 23, 2023
There were too many stories in one manga.
We have the resolution with the bands,a ghost story,the story about Juta kind of reconnecting with his first love and we end on a cliffhanger where Ryo might be transferring schools?
This volume didn’t have as much impact.
We have the resolution with the bands,a ghost story,the story about Juta kind of reconnecting with his first love and we end on a cliffhanger where Ryo might be transferring schools?
This volume didn’t have as much impact.
January 26, 2019
4.5 stars
August 17, 2011
There seems to be a different scale when I judge manga than there is for regular litterature. I tend to be more accepting of the excess drama and sillyness since it's part of the manga literary form. I also like the side notes of Aya Kanno, they're much less whimsical than in most volumes.
The last volume was way over the top for me, and I took a break from the series. Some manga puts me off if the main characters and rivals/friends are too awesome at what they're doing. This is one of the reasons why I don't watch or read most shonen animanga which essentially is about competition and getting better, because they always seem to border the unbelievably ridiculous (even for manga).
Asuka sometimes feels as if he is too good at too many things, considering he has been staying away from his hobbies for years. This volume felt more down to earth than the one before, there is no awesome show of skills if you disregard the first chapters in which Asuka has to stand in for a J-rock/Visual Kei singer, but it is a continuation from the previous manga. Most of the chapters had a feeling of fillers and side plots, but in the end the story picks up the main plot which has been hinted at through the entire book and ends with a cliffhanger. I will read the next book today.
As usual the book was a fast read and I finished it in one sitting, I will probably read book 8 later today.
The last volume was way over the top for me, and I took a break from the series. Some manga puts me off if the main characters and rivals/friends are too awesome at what they're doing. This is one of the reasons why I don't watch or read most shonen animanga which essentially is about competition and getting better, because they always seem to border the unbelievably ridiculous (even for manga).
Asuka sometimes feels as if he is too good at too many things, considering he has been staying away from his hobbies for years. This volume felt more down to earth than the one before, there is no awesome show of skills if you disregard the first chapters in which Asuka has to stand in for a J-rock/Visual Kei singer, but it is a continuation from the previous manga. Most of the chapters had a feeling of fillers and side plots, but in the end the story picks up the main plot which has been hinted at through the entire book and ends with a cliffhanger. I will read the next book today.
As usual the book was a fast read and I finished it in one sitting, I will probably read book 8 later today.
December 19, 2014
I really was not expecting that ending at all. I really hope it's not true!
This one was a really good volume. I liked the little side story about Yoriko and her boyfriend Masato. (She was the ghost that was haunting the training camp) I also liked Juta's side story about his failed romance with the girl who transferred to another school and was also the one who got him into shoujo manga in the beginning.
This one was a really good volume. I liked the little side story about Yoriko and her boyfriend Masato. (She was the ghost that was haunting the training camp) I also liked Juta's side story about his failed romance with the girl who transferred to another school and was also the one who got him into shoujo manga in the beginning.
April 18, 2012
Another volume that I wasn't really into. I didn't like the band storyline at all. The cliffhanger ending (Ryo moving away) was better, though. More story, less filler!
September 4, 2018
🌸SYNOPSIS
The final music battle, ghost stories of seven wonders, secret identities, rumours and truths seem to populate Otomen 7.
The main synopsis is focused on Juta and his autograph session, he is keen to conceal his true self, so what inspired him to do this? Like in the story Orange, it is all because of a letter from a certain someone urging him to do so.
🌸OPINION
As usual, it’s more fillers on character progress but I really enjoy the ghost story chapter. I also like the fact that you find out what inspires Juta into becoming the manga artist he is today, which has been something I have wondered about a bit.
I mean, sure the fillers here are good cause it’s more about the characters and their true selves but it gets a bit drawn out to the extent of covering the main story. Though, must admit that the last chapter seems to be bringing in more progress to the main story which is great since it possibly brings in more characters that would possibly enhance the main team of characters. I also like the idea of the pastry shop coming in with its cryptic but honest views on the story, I feel like that is going to be a large part of the story in future chapters.
One thing I noticed is that the manga seems to be growing slightly bigger in page size, not enough to be super obvious but enough to make me see it. I also admit that I enjoy seeing the cover adorned with Ryo and Asuka, though I’d secretly like to see Asuka wearing a cute dress.
🌸PRO
Ghost stories
Story Progress
Character progress
🌸CON
Feels like filler chapters that isn’t really going anyway.
🌸FINAL SAY
“Shoujo manga is amazing, you know”
Of course we know, it’s something that a lot of people read since it has that feel good moments that humans crave in their lives. Therefore, I enjoy Otomen as much as I do, that and these sort of things are a guilty pleasure to me. Regarding this manga, the slow progress is kind of like a build up of emotions for the characters that once you hit the last volume, it may leave you wanting more, which is both a loved and hated emotion.
The final music battle, ghost stories of seven wonders, secret identities, rumours and truths seem to populate Otomen 7.
The main synopsis is focused on Juta and his autograph session, he is keen to conceal his true self, so what inspired him to do this? Like in the story Orange, it is all because of a letter from a certain someone urging him to do so.
🌸OPINION
As usual, it’s more fillers on character progress but I really enjoy the ghost story chapter. I also like the fact that you find out what inspires Juta into becoming the manga artist he is today, which has been something I have wondered about a bit.
I mean, sure the fillers here are good cause it’s more about the characters and their true selves but it gets a bit drawn out to the extent of covering the main story. Though, must admit that the last chapter seems to be bringing in more progress to the main story which is great since it possibly brings in more characters that would possibly enhance the main team of characters. I also like the idea of the pastry shop coming in with its cryptic but honest views on the story, I feel like that is going to be a large part of the story in future chapters.
One thing I noticed is that the manga seems to be growing slightly bigger in page size, not enough to be super obvious but enough to make me see it. I also admit that I enjoy seeing the cover adorned with Ryo and Asuka, though I’d secretly like to see Asuka wearing a cute dress.
🌸PRO
Ghost stories
Story Progress
Character progress
🌸CON
Feels like filler chapters that isn’t really going anyway.
🌸FINAL SAY
“Shoujo manga is amazing, you know”
Of course we know, it’s something that a lot of people read since it has that feel good moments that humans crave in their lives. Therefore, I enjoy Otomen as much as I do, that and these sort of things are a guilty pleasure to me. Regarding this manga, the slow progress is kind of like a build up of emotions for the characters that once you hit the last volume, it may leave you wanting more, which is both a loved and hated emotion.
May 22, 2017
Today's post is on Otomen volume 7 by Aya Kanno. It is the seventh in her Otomen series. It is 200 pages long and is publishes by Shojo Beat. As this is the seventh volume in this series, you need to have read the first six volumes to understand the story. The cover a dark blue has Asuka and Roy being cute and 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- Asuka's friend Juta needs to keep his identity as renowned shojo author Jewel Sachihana a secret, so why is he agreeing to do an autograph session?! The answer may lie with a letter from a certain fan...
Review- Continuing with the back of the book blurb trend with this series, the blurb is just one of the stories in the volume. We finish the story about the band that the last volume ended with, the we have a ghost story that is cute and not scary at all, then Juta's story, then at last we get more cute drama between Asuka and Ryo. So this volume as some great side character development with Juta and he gets some resolution about his first love. Asuka is feeling very uncertain about Ryo, so Juta decides to help them by spread a rumor that Asuka is going to America. But we get a cliffhanger because Ryo is moving! More cuteness and drama ahead!
I give volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.
From the back of the book- Asuka's friend Juta needs to keep his identity as renowned shojo author Jewel Sachihana a secret, so why is he agreeing to do an autograph session?! The answer may lie with a letter from a certain fan...
Review- Continuing with the back of the book blurb trend with this series, the blurb is just one of the stories in the volume. We finish the story about the band that the last volume ended with, the we have a ghost story that is cute and not scary at all, then Juta's story, then at last we get more cute drama between Asuka and Ryo. So this volume as some great side character development with Juta and he gets some resolution about his first love. Asuka is feeling very uncertain about Ryo, so Juta decides to help them by spread a rumor that Asuka is going to America. But we get a cliffhanger because Ryo is moving! More cuteness and drama ahead!
I give volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.
February 6, 2019
Continuance of the rock star theme (which fits nicely with the famous actor celebrity thing we had going. Good heavens, the tropes abound). Again we see Juta with more tragedy hitting him square in the face. What pity I felt for him before has escalated. Let's do a book about him instead, there's much more character development there.
At the end? A challenge - will Ryo change her feelings toward Asuka? For a love story these books are highly unsatisfying.
At the end? A challenge - will Ryo change her feelings toward Asuka? For a love story these books are highly unsatisfying.
July 24, 2017
Great, but not as great as some of them. I loved the last 2 chapters the best (with Juta and the autograph session and then Juta interferring with Asuka and Ryo's relationship to "get things going" AGAIN! It's hilarious) but wasn't too keen on the rock star story line and the ghost girl.
March 27, 2025
i love asuka so much 😭😭😭
March 16, 2017
So cute. A little bit hurried and chaotic, but cute.
April 8, 2020
Cette critique fait partie d'un défi personnel: d’améliorer mon français!
Le premier chapitre de ce volume continue où le volume 6 s'est arrêté - avec Asuka qui prétend d’être un musicien de rock! Parmi les autres chapitres dans ce volume, il y a une histoire de fantôme qui est plus une histoire amusante qu’une histoire effrayante, une histoire de Juta qui dirige une séance de dédicaces pour Love Tic avec l'espoir que son premier amour serait là, et enfin, une histoire où Juta commence une rumeur que Asuka va partir pour les États-Unis afin de faire réagir Ryo! J'espère que la relation entre Asuka et Ryo continuera d'évoluer dans les volumes à venir.
*** #9 de mon 2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - "A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads" ***
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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 où le volume 6 s'est arrêté - avec Asuka qui prétend d’être un musicien de rock! Parmi les autres chapitres dans ce volume, il y a une histoire de fantôme qui est plus une histoire amusante qu’une histoire effrayante, une histoire de Juta qui dirige une séance de dédicaces pour Love Tic avec l'espoir que son premier amour serait là, et enfin, une histoire où Juta commence une rumeur que Asuka va partir pour les États-Unis afin de faire réagir Ryo! J'espère que la relation entre Asuka et Ryo continuera d'évoluer dans les volumes à venir.
*** #9 de mon 2019 Book Riot Read Harder Challenge - "A book published prior to January 1, 2019, with fewer than 100 reviews on Goodreads" ***
----------------------------------------------
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
July 6, 2014
The story has begun to feel less episodic and more cohesive. Story threads are still tied up pretty quick, with the main thread (Asuka and Ryo) being the exception.
So far, a lot of different aspects of "men who love girly things" have been covered. Makeup, flowers, sewing, cooking, even tea ceremonies and traditional clothing have gotten a bit of examination as "feminine" choices. I like that. I've also enjoyed the flip side: Ryo's more "masculine" skills of carpentry, sports, and martial arts.
In this volume, music is the first thing mentioned. I loved it! And it had a twist at the end of that sub-plot that I would have never seen coming. The point of that story kind of flowed into another in this volume, one about a ghost-girl who hates men. Adorable, and yet I'm enjoying how this manga is showing that women want both a "manly man" and a man who isn't afraid to be more domestic/beta/romantic and caring. I like how more "feminine" jobs are shown to have nothing to do with how much of a man a guy is. In fact, the more Asuka accepts himself, the more confidence he gains and the more manly he becomes. To me, anyway.
But again, my favorite in here was Juta. This volume examines some more of his past, including his reaction when some of it comes back. Though I wasn't impressed by where the story went afterward with Juta's character, I absolutely loved watching the events as they unfolded, and seeing him genuinely grateful to someone who had an enormous effect on his life. I can't wait for him to find someone he can truly care about (outside of all those sisters of his!).
So yeah, the story is going well! Still fun, still lighthearted, and still sweet. Yet another cliffhanger at the end of this volume, but I'm sure the resolution will be as much fun to watch as the previous ones, no matter how dramatic it seems to be.
On to vol. 8!
So far, a lot of different aspects of "men who love girly things" have been covered. Makeup, flowers, sewing, cooking, even tea ceremonies and traditional clothing have gotten a bit of examination as "feminine" choices. I like that. I've also enjoyed the flip side: Ryo's more "masculine" skills of carpentry, sports, and martial arts.
In this volume, music is the first thing mentioned. I loved it! And it had a twist at the end of that sub-plot that I would have never seen coming. The point of that story kind of flowed into another in this volume, one about a ghost-girl who hates men. Adorable, and yet I'm enjoying how this manga is showing that women want both a "manly man" and a man who isn't afraid to be more domestic/beta/romantic and caring. I like how more "feminine" jobs are shown to have nothing to do with how much of a man a guy is. In fact, the more Asuka accepts himself, the more confidence he gains and the more manly he becomes. To me, anyway.
But again, my favorite in here was Juta. This volume examines some more of his past, including his reaction when some of it comes back. Though I wasn't impressed by where the story went afterward with Juta's character, I absolutely loved watching the events as they unfolded, and seeing him genuinely grateful to someone who had an enormous effect on his life. I can't wait for him to find someone he can truly care about (outside of all those sisters of his!).
So yeah, the story is going well! Still fun, still lighthearted, and still sweet. Yet another cliffhanger at the end of this volume, but I'm sure the resolution will be as much fun to watch as the previous ones, no matter how dramatic it seems to be.
On to vol. 8!
August 15, 2012
Because of a chance encounter with the lead singer of House Dust, Asuka finds himself in the lamentable position of posing as a punk rock/goth singer. You have to read it to believe it.
As always, the message is clear: posing as something other than who you are invariably leads to trouble. It’s not just Asuka who realizes this but others as well, deepening the point inherent in this series that was established back in volume one. However, this volume contains a hint of the supernatural as Asuka is confronted again with the question that haunts all lovers: how do you know what the other person thinks of you?
This volume also deals with the trials and tribulations of the interfering manga artist Juta. The success of his manga depends on the progression of Asuka’s relationship with Ryo and we can understand his frustration about the stalled romance. But this volume contains a surprise that startled this reader and immediately made me eager to learn more.
A good writer has that ability to keep the reader on his/her toes and the ending here is one calculated to pull the dedicated fan back for more.
As always, the message is clear: posing as something other than who you are invariably leads to trouble. It’s not just Asuka who realizes this but others as well, deepening the point inherent in this series that was established back in volume one. However, this volume contains a hint of the supernatural as Asuka is confronted again with the question that haunts all lovers: how do you know what the other person thinks of you?
This volume also deals with the trials and tribulations of the interfering manga artist Juta. The success of his manga depends on the progression of Asuka’s relationship with Ryo and we can understand his frustration about the stalled romance. But this volume contains a surprise that startled this reader and immediately made me eager to learn more.
A good writer has that ability to keep the reader on his/her toes and the ending here is one calculated to pull the dedicated fan back for more.
November 2, 2015
Finishing up the House Dust vs. Freak Bones section, we go into a creepier seeming part of this series. Haha it's so great how quickly it changes from sweet and fluffy, to dark and terrifying.
It really scared me the first page of the next arc, (read it and you'll likely understand). Juts is still my favorite character, and involving some sort of serious crush was such a great addition.
Asuka might be catching on to Juta's true identity as Jewel Sachihana, but nothing was clearly said.
I feel terrible for Ryo and Asuka's relationship. I was just in a relationship that was similar and basically was just friendship, and it was actually very stressful. I can't imagine how Asuka's feels. Their kind of "not moving forward" relationship makes me almost not want to continue the series. I need something more like the last volume, where it includes all the characters, introduces some more, and keeps things exciting. Maybe the slow moving fluff is getting to me? I'm not sure. I might put this series on hold for a little while until I warm up to the idea, but let's hope it doesn't upset me.
It really scared me the first page of the next arc, (read it and you'll likely understand). Juts is still my favorite character, and involving some sort of serious crush was such a great addition.
Asuka might be catching on to Juta's true identity as Jewel Sachihana, but nothing was clearly said.
I feel terrible for Ryo and Asuka's relationship. I was just in a relationship that was similar and basically was just friendship, and it was actually very stressful. I can't imagine how Asuka's feels. Their kind of "not moving forward" relationship makes me almost not want to continue the series. I need something more like the last volume, where it includes all the characters, introduces some more, and keeps things exciting. Maybe the slow moving fluff is getting to me? I'm not sure. I might put this series on hold for a little while until I warm up to the idea, but let's hope it doesn't upset me.
November 17, 2010
This continues to be one of my personal favs. How Asuka quietly reveals more and more of his true self, and helps others in the process is still wonderful. This vol. also had a Juta "first love" story which I enjoyed. The cliffhanger ending (with the possibility of Ryo changing schools) is sure to cause dorama in v.8.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2012
thought this was the best book ever because it's about this boy that fell in love with this girl and he started liking girl stuff like sewing and cooking and chick flick and making cute stuffed animals but one example is that in the first book he explained why and i liked it and an another example is that he was so manly in the first one now he is ok
August 13, 2016
Does someone need a hug (Asuka)? Anyway, this series is getting more and more good. Apparently there's a show which I hope is just as good. So, for one thing, the cover, LOVE. And second, this volume was pretty good. Cute overall and butterflies and feels going around.
August 19, 2015
This one moves fast and leaves us with a bombshell cliffhanger. Well... Maybe not bombshell but definitely surprising.
October 4, 2012
The chapter where Juta met his first love again got me choked up, not gonna lie.
December 24, 2013
This was a much more serious volume, and I liked that. A lot. (Even your friends are IDIOTS Asuka)
We need a kissing scene though. Seriously, I need my kissing! GRR!
4/5
We need a kissing scene though. Seriously, I need my kissing! GRR!
4/5
March 10, 2013
Another fun installment! I love Juta's story-line!
June 27, 2020
Joji challenges Hanamasa to a musical duel to see whose the best. Asuka takes Hanamasa's place in the competition only to learn something surprising about Fra Fra.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2013
Nothing is really happening with this story. Sad because it had lots of potential.
August 15, 2014
I love fra*fra, best band ever XD.
January 4, 2015
Oh crap!! Twist ending, that's for sure. Good volume!
December 19, 2015
Cute!
But wahh! Typical mange cliff hanger at the end!
But wahh! Typical mange cliff hanger at the end!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews