Asuka Masamune is a guy who loves girly things - sewing, knitting, making cute stuffed animals and reading shojo comics. But in a world where boys are expected to act manly, Asuka must hide his beloved hobbies and play the part of a masculine jock instead. Ryo Miyakozuka, on the other hand, is a girl who can't sew or bake a cake to save her life. Asuka finds himself drawn to Ryo, but she likes only the manliest of men! Can Asuka ever show his true self to anyone, much less to the girl that he's falling for?
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About the Author
Aya Kanno was born in Tokyo, Japan. She is the creator of Soul Rescue, which has been published in the United States, and her latest work, Otomen, is currently being serialized in Japan's BetsuHana magazine.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
You don't see many shojos with a male protagnist, in fact its considered a no-no. So I had to buy this, I was impressed by its comedy. The main character's love of girlish things does not make him 'girlish' guy character, as one would fear. The characters are three dimensional and their personlities and attitudes to life are strong.
The artwork is also amazing.
The artwork is also amazing.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By kaya j
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Otomen is about Asuka, a cool, handsome high school student, who's been forced by his mum to do `manly' things all his life. At heart, he actually loves cute things, cooking, shojo manga etc, so he's always had to suppress his true nature. The story is about Asuka slowly coming to accept himself, trying to reconcile what seem to be conflicting interests.
Overall, the series is really light-hearted and fun. The characters are all well developed and likeable- especially Asuka, whose innocence and sincerity are really cute. The two other main characters are Ryo, a new girl who Asuka befriends and has a crush on, and Juta, an outgoing classmate who knows Asuka's secret.
I really enjoy reading this series. It always makes me laugh- somehow watching Asuka strive to accept himself is inspiring, moving and hilarious all at once. The storylines are sometimes a bit crazy and exaggerated but I think that's part of the series' charm. The artwork and characters are beautiful as well. As far as I'm concerned, everything just comes together and something about this series really works.
If you're looking for a shojo series that's light-hearted, fun and entertaining, I definitely recommend picking this up!
Overall, the series is really light-hearted and fun. The characters are all well developed and likeable- especially Asuka, whose innocence and sincerity are really cute. The two other main characters are Ryo, a new girl who Asuka befriends and has a crush on, and Juta, an outgoing classmate who knows Asuka's secret.
I really enjoy reading this series. It always makes me laugh- somehow watching Asuka strive to accept himself is inspiring, moving and hilarious all at once. The storylines are sometimes a bit crazy and exaggerated but I think that's part of the series' charm. The artwork and characters are beautiful as well. As far as I'm concerned, everything just comes together and something about this series really works.
If you're looking for a shojo series that's light-hearted, fun and entertaining, I definitely recommend picking this up!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars
14 reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
I want one of Asuka's bento lunches
4 Mar 2009
By F. Caldwell
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Otomen is the story of Asuka, manliest of manly high school students on the outside, but on the inside he's a romantic, shojo manga reading, cooking, sewing dynamo. He would like nothing more than to sew cute stuffed animals and make delicious bento lunches. Unfortunately because of past events he feels that he has to keep his "girly side" locked away and put on a front of extreme masculinity. So begins our story. Asuka is hard at work being his manliest when he meets Ryo, the new girl in school. He likes her and it awakens his inner romantic. Suddenly he's buying shojo manga and making pot holders. He just can't help himself. If Asuka is the romantic then Ryo is the clueless one. She has absolutely no idea that Asuka likes her as more than "just a friend." Then we add Juta, the school flirt, to the mix to make things more interesting. Juta has decided to pursue Ryo too. He comes right out and tells Asuka even.
This could be pretty cliche and to some extent it is. However, there are some interesting insights into what is and is not "manly" in Japanese culture (apparently real men don't like sweets) and there are some legitimately entertaining and funny parts. A lot of the best parts are in the latter half of the book. Namely Asuka's attempt to win over Ryo's father and the bit about fortune telling. Asuka is just adorable when Juta catches him being "girly". It's very endearing when he blushes. In fact, Asuka and Juta are my favorite parts of the manga. Ryo just seems a little TOO clueless. She has two gorgeous boys around her all of the time and she doesn't feel ANYTHING? Seriously. Poor Asuka. So I give volume 1 of Otomen 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. I would knock off a half of a star for what's lacking in Ryo's character.
This could be pretty cliche and to some extent it is. However, there are some interesting insights into what is and is not "manly" in Japanese culture (apparently real men don't like sweets) and there are some legitimately entertaining and funny parts. A lot of the best parts are in the latter half of the book. Namely Asuka's attempt to win over Ryo's father and the bit about fortune telling. Asuka is just adorable when Juta catches him being "girly". It's very endearing when he blushes. In fact, Asuka and Juta are my favorite parts of the manga. Ryo just seems a little TOO clueless. She has two gorgeous boys around her all of the time and she doesn't feel ANYTHING? Seriously. Poor Asuka. So I give volume 1 of Otomen 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. I would knock off a half of a star for what's lacking in Ryo's character.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
top 5 manga I've ever read
13 Dec 2009
By Tamera Thomas
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
I read a ton of manga, but I recently stumbled across this one & picked it up because of the cutsey artwork. The characters are very well made, it is very funny, and the relationship aspect is very sweet. I wouldn't be into it if the main character acted 'girly' but he just has girly hobbies.. he is actually quite manly in the way he speaks and treats others.
I HIGHLY reccommend this manga to anyone looking for something funny with great characters. The artwork is just great too :)
I HIGHLY reccommend this manga to anyone looking for something funny with great characters. The artwork is just great too :)
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Dude Acts Like a Lady
24 May 2009
By Ellen W.
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
Everyone knows that Asuka Masamune is the manliest man around. He's cool, good-looking, and expert at martial arts. Girls want him, guys want to be him. But what they don't know is that Asuka has a secret- underneath his masculine exterior, Asuka is a girly man who likes cooking, sewing, and shojo manga. He keeps his true self hidden to please his mother and to avoid criticism from his peers. But things get more complicated when Asuka falls for a tomboyish girl named Ryo who brings out his girlish side...
The plot is a little stereotypical, but somehow, these shojo cliches take on new life when the protagonist is a guy. There's something very funny and endearing about seeing Asuka comparing his own life to his favorite shojo manga.
The characters in this manga are good. Asuka is funny, awkward, and sweet. You almost can't help but like him. Juta, a boy who befriends Asuka, is a light-hearted playboy, but he's more serious than he seems. He gives Asuka helpful advice along the way. The least developed character was Ryo. She's has more masculine interests than Asuka, and she's oblivious to his feelings. She's a funny, sweet character, but she's not given enough scenes to really get any development. It gives me the feeling that Asuka may end up with someone else...
Despite some cliches, "Otomen" is a funny, cute manga about a guy who just wants to be himself. It's very entertaining, especially to those familiar with shojo manga who will pick up on the twisted cliches. Great for a light read.
The plot is a little stereotypical, but somehow, these shojo cliches take on new life when the protagonist is a guy. There's something very funny and endearing about seeing Asuka comparing his own life to his favorite shojo manga.
The characters in this manga are good. Asuka is funny, awkward, and sweet. You almost can't help but like him. Juta, a boy who befriends Asuka, is a light-hearted playboy, but he's more serious than he seems. He gives Asuka helpful advice along the way. The least developed character was Ryo. She's has more masculine interests than Asuka, and she's oblivious to his feelings. She's a funny, sweet character, but she's not given enough scenes to really get any development. It gives me the feeling that Asuka may end up with someone else...
Despite some cliches, "Otomen" is a funny, cute manga about a guy who just wants to be himself. It's very entertaining, especially to those familiar with shojo manga who will pick up on the twisted cliches. Great for a light read.
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