Manga Review: Otomen, Vol. 11 [Paperback]

I've finished "Otomen Vol. 11" by Aya Kanno.

Product Description

Reads R to L (Japanese Style), for audiences T 

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. Can Asuka ever show his true self to anyone, much less to Ryo Miyakozuka, the girl that he's falling for?

Asuka engages in a battle with Suzaki Oji to see who will get the most Valentine's Day chocolates! As Oji seduces girls left and right into giving him chocolates, Asuka wonders one thing -- who will Ryo give her chocolates to?

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 herlatest work, Otomen, is currently being serialized in Japan's BetsuHana magazine. Blank Slate was originally published as Akusaga in Japan, also in BetsuHana.

Product Details
Paperback: 200 pages
Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; Original edition (August 2, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1421539780
ISBN-13: 978-1421539782

My Review:

In the first story everyone is still at the mountain retreat when the only way out gets flooded and blocked with mud.  The phone is out and they can't reach anyone from the outside world.  So they decide they need food and Ryo happened to pick some mushrooms but they are the deadly kind.  So it's decided that Ryo, Tonomine and Yamato will go pick some food.  Tonomine volunteered to go and watch over Ryo in Asuka's place.  Asuka feels bad so he decides to cheer everyone up by making paper lanterns which everyone loves.

Ryo has caught a big fish and all of them are on their way back when an avalanche starts and Ryo is right in it's path.  Tonomine saves her by throwing his body over hers and when it's over they discover he has a sprained ankle.  Ryo piggy back Tonomine but he feels embarrassed because it's not manly.

At the end they have a big festival and Ryo asks Asuka would he like to dance.  They are on their way where everyone is dancing when they see Tonomine leaning against a tree.  He says "wait" and he wants to repay a favor so he gives Ryo a make up makeover.  Wow she did look different!

In the second story we are introduced to Suzaki Oji the school nurse who is such a womanizer and flirt .  We see girls swooning and fainting at his feet.  One day Asuka is in the library and he finds a poem in a book which he really likes.  He writes a letter back to the poet and everyday he goes back to find another poem.  One day Suzaki finds a poem and he announces to everyone he will find out the poet is and he said he is silly.  Asuka replies back, "the poet isn't silly".  Suzaki challenges Asuka to see who will get the most Valentine's chocolates and if he wins he would continue to find to find who the poet is and if Asuka wins he would stop trying to find out who the poet is.

Then we see Asuka getting some candy from classmates, friends and even the bakery owner gives him chocolates from a friend he said.  We also see Suzaki flirting with the girls and even managing to take some candies meant for Asuka.  Then the final day comes and the total for Asuka is 249 and the Suzaki's is 250 when all of sudden Ryo appears and says sorry she was late making chocolates and wants to give them to Asuka.  Suzaki rushes behind her and starts whispering into her ear trying to sway her decision.  She quickly sidesteps away from him and gives them to Asuka.  Asuka says, "he can't take them but only from the one he loves" and proceeds to give them back to all the girls, etc.  He accepts Ryo's and Suzaki looks like he is in shock.  He is talking to Mr. Amasaki and says when he looks at Asuka and Ryo he wants to find true love like that.  It looks like he has been converted too!

In the last story Asuka's mom returns to live with Asuka and work at the school every day. Asuka stresses out because he can't relax and be himself until the bakery owner starts sponsoring a men only baking instruction days at his home. Asuka, Tonomine, the FreakDust bandmates and Ryo's grandfather all show up to learn how to bake. They all have so much fun that the baker decides to continue offering the classes. Asuka's mom knows about the bakery  but not about Asuka's involvement in the classes.

We also learn who Asuka's dad is at the end and we also find out the bakery owner has a younger brother who is news reporter.

Tonomine has a bigger part in this volume and he is a excellent make up artist.  It really looks like he is thawing out some more.  It looks like he is starting to respect Ryo.

5/5

Thanks Maylene from Simon and Schuster Canada for sending me this manga to review, greatly appreciated!