Ouran High School Host Club, Vol. 1
4 journalers for this copy...
I picked up another copy of the first volume in this series, specifically for release.
I first read about the manga/anime series on TV Tropes (see the entry here, if you dare!), then watched it via Netflix, decided to buy the DVD set so I could watch it again, and then decided to collect the manga series as well - I've enjoyed it that much!
I delighted in the anime series, which is rife with laugh-out-loud bits, some Moments of Heartwarming, and a pair of earworm-level songs as the opening and closing themes, both of which I like even though I can't make myself stop hearing them {grin}.
While the manga does lack the color (and music) of the anime, the characters and storylines are still a lot of fun; if I'd stumbled across this book first I'm sure it would have hooked me on the anime as well. [And as it happens, the anime series only covers the first half or so of the manga series; the anime ends on a nicely promising scene, but the manga has some different plot lines, and gives all the characters a lot more to do.]
The premise is something of a sit-com, ensemble-cast, comedy-romance story: half a dozen wealthy private-high-school students have formed a "host club" in which they entertain female students - in a relatively tame manner, offering tea, compliments, and lots of batting eyes. Their newest member is a not-rich-at-all scholarship student who winds up joining the club to pay off a debt for accidentally breaking an expensive vase; it doesn't take long for the club members to realize that despite the shabby boys' clothing, she's really a girl, but since she seems to fill a niche in the club's array of stereotypical-love-interests they decide to keep her on.
I really like her character; she's not perfect, but she's more sensible than most of the other club members, and she has a refreshingly casual attitude about gender roles, which I sympathize with very much. This frustrates the heck out of the club president, who doesn't seem able to grasp why she'd be happy in guy-drag. Then again, there are a lot of things he doesn't seem able to grasp - but he's a sweetheart despite his relative dimness.
In fact, everyone in the club is interesting - and while I admit that the excellent voice-acting on the anime probably has something to do with it, I think I'd have liked the whole bunch from the manga alone. I even enjoy the chatty sidebars, supplemental strips and other nods to fan-feedback. And while I usually have one or two favorite characters out of any ensemble cast, here I find that my "favorite" changes depending on who's on stage - I love Haruhi and Tamaki, I adore the twins, I find Kyoya endlessly fascinating, and Hunny and Mori are always enjoyable (especially when Hunny - a 17-year-old who looks about 8 or sometimes 6, whose speech-bubbles always have flowers on them, who adores his stuffed bunny and who wolfs down cake and sweets at an insane rate - demonstrates his dark side; tall, dark and silent Mori's the only one who can reliably control him at such times). Realistic? Heck, no! But wonderful fun, a self-parody that's also a great romantic comedy.
I first read about the manga/anime series on TV Tropes (see the entry here, if you dare!), then watched it via Netflix, decided to buy the DVD set so I could watch it again, and then decided to collect the manga series as well - I've enjoyed it that much!
I delighted in the anime series, which is rife with laugh-out-loud bits, some Moments of Heartwarming, and a pair of earworm-level songs as the opening and closing themes, both of which I like even though I can't make myself stop hearing them {grin}.
While the manga does lack the color (and music) of the anime, the characters and storylines are still a lot of fun; if I'd stumbled across this book first I'm sure it would have hooked me on the anime as well. [And as it happens, the anime series only covers the first half or so of the manga series; the anime ends on a nicely promising scene, but the manga has some different plot lines, and gives all the characters a lot more to do.]
The premise is something of a sit-com, ensemble-cast, comedy-romance story: half a dozen wealthy private-high-school students have formed a "host club" in which they entertain female students - in a relatively tame manner, offering tea, compliments, and lots of batting eyes. Their newest member is a not-rich-at-all scholarship student who winds up joining the club to pay off a debt for accidentally breaking an expensive vase; it doesn't take long for the club members to realize that despite the shabby boys' clothing, she's really a girl, but since she seems to fill a niche in the club's array of stereotypical-love-interests they decide to keep her on.
I really like her character; she's not perfect, but she's more sensible than most of the other club members, and she has a refreshingly casual attitude about gender roles, which I sympathize with very much. This frustrates the heck out of the club president, who doesn't seem able to grasp why she'd be happy in guy-drag. Then again, there are a lot of things he doesn't seem able to grasp - but he's a sweetheart despite his relative dimness.
In fact, everyone in the club is interesting - and while I admit that the excellent voice-acting on the anime probably has something to do with it, I think I'd have liked the whole bunch from the manga alone. I even enjoy the chatty sidebars, supplemental strips and other nods to fan-feedback. And while I usually have one or two favorite characters out of any ensemble cast, here I find that my "favorite" changes depending on who's on stage - I love Haruhi and Tamaki, I adore the twins, I find Kyoya endlessly fascinating, and Hunny and Mori are always enjoyable (especially when Hunny - a 17-year-old who looks about 8 or sometimes 6, whose speech-bubbles always have flowers on them, who adores his stuffed bunny and who wolfs down cake and sweets at an insane rate - demonstrates his dark side; tall, dark and silent Mori's the only one who can reliably control him at such times). Realistic? Heck, no! But wonderful fun, a self-parody that's also a great romantic comedy.
I'm adding this book to k00kaburra's Manga bookbox, which should be on its way to the next in line, BCer emmejo in New York, some time tomorrow. [I'll post the delivery-confirmation number in the forum thread after I've mailed the box.] Enjoy!
My friend raves about this series. She showed the anime once at her place but I didn't quite get it. Maybe I will with the manga? (I didn't like Bleach anime but enjoyed the manga, so there's definitely a chance.)
It's funny this time around I love the anime but don't care too much for the manga. The anime seems to make the comedy 10 times more fun and the guys 100 times more glamorous! But I always love to read/see both manga and anime version.
This will go into the manga bookbox that is coming my way soon.
This will go into the manga bookbox that is coming my way soon.
This is what I wrote when I read this back in 2009:
It's like a combination of Boys Over Flowers and Hana-Kimi. The premise is totally dumb - at an exclusive school for rich kids, the six richest students have formed a host club for the wealthy, bored daughters of aristocrats and CEOs. One day Haruhi accidentally enters the library they use for 'hosting,' upsets an antique vase and ends up working for these spoiled rich kids. Totally silly, but I'm enjoying it.
This book enjoyed a brief stop in San Jose, CA before continuing its travels in AKSarah's "Another Graphic Novel/Manga" Bookbox!
It's like a combination of Boys Over Flowers and Hana-Kimi. The premise is totally dumb - at an exclusive school for rich kids, the six richest students have formed a host club for the wealthy, bored daughters of aristocrats and CEOs. One day Haruhi accidentally enters the library they use for 'hosting,' upsets an antique vase and ends up working for these spoiled rich kids. Totally silly, but I'm enjoying it.
This book enjoyed a brief stop in San Jose, CA before continuing its travels in AKSarah's "Another Graphic Novel/Manga" Bookbox!
Received in my graphic novel/manga bookbox.
