Otomen by Aya Kanno

Otomen? What the heck is an otoman? That is the question that made me put a hold on this manga when I ordered it for the library. Otomen, for those who do not know, are men that enjoy girly things. They like to bake, clean, sew and play with sparkly things. They also enjoy reading shojo manga-which is manga geared towards girls. The twist is that despite all these tendencies, otomen are straight.

Asuka is a closet otoman. His father walked out on his family years ago saying he wanted to be a woman.  Asuka’s mother begged him to be a “manly” man so Asuka pushed his true self aside and became the most aloof, masculine and number one in the country in the martial art kendo. When he falls for Ryo-a girl who can’t cook or sew-his oto-tendencies become even harder to control because when you are in love-your true-self tries even harder to come shining through.

I enjoyed this story that mixes around the gender stereotypes we all hold. The main female character is written as a clueless, shojen male charcter and the main male character is what you would expect in a shojo female character. The author herself admits that she is not girly in nature and elaborates on her thought process throughout the book.  Fast paced, light storyline for the most part and a comedy of errors about being ok with who you were born to be. 2009, 200 pages.

 

After School Nightmare vol. 1-10 by Setona Mizushiro

The After School Nightmare series is the first manga I read and I have to say it has left a lasting impression on me.  Not having any idea what to expect from manga, I thought that if I found one with a subject that interested me, I would be ok.

After School Nightmare focuses on three main characters in high school. Mashiro Ichijo has a secret that he keeps hidden from everyone that knows him. While he presents himself as a boy, he is really half male and half female.  He starts a new “special class” in which the students have to take to graduate. In this dream world each student takes on their true form and for Mashiro, that form is a girl.   Mashiro struggles with who he wants to be and who he really should be. In the mix is Kureha, his sometime girlfriend who hates men due to trauma as a child and Sou, a lady’s man who pursues Mashiro relentlessly while insisting that Mashiro is a girl. 

The series is really about self growth and realization of what it means to be yourself and not worry about what others may think. It touches on the trauma that we all carry inside of us and how we deal with that hurt and hopefully find ways to use it to make you stronger. The characters will captivate, the plot is interesting enough and twisted enough to really make you think long and hard about many things and I can honestly say I am sorry the series has ended. 

Yep, I get it now. Based on the series I have read and from talking to the fans of manga, I have much respect for this maligned arena of reading. I am surprised at the depth of the material covered in a graphical format almost everytime I pick up a series.  This isn’t fluffy, mindless stuff and if you have a teenager or friend who likes manga-you should know that there is much more inside of them for having read manga.  2008. Rated OT, Older teen.

 

The 9 lives, volume 1 by Bayou and Rachel Manija Brown

I’ve been reading graphic novels somewhat regularly now yet somehow I keep neglecting to write about them. Conri is a young cat-boy, an alien species that has come to live on earth. Only problem is that humans have enslaved them and force them to live as collared pets. Conri is on his own and in his own naive, stubborn ways thinks he can take on anything or anyone.  Naturally, it is at this point that he is almost captured. Adrian, a human, saves him from capture but Conri has a hard time believing Adrian has no interest in making him his slave.

This is a cute manga with some pretty serious dystopia type issues going on. The characters will draw readers in quickly and despite the premise of aliens that look like a cross between cats and humans, universal themes of the need for love and acceptance will ring true with many readers. 2008.

 

Fluffy by Simone Lia

I’m not writing these in order, but this makes the third-yes third-graphic novel I have read. The first one that is not manga and I have to say the format is really growing on me.

Fluffy is a talking bunny that thinks he is human. He has a daddy, Michael, who tells Fluffy constantly that he is a bunny to no avail. After a very persistent one-night stand (who just happens to be Fluffy’s teacher…i know, stay with me) starts to stalk Michael he decides to take a vacation to Italy to visit his family. Fluffy can’t wait and a great adventure unfolds. Not really, but the beauty of the book is the simplicity of the story as it unfolds and shows Michael and Fluffy what is really important in their world. Family and of course, each other.

Simone Lia is a funny author. There are strange little quirks throughout the book including narrating dust particles, random singing men and other such odd off-shoots. Not a lot of words, but you have a good feel for the characters as you read the book and get to care about them. Fluffy could be any toddler with a million questions and utter devotion. It is touching, it is bizarre, it is funny as hell. Enjoy.

My favorite moment in the book is when Fluffy, for the millionth time, is asking daddy if he likes his tractor? Many responses later, Michael says with all earnesty, “I love your tractor because you love it Fluffy.” Ahhhhhh, sniffle, sniffle. You had me at tractor. 2008, 187 pages.

 

Graphic Novels…errr what?

So, part of my new duties in collection management is purchasing teen graphic novels. I know they are popular. I don’t have a philosophical problem with them. But, I don’t know anything about them either.  From a collection point of view in this public library, I can tell you that manga and anime are hot and American comics are dead.

I’ve finally put a few on hold to see how I do. I thought I would be picky about my first experiences. I promise to keep you posted.

Until then, I’ve read this nifty book called ‘Graphic Novels: Everything you Need to Know’ by Paul Gravett. He does a brief intro to comics and looks at the different complaints about them like they never leave anything for the imagination. It is an interesting read so far but most importantly wanted to share a quote that defines graphic novels in a way I can relate to.

“The graphic novel is not literary fiction’s half-wit cousin, but, more accurately, the mutant sister who can often do everything fiction can, and, just as often, more.” ~Dave Eggers

Rock on!

~Jen